The study focused on the development of an environmental education (EE) strategy framework in the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) of South Africa. Evidence shows that the roles of conservation and biodiversity education could potentially be merged towards producing a practical strategy, beneficial to the organisation and its individual staff members. Questionnaires, interviews and the individual perceptions of staff members, as well as the analysis of relevant documents, suggested that the potential for the practice of EE towards the development of an EE strategy within the organisation is substantial. EWT staff members can contribute towards a change in the way that South Africans think about conservation and nature. Environmental ethics need to be promoted and understood by all. Within the EWT, environmental education activities are in place and diverse, yet they lack any form of monitoring and evaluation. The Trust is already practicing a form of EE but the potential to do more and the opportunities for expansion are unlimited.

Thesis (MTech (Tourism and Hospitality Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2010 / Over the past years, protected areas have been affected by illegal activities, which are perpetrated by humans and continuations of these activities do not only harm wildlife, but also the welfare of current, as well as, future generations. Conservation of wildlife cannot be achieved if local community support is not ensured. This study aims to find whether or not improved or positive relationships between protected area and people can effect long-term conservation of wildlife. The main objectives of the study were to investigate conservation attitudes of the Rwandan community that lives adjacent to the Akagera National Park. A quantitative survey-based study, which used a self-administered structured and closeended questionnaire, was undertaken within a period of a month and a half to obtain information about conservation attitudes within the local community. In addition, qualitative data was gathered through in-person unstructured interviews with key informants including local authorities and park officials in order to verify and enrich quantitative data, which was obtained from the survey. Collected data was analysed with use of the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) for descriptive statistics in the form of tables and charts. In addition, statistical tests, using chi-square values at the 0.05 level of significance, were conducted to determine which factors influence the local community’s conservation attitudes. The study revealed that the local community support Akagera National Park’s conservation although they participate in illegal activities within the park. Poaching and livestock grazing are the main illegal activities that take place at Akagera National Park. The study also found that people’s awareness of wildlife importance does not necessarily translate into positive attitudes towards conservation. Problems caused by wildlife, combined with the absence of economic opportunities from the protected areas, are strong influencing factors regarding the local community’s conservation attitudes. The findings of this study suggest that the local community’s support for conservation can only be achieved if problems that are caused by wildlife are effectively addressed and solved and people are provided with more economic opportunities, which would allow them to improve their welfare.

CAPES / No Paraná, foram identificados 14 fragmentos florestais de Floresta Ombrófila Mista, onde ocorre a espécie Plinia cauliflora. A maioria dessas populações encontra-se em áreas de reserva legal e sofrem com a colheita extrativista dos frutos (jaboticabas) e outras ações antrópicas. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo determinar classes ontogenéticas, regeneração e distribuição espacial em populações de jaboticabeira (Plinia cauliflora) no Sudoeste do Paraná. Foram determinados os estádios ontogenéticos por meio de amostragem aleatória (n=50). Foram delimitadas unidades amostrais em seis fragmentos localizados em quatro municípios do sudoeste do Paraná. Obteve-se diâmetro, altura e coordenadas cartesianas (x,y). Os dados foram avaliados por meio de estatística descritiva. A distribuição espacial e a dependência espacial foram verificadas através da função O’ring uni e bivariada. Foram encontrados cinco estádios ontogenéticos para jaboticabeira: plântulas (h ≤ 0,10 m); juvenis (h >0,10 m até 1,70 m); imaturo (altura >1,70 m até 5 m); virgem (h > 5 m, sem estruturas reprodutivas); reprodutivos (h > 5 m com estruturas reprodutivas). Os resultados mostram que há diferença estrutural entre os remanescentes, acarretando no potencial de regeneração das populações. As populações de Clevelândia, Pato Branco I e II apresentaram todas as classes ontogenéticas estabelecidas, um maior número de indivíduos nas classes que representam a regeneração (plântulas, juvenis e imaturos) e distribuição de altura e diâmetro do tipo J-invertido. O contrário foi observado nas outras populações. Esses resultados estão atribuídos, principalmente ao histórico de uso das áreas e consequentemente nas maiores chances de existência de possíveis animais dispersores. Esse fato poderá aumentar as chances de germinação e estabelecimento de plântulas de jaboticabeira. A distribuição espacial variou entre populações, apresentando distribuição aleatória na maioria dos estádios ontogenéticos, com exceção das populações de Clevelândia e Chopinzinho II. Não houve dependência espacial entre pares de estádios ontogenéticos em nenhuma das populações. Esses resultados podem estar atribuídos à dispersão ou outros fatores, necessitando de mais estudos. Pode-se concluir que o histórico de manejo das áreas e a contínua ação antrópica em alguns locais parece ser um dos principais empecilhos na regeneração de indivíduos de jaboticabeira e consequente recrutamento em classes de tamanho maiores. / In the Brazilian state of Paraná were identified 14 forest fragments of Mixed Ombrophilous Forest where species Plinia cauliflora occurs. Most of those populations are in a legal reserve area and suffer from extractive harvesting of fruits (jaboticabas) and other anthropogenic actions. Our objective with this work was to determine ontogenetic stages, regeneration and spatial distribution on populations of jaboticabeira (Plinia cauliflora) in the Southwest of Paraná. We determine the ontogenetic stages by random sampling (n=50). We set sample units (70x70m) in six fragments located in four cities in the southwest of Paraná. On those fragments we collected diameter, height and Cartesian coordinates (x, y). Collected data were evaluated through descriptive statistics. Spatial distribution and spatial dependence were verified through the univariate and bivariate O'ring function. We found five ontogenetic stages for jaboticabeira: seedlings (h ≤ 0.10 m); juveniles (h> 0.10 m to 1.70 m); immature (height> 1.70 m to 5 m); virgin (h> 5 m, without reproductive structures); reproductive (h> 5 m with reproductive structures). Results showed that there are structural differences between the remnants which have on effect on potential regeneration of the populations. The populations of Clevelândia, Pato Branco I and II have all ontogenetic classes established. They also, showed a greater individuals numbers of classes which represent regeneration (seedlings, juveniles and immature) as well J-inverted height and diameter distribution. On the other half of populations the opposite situation was noticed. We attributed these results basically by the use of areas historically and consequently greater chances of possible existence dispersing animals which increases chances of germination and establishment of jaboticabeira seedlings. Spatial distribution varied between populations showing a random distribution on most ontogenetic stages exceptionally for Clevelândia and Chopinzinho II populations. There was no spatial dependence between ontogenetic pairs of stages in any population. These results may be attributed to dispersion or other factors which requires further studies. We accomplished that management history of the areas combined with, a continuous anthropic action in some places, seems to be one of the main obstacles in the regeneration of jaboticabeira individuals and consequent recruitment in larger size classes.

This study examines the possibilities within the conservancy movement for the facilitation of environmental education. By means of a case study approach, a conservancy in the Northern Cape and the conservancy movement within the Free State provinces are compared with a view to elucidating factors militating against and promoting the success of environmental education programmes. The current lack of research in isolated rural areas is discussed. Re-orientation of perspectives regarding the value of conservancy-based environmental education within governmental, academic and local circles is recommended.

Historical ad hoc allocations of land for biodiversity conservation have led to a biased representation of habitat within the Cape Floristic Region, with Protected Areas concentrated in upland areas at high altitudes and on steep slopes. The field of Conservation Planning developed to ensure that allocations of areas to Protected status no longer result in such bias and rather promotes the persistence of biodiversity. This study reviewed a recent allocation of land to biodiversity conservation within Western Cape of South Africa, using both a quantitative and qualitative approach, to determine their value to biodiversity conservation. The area was previously used for commercial forestry but now has been allocated to conservation land-uses. The allocation was based on the area’s value to the forestry industry. The qualitative approach in this study engaged with relevant stakeholder groups to map priority areas, while the quantitative approach used available data on biodiversity features to map priority areas. Neither approach determined that the area allocated is in its full extent a priority for biodiversity conservation. This indicated that in the current era of Conservation Planning, Protected Areas are still being allocated in an ad hoc manner, as a result of their limited perceived benefit to anthropocentric needs. The future allocation of land to biodiversity conservation should rather integrate expert knowledge and available quantifiable data to ensure that priority areas for biodiversity conservation are being protected.

Conservation is the number one goal of modern zoos and aquaria. Public education is the primary means through which zoos and aquaria attempt to fulfill their conservation goal. Yet, nearly two decades after its initial adoption, conservation education fails to be effectively translated into practice. This thesis argues that the entertainment paradigm in which zoos and aquaria have traditionally operated is at odds with their contemporary goal of conservation education, thus continued adherence to this entertainment paradigm prevents zoos and aquaria from effectively implementing conservation education. The thesis proposes an alternative paradigm in which conservation education may be successfully achieved. Killer whales present an ideal case example through which to explore the impact of the entertainment paradigm on conservation education. Since they were first displayed in 1964, these animals have been consistently presented in a show format. Today, the Vancouver Aquarium is the only institution in the world to present killer whales outside the context of a show. This thesis uses examples from the Vancouver Aquarium to describe how innovations within an alternative paradigm resulted in the Aquarium's unique approach to killer whale interpretation and animal care, and how these innovations have been successfully implemented into the practice of conservation education in the Vancouver Aquarium's public galleries. / Education, Faculty of / Graduate

This thesis concerns the cultural and scientific practices involved with turn-of-the-century struggles to conserve the Maine Woods. Conservation was underwritten by the powerful and productive fiction that an essential nature exists as something completely apart from the elaborately organized exhibitions by which it has been staged for our benefit. The absolute distinction between nature and culture is profoundly problematic but tremendously productive as well. Drawing on a variety of historical and theoretical sources, this thesis describes the various ways in which the essential nature of the Maine Woods was set up and represented as something demanding protection and conservation. The thesis is divided into three parts. Part I sets the stage for the historical discussions that follow by assessing debates in geography and environmental history about the social construction of knowledge and nature. Recent scholarship has been caught on the horns of a theoretical dilemma: while understanding of the present environmental crisis and its historical roots seems to demand recognition of the independent agency of nature, social theory suggests the impossibility of stepping outside the bounds of culture to represent an independent nature as it really is. Different responses to this dilemma are discussed. It is argued that environmental critique demands a more humble approach to truth, one sensitive to the meanings of its metaphors and the politics of its practices. Part II assesses the forest conservation movement. The objects of scientific forestry depended fundamentally upon the ways in which the forest was framed as an object of knowledge. Very different programs of action flowed from competing metaphorical definitions of the Maine Woods as a crop, a mine, or a kind of capital. The ascendency of technical and quantitative knowledge of the forest and its displacement of local understandings are described as are public policy disputes in Maine about the regulation of private property, the institution of publicly owned forest reserves, and the role of the state in forestry. Part in deals with the conservation of wildlife for sport. Flocking to the forest to hunt, wealthy sportsmen articulated a variety of sexual, class, and racial anxieties about the debilitating embrace of modern life. The transfomation of the Maine Woods into a vacationland for their manly recreation demanded the institution of game laws and the criminalization of traditional lifeways to save the game for sport. In these struggles, conservationists had to contend not only with local residents, who resisted this construction of the Maine Woods, but also with a variety of non-human actors, such as deer, predators, and pathogens, whose presence, though difficult to deny outright, was culturally framed and mediated in materially significant ways. / Arts, Faculty of / Geography, Department of / Graduate

This paper examines the hitherto neglected conservation movement in British Columbia after the Second World War. During the 1950s and early 1960s, the British Columbia Natural Resources Conference (BCNRC) and Roderick Haig-Brown were the province's most vocal and authoritative proponents of natural resource conservation. The BCNRC (1948-1970) held roughly annual conferences of leading bureaucrats, industry administrators and academics, who promoted scientific research and proposed resource management policies. Haig-Brown (d. 1976) was a well-known fishing writer and vocal conservationist who attended most of the conferences up to 1961 and wrote a popular book on natural resources for the BCNRC. Their activities generated public awareness of and concern for conservation during a period of rapidly expanding resource extraction. Although the common goal of prudent and rational resource use united Haig-Brown and the conference's managerial elite in the immediate postwar period, their conservation philosophies increasingly diverged after 1961. The ideals they articulated were rooted in the changing discourse about nature, which was deeply influenced in this period by the emerging science of ecology. However, ecological concepts led Haig-Brown and the BCNRC to different conclusions about how to deal with increasing resource use and environmental degradation. While the conference used ecology and economics to justify a regime of scientific resource management, Haig-Brown developed a critique of resource development based on humans' ethical responsibility for maintaining the integrity of ecosystems. This rift in conservation thought, and the public debate these conservationists generated, presaged the rise of environmentalism in the late 1960s. / Arts, Faculty of / History, Department of / Graduate

No description available.

MSc., Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, 2011 / Riparian zones harbour different species pools from the surrounding landscape and are thus important to biodiversity conservation. However, riparian zones are highly variable. Network characteristics, morphology, flow-sediment interactions, biophysical connectivity and biological characteristics all vary along the length of a river. It could therefore be expected that the biodiversity characteristics of different riparian zones may also be variable. To investigate this, this study quantified compositional and structural diversity in 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, and 7th stream order rivers in south-western Kruger National Park (KNP). A suite of measures, chosen to encompass the variety, balance, and disparity properties of diversity, was used to quantify woody vegetation and bird compositional and structural diversity within each stream order. Woody plant species richness and species diversity was highest in the 7th order river and similar in the 1st through 5th order rivers. Likewise the woody vegetation community composition of the 7th order river was distinct from those in the other stream order rivers. Bird species diversity was similar in all five stream orders considered. Bird community composition of the 7th order river was distinct from the bird community composition of the 4th and 5th order rivers, which in turn was distinct from the bird community composition of the 2nd and 1st order rivers. Woody vegetation height, canopy width and diameter diversity tended to be highest in the 4th and 5th order rivers, while number of stem (NoS) diversity was generally highest in the 1st order rivers and decreased along the stream order sequence to the 7th order river. Bird body mass diversity was highest in the middle of the stream order sequence, while bird wing length/body length (WL/BL) and leg length diversity was similar along the entire stream order sequence. Overall, a variety of patterns of change in biodiversity along the stream order sequence were observed The lack of a consistent pattern along the stream order sequence among the different elements of compositional and structural diversity illustrates that no single measure can properly characterise the biodiversity of an area, and thus researchers and managers need to be explicit about which aspect of biodiversity they are aiming to study/conserve. Additionally, the unique combination of biodiversity found in each of the stream orders illustrates that each contributes importantly to overall regional biodiversity, and thus there is need to consider the role of entire drainage networks in the landscape, rather than simply focusing on perennial rivers. Finally, this study illustrates the need to consider the heterogeneous nature of biodiversity itself.