This research investigated the instructional leadership roles of selected township principals. Its main focus was therefore to explore and understand the roles and practices engaged in by township principals in order to influence effective teaching and learning in their schools. A qualitative research method was used to conduct a case study with two schools. A total of six participants were purposefully sampled: two principals and four teachers. The data was collected using individual interviews, document analysis and observations. From the data, five themes emerged in this study. Although the findings revealed that there are some principals with a weak and partial understanding of what instructional leadership entails, these principals do put a remarkable effort into executing their instructional roles. Instructional leadership development programmes are necessary for all School Management Team (SMT) members. / Educational Leadership and Management / M. Ed. (Education Management)

Contemporary conservation and development understanding in both policy and academic circles espouses that natural resources have a significant contribution to the livelihoods of local people and that knowledge of this can better foster conservation policies that are consistent with livelihood and ecological needs. This thesis is based on research conducted in the southern Kalahari region, South Africa among the San and Mier communities bordering Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. It looks at the importance of natural resources to the San and Mier community groups and ascertains the extent of resource use and its value within broader livelihood portfolios. It also focuses on the cultural values of natural resources and interactions among institutions and actors and how these shape natural resource governance and livelihood outcomes. Overall, natural resources represent an important livelihood source contributing up to 32 % and 9 % of the total income of the San and Mier respectively or up to 46 % and 23 % if livestock incomes are included. However, the dependence on, diversification patterns and distribution of natural resource income vary substantially between and within the two communities. With regards to the cultural values attached to natural resources by the San and Mier, the findings show that these arise from an incredibly diverse and sometimes conflicting array of values that punctuate the two communities’ way of life and they are inextricably linked to resource use. Lastly, governance of natural resources in the co-managed Park and communitymanaged resettlement farms is characterised by complex institutional arrangements, compounded by the existence of multiple actors that have multiple and sometimes conflicting objectives – as shaped by different meanings and interpretations of natural resources. Heightened inter- and intra-community conflicts are common, notably resource use conflicts between the San and Mier and between the San ‘modernist’ and ‘traditionalist’ groups. This demonstrates that the communities’ livelihood dynamics in general and the dependence on natural resources in particular, are closely linked with ecological, economic and social factors including history, culture and present livelihood needs. By exploring the social-environment interactions, the study highlights the complexities and diversity of resource use for livelihoods that should be taken into consideration for both conservation and development policy interventions and research. The main argument of the study is that the contribution of natural resources to local livelihood portfolios in co- and community-managed areas, can be better understood through a consideration of cultural dynamics and institutional arrangements since these condition natural resource access, value and use.

Freshwater ecosystems are subject to a wide variety of stressors, which can have complex interactions and result in ecological surprises. Non-native fish introductions have drastically reduced the number of naturally fishless lakes and have resulted in cascading food web repercussions in aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Additional anthropogenic influences that result from increases in global airborne emissions also threaten wildlife habitat. Atmospheric nitrogen deposition has been recognized as an anthropogenic contributor to acidification and eutrophication of wilderness ecosystems. Planktonic communities have shown declines in response to predation and shifts in composition as a result of nutrient inputs and acidification, both of which are potential fates of nitrogen deposition. This study identified the response of zooplankton communities from two lakes (fish present vs. absent) in Mount Rainier National Park to manipulations simulating an episodic disturbance event in mesocosms. The experiment used a 2 x 2 factorial design with acid and nitrogen treatments. Treatments resulted in significantly elevated nitrogen and decreased pH conditions from control mesocosms over 42 days, indicating that the treatment effects were achieved. Results indicate that zooplankton communities from lakes with different food web structure respond differently to the singular effects of acid and nitrogen addition. Surprisingly, the interaction of the two stressors was related to increases in community metrics (e.g., abundance, biomass, body size, richness, and Shannon-Weiner diversity) for both lake types. This work can aid management decisions as agencies look to restore more aquatic montane habitats to their historic fishless states, and assess their abilities to recover and afford resistance to atmospheric pollution.

The Cercopithecus mitis radiation has significant phenotypic and ecological diversity, making it a great candidate for evolutionary genetic studies. This study represents the first genetic survey of C. mitis from well provenanced wild populations, including C. mitis heymansi from the TL2 landscape, an area of remote tropical forest between the Tshuapa, Lomami, and Lualaba rivers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Tissue samples were collected from 7 male blue monkeys, DNA was extracted and surveyed at 919 bp of the Testis-Specific Protein Y-chromosome (TSPY), and added to a larger dataset including other C. mitis and C. albogularis specimens. Evolutionary analyses suggests TL2 C. mitis shared recent genetic contact with C. albogularis at the headwaters of the Congo River than with conspecifics to the northeast, indicating the Congo River is a significant biogeographic barrier to C. mitis and sheds new light on their genetic heritage, taxonomic assignment, and conservation status. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2016. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Typescript (Photocopy) Bibliography: leaves 200-206.

The physical and chemical properties of soils can greatly influence the vegetation patterns in a landscape. This is especially so through the effect that particular characteristics of soils have on the water balance and nutrient cycling in savanna ecosystems. Areas in the savanna environment found in Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park have experienced a number of changes in the vegetation patterns observed. This study, therefore, looks at the effect that soil characteristics may have on the vegetation growth in this area and on the changes that have taken place over time. Fixed-point photographs, taken every four years, were used to choose fourteen sites in the Park, which showed either a ‘change’ or ‘no-change’ in vegetation from 1974 to 1997. The sites consisted of four which had ‘no-change’ in vegetation, two sites with a slight increase (5- 20%) in tree density, three sites with a greater increase in tree density (>20%), two sites with a slight decrease in tree density (5-20%), and three sites with a greater decrease in tree density (>20%). Transects were then carried out at each site, in which the soil was classified to the form and family level. Each horizon was then sampled and the field texture, structure, Munsell colour and depth of each horizon and profile recorded. The data recorded in the field were statistically analysed through a principal component analysis (PCA). The type of horizon, horizon boundary, structure type, colour group and depth for the top and subsoil were included in the models and were analysed with the number given to each site for each of the three sections of the Park, namely Hluhluwe, the Corridor and iMfolozi. The most prominent textures at all sites were sandy loam, loam, clay loam and silt loam for both the top and subsoil for all site categories. The texture classes were also compared across the Hluhluwe, Corridor and iMfolozi sections. The dominant textures in the Hluhluwe and Corridor sections are loam, clay loam and silt loam for both top and subsoils. Sites sampled in the iMfolozi section appear to have textures mainly associated with the clay loam and sandy loam classes. The structure classes of the soil including sub-angular blocky, granular and crumb which are associated with a moderate structure appear to be the most dominant type in all categories for the topsoil; single-grain and sub-angular blocky classes the main types for the subsoil. Generally the colour of the soil at all the sites sampled was yellower than 2.5YR and the values and chromas mostly fell within the range of 3-5 and 2-6, respectively. This is also shown in the PCA results obtained, which associate particular soil characteristics with the various sites sampled for the different vegetation change categories investigated. The samples collected were also analysed in the laboratory after being air-dried. The laboratory analysis included measurements of pH, exchangeable acidity, organic carbon, extractable phosphorus, particle size distribution and cation exchange capacity (CEC). The data recorded in the laboratory were also analysed by PCA. This was used to determine which soil properties are associated with the particular sites investigated. The pH of the soil, in all areas, fell within a wide range. The pH is influenced by the rainfall in the area and thus sites sampled in the Hluhluwe section are more acidic than those sampled in the Corridor and iMfolozi sections. The topsoils had a higher pH for all the samples and were in the range between 5 and 7. The exchangeable acidity measurements were low, although they were higher in the subsoil as opposed to the topsoil. The nutrient contents did not appear to vary greatly between the different sites in the Park. Generally extractable phosphorus, CEC and organic carbon were low across the Park. The particle size analysis showed that the clay percentage increases between the top and subsoil for all the sites sampled. The silt and various fractions of sand percentages vary across all sites and are lower than the clay percentage at all sites except the A horizon of the ‘slight increase’ sites. The ‘no-change’, and ‘increase’ sites have a higher percentage of clay as compared to the silt and sand fraction for both the A and B horizon. The ‘slight increase’ sites have a higher percentage of sand in the A and B horizon, the ‘slight decrease’ sites have a more equal percentage between the sand, silt and clay fractions in the A horizon and a greater percentage of clay in the B horizon. The ‘decrease’ sites have a greater percentage of clay and silt in the A and B horizon. While certain soil properties have a definite effect on the plant growth, no relationship between specific soil properties and vegetation changes was shown. However, it is likely that the soil structure and texture affect the vegetation patterns, through their influences on the water and nutrient holding capacity. With an increase in the clay percentage and more strongly structured soils, plants can access more water and nutrients and this will increase the tree density in an area. However, the recent changes in the vegetation patterns observed in the Park appear to be more associated with other environmental factors. The soil properties analysed would have generally been more constant at the sites sampled, particularly over the relatively short period of time in this study. Therefore, the changes which were recorded in the fixed-point photographs would have been enhanced by other factors experienced in the Park, including fire and the effect that grazers and browsers have on the vegetation. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2009.

The aim of this research was to evaluate the role of the first responder at the crime scene, focusing on visible policing members at Ivory Park Police Station situated in Gauteng Province. A qualitative approach was employed in which the multiple data sources of literature, documents (SAPS directives) and structured interviews were compared in an attempt to substantiate the research findings. The interviews were conducted with visible policing members who attended to crime scenes as first responders and with detective branch commanders. This research discussed a number of key concepts: crime scene, criminal investigation, first responder, Locard’s Principle and physical evidence. It explained that criminal investigation is a logical and systematic process of gathering, locating and collecting evidence and the subsequent apprehension of perpetrators of crime in an attempt to secure a conviction. The objectives of criminal investigation are to detect crime; locate and identify possible offenders; gather, collect and process evidence; arrest offenders; recover stolen property; and bring the perpetrators before court to secure a conviction. The basic purpose of investigation is to prevent crime. Locard’s Principle, also known as the “the contact theory”, is that every contact leaves a trace. This research also suggests the processes that must be followed when crime is reported, the meaning of preliminary investigation, and the basic considerations during preliminary investigation, the main mistakes made by the first responder and the solutions to the identified mistakes. It is imperative that visible policing members familiarise themselves with the purpose of investigation and develop an understanding of the term “Locard’s Principle”, the process that must be followed when crime is reported, the basic considerations in the preliminary investigation of a crime and the main mistakes made by the first responders at the scene of crime, as these carry significant weight in the execution of their daily duties. These must be understood by the first responder as they contribute to the successful investigation and prosecution of offenders. This research hopes to assist in securing convictions and decreasing the number of repeat offenders who commit crimes. / Criminology and Security Science / M.A. (Criminal Justice)

Current literature suggests that little, if any, research has been conducted in South Africa to determine the impact of alien invasive trout on indigenous amphibian biodiversity. The primary aim of the research project was to establish whether waterfalls are seasonally important in protecting the indigenous Natal Cascade Frog Hadromophryne natalensis tadpole populations from predation by alien rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss and brown trout Salmo trutta at two sampling areas located at Injesuthi and Monk‟s Cowl Nature Reserve within the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site (UDPWHS). The dissertation argues in favour of a biotic rationale, namely trout predation, as being the primary cause for the decline of H. natalensis tadpoles below the waterfalls and systematically negates the influence of geo-physical (abiotic) environmental factors on tadpole abundance. Habitat isolation and fragmentation is identified as a latent threat to the continued persistence of H. natalensis populations in the UDPWHS. / Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Science)

Thesis (PhD) -- Stellenbosch University, 1995. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Graling in the Kruger National Park. south of Phalaborwa Gate, is contaminated with copper, probably from a nearby copper refinery. Cattle in the neighbourhood have died from copper poisoning while the average copper concentration in the livers of impala in the Krgler National Park, was found to be abnormally high. The possibility exists that the ultrastructure of spermatozoa may serve as an indicator of environmental conditions. To examine this statement further, the purpose of this study includes the following: - To describe the ultrastructure of normal impala sperm as well as their abnormalities. - To quantify the sperm abnormalities of each experimental animal and to relate the abnormalities with the copper concentration in the impala liver, in order to determine whether any correlation exists between these two variables. Impala have been terminated monthly, from 1992.06.09 to 1993.05.15. in the vicinity of Phalaborwa Gate and in the Skukuza area for other research projects. Their sperm were made available for this study. The control group consisted of 20 animals which comprised 14 animals from an area, not contaminated with copper, along the Nwaswitshaka spruit near Skukula and 6 animals originally from the same area but which had been kept in captivity at Skukuza on a diet, not contaminated with copper. The experimental group consisted of 44 animals which comprised 32 animals from copper contaminated grazing along the Tshutshi spruit south of Phalaborwa Gate and 12 animals captured along the Nwaswitshaka spruit which were kept on a copper contaminated diet in captivity at Skukuza. Sperm from the epididymis of each animal were collected and fixed in a temporary laboratory. The sperm were processed at the Electron Microscopy Unit of the Faculty of Veterinary Science of the University of Pretoria and studied by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The copper concentration in the liver was analyzed and bone marrow collected of each animal in order to determine the condition of the animal. The external morphology of a normal impala sperm was documented by means of SEM and the dimensions of the sperm determined. SEM micrographs of observed sperm abnormalities were taken. Percentages for normal sperm and the percentages of some abnormalities of a control group (Average liver copper concentration - ALCC = 37.9 ppm WB) were calculated. The same percentages were also calculated for an experimental group (ALCC = 104 ppm WB). The control group and the experimental group exhibited 91.6% and 93.6% normal sperm respectively. The difference in percentage sperm abnormalities of the two groups was of the same order. The increased copper in the livers of the experimental group has thus not lead to an increase of the percentage macro-abnormalities observed with SEM. The ultrastructure of normal impala sperm were described and documented with micrographs by means of TEM. The deviations of the normal sperm ultrastructure were also recorded on micrographs. Percentages were calculated for the normal sperm sections, as well as the abnormalities of some sperm sections of a contrl group (ALCC = 33.86 ppm WB). The same percentages were also calculated for an experimental group (ALCC = 122.5 ppm WB). For the control group the average percentage sperm neck sections with vacuoles was : 31.5% and for the experimental group this percentage was : 57.9%. The increased copper concentrations in the livers of the experimental group thus led to an increase of the percentage of sperm necks with vacuoles. There is also reason to believe that the difference of the percentages of sections of the sperm head, in the control and experimental group, should be remarkably greater. A graphic analysis of the TEM-data has also shown that a statistically significant correlation exists between the percentage of sperm with vacuoles in the neck and the copper concentrations in the livers of impalas. The conclusion is that high level copper concentrations exert a detrimental effect on the ultrastructure of the sperm neck. The possibility also exists that copper concentrations in impala liver > 500 ppm WB. will show a correlation with the percentages of some of the other abnormalities observed. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die weiding suid van Phalaborwahek in die Krugerwildtuin word waarskynlik vanaf 'n nabygeleë kopersmeltery met koper besoedel. Van die plaasdiere in die omgewing het reeds van kopervergiftiging gevrek en die gemiddeIde koperkonsentrasie in die lewers van rooibokke is abnormaal hoog. Die moontlikheid bestaan dat die ultrastruktuur van spermatozoa as 'n indikator van omgewingstoestande kan dien. Om bogenoemde moontlikheid verder te ondersoek was die doelwit van hierdie studie die volgende: Om die ultrastruktuur van normaIe rooiboksperme en hulle abnormaliteite te beskryf en die spermabnormaliteite van elke proefdier te kwantifiseer en met die koperkonsentrasie in die lewer in verband te bring om sodoende te bepaal of daar 'n korrelasie tussen die twee veranderlikes bestaan. Rooibokke wat maandeliks vanaf 1992.06.09 tot 1993.05.15 vir ander navorsingsprojekte in die omgewing van Phalaborwahek en Skukuza getermineer is, se sperme is vir die studie beskikbaar gestel. Die kontrolegroep het bestaan uit 20 diere wat saamgestel is uit 14 diere afkomstig van die Nwaswitshakaspruit naby Skukuza, uit 'n gebied wat nie met koper besoedel is nie en 6 diere uit 'n groep wat oorspronklik uit dieselfde gebied gekom het, maar wat te Skukuza in aanhouding geleef het op voedsel wat nie met koper besoedel was nie. Die eksperimentele groep het bestaan uit 44 diere waarvan 32 in die omgewing van die Tshutshispruit suid van Phalaborwahek versamel is en die ander 12 diere is langs die Nwaswitshakaspruit gevang en op 'n koperbesoedelde dieet te Skukuza aangehou. Sperme uit die epididymis van elke dier is in 'n tydelike laboratorium versamel en gefikseer. By die Elektronmikroskopie Eenheid van die Fakutreit van Veeartsenykunde van die Universiteit van Pretoria is die sperme voorberei en met behulp van skandeerelektronmikroskopie (SEM) en transmissie-elektronmikroskopie (TEM) bestudeer. Die koperkonsentrasie in die lewer is bepaal en murgvet is versamel om die kondisie van die diere te bepaaI. Met SEM is die uitwendige morfologie van 'n normale rooiboksperm met mikrograwe gedokumenteer en die mates van die sperm bepaal. Mikrograwe van waargeneemde spermabnormaliteite is met SEM geneem. Persentasies is vir normale sperme en die abnormaliteite van sommige sperme van 'n kontrolegroep (Gemiddelde lewerkoperkonsentrasie - GLKK =37.9 dpm NB) bereken. Dieselfde persentasies is ook vir 'n eksperimentele groep (GLKK = 104 dpm NB) bereken. Van die kontrolegroep het 91.6% en van die eksperimentele groep 93.6% sperme normaal vertoon. Die verskil in persentasies spermafwykings van die twee groepe was ook van dieselfde orde. Die verhoogde koperkonsentrasie in die lewers van die eksperimentele groep het dus nie gelei tot 'n verhoging van die persentasie makro-abnormaliteite wat met SEM waargeneem is nie. Die ultrastruktuur van 'n normale rooiboksperm is met behulp van TEM beskryf en met mikrograwe gedokumenteer. Die afwykings van die spermultrastruktuur is ook op mikrograwe vasgelê. Persentasies is vir die normale spermsneë en die abnormaliteite van sommige spermsneë van 'n kontrolegroep (GLKK = 33.86 dpm NB) bereken. Dieselfde persentasies is ook vir 'n eksperimentele groep (GLKK = 122.5 dpm NB) bereken. Vir die kontrolegroep was die persentasie neksneë met vakuoles = 31.5% en vir die eksperimentele groep was die persentasie = 57.9%. Die verhoogde koperkonsentrasie in die lewer van die eksperimentele groep het dus gelei tot 'n verhoging van die persentasie neksneë met vakuoles. Rede bestaan om te glo dat die verskil van die persentasies kopsneë van die kontrole- en eksperimentele groep ook aansienlik hoër behoort te wees. 'n Grafiese analise van die TEM-data het ook getoon dat daar 'n statisties betekenisvolle korrelasie tussen die persentasie spermnekke met vakuoles en die koperkonsentrasie in die lewer van rooibokke bestaan. Die bevinding is dat hoë lewerkoperkonsentrasies 'n nadelige invloed op die ultrastruktuur van die spermnek uitoefen. Die moontlikheid bestaan ook dat koperkonsentrasies in die lewer > 500 dpm NB ook 'n korrelasie met sommige van die ander abnormaliteite sal toon.

Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT:This study concentrates on the Bontebok (Damaliscus pygargus pygargus Pallas 1766) population of the Bontebok National Park. Using a combination of literature research, field observations, satellite imagery, Geographic Information System mapping and dung analysis, their habitat preferences within the Park are ascertained and compared to different behavioural and environmental factors. Considering vegetation composition and height, grass cover, burning history, general topography, water availability, actual diet quality (from faecal analysis) and population distribution, the best predictor of spatial pattern are investigated with GIS Dempster-Shafer models. The historical density distribution of the animals in the Park can be used to predict sustainable stocking rates. As far as possible, the results for the Bontebok are compared to those of the other larger herbivores in Bontebok National Park i.e. Red Hartebeest, Cape Mountain Zebra and Grey Rhebuck. These results should be useful for Wildlife Managers to know how to manage veld for Bontebok and at what stocking rates this can be done sustainably. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie fokus op die Bontebok (Damaliscus pygargus pygargus, Pallas 1766) bevolking van die Bontebok Nasionale Park. Deur ‘n kombinasie van literatuurstudie, veldobservasies, satlietbeelde, Geografiese Inligtingstelsel (GIS) kartering en mis-analise te gebruik, word Bontebok habitatvoorkeure in die Park vasgestel en met verskillende gedrags- en omgewingsfaktore vergelyk. Deur te kyk na plantegroei-samestelling en hoogte, grasbedekking, brandgeskiedenis, algemene topografie, water-beskikbaarheid, diëet kwaliteit en die Bontebokke se waargenome ruimtelike verspreiding, word die faktor wat die verspreidingspatroon die beste voorspel, m.b.v. GIS Dempster-Shafer modelle ondersoek. Die historiese digtheidsverspreiding van diere in die Park word gebruik om volhoubare veldladings te voorspel. Sover moontlik word die resultate vir Bontebok vergelyk.met die ander groter herbivore in die Bontebok Nasionale Park, te wete Rooi Hartebees, Kaapse Bergsebra en Vaalribbok. Hierdie resultate behoort vir Natuurlewe-bestuurders tot nut te wees as riglyne vir veldbestuur en volhoubare veldladings van Bontebok.