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Magister Scientiae (Biodiversity and Conservation Biology) - MSc (Biodiv and Cons Biol) / The collection of biological information has a long history, motivated by a variety of reasons and in more recent years is largely being driven for research and academic purposes. As a result biological information is often linked to a specific species or ecosystem management and is discipline specific, not relating to general management actions at a specific conservation site. The biological data that exists is often not consolidated in a central place to allow for effective management of conservation sites. Different databases and formats are often used to cover biological, infrastructural, heritage and management information. Biological information has traditionally not influenced real-time site-specific conservation management, with long term data sets being used to draw conclusions before they can influence management actions. In order to overcome this problem of scattered and unfocused data a biodiversity database related to specific site management was developed. This study focuses on the development of this database and its links to the management of spatially defined sites. Included in the solution of scattered data are the applications of information management tools which interpret data and convert it into management actions, both in terms of long term trends and immediate real- time management actions as the information is received and processed.

The shift from centralised conservation to Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) was the highlight of the conservation discourse across the world during the late 1980s and early 1990s. CBNRM efforts were believed to have the potential of successfully merging biodiversity conservation simultaneously with local development efforts. However, the increasing critiques against the applicability of CBNRM interventions in different contexts is threatening the viability of the approach. Extant literature on CBNRM interventions focuses on the theoretical aspects of such efforts at the expense of the practical and context specific elements. This thesis intends to fill such a gap in literature by focusing on the practical and contextual elements of an example of this approach in Zanzibar. In an attempt to conserve the isles' natural forests, Zanzibar has adopted Community-Forest Management Areas (CoFMAs) bordering its natural forests. In this study, focus is placed on Pete's CoFMA, a village bordering the isles' last remaining natural forests- Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park (JCBNP). Pete provides an ideal site due to the conflict that exists between residents and the CoFMA intervention. By using the political ecological framework, this study is able to examine the political, social, historical and economic elements that play a significant role in the practice of CBNRM efforts. Narratives from residents are relied on to elucidate on such elements in relation to the existence of the CoFMA in Pete Village. Narratives gathered through interviews and participant observation concluded that while CoFMAs have been set up with the optimistic goal of conserving the forest and providing development to community members; in practice, the conservation intervention has proved otherwise. In spite of the achievement of some developmental goals, the overall findings indicate that the CoFMA has failed to protect the forests and its natural resources from degradation. At the same time, community members are facing difficulties to live a sustainable life.

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / The collection of biological information has a long history, motivated by a variety of reasons and in more recent years is largely being driven for research and academic purposes. As a result biological information is often linked to a specific species or ecosystem management and is discipline specific, not relating to general management actions at a specific conservation site. The biological data that exists is often not consolidated in a central place to allow for effective management of conservation sites. Different databases and formats are often used to cover biological, infrastructural, heritage and management information. Biological information has traditionally not influenced real-time site-specific conservation management, with long term data sets being used to draw conclusions before they can influence management actions. In order to overcome this problem of scattered and unfocused data a biodiversity database related to specific site management was developed. This study focuses on the development of this database and its links to the management of spatially defined sites. Included in the solution of scattered data are the applications of information management tools which interpret data and convert it into management actions, both in terms of long term trends and immediate real- time management actions as the information is received and processed. Information systems are always difficult to describe in words as much of the layout and information is visual and hence difficult to convey I just the text of this document. A breakdown of the resultant information system is outlined in detail in the conclusion section. During the development of a Biodiversity Database it was found that management tools had to be developed to integrated data with management. Furthermore it was found that human error was a significant factor in poor data quality; as a result an observer training programme was developed.

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Public recognition of the value of wetlands has risen quickly over the past 25 years and numerous policies and programs have been developed to address threats to the quantity and quality of wetlands. However, management of wetland resources located on private land often involves a perceived conflict between social and private interests since landowners usually cannot benefit economically from keeping wetlands on site unless they convert them to alternative uses such as agricultural crops. In order to avoid further degradation and ensure the various environmental benefits wetlands provide, there is a need for government intervention by delivering effective policies. This will be realized through an effective economic valuation process for wetland benefits.<p> This thesis investigates wetland and riparian zones management, with greater emphasis placed on the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) of Saskatchewan where the majority of the land is privately owned. Using data from a survey of landowners, the perceived cost of conserving wetland and associated riparian zones is quantified through their willingness to accept (WTA) compensation for a proposed 10-year economic incentive-based program. In addition, the role of landowner and farm characteristics on this perceived cost of conservation has also been assessed. As indicated by the results from two probit models that were developed, per acre payment has a significant positive effect on the probability a landowner will accept the program offer; the average payment respondents required being $32.58/acre. Other factors such as the landowners previous experience dealing with the wetland, personal preferences correlated with economic benefits and landowners who have an heir to take over the farm are also found to have significant impact on their participation decision. For those respondents who did not complete the WTA question, past relative experience, knowledge about wetlands, age, and the agricultural region the farm is located are revealed to be factors that affect to the provision of an explicit answer.

Public recognition of the value of wetlands has risen quickly over the past 25 years and numerous policies and programs have been developed to address threats to the quantity and quality of wetlands. However, management of wetland resources located on private land often involves a perceived conflict between social and private interests since landowners usually cannot benefit economically from keeping wetlands on site unless they convert them to alternative uses such as agricultural crops. In order to avoid further degradation and ensure the various environmental benefits wetlands provide, there is a need for government intervention by delivering effective policies. This will be realized through an effective economic valuation process for wetland benefits.<p> This thesis investigates wetland and riparian zones management, with greater emphasis placed on the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) of Saskatchewan where the majority of the land is privately owned. Using data from a survey of landowners, the perceived cost of conserving wetland and associated riparian zones is quantified through their willingness to accept (WTA) compensation for a proposed 10-year economic incentive-based program. In addition, the role of landowner and farm characteristics on this perceived cost of conservation has also been assessed. As indicated by the results from two probit models that were developed, per acre payment has a significant positive effect on the probability a landowner will accept the program offer; the average payment respondents required being $32.58/acre. Other factors such as the landowners previous experience dealing with the wetland, personal preferences correlated with economic benefits and landowners who have an heir to take over the farm are also found to have significant impact on their participation decision. For those respondents who did not complete the WTA question, past relative experience, knowledge about wetlands, age, and the agricultural region the farm is located are revealed to be factors that affect to the provision of an explicit answer.

Wildlife reintroduction programs are a type of conservation initiative meant to preserve biodiversity through the restoration of damaged areas and the reintroduction of extirpated species. Unfortunately, such reintroductions have a history of limited success, ad hoc procedures, and little focus on hypothetico-deductive design. This study sought to identify some of the trends in the leadership, management, and structure of wildlife reintroduction programs through the use of a case study and survey. The survey was distributed to reintroduction practitioners and biologists worldwide in an attempt to identify patterns of organizational behavior within the field. Some general trends indicated that most reintroductions had active and monitoring phases of 4 or more years (59% and 75% of respondents respectively), adhered closely to World Conservation Union (IUCN) Reintroduction Guidelines (43% of respondents), had a somewhat hierarchical structure (50% of respondents), held annual long-term goal-setting meetings (56%), observed annual employee evaluations (63%), and underwent project evaluations annually, using both internal (74%) and external (39%) evaluative instruments. Opinion questions regarding the ultimate performance of the project indicated that although 75% of researchers felt that their project had made good progress, only 63% said that a formal evaluation had confirmed this statement.