Due to death being an extremely sensitive issue, the topic of cemeteries and associated environmental impacts is often left outside the mainstream environmental critique. However, this is a topic becoming more prevalent as the population numbers and the death rate increases, while the amount of available land decreases. Recent research has indicated that poorly sited cemeteries may pose a significant threat to groundwater resources with the consequential potential for severe health hazards. This has resulted in the need for a method of determining the acceptability of a given area for the establishment of a cemetery in a South African context. Cemeteries should be sited in such a way as to mitigate potential public health and safety concerns, minimise associated environmental impacts and provide a method of body disposal that is economically viable. This study therefore provides an integrated methodology to identify and assess a given area and rank a number of potential sites, ultimately determining a single cemetery site which proves to be acceptable for the establishment of a cemetery. Cemetery site selection should be based on the factors affecting the pollution potential of a proposed cemetery. These factors were identified and quantified based on research into the mechanisms of cemetery site pollution resulting in a number of fatal flaws and criteria deemed decisive when selecting a potential cemetery site. The assessment of a site with regards to these criteria and fatal flaws is undertaken through the use of GIS analysis software utilising data layers containing information on the site selection criteria, by investigating existing studies, literature or reports relating to the relevant area, or through field investigations. Although these criteria are vital when determining the specific characteristics of a site in terms of its pollution potential, a method of assessing a number of potential sites with regards to these criteria is vital. To this end, a multi-criteria ranking matrix has been developed, allowing for an objective method of assessing individual sites and thus indicating which sites are more suited for the establishment of a cemetery. The ranking matrix identifies a range of values for each criterion, therefore identifying a minimum and maximum allowable value. A site is then assessed with regards to these criteria in relation to the values identified in the ranking matrix. Each criteria is assigned a score according to the site conditions. Once the criteria for each site has been assessed and scored, the results can be tallied allowing the sites to be ranked according to which site proved to be the most acceptable for a cemetery based on the findings of the application of the site selection criteria. The methodology developed in this study is unique to previous studies in that it provides an integrated and staged approach to identifying, assessing and applying the criteria affecting the pollution potential of a cemetery. The methodology also provides a means of ranking a number of potential sites so to determine the most suitable. Furthermore, the criteria deemed as decisive in previous investigations were in most cases not quantified by the relevant authors, therefore leaving many of the criteria values up for interpretation. For this methodology to be affective, all criteria must be quantified therefore identifying maximum and minimum allowable limits for each. This study applies minimum and maximum allowable limits to these criteria, therefore aiding in the ranking process. The integrated methodology developed was then applied to a case study where by the effectiveness in identifying a number of potential cemetery sites could be tested. Subsequent to the application of this methodology to a case study, it was concluded that an additional two criteria, not identified in previous investigations, needed to be assessed to more adequately determine the suitability or otherwise of a site for a cemetery. Ultimately, twelve major criteria have been proposed for use as the basis of the methodology. The methodology and pertinent criteria proposed in this study should be compiled as a standard for planning authorities and consultants to use as a method of determining a number of potential environmentally sound cemetery sites.

Bibliography: p. 109-111. / This is an academic report submitted in partial fulfilment of the degree Master of Environmental Science. It is written to demonstrate the competence of the writer in undertaking work in the field of Environmental Impact Assessment. The main purpose of the report is the comparative evaluation of two proposed alternative roads, the "Western Access Route" (WAR) and the "Least Cost Alternative Route" (LCAR). Since this is an academic report, it will not be used as a decision-making document and it will not be submitted to the proponent of the alternative roads.

Bibliography: p. 94-95. / The purpose of this report is to: * assess the biophysical and socio-economic impacts of closure of De Beers Namaqualand Mines (DBNM) * provide preliminary suggestions for mitigation measures. DBNM anticipate that they will close in approximately 10 years' time. By the year 2002, all diamond deposits which are currently economically viable to mine on a large-scale would have been exploited. Closure is anticipated to have a significant impact on DBNM employees, their households, and towns where the households of employees live. Furthermore, closure is anticipated to have a significant impact on the Namaqualand economy. Therefore, DBNM commissioned the EEU to undertake an assessment of the impacts resulting from mine closure, to ascertain the effects on their employers and their affected households and communities. Through discussions with DBNM the scope for this assessment was established: * Briefly to describe the current biophysical, social and economic environments in Namaqualand and identify different trends in the region. * To assess in detail the socio-economic impacts resulting from the closure of DBNM. In addition, this report considers the impacts on the biophysical environment resulting from the closure of DBNM, because the socio-economic well-being of employees from rural areas of Namaqualand and Transkei is intrinsically linked to changes in the biophysical environment. Lastly, this report also contains preliminary suggestions for mitigating the impacts of closure.

This dissertation proposes the use of fiction as models to enhance the process of impact assessment (IA) and to improve the quality of IA reports. It demonstrates that works of extrapolative fiction (EF), a subset of science fiction, raise issues and clarify concerns not currently included in the IA process, suggesting the potential for improving the relevance of IA results for decisionmakers. The dissertation also demonstrates that EF stories can enhance the presentation of IA results, making those results more readable. Through literature review and content analysis, the current IA process is shown to lead to results lacking in specific content areas (e.g., effects on emotional well-being and community cohesiveness) necessary for their utility to decisionmakers. The body of literature here called extrapolative fiction is then shown to include many content areas missing in existing assessments. Two alternatives for an IA process that could incorporate extrapolative fiction are presented and discussed by means of examples. The first includes existing EF stories as a part of or an appendage to an IA report. The example is a preliminary combining of published EF stories with an IA report concerning life-extending technologies. The second includes the use of existing EF stories in the assessment process through inclusion of an EF-oriented reader on the IA team. The example is a case description of an IA process regarding the commercialization of guayule as a source of natural rubber, a process in which the author incorporated EF methods. Severa other results emerged from this research: (a) an initial statement of objectives for a unified field of impact assessment (recently emerging as an amalgamation of technology assessment, environmental impact statements and social impact assessment); (b) a working definition for an emerging subgenre of science fiction here called extrapolative fiction; (c) a topical bibliography of some hundred EF stories. These results extend the current understanding of the field of impact assessment and the emerging genre of extrapolative fiction and should be useful to both the impact assessment and science fiction criticism communities.

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 89-91).

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1993.

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.) -- University of Montana, 2009. / Title from author supplied metadata. Description based on contents viewed on August 12, 2009. Author supplied keywords: native plant restoration ; nonnative seed ; road decommissioning ; road removal ; seed establishment ; soil bulk density ; water holding capacity ; watershed restoration. Includes bibliographical references.

Originally presented as the author's thesis (doctoral)--Technische Universität Berlin, 2009. / "D 83"--T.p. "SEA, Strategic Environmental Assessment"--P. 14. Includes bibliographical references (p. 239-260).

published_or_final_version / Zoology / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy