Rising demand for medicinal plants has led to increased pressure on wild plant populations. This, combined with shrinking habitats, means that many species in South Africa are now facing local extinction. In 1997, a study was initiated to determine the extent of trade in medicinal plants in the South African Lowveld (the low lying plains to the east of the Drakensberg escarpment), and to investigate socio-economic factors influencing trade and resource management. Trade was not as extensive in the Lowveld as in major urban markets such as Durban or the Witwatersrand (Johannesburg and surrounding towns), either in terms of the quantity, number or range of species sold, or the numbers of people relying on the trade for an income. In markets assessed in Mpumalanga Province, 176 species were identified (71% of the vernacular names encountered in the market place), representing 69 plant families. In Limpopo, 70 different species were identified (84% of the vernacular names encountered in the market place), representing 40 families. Imports were significant in Mpumalanga (33% of the plants on offer), mainly from Mozambique. A detrended correspondence analysis showed substantial differences between species traded in Mpumalanga and those sold in Limpopo. There was little variation in the species stocked by vendors in Mpumalanga, regardless of the season, the attributes of the seller, or whether business was carried out in urban or rural areas. In contrast, there was considerable variation in the stock inventories of the Limpopo traders. Despite the lower levels of local trade, increased harvesting pressure is being experienced regionally, to meet demand in metropolitan centres such as the Witwatersrand. This study showed considerable local variation and complexities in the harvesting and marketing of medicinal plants, with both a national and an international dimension. This dual spatial scale presents both opportunities and challenges in the management of these plants, which need to be addressed simultaneously, particularly with respect to research requirements and development of predictive models and capacity. Cooperation in conservation strategies and policies is required at regional, national and international levels, while ensuring that management initiatives take into account local market conditions and the socio-economic realities facing both consumers and those who depend on the trade for their livelihoods.

No description available.

The land use problem that exists in Cathedral Park and the area on either side has been described and enough background information has been obtained to identify the existing problems and propose possible solutions. Cathedral Park was created as a Class 'A' Provincial Park in 1968, mainly due to the efforts of a Parks Society, the Okanagan-Similkameen Parks Society (OSPS). The 18,217 acres included at present in the Park are considered by the Society to be insufficient to afford adequate protection to the delicate features in the Park. It has been suggested that a buffer zone would, among other things, provide the required protection, would enlarge the Park to meet future increased demands for outdoor recreation areas, and through the use of natural boundaries would facilitate the management of the area for recreation. The OSPS has proposed that the present Park boundaries be extended to include an area of about 83,000 acres. On both sides of the Park, grazing and forestry are at present in practice. There also are a few mineral claims. Most of the region's natural resource users would rather see a combined use made of this area with recreation, grazing, and forestry being practiced simultaneously. To protect their interests they have grouped themselves into the British Columbia Interior Resource Users Council. The conflict between the preservationists (recreationists) and the traditional resource users has been in existance for a few years with both organizations exerting pressure on the government at different levels. This thesis sums up the situation and after an overall look at the problem proposes solutions to the conflict. Initially it was intended to evaluate economically several alternatives, but as the situation was studied in depth, new problems unrelated to the economics of the different alternatives emerged. Because many aspects are social and political the economics of this land use problem have been relegated to a secondary position. Revenues that would be lost as a result of reservation of the 83,000 acres for recreation and exclusion of other natural resource users, are important nonetheless. They ought to play an important role in developing solutions to the problem and are associated with several long standing contractual obligations to resource users that should not be dismissed lightly. In the initial stages of research many references were consulted. Once a general idea had been obtained of the problems and groups involved in the conflict, several trips were made to the region and taperecordings were made of interviews held. Four visits were made to the Park in order to gain familiarity with the area. Correspondence was maintained with government officials and concerned parties. As a result of the investigation it was concluded that at present it would be politically difficult and probably socially and economically undesirable to increase park acreage. It is suggested an integrated use of the area be practiced and that it be used as a case study in which the government can demonstrate its capacity to anticipate, meet, and solve land use problems effectively. / Forestry, Faculty of / Graduate

This thesis studies the use and management of a portion of the backcountry in Manning Provincial Park, located 140 miles east of the Vancouver area. Like many other North American wildlands near urban centres. Manning Park is experiencing increased pressure due to population growth in the surrounding area and the current popularity of hiking and camping activities. Demand for backcountry recreation areas appears to be increasing faster than new lands are added to park systems. The result: trails and campsites become more crowded, with possible negative effects on both the physical environment and on the "wilderness experience" of hikers. Environmental quality deterioration, which may indicate that a given area's biophysical carrying capacity has been exceeded, can include pollution of streams, presence of litter, and the chopping of live trees for firewood. Psychological consequences of heavy use have been recognized more recently as important for backcountry management. These refer to the hiker's tolerance for other humans in the area, for some backpackers the wilderness experience is enhanced by social encounters, while for certain individuals, the mere evidence of another camping party can ruin a trip. Little information on Manning Park's backcountry— biophysical characteristics and problems, and visitor numbers, types and needs—has been collected. Additionally, it is felt managers and planners have not given adequate attention to the preferences and opinions of backcountry visitors. Thus, the following steps were undertaken: 1) An examination of various management choices available in planning for backcountry hiking areas, through a review of relevant literature; 2) A case study of the backcountry of Manning Park, focusing on the Heather Trail. First, data were obtained regarding visitors--their backgrounds, preferences for backcountry facilities, numbers of visitors, and management alternatives. Half-hour personal interviews were conducted at campsites in the summer of 1975, followed up with mailed questionnaires in October 1975. Second, information about present management practices, planned future developments, and the opinions of managers on backcountry use and development, was obtained. Personal interviews were conducted with naturalists, administrators, and planners, and the conceptual plan developed fox the area by the Parks Branch planners was examined. 3) Suggestion of practicable management procedures which would help to create a backcountry environment meeting user needs and desires, while aiding in the maintenance of environmental quality. The case study revealed that managers lack the data on use levels, visitor opinions, and environmental conditions, which would greatly assist future management and planning efforts. Visitors, too, lack information concerning the park, its features, and facilities. Additionally, they are not exposed to information about the proper types of behaviour, those least likely to damage the biophysical environment. Two primary reasons exist for this deficiency: the park supplies little information, and visitors tend to avoid the Nature House, thus not receiving the available information. The following recommendations were set forward: 1) That a hiker registration system be implemented; 2) That mere extensive information be made available, and that visitors be encouraged to take advantage of it; *3 That a naturalist be hired to hike the Heather Trail loop during peak use times; *4 That unobtrusive physical measures be taken to curb trail erosion and widening; *5 That a new lec-p trail be constructed connecting the Three Brothers peaks; and *6 That park managers participate in seminars and workshops dealing with biophysical and psychological carrying capacity problems in the backccuntry, and various workable solutions to them. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of / Graduate

No description available.

Author: Bc. Alexandra Rashkevich Title of thesis: Design of street furniture. A place to study in the open air. Keywords: city, park, street furniture, study, ergonomics, design. The content of this thesis is the design of a piece of street furniture. The starting point of the proposal is the theoretical part, which contains basic information about street furniture. An important part of the theoretical part of this thesis is the study of educational opportunities. Methods of attachment, materials and ergonomics are described in the next chapter. Before designing the product is necessary to research a market of street furniture, which includes an analysis of contemporary street furniture on the Czech and foreign market. In the design part is described the product design process, which is completed with sketches and visualizations. The final design is presented by 3D visualizations and technical drawings, which will serve as a basis for prototype production. Furthermore, was producer a 1:1 scale model and the product name was invented. The diploma thesis contains photos of the production process and photos of the final product.

A dissertation of submitted to the Faculty of Arts in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Master's in Recreation and Tourism in the Department of Recreation and Tourism at the University of Zululand, 2009. / There has been turmoil between the Isimangaliso Wetland Park Authority and the Khula village community located adjacent to it. Khula village community members have been trespassing into the park and conducting illegal activities. Some of these include: killing wild animals, cutting trees for wood carving and medicinal purposes without permission from the Isimangaliso Wetland Park Authority. In addition, the number of hijacked tourist cars in the area is increasing and other serious criminal activities directed to tourists are becoming very common. All these illegal activities are progressively contributing, not only to the gradual deterioration of the status of the resources, but also to the spoiled relationship between the authorities, tourists and the community around the Isimangaliso Wetland Park. These occurrences are impacting adversely on the park as a tourist destination. What is implicit is that tourist visitation numbers at the Wetland Park will drop, and these reduced numbers of tourists that will affect the employment rate within the local community. Pursuant to these observations and problems, the researcher found it appealing and necessary to explore the relationship between the Isimangaliso Wetland Park Authority and Khula village community. This would be achieved by investigating the participation, practices, and patterns associated with the administration of the Isimangaliso Wetland Park. In an attempt to address the research question or problem, the following research objectives were set up: • To reveal the extent to which the local community is aware of the importance of tourism in the study area • To establish whether the communities do participate in the reserve activities that bring in income • To determine the existing type of relationship between the local communities and the park authorities • To explore whether the communities are given a platform to express their preferences about the park • To investigate whether there are any development initiatives the reserve is offering to the local community. The research methodology used to execute the objectives of the research study involved collecting information from the local community of Khula Village, Isimangaliso Wetland Park Authority and KwaZulu-Natal Ezemvelo Wildlife. Data was collected by means of sets of questionnaires. The data collected was analysed using the SPSS computer statistical package, which led to getting the research findings. There were various findings that emerged and were deduced from the research data analysed. The findings showed that a dual relationship between the local community and Park Authorities. On the one side it was good because of the social involvement of local communities in the activities of the Park, whereas, on the other side, the lack of economic participation affected the relationship negatively. The findings showed that, among the respondents from the study area, a limited number of people had had access to tertiary education. It is believed that the lack of tertian7 education influenced the availability of skills that resulted in a small number of people participating in activities that would bring economic benefit as opposed to social benefits. Social benefits were enjoyed by a larger number of the respondents whereas economic benefits were only experienced by few. Furthermore, these economic benefits were experienced through activities, which brought income to the local communities such as harvesting wood for carving and craft making. Some benefits involved the performance of cultural activities to tourists, whereby community participants were paid money for the services. The cited benefits reflect some of the important solutions to the research problem of this study.

river Park Sports Structure

park, sport,landscape

Yes