Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A major concern for Energex, Australia's largest energy utility in South East Queensland, is the escape of natural gas out of their reticulation systems. Within many of the older areas in Brisbane, these networks operate primarily at low and medium pressure with a significant percentage of mains being cast iron or steel. Over many years pipes in these networks have been replaced, yet reports show that unaccounted for gas from the same networks remain high. Furthermore, operation and maintenance budgets for these networks are high with many of these pipes close to the end of their economic life. When operation and maintenance costs exceed the costs of replacement, the Energex gas utility initiates projects to renew reticulation networks with polyethylene pipes. Making decisions about pipe renewal requires an evaluation of historical records from a number of sources, namely: • gas consumption figures, • history of leaks, • maintenance and other related cost, and • the loss of revenue contributed by unaccounted for gas. Financial justification of capital expenditure has always been a requirement for renewal projects at the Energex gas utility, however the impact of a deregulation in the energy utility market has necessitated a review of their financial assessment for capital projects. The Energex gas utility has developed an application that evaluates the financial viability of renewal projects. This research will demonstrate the role of GIS integration with the Energex financial application. The results of this study showed that a GIS integrated renewal planning approach incorporates significant benefits including: • Efficient selection of a sub-network based on pipe connectivity, • Discovery of hidden relationships between spatially enabled alphanumeric data and environmental information that improves decision making, and • Enhanced testing of proposed renewal design options by scrutinizing the attributes of spatial data. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: 'n Groot bron van kommer vir Energex, Australië se grootste energieverskaffer in Suidoos- Queensland, is die verlies van natuurlike gas uit hul gasdistribusie netwerke. In 'n groot deel van ouer Brisbane opereer hierdie netwerke hoofsaaklik teen lae en medium druk, met 'n aansienlike persentasie van hoofpyplyne wat uit gietyster of staal bestaan. Al is sommige pyplyne in hierdie netwerke met verloop van tyd vervang, maak verslae dit duidelik dat 'n groot deel van die gas in hierdie netwerke steeds langs die pad verlore gaan. Die operasionele - en onderhoudsbegrotings vir hierdie netwerke is boonop hoog, met 'n groot persentasie van die pyplyne wat binnekort aan die einde van hulle ekonomiese leeftyd kom. Wanneer operasionele- en onderhoudsonkostes die koste van vervanging oorskry, beplan Energex se gasvoorsienings-afdeling projekte om verspreidingsnetwerke te hernu met poli-etileen pype. Om sinvolle besluite te neem tydens pyplynhernuwings, word verskeie historiese verslae geraadpleeg, insluitend: gasverbruikvlakke, lekplek geskiedenis rekords, onderhoud- en ander verwante onkostes, asook die verlies van inkomste weens verlore gas. Alhoewel finansiële stawing van kapitale uitgawes nog altyd 'n voorvereiste was tydens hernuwingsprojekte by Energex, het die impak van privatisering op die energieverskaffingsmark dit noodsaaklik gemaak om hulle finansiële goedkeuringsproses vir kapitaalprojekte te hersien. Energex het dus 'n sagteware toepassing ontwikkel wat die finansiële gangbaarheid van hernuwingsprojekte evalueer. Hierdie navorsing sal die moontlike integrasie van geografiese inligtingstelsels (GIS) met dié van Energex se finansiële evalueringspakket demonstreer. Die resultate van hierdie studie toon dat die integrasie van GIS in die hernuwingsproses aansienlike voordele inhou, insluitende: • die effektiewe seleksie van sub-netwerke, gebaseer op pyp konnektiwiteit, • die ontdekking van verskuilde verwantskappe tussen geografies-ruimtelike alfanumeriese data en omgewingsinligting, wat besluitneming vergemaklik, en • verbeterde toetsing van voorgestelde hernuwingsopsies deur die indiepte-nagaan van geografiesruimtelike elemente.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Rural tourism and agritourism are in their infant stages in South Africa. It benefits the farmer, the local community, the rural area, the tourist and the country. It is therefore a viable option but requires more research, management, planning and control for it to be successful. Many agritourism ventures are not as successful as they should be. The problem is that farmers/landowners do not research the demand for tourist products before they deliver them and do not know whom they are catering for. To stay competitive, the tourists' characteristics ought to be understood. This would provide insight into what facilities and services to supply, what resources to utilise and how to promote the agritourism destination. The aim of this study was to segment the potential and practising agritourists into different clusters, according to their preferences, and to investigate the clusters' characteristics and behaviours. The objectives were to: 1. Investigate the potential and practising agritourists' socio-economic, demographic and travel characteristics. 2. Rate all the attractions, activities and services according to their popularity. 3. Clarify the preferences of these tourists, concerning attractions and activities, by combining similar ones. 4. Divide the tourists into clusters of similar preferences. 5. Compare the socio-economic, demographic and travel characteristics of the different clusters of tourists. 6. Produce a set of guidelines for entrepreneurs/farmers/landowners, as to what tourist products they should supply or develop, and for whom, and how they should market them. This study entailed distributing questionnaires to potential and practising agritourists at shopping centres and farms involved in agritouri'swimming', 'picnicking', 'scenic drives', 'dams/lakes/pans' and 'small game' were the most popular agritourism attractions and activities. Factor analysis was used to reduce the number of variables by combining like variables (attractions) and cluster analysis was utilised to segment the respondents into five clusters of tourists with similar preferences for agritourism attractions and activities. Cross tabulation, frequencies and descriptive statistics were used to describe these different clusters. These groups of tourists were described according to their demographic, socio-economic and travel characteristics. Segmenting tourism markets and compiling profiles of the tourists within each sub-market has proved to be advantageous. Once the demands of the tourists are known, the appropriate facilities and number of facilities can be developed. Knowing who the tourists are and where to target them, will lead to better marketing, planning and promotion of the destination. Customer satisfaction will be increased, as it is known exactly who must be catered for, thereby resulting in repeat visits. The five clusters of tourists were: 'general nature tourists'; 'urban tourists'; 'hard outdoor adventure tourists'; 'visual or soft outdoor adventure tourists'; and 'agritourists'. All these tourists, except 'urban tourists', are excellent potential agritourists. The results of this study were used to compile guidelines for entrepreneurs. These guidelines could help them in deciding who to target (which clusters), what agritourism products to develop (attractions, activities and services) and how to market them (means of advertising). Appropriate accommodation types and the availability of equipment and facilities for activities also act as attractions. This study demonstrates an inexpensive method of gathering information about tourists, thereby improving marketing and planning approaches. It illustrates how the potential and practising agritourists can be divided into sub-markets. The agritourism market is a heterogeneous market and must therefore be segmented. Any entrepreneur can use the results of this market segmentation. Any future studies, similar to this one, could consist of a sample much larger. As this study was primarily based in the Western Cape, similar research should be executed in other distinct regions. It would be illuminating to see how the groups of agritourists vary according to geographical areas. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Landelike en agritoerisme is in hulontluikende fase in Suid-Afrika. Dit bevoordeel die boer, die plaaslike gemeenskap, die landelike streek, die toeris en die land. Dit is 'n lewensvatbare opsie maar benodig meer navorsing, bestuur, beplanning en beheer om suksesvol te wees. Baie agritoerisme ondernemings is nie so geslaagd as wat dit kan wees nie. Die probleem is dat die boere/grondeienaars nie die nodige navorsing doen omtrent die aanvraag na 'n produk voordat hul dit aanbied nie, en weet ook nie watter toerismesegment hul wil bevredig nie. Om mededingend te bly moet die toeris se eienskappe verstaan word. Dit sal insae gee in watter fasiliteite en dienste om te voorsien, asook watter bronne om te benut om die agritoerismedestinasie te promoveer. Die doel van hierdie studie was om potensiële en praktiserende agritoeriste te groepeer in verskillende segmente volgens hulle voorkeure en groeps gedrag. Die doelwitte was om: 1. Potensiële en praktiserende agritoeriste se sosio-ekonomiese, demografiese en reiseienskappe te ondersoek. 2. Die rangorde van attraksies, aktiwiteite en dienste volgens gewildheid te bepaal. 3. Voorkeure van toeriste aangaande attraksies en aktiwiteite te bepaal deur gelyksoortige groeperings te kombineer. 4. Toeriste in trosgroepe met gelyksoortige voorkeure te verdeel. 5. Die sosio-ekonomiese, demografiese en reiseienskappe van verskillende toeristetrosgroepe te vergelyk. 6. Riglyne vir ondernemers/boere/grondeienaars te formuleer vir watter toeristeprodukte hul behoort te verskaf of ontwikkel en aan wie en hoe hul dit behoort te bemark. Hierdie studie het die verspreiding van vraelyste aan potensiële en praktiserende agritoeriste in winkelsentrums en plase, betrokke by agritoerisme, behels. Die vraelyste het informasie oor potensiële en praktiserende agritoeriste verskaf Een-honderd en agt vraelyste was voltooi. Die respondente het aangedui dat 'berge', 'watervalle', 'riviere', 'grootwild', 'swem', 'pieknieks', 'natuurskoonplesierritte' , 'damme/mere/panne' en 'kleinwild' die gewildste agritoerisme attraksies en aktiwiteite is. Faktoranalise is gebruik om die getal verandelikes te verminder deur soortgelyke verandelikes (attraksies) te kombineer en trosanalise te gebruik om die respondente te segmenteer in vyf trosgroepe toeriste met gelyksoortige voorkeure vir agritoerisme attraksies en aktiwiteite. Kruistabulering, frekwensies en beskrywende statistiek was gebruik om hierdie verskillende trosse te beskryf volgens hul demografiese, sosio-ekonomiese en reiseienskappe. Segmentering van die toerismemark en die saamstel van profiele van die toeriste binne elke sub-mark is voordelig bevind. As die vereistes van die toeriste bekend is, kan die gepaste fasiliteite en aantal fasiliteite ontwikkel word. Om te weet wie die toeriste is en waar om hulle te teiken sal tot beter bemarking, beplanning en promosie van die destinasie lei. Kliëntbevrediging sal toeneem, omdat ondernemers presies weet wie om te bevredig en dit sal herhaalde besoeke tot gevolg hê. Die vyf trosgroepe toeriste was: 'algemene natuurtoeriste'; 'stedelike toeriste'; 'ekstreme buitelug avontuurtoeriste' ; 'visuele of nie-ekstreme buitelug avontuurtoeriste' ; en 'agritoeriste'. Al die toeriste behalwe stedelike toeriste is uitstekende potensiële agritoeriste. Die resultate van hierdie studie is gebruik om riglyne vir ondernemers te kompileer. Hierdie riglyne kan hul help om te besluit wie om te teiken (watter trosse), watter agritoerisme produkte om te ontwikkel (attraksies, aktiwiteite en dienste) en hoe om dit te bemark (wyse van advertensie). Toepaslike akkommodasie en die beskikbaarheid van toerusting en fasiliteite vir aktiwiteite dien ook as attraksies. Hierdie studie demonstreer 'n ekonomiese manier om informasie omtrent toeriste in te win, om bemarking en beplanning te verbeter. Dit illustreer hoe die potensiële en praktiserende agritoeris ook in sub-markte ingedeel kan word. Die agritoerisme mark is 'n heterogenemark en moet dus gesegmenteer word. Enige ontwikkelaar kan die resultate van hierdie marksegmentasie gebruik. Soortgelyke navorsing behoort in die toekoms op 'n groter steekproef gedoen word. Omdat hierdie studie hoofsaaklik in die Wes-Kaap gebaseer was, behoort soortgelyke navorsing in ander bepaalde streke uitgevoer te word. Dit sal insiggewend wees om te sien hoe die groepe agritoeriste volgens geografiese streke varieer.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The oceanic and meteorological systems that characterize the southern African coastline are well-documented. In this thesis, these characteristics have been considered in conjunction with the analysis of a unique set of sea surface temperature (SST) data, obtained from measuring sites around the southern African coast, to determine the variability of SSTs in the immediate coastal region of southern Africa, and to demonstrate how this variability impacts on marinerelated economic activities. As part of the analysis process, various statistical techniques have been applied to the data over different time periods to establish the extent of the spatial variability of SSTs along the southern African coastline. From the results it has been possible to identify three distinctly different 'climatological' regions around the southern African coast; viz a cooler west coast region with a low annual and seasonal SST variability and a higher variability from day-ta-day, a warmer east coast region with a higher annual and seasonal SST variability and a lower variability from day-ta-day; and a temperate south coast region with a highly erratic annual, seasonal and day-ta-day SST variability. Furthermore, it has been possible to identify, albeit small, the existence of a high and a low frequency signal of 12-15 days and 40-60 days, respectively, in the three different regions. There is also evidence of the periodic occurrence of anomalously warm and cold SST events in all three regions, and a probability of <1.1% of a day-ta-day SST anomaly of >3°C (+3°C or- 3°C) occurring anywhere along the southern African coastline. The general causes of SST change have been discussed within the context of the heat budget equation. Furthermore, the effects of the variability of SST on the climate and marine life around southern Africa and the resulting impact on the various marine-related economic activities (such as aquaculture, air-sea rescue and power stations) have been identified, and shown to be both positive and negative.Finally, it should be noted, that economic infonnation relating to marine activities is closely guarded due to inter-industry competition. It has therefore been difficult to quantify the exact impact of the effects of SST variability on these activities. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die oseaniese en weerkundige stelsels wat die kuslyn van suidelike Afrika kenmerk is goed gedokumenteer. Die stelselkenmerke is in hierdie verhandeling ondersoek aan die hand van 'n unieke datastel van seeoppervlaktemperature (SST) afkomstig van meetplekke aan die kus van suidelike Afrika, ten einde die veranderlikheid van SST in die onmiddelike kusomgewing van suidelike Afrika vas te stel, asook om te demonstreer hoe hierdie veranderlikheid inwerk op seeverwante ekonomiese aktiwiteite. As deel van die proses van analise is verskeie statistiese metodes gebruik om die data oor verskeie tydperke te ontleed ten einde die omvang van ruimtelike veranderlikheid van SSTs langs die kus van suidelike Afrika te bepaal. Uit die resultate was dit moontlik om drie duidelike onderskeibare 'klimatologiese' streke aan die kus van suidelike Afrika te identifiseer; te wete 'n koeler weskusstreek met 'n lae jaarlikse en seisoenale SST-veranderlikheid en hoër dag-tot-dag veranderlikheid, 'n warmer ooskusstreek met 'n hoër jaarlikse en seisoenale SST-veranderlikheid en laer dag-tot-dag verandelikheid; asook 'n gematigde suidkusstreek met 'n hoogs wisselvallige jaarlikse, seisoenale en dag-totdag SST-veranderlikheid. Dit was verder moontlik om, alhoewel klein, die bestaan van lae en hoë frekwensie seine van 12-15 dae en 40-60 dae onderskeidelik in die drie streke te identifiseer. Daar is ook tekens van die periodieke voorkoms van anomale warm en koue SSTgebeurtenisse in al drie streke en 'n waarskynlikheid van <1.1% van die voorkoms van 'n dagtot- dag SST-anomaliteit van >3°C (+3°C of -3°G) op enige plek langs die suider Afrikaanse kuslyn. Die algemene oorsake van veranderings in SST is bespreek binne die konteks van die formule vir die behoud van hitte-energie. Die invloed van SST-veranderlikheid op die klimaat en die seelewe om suidelike Afrika en die gevolglike effek op mariene-verwante ekonomiese aktiwiteite (soos akwakultuur, lug-see-redding en kragstasies) is ook geïdentifiseer en is aangetoon om beide positief en negatief te wees Ten laaste dien dit gemeld te word dat ekonomiese inligting met betrekking tot mariene aktiwitweite goed bewaar word as gevolg van kompetisie in die bedryf. Dit was derhalwe moeilik om die presiese impak van die gevolge van SST-veranderlikheid op sodanige aktiwiteite te kwantifiseer.

Thesis (MA (Geography and Environmental Studies))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Land for agricultural development gets scarcer as more and more agricultural land is being transformed by non-agricultural uses. The increased agricultural land use change in the Western Cape Province results in transformation, fragmentation and loss of productive agricultural land. With the A2 planning area of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEADP), in the Boland region of the Western Cape, as its study area, this study investigates the role of legislative control measures on changes of land use from agriculture to a different form of development, by analysing the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) applications for the change of agricultural land use and agriculture applications for the conversion of undeveloped land for the period 1 January 1998 to 3 July 2006. The study examines the role that the relevant legislation plays in agricultural land use control; considers the nature, extent and reasons for agricultural land use change in the study area (under the Environment Conservation Act (Act 73 of 1989) (ECA)); determines the impacts associated with the transformation of agricultural land use in the study area by assessing transformation of undeveloped land applications (captured under the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (Act 43 of 1983) (CARA)); and measures the amount of agricultural land potentially lost to development through EIA change of land use applications (according to the DEADP database) opposed to the amount of agricultural land potentially gained through conversion of undeveloped land (according to the DoA database). Two databases were created, based on variables obtained from EIA change of agricultural land use applications authorised by DEADP [DEADP’s database] and conversion of undeveloped land for agricultural use, authorised by the Department of Agriculture (DoA)[DoA’s database]. The variables used to create DEADP’s database are the applicant, property owner, type of property, development function, year of authorisation, municipality, town, size of property, permanent and temporary jobs created, percentage of property developed, footprint of development, existing land use and unique source. The variables used to create DoA’s database are the year of authorisation, new and existing land use, year of authorisation, municipal area, property owner, percentage of property converted and footprint of development. The variables in the two databases are analysed using cross tabulations, with the variables measured against each other using pivot tables. The final tables are investigated through interpretation of the results and making recommendations for better management and planning in the future, based on relevant literature. The main findings are that DEADP gave authorisation for 416 agricultural land use change developments between 1 January 1998 and 3 July 2006, resulting in 2855 hectares of agricultural land potentially being developed. It was also found that DoA gave approval for 118 undeveloped land conversion applications, converting a total of 2589 hectares for agricultural purposes. The findings also revealed that 1707ha of this undeveloped land were covered with indigenous vegetation, while only 299ha were covered with alien vegetation. The challenge is to use valuable agricultural land optimally and sustainably for agricultural purposes. Non-agricultural developments should be kept within the urban edge and away from valuable agricultural land. If such development must take place on agricultural land, it must be done on the poorest soils and should not jeopardise agricultural activities. Keywords: land use change, undeveloped land, applicant, property owner, type of property, development function, year of authorisation, municipality, town, size of property, permanent jobs, temporary jobs, percentage of property developed, footprint of development, existing land use, new land use and unique source. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Grond vir landbou ontwikkeling word al hoe skaarser namate meer en meer landbougrond omskep word vir ander grondgebruike. Die gevolg is dat meer landbougrond in die Wes-Kaap omskep word vir ander ontwikkelingsdoeleindes, wat lei tot transformasie, fragmentering en verlies van produktiewe landbougrond. Met die A2 beplanningsgebied van die Departement van Omgewingsake en Ontwikkelingsbeplanning (DOeOB), wat geleë is in die Boland streek van die Wes-Kaap, as studiegebied, ondersoek hierdie studie die rol van wetgewende beheermatreëls op grondgebruiksverandering vir die periode 1 Januarie 1998 tot 3 Julie 2006, deur Omgewingsimpakbepalings (OIB) aansoeke wat ‘n verandering van landbougrondgebruik insluit, asook landbou aansoeke wat die omskepping van onontwikkelde grond insluit, te ontleed. Die studie ondersoek die rol wat relevante wetgewing in landbougrondgebruikskontrole speel; analiseer die aard, omvang en redes vir landbougrondgebruiksverandering in die studiegebied soos voor aansoek gedoen in terme van die Wet op Omgewingsbewaring (Wet 73 van 1989); die impakte wat geassosieer word met transformasie van landbougrond deur verandering van landbougrondgebruik soos voor aansoek gedoen in terme van die Wet op Bewaring van Landbouhulpbronne (Wet 43 van 1983); en vergelyk die hoeveelheid landbougrond wat potensieel omskep is vir ontwikkeling deur middel van OIB verandering van grondgebruik aansoeke (volgens DOeOB databasis) teenoor die hoeveelheid nuwe landbou grond wat potensieel geskep is deur onontwikkelde grond te omskep vir landbou (volgens DvL databasis). Twee databasisse is geskep, gebaseer op veranderlikes wat verkry is uit OIB-aansoeke wat ‘n verandering van landbougrondgebruik ingesluit het en deur DOeOB goedgekeur is [DOeOB databasis] en aansoeke wat ‘n verandering van onontwikkelde grond vir landboudoeleindes insluit, goedgekeur deur die Departement van Landbou (DvL) [DvL databasis]. Die veranderlikes in die DOeOB databasis te skep sluit die volgende in: aansoeker, eienaar, tipe eiendom, tipe ontwikkeling, jaar van goedkeuring, munisipale area, dorp, groote van eiendom, permanente en tydelike werksgeleenthede geskep, proporsie van grond ontwikkel, voetspoor van ontwikkeling, bestaande grondgebruik, nuwe grondgebruik en unieke bron. Die veranderlikes in die DvL databas is: jaar van goedkeuring, nuwe en bestaande grondgebruik, munisipale area, dorp, grondeienaar, proporsie van grond ontwikkel en voetspoor van ontwikkeling. Die veranderlikes in die twee databasisse is ontleed deur kruistabelle. Die finale tabelle word geanaliseer deur die resultate te interpreteer en voorstelle te maak vir beter bestuur en beplanning in die toekoms, gebaseerd op relevante literatuur. Die hoof resultate van die studie toon dat DOeOB goedkeuring gegee het vir 416 landbougrondgebruiksveranderingontwikkelings tussen 1 Januarie 1998 en 3 Julie 2006, wat moontlik veroorsaak het dat 2855 hektaar landbougrond ontwikkel is. Die resultate dui ook dat DvL goedkeuring uitgereik het vir 118 ontwikkeling van onontwikkelde grond aansoeke, wat ’n totaal van 2589 hektaar grond potensieel omskep het vir landbou doeleindes. Die bevindinge bevestig ook dat 1707 hektaar van die onontwikkelde grond bedek was met inheemse plantegroei, terwyl slegs 299 hekaar bedek was met uitheemse plantegroei. Die uitdaging vir die toekoms is om vrugbare landbougrond optimaal en volhoubaar te gebruik vir landbou. Nie-landbou ontwikkelings moet binne die stedelike grens geskied, weg van vrugbare landbougrond. Indien ontwikkeling op landbougrond plaasvind, moet dit op lae-potensiaal landbou grond geskied en geensins landbou aktiwiteite benadeel nie. Kernwoorde: grondgebruiksverandering, onontwikkelde grond, aansoeker, eiendoms eienaar, tipe eiendom, tipe ontwikkeling, jaar van goedkeuring, munisipale area, dorp, groote van eiendom, permanente werksgeleenthede, tydeike werksgeleenthede geskep, persentasie van grond ontwikkel, voetspoor van ontwikkeling, bestaande grondgebruik, nuwe grond gebruik en unieke bron.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Supervised classifiers are commonly used in remote sensing to extract land cover information. They are, however, limited in their ability to cost-effectively produce sufficiently accurate land cover maps. Various factors affect the accuracy of supervised classifiers. Notably, the number of available training samples is known to significantly influence classifier performance and to obtain a sufficient number of samples is not always practical. The support vector machine (SVM) does perform well with a limited number of training samples. But little research has been done to evaluate SVM’s performance for geographical object-based image analysis (GEOBIA). GEOBIA also allows the easy integration of additional features into the classification process, a factor which may significantly influence classification accuracies. As such, two experiments were developed and implemented in this research. The first compared the performances of object-based SVM, maximum likelihood (ML) and nearest neighbour (NN) classifiers using varying training set sizes. The effect of feature dimensionality on classifier accuracy was investigated in the second experiment. A SPOT 5 subscene and a four-class classification scheme were used. For the first experiment, training set sizes ranging from 4-20 per land cover class were tested. The performance of all the classifiers improved significantly as the training set size was increased. The ML classifier performed poorly when few (<10 per class) training samples were used and the NN classifier performed poorly compared to SVM throughout the experiment. SVM was the superior classifier for all training set sizes although ML achieved competitive results for sets of 12 or more training samples per class. Training sets were kept constant (20 and 10 samples per class) for the second experiment while an increasing number of features (1 to 22) were included. SVM consistently produced superior classification results. SVM and NN were not significantly (negatively) affected by an increase in feature dimensionality, but ML’s ability to perform under conditions of large feature dimensionalities and few training areas was limited. Further investigations using a variety of imagery types, classification schemes and additional features; finding optimal combinations of training set size and number of features; and determining the effect of specific features should prove valuable in developing more costeffective ways to process large volumes of satellite imagery. KEYWORDS Supervised classification, land cover, support vector machine, nearest neighbour classification maximum likelihood classification, geographic object-based image analysis / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Gerigte klassifiseerders word gereeld aangewend in afstandswaarneming om inligting oor landdekking te onttrek. Sulke klassifiseerders het egter beperkte vermoëns om akkurate landdekkingskaarte koste-effektief te produseer. Verskeie faktore het ʼn uitwerking op die akkuraatheid van gerigte klassifiseerders. Dit is veral bekend dat die getal beskikbare opleidingseenhede ʼn beduidende invloed op klassifiseerderakkuraatheid het en dit is nie altyd prakties om voldoende getalle te bekom nie. Die steunvektormasjien (SVM) werk goed met beperkte getalle opleidingseenhede. Min navorsing is egter gedoen om SVM se verrigting vir geografiese objek-gebaseerde beeldanalise (GEOBIA) te evalueer. GEOBIA vergemaklik die integrasie van addisionele kenmerke in die klassifikasie proses, ʼn faktor wat klassifikasie akkuraathede aansienlik kan beïnvloed. Twee eksperimente is gevolglik ontwikkel en geïmplementeer in hierdie navorsing. Die eerste eksperiment het objekgebaseerde SVM, maksimum waarskynlikheids- (ML) en naaste naburige (NN) klassifiseerders se verrigtings met verskillende groottes van opleidingstelle vergelyk. Die effek van kenmerkdimensionaliteit is in die tweede eksperiment ondersoek. ʼn SPOT 5 subbeeld en ʼn vier-klas klassifikasieskema is aangewend. Opleidingstelgroottes van 4-20 per landdekkingsklas is in die eerste eksperiment getoets. Die verrigting van die klassifiseerders het beduidend met ʼn toename in die grootte van die opleidingstelle verbeter. ML het swak presteer wanneer min (<10 per klas) opleidingseenhede gebruik is en NN het, in vergelyking met SVM, deurgaans swak presteer. SVM het die beste presteer vir alle groottes van opleidingstelle alhoewel ML kompeterend was vir stelle van 12 of meer opleidingseenhede per klas. Die grootte van die opleidingstelle is konstant gehou (20 en 10 eenhede per klas) in die tweede eksperiment waarin ʼn toenemende getal kenmerke (1 tot 22) toegevoeg is. SVM het deurgaans beter klassifikasieresultate gelewer. SVM en NN was nie beduidend (negatief) beïnvloed deur ʼn toename in kenmerkdimensionaliteit nie, maar ML se vermoë om te presteer onder toestande van groot kenmerkdimensionaliteite en min opleidingsareas was beperk. Verdere ondersoeke met ʼn verskeidenheid beelde, klassifikasie skemas en addisionele kenmerke; die vind van optimale kombinasies van opleidingstelgrootte en getal kenmerke; en die bepaling van die effek van spesifieke kenmerke sal waardevol wees in die ontwikkelling van meer koste effektiewe metodes om groot volumes satellietbeelde te prosesseer. TREFWOORDE Gerigte klassifikasie, landdekking, steunvektormasjien, naaste naburige klassifikasie, maksimum waarskynlikheidsklassifikasie, geografiese objekgebaseerde beeldanalise

Thesis (MSc (Geography and Environmental Studies))--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / 103 Leaves printed on single pages, preliminary pages i- viii and numbered pages 1-94.I ncludes bibliography, ADDENDUM A: Questionnaire document used in the research; list of tables and figures. / Digitized at 330 dpi black and white PDF format (OCR), using KODAK i 1220 PLUS scanner. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The subject of waste management is one that evokes a variety of debates due to the overwhelming implications on the environment and on health that are associated with the management of waste. In developing urban areas associated with informal settlements, environmental problems emanating from household solid waste management predicaments such as illegal dumping, littering and overfilling of skips have become a permanent feature. This is also the case in Lwandle a developing township in Helderberg Municipality, Western Cape. This study looks into the waste management system in Lwandle with the aim to investigate institutional settings, related socio-economic factors and resultant community perceptions, and avenues for the use of environmental education and community participation. The results show waste collection to be the responsibility of the Helderberg Municipality, but the collection operation is undertaken by a private contractor. The nature of waste collection under these arrangements is mainly determined by the nature of housing and associated accessibility. Consequently, three main methods of waste collection are used: kerbside collection; communal collection where there is use of bins and communal collection where there is use of skips. These have varying efficiency among the nine housing areas. Socioeconomic conditions, which were marked by a high level of unemployment and low incomes, determine societal attitudes. These underpin finer variations and detailed conditions of waste collection. These, in tum, establish the framework for suitable environmental education and community participation. The latter was found to be minimal. Thus, a holistic approach to the improvement of waste management that first acknowledges inherent broader societal problems such as housing and unemployment is proposed as part of the recommendations. This approach then concentrates on finer aspects such as contracts for waste collection, aspects of waste collection dependent on waste stream nature of housing areas, appropriate environmental education and community participation. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Afvalbestuur is 'n onderwerp wat 'n verskeidenheid van debatte uitlok vanwee die geweldige implikasies vir die omgewing en vir gesondheid wat met afvalbestuur geassosieer word. In ontwikkelende stedelike gebiede wat met informele behuising geassosieer word, het omgewingsprobleme soos onwettige storting, die strooi van rommel en oorvol stortbakke wat verband hou met die hantering van vaste afval uit huise 'n permanente kenmerk geword. Dit is ook die geval by Lwandle, 'n ontwikkelende dorpsgebied te Helderberg, in die Wes-Kaap. Hierdie studie beskou die afvalbestuursisteem in Lwandle met die doel om institusionele omgewings, verwante sosio-ekonomiese faktore en die persepsies van die gemeenskap wat daaruit ontwikkel, asook moontlikhede vir die gebruik van omgewingsopvoeding en gemeenskapsbetrokkenheid, te ondersoek. Die resultate van die ondersoek toon dat die Helderberg Munisipaliteit verantwoordelik is vir die insameling van afval, maar dat die insameling deur 'n private kontrakteur uitgevoer word. Onder sulke omstandighede word die aard van afvalinsameling hoofsaaklik deur die aard van die behuising en die verwante toeganklikheid bepaal. Daarvolgens is daar drie hoofmetodes van insameling, wat deur verskillende grade van effektiwiteit gekenmerk word, vir die nege behuisingsgebiede: sypaadjie versameling; kommunale versameling in dromme; en kommunale versameling in stortbakke. Sosio-ekonomiese omstandighede, wat gekenmerk word deur 'n hoe mate van werkloosheid en lae inkomstes, bepaal gemeenskapshoudings wat deur die verskillende maniere van afvalverwydering tot stand kom en ondersteun fyner variasies en gedetailleerde omstandighede van afvalinsameling. Dit bepaal weer die raamwerk vir gepaste omgewingsopvoeding en die deelname van die gemeenskap. Die studie het getoon dat laasgenoemde minimaal is. 'n Holistiese benadering tot die verbetering van afvalbestuur, wat eerstens inherente breer gemeenskapsprobleme soos behuising en werkloosheid erken, word dus as deel van die aanbevelings voorgestel. Hierdie benadering konsentreer vervolgens op die fynere aspekte, soos kontrakte vir afvalinsameling, aspekte van afvalinsameling, gepaste omgewingsopvoeding en gemeenskapsdeelname.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Current efforts to address Zimbabwe‘s decade long veld fire crisis has partly been hindered by a lack of financial resources and fire data. This study illustrates the potential of using the MODIS burned area product as an alternative cost- and time-effective method for reconstructing historical fire records in Zimbabwe. Two MODIS burned area products were evaluated, namely the MCD45A1 and WAMIS (Meraka Institute‘s MODIS burned area product). Both products yielded similar levels of accuracy despite the difference in algorithms. However, it is assumed that at certain thresholds, either in tree cover or fire intensity, WAMIS ceases to map fires as accurately as the MCD45A1. Ten years of fire data for Charara Safari Area (CSA) was extracted from the MCD45A1, and used as a basis to establish six parameters: fire incidence, extent, seasonality, fire size, frequency and fire return interval (FRI). It was observed that approximately 50% of CSA burned annually, with an average of 132 fires occurring every year. Although there was no overall increase or decrease in the extent of area burned over the 10 year study period, an increasing trend in fire incidence was noted. Through an assessment of effective fire size, it was established that more fires in CSA were gradually becoming smaller in size, while the extent of area burned remained fairly constant. Hence, the increase in fire incidences and lack of a corresponding increase in area burned. This study was also used to identify areas in the fire regime that may be a potential ecological risk to the miombo woodland in CSA. Three points of concern were revealed: firstly, a high prevalence of late season fires was observed in the northern bounds of CSA. Secondly, 64.2% of the total area burned in CSA burned between 6 and 10 times over the 10 year period, and lastly, 85% of the total area burned over the period 2001 and 2010 had a FRI of less than 2 years. The combination of late season fires, high fire frequency and short FRI in CSA is indicative of possible alterations in the state of the miombo woodlands, which may have negative socio-economic implications on CSA and its surrounding communities. This study has demonstrated that the MCD45A1 is a useful source of much needed fire information for Zimbabwe. Therefore, the possibility of integrating methods employed in this study into the current collection of fire data should be given due consideration. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Huidige pogings om Zimbabwe se dekade lank veldbrand krisis aan te spreek is gedeeltelik belemmer deur 'n gebrek aan finansiële hulpbronne en vuurdata. Hierdie studie illustreer die potensiaal van die gebruik van die MODIS verbrande area produk as 'n alternatiewe koste-en tyd-effektiewe metode vir die rekonstruksie van historiese vuurrekords in Zimbabwe. Twee MODIS verbrande area produkte is geëvalueer, naamlik die MCD45A1 en WAMIS (Meraka Instituut se MODIS verbrand area produk). Beide produkte het soortgelyke vlakke van akkuraatheid opgelewer ten spyte van die verskil in die algoritmes. Dit word egter aanvaar dat op sekere drempels, óf in die boom bedekking, of brandintensiteit, WAMIS brande minder akkuraat karteer as die MCD45A1 produk. Tien jaar van vuurdata vir Charara Safari Area (CSA) is uit die MCD45A1 data onttrek, en gebruik as 'n basis om ses parameters vas te stel: vuurvoorkoms, omvang, seisoenaliteit, vuurgrootte, frekwensie en tyd tussen die terugkeer van vuur na ‗n spesifieke plek (nl. FRI). Dit is waargeneem dat ongeveer 50% van die CSA jaarliks gebrand word, met 'n gemiddeld van 132 brande wat elke jaar voorkom. Daar was nie 'n algehele toename of afname in die omvang van die totale verbrande area oor die 10 jaar studietydperk nie. Maar 'n toenemende neiging in die vuurvoorkoms was wel opgemerk. Deur middel van 'n assessering van effektiewe vuurgrootte, is daar vasgestel dat meer kleiner brande in CSA voorkom, terwyl die omvang van die verbrand area redelik konstant gebly het. Dus was daar ‗n toename in die aantal vuurvoorvalle al was daar nie 'n ooreenstemmende toename in die totale verbrande oppervlakte was nie. Hierdie studie is ook gebruik om gebiede in die vuurregime te identifiseer wat 'n potensiële ekologiese risiko vir die miombobosveld in CSA inhou. Drie punte van kommer word geopenbaar: eerstens, 'n hoë voorkoms van laatseisoen brande is waargeneem in die noordelike grense van CSA. Tweedens, 64,2% van die totale verbrande oppervlakte in die CSA brand tussen 6 en 10 keer bine die 10-jaar periode. Laastens, 85% van die totale verbrande oppervlakte oor die tydperk 2001 tot 2010 het 'n FRI van minder as twee jaar. Die kombinasie van laatseisoen brande, hoë vuurfrekwensie en kort FRI in CSA is 'n aanduiding van moontlike veranderinge in die toestand van die miomboveld, wat negatiewe sosio-ekonomiese implikasies op die CSA en die omliggende gemeenskappe kan uitoefen. Hierdie studie het getoon dat die MCD45A1 'n nuttige bron van broodnodige vuur inligting vir Zimbabwe is. Daarom, moet die moontlikheid van die integrasie van die metodes wat gebruik word in hierdie studie in die huidige versameling van vuurdata behoorlike oorweging gegee word.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of the study was to determine the application of green building practices in Stellenbosch. In order to achieve this aim certain objectives had to be met. The first objective was to retrieve national and international literature on green building initiatives. Six main sections were discussed in the literature namely, climate change and the environment, the built environment, the concept of sustainability in cities and buildings, green building designs and practices, green buildings, green building councils and the different green rating systems, with a specific focus on the Green Star SA rating tool. The second objective was to discuss three case scenarios in Stellenbosch that practice green initiatives. The case scenarios selected are Distell Group Limited, Spier wine estate and the new Remgro head office Millenia park. Buildings in Stellenbosch selected by means of probability sampling. A total of 35% of all commercially zoned buildings in the Stellenbosch core were selected to participate in the sample. The land zoning maps from the Stellenbosch municipality was obtained and relevant buildings were sampled. Nine of the sampled buildings were heritage buildings (older than sixty years) and seventeen were buildings from the modernist era (younger than sixty years). Nine architect companies in Stellenbosch were also sampled. The respondents were determined by means of haphazard sampling. The third objective was to design two questionnaires, one for building owners and another for architects. The first questionnaire developed for building owners was divided into two sections. The first section determined what green practices owners are incorporating into their office buildings. These green practices developed in the questionnaire focused on the use of natural light in the buildings, LED lights, indoor ventilation, recycling methods, water saving methods, energy saving methods and whether management plans exist to monitor and evaluate the buildings energy usage. The second section focused on the perception of the building owners. The respondents had to rate the importance of the above mentioned green initiatives on a scale of one 1 (being not at all) to 5 (being very important). The fourth objective was to develop a questionnaire for architects. The questionnaire determined whether green designs are incorporated by architects and if there is a greater demand for green designs by clients. The findings of the study revealed that respondents find natural light and air quality to be the most important aspects in an office. Recycling is applied by 93% of respondents. Less than 10% of respondents have installed solar panels, HAVC systems, rain water harvesting or other water management systems. Architects find that there has been an increase in the demand for green designs, but that there is a lack of knowledge of green initiatives by building practitioners. The main recommendations of the study are that the concept of green development be broadened into other spheres apart from planners. Education and training of green building must be available to all building owners and practitioners. Sustainable materials should be more accessible to building practitioners and these materials should be made available locally. Finally more buildings should be refurbished or renovated rather than be demolished to prevent waste and secure open spaces. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van die studie was om die toepassing van groen initiatiewe in Stellenbosch te bepaal. Ten einde hierdie doel te bereik moes daar aan sekere doelwitte voldoen word. Die eerste doelwit was om nasionale en internasionale literatuur oor groen inisiatiewe te verkry. Ses hoof afdelings is bespreek in die literatuur, naamlik verandering van die klimaat en die omgewing, die Beboude-omgewing, die konsep van volhoubaarheid in stede en geboue, groen gebou ontwerp en praktyke, die rade vir omgewings vriendelike geboue en groen evalueering stelsels. Die tweede doelwit was om drie gevalle studies is Stellenbosch te bespreek wat groen inisiatiewe beoefen. Die gevalle studies wat bespreek word is Distell Eiendoms Beperk, Spier landgoedere en Remgro se nuwe hoof gebou Millenia Park. Waarskynlikheids steekproewe is gebruik om die geboue te identifiseer vir die veld werk, ʼn totaal van 35% van al die kommersiëele gesoneerde geboue in die Stellenbosch-kern is geselekteer om deel te neem in die steekproef. Die landsoneringskaarte van die Stellenbosch-munisipaliteit is verkry en betrokke geboue was geselekteer. Nege van die geselekteerde geboue was historiese geboue (ouer as sestig jaar) en sewentien was geboue van die modernistiese era (jonger as sestig jaar). Nege argiteks maatskappye in Stellenbosch is ook geselekteer vir die studie. Die respondente is deur middel van’n lukrake steekproef bepaal. Die derde doelwit was om twee vraelyste te ontwerp, een vir die eienaars van die geboue en die ander vir argitekte. Die eerste vraelys wat ontwikkel is vir die gebou-eienaars is verdeel in twee afdelings. Die eerste afdeling bepaal watter groen praktyke eienaars implimenteer in hul kantoor geboue. Die groen praktyke in die vraelys fokus op die gebruik van natuurlike lig in die geboue, LED ligte, binnenshuis ventilasie, herwinning, water besparing metodes, energie besparing metodes en bestuur planne wat opgetrek is om die energie verbruik van geboue te monitor en te evalueer. Die tweede afdeling van die vraelys fokus op die persepsie van die gebou-eienaars. Die respondente het die belangrikheid van die bogenoemde groen inisiatiewe gradeer op 'n skaal van een 1 (glad nie) tot 5 (baie belangrik). Die vierde doelwit was om 'n vraelys te ontwikkel vir argitekte. Die vraelys bepaal of groen ontwerp op geneem is deur argitekte en indien daar 'n groter aanvraag na groen ontwerpe deur kliënte is. Die bevindings van die studie het getoon dat die respondente natuurlike lig en die gehalte van binnenshuis lug as die belangrikste aspekte in di kantoor ag. Herwinning is deur 93% van respondente toegepas. Minder as 10% van die respondente het sonpanele, HAVC stelsels, reën wateropvangsisteme of ander watersparingssisteme geinstaleer. Argitekte vind dat daar 'n toename in die vraag na groen ontwerpe is, maar dat daar 'n gebrek aan kennis oor groeninisiatiewe is deur prakisynes . Die aanbevelings van die studie is dat die konsep van groen ontwikkeling versprei moet word na ander sfere behalwe beplanners. Inligting en opleiding oor omgewingsvriendelike geboue moet beskikbaar wees aan alle gebou-eienaars en praktisynes. Volhoubare materiale moet meer toeganklik wees vir bou praktisynes en hierdie materiale moet ook plaaslik beskikbaar gestel word. Laastens moet meer geboue opgeknap word eerder as om gesloop te word, om afval te voorkom en oop ruimtes te behou.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The succulent thicket plant community of South Africa, particularly Portulacaria afra (in this study referred to as spekboom), occurring in the Thicket Biome, sequestrates an exceptional amount of carbon dioxide (due to its photosynthetic properties), particularly for a warm, semi-arid region and in this capacity is more akin to forest ecosystems. Spekboom has additional favourable characteristics over forested systems regarding carbon trading (CT), namely: economic water use; potential for combating desertification and poverty in arid environments; and ability to withstand stand-replacing fire (spekboom doesn’t burn) which improves its attraction as a commodity in CT and the payments for ecosystem services (PES) industry. Landowners interested in using the capacity of their land for carbon sequestration (CS) are challenged to calculate their plant communities’ sequestration ability and biodiversity potential and therefore to quantify the carbon credits to be sold. The aim of the study was to quantify the CS ability of a selected property unit by vegetation area and to establish the carbon credits value that can be sold in the carbon market. It commenced by highlighting the problem of global warming and its effect on climate change in South Africa. CS is described as a process and a solution to decrease high and rising atmospheric CO2 levels, and its use in the carbon market to attain a monetary value to promote the growing of vegetation or to protect and conserve biodiversity that will enhance carbon stocks. The study site is Bosch Luys Kloof Private Nature Reserve (BLK PNR) in the semi-arid Karoo. Because CS potential is known to follow a rainfall gradient, one expects the semi-arid Karoo to have a low CS potential. However, this area contains spekboom, an extraordinary thicket type that sequestrates carbon at similar rates to forest ecosystems and should therefore reap the benefits of CT. Yet, accurate mapping of this vegetation is critical for accurate carbon stocks assessment. The CS potential of all vegetation communities in the study area had to be established to estimate the carbon stocks in the whole property unit. ArcGIS was used to map the vegetation communities (sub biomes) and eCognition to refine mapping of the Gamka Thicket (containing spekboom) through an object-orientated approach to automated vegetation mapping. For accuracy assessment a heads-up digitized map was created for comparison. The true surface area was calculated for the vegetation classification to ensure accurate area accounting on the mountainous terrain and this calculated area of the mapped vegetation was used to convert area to carbon sequestration potential. By examining the different markets and trading mechanisms for trading in the carbon market, using CS, a marketing strategy for the land units was advised. Results show that due to BLK PNR's history of overstocking, spekboom remains degraded on the study site. This creates an opportunity to restore the vegetation with funding through CT. The sequestration potential of spekboom on BLK PNR was determined through a regional differentiation comparison. The regional differentiation comparison identified that rainfall amount and carbon accumulation are inversely proportional, therefore more arid conditions (<200mm a year, or a dry season longer than seven and a half months) cause spekboom to switch to Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) due to water stress, so increasing the rate of carbon accumulation. In wetter environments, where spekboom is not under water stress, it continues in carbon fixation of 3-phosphoglycerate (C3) having a lower carbon accumulation. This is a remarkable finding as CS is known to follow a rainfall gradient: in this instance spekboom is an exception to the norm. Mapped results showed that eCognition classified spekboom poorly, yielding between 64% and 69% correspondence to the accurate manually classified map. As expected three-dimensional area comparative results show that the true surface area on complex terrains was 10% higher than the original (and surveyed) land area of the estate. Results indicate that there are substantial carbon stocks for CT on BLK PNR. This study recommended the most practised form of CT (restoration) for BLK PNR. Over a period of 30 years of restoration on BLK PNR about 46 000 tons of carbon could be sequestrated. At the current price of carbon credits this could accumulate over R3.7 million over the 30-year restoration period. Combining restoration with conservation strategies into one project type has additional favourable characteristics as it takes into account the CS potential of all vegetation communities on the land unit and the ecosystem services it promotes. Conservation of BLK PNR would yield 758 000 tons of carbon. Calculated through emission abandonment, this could be valued at R8-10 million. The economic importance of the vegetation community’s biodiversity on BLK PNR and significant differences between biomes were recorded and implies a total intrinsic value in excess of R830 000 per annum. To date, pilot projects elsewhere have successfully acquired carbon credits for avoided deforestation through the climate, community and biodiversity alliance (CCBA). However, owing to the pilot stage status there is little literature that substantiates the calculation of the monetary value of conservation. This is a fertile area for further research. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die sukkulent-struikplantgemeenskap van Suid-Afrika, in besonder Portulacaria afra (waarna in hierdie studie as Spekboom verwys word), wat in die Struikgewasbioom voorkom, neem ‘n uitsonderlike hoeveelheid koolstofdioksied op (weens die fotosintetiese eienskappe daarvan), veral vir ‘n warm, semi-ariede streek en is in hierdie kapasiteit meer verwant aan woud-ekosisteme. Spekboom het, met betrekking tot koolstofuitruiling (KU) of koolstofhandel, addisionele gunstige eienskappe bo dié van woudsisteme, naamlik lae waterbenutting; potensiaal vir die bestryding van woestynvorming en armoede in ariede omgewings; en die vermoë om brand te weerstaan (Spekboom brand nie), wat sy aantreklikheid as ‘n kommoditeit in KU verhoog, en die betaling vir dienste in die ekosisteem-industrie (BED) verbeter. Grondeienaars wat geïnteresseerd is in die benutting van hul grond vir koolstofopname (KO), word uitgedaag om hul plantgemeenskappe se opnamevermoë en potensiaal vir biodiversiteit te bereken, en gevolglik die hoeveelheid koolstofkrediete wat verkoop kan word, te kwantifiseer. Die doel van die studie was om die KO-vermoë van ‘n geselekteerde eiendomseenheid volgens die oppervlakte onder plantegroei te kwantifiseer en om die waarde van koolstofkrediete wat in die koolstofmark verkoop kan word, vas te stel. Ten aanvang is die probleem van aardverwarming en die uitwerking daarvan op klimaatsverandering in Suid-Afrika uitgelig. KO word beskryf as ‘n proses en oplossing om die hoë en stygende atmosferiese CO2-vlakke te verminder, en die gebruik daarvan in die koolstofmark, om ‘n monetêre waarde te verkry om plantbedekking te bevorder of om biodiversiteit, wat koolstofvoorraad sal vermeerder, te beskerm en te bewaar. Die studieperseel is Bosch Luys Kloof Privaat Natuurreservaat (BLK PNR) in die semi-ariede Karoo. Omrede KO-potensiaal bekend is daarvoor om ‘n reënvalgradiënt te volg, verwag mens dat die semi-ariede Karoo ‘n lae KO-potensiaal sal hê. Hierdie gebied bevat egter Spekboom, ‘n buitengewone struiksoort wat koolstof teen soortgelyke tempo’s as woud-ekosisteme opneem, en behoort daarom voordeel uit KU te trek. Akkurate kartering van hierdie plantegroei is kritiek vir akkurate assessering van koolstofvoorraad. Die KO-potensiaal van alle plantgemeenskappe in die studiegebied is derhalwe vasgestel om die koolstofvoorrade in die totale eiendomseenheid te skat. ArcGIS is gebruik om die plantgemeenskappe (sub-biome) te karteer en eCognition is gebruik om die kartering van die Gamkaruigte (wat Spekboom bevat) deur ‘n objek-georiënteerde benadering tot geoutomatiseerde plantegroeikartering te verfyn. Vir akkuraatheidsassessering is ‘n vergelykbare plantegroeikaart per hand versyfer. Die werklike oppervlakte van die gebied is vir die plantegroeiklassifikasie bereken om akkurate oppervlakberekening van die bergagtige terrein te verseker, en hierdie berekende oppervlakte van die gekarteerde plantegroei is gebruik om oppervlakte na koolstofopname-potensiaal te herlei. Advies oor ‘n bemarkingstrategie vir die grondeenhede is gegee, deur die verskillende markte en uitruilings- of handelsmeganismes vir handel in die koolstofmark te ondersoek. Resultate toon dat weens die BLK PNR se geskiedenis van oorbeweiding, Spekboom op die studieperseel gedegradeer het. Dit skep ‘n geleentheid om die plantegroei met befondsing deur KU te herstel. Die opname-potensiaal van Spekboom op BLK PNR is deur ‘n streeksdifferensiasie-vergelyking bepaal. Die streeksdifferensiasie-vergelyking toon dat hoeveelheid reënval en koolstofakkumulasie omgekeerd eweredig of proporsioneel is, en gevolglik veroorsaak meer ariede omstandighede (<200 mm/jaar, of ‘n droë seisoen van langer as sewe en ‘n half maande) dat Spekboom weens waterstres na Crassulacea-suurmetabolisme (CSM) oorskakel, en sodoende die tempo van koolstofakkumulasie verhoog. In natter omgewings, waar Spekboom nie aan waterstres onderwerp word nie, gaan dit voort met koolstofbinding van 3-fosfogliseraat (C3) en het ‘n laer koolstofakkumulasie. Dit is ‘n merkwaardige bevinding aangesien KO daarvoor bekend is dat dit ‘n reënvalgradiënt volg: in hierdie geval is Spekboom ‘n uitsondering op die reël. eCognition het Spekboom swak onderskei, en slegs ‘n ooreenstemming van tussen 64% en 69% met die akkurate hand-geklassifiseerde gehad. Soos verwag, toon vergelykende resultate van driedimensionele oppervlakte dat die werklike oppervlakte byna 10% hoër is as die oorspronklike (en gemete) grondoppervlak van die eiendom. Resultate dui aan dat daar aansienlike koolstofvoorrade vir KU op BLK PNR is. Hierdie studie beveel die mees gebruikte praktyke van KU (herstelproses) vir BLK PNR aan. Oor ‘n hersteltydperk van 30 jaar op BLK PNR kan ongeveer 46 000 ton koolstof opgeneem word. Teen die huidige prys van koolstofkrediete kan dit meer as R3.7 miljoen oor die hersteltydperk van 30 jaar akkumuleer. Die kombinasie van herstelprosesse en bewaringstrategieë in een tipe projek, hou addisionele voordeel in, omdat dit die KO-potensiaal van alle plantgemeenskappe op die grondeenheid en die ekosisteem-dienste in berekening bring. Bewaring van BLK PNR sal 757 913 ton koolstof lewer. As dit in terme van die staking van uitlatings bereken word, kan dit teen R8-10 miljoen gewaardeer word. Die ekonomiese belangrikheid van die ekosisteem en plantgemeenskap-biodiversiteit op BLK PNR impliseer ‘n totale intrinsieke waarde van meer as R800 000 per jaar. Loodsprojekte elders was suksesvol in die verkryging van koolstofkrediete vir die vermyding van ontbossing deur die klimaat-, gemeenskap- en biodiversiteitsalliansie (KGBA). Vanweë die loodsprojekstatus, is daar egter min literatuur beskikbaar wat die berekening van die monetêre waarde van bewaring staaf. Dit laat ruimte vir verdere navorsing.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Western Cape Province in South Africa is home to one of the most diverse plant communities in the world, and has one of the highest concentrations of plants species in any temperate ecosystem in the world. The dominant vegetation is both fire-prone and fire-dependant (Van Wilgen & Scott 2001, Forsyth et al. 2010). The Western Cape in particular is emerging as a province that is increasingly prone to disaster events, particularly the threat of veld fires. The consequences of large wildfire disaster events are often devastating and far reaching (Van Wilgen & Scott 2001, Forsyth et al. 2010). This study was conducted in an attempt to investigate the drivers of wildfire behaviour, severity and magnitude in the Limietberg Conservation Area in order to gain a greater insight and understanding of the complexity of wildfire risk. Recognising the disaster prone character of the Western Cape and the increasing probabilities of future wildfire events in the province, this study aimed to strengthen the understanding of the drivers of wildland fire behaviour (i.e. wildland fire risk) in the Limietberg Conservation Area by analysing a number of fires to identify a range of drivers and patterns; examining the factors driving both fire danger and fire behaviour, including climate, topography, slope and fuel; examining the factors driving fire frequency and regime; and finally, determining possible ecological damage caused by the last 10 – 20 years of wildfire events in the Limietberg Conservation Area as measured by post-fire seedling ratios. This was achieved through the use of statistical techniques including multiple regression (McDonald 2009), ordination in the form of principal component analysis and non-metric multi-dimensional scaling (Clarke & Warwick 1994), and fieldwork in the form of post-fire regeneration (Proteaceae parent:seedling ratio) monitoring techniques (Bond et al. 1984; Vlok & Yeaton 2000; De Klerk et al. 2007). The results indicated that the interactions between factors driving fire danger and fire behaviour were indeed complex, being influenced mainly by meteorological variables (temperature, relative humidity, wind speed) but also quite strongly influenced by physical environmental factors (slope, topography). The use of ordination techniques in this sort of complex analysis was seen as extremely effective and its use in further fire research was strongly recommended. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Wes-Kaap provinsie in Suid-Afrika is die tuiste van een van die mees diverse plant gemeenskappe in die wêreld, en het een van die hoogste konsentrasies van plantspesies in enige gematigde ekosisteem in die wêreld. Die dominante plantegroei is beide vuur geneig en vuurafhanklik (Van Wilgen & Scott 2001, Forsyth et al. 2010). Die Wes-Kaap in die besonder is opkomende as 'n provinsie wat toenemend geneig is tot ramp gebeure, veral die bedreiging van veldbrande. Die gevolge van groot veldbrand rampgebeure is dikwels verwoestend en verreikend (Van Wilgen & Scott 2001, Forsyth et al. 2010). Hierdie studie is uitgevoer in 'n poging om die oorsake van veldbrande, die gedrag, erns en omvang daarvan in die Limietberg Bewaringsgebied vir groter insig en begrip van die kompleksiteit van veldbrand risiko te ondersoek. Hierdie studie erken die rampgeneigdheid van die Wes-Kaap en die toenemende waarskynlikheid van toekomstige veldbrande in die provinsie. Dit het ten doel gehad om die oorsake van veldvuur gedrag (bv. brand risiko) in die Limietberg Bewaringsgebied deur die ontleding van 'n aantal brande se oorsake en patrone te identifiseer; die ondersoek van faktore wat beide brandgevaar en vuurgedrag, bepaal insluitend klimaat, topografie, helling en brandstof; die ondersoek van faktore wat vuur frekwensie en regime; en uiteindelik die bepaling van moontlike ekologiese skade veroorsaak deur die laaste 10 - 20 jaar van veldbrand gebeure in die Limietberg Bewaringsgebied, soos gemeet deur navuur saailing verhoudings. Die doel is bereik deur die gebruik van statistiese tegnieke waaronder meervoudige regressie (McDonald 2009), ordening in die vorm van hoofkomponent analise en multi-dimensionele skaling (Clarke & Warwick 1994), en veldwerk in die vorm van navuur herlewing (Proteaceae ouer:saailing verhouding) moniteringstegnieke (Bond et al. 1984; Vlok & Yeaton 2000; De Klerk et al. 2007). Die resultate dui daarop dat die interaksies tussen faktore wat brandgevaar en vuurgedrag inderdaad kompleks aandryf is en hoofsaaklik beïnvloed word deur meteorologiese veranderlikes (temperatuur, relatiewe humiditeit, windspoed), maar ook baie sterk beïnvloed word deur fisiese omgewingsfaktore (helling, topografie). Die gebruik van ordeningstegnieke vir hierdie komplekse tipe analise is bevind as uiters effektief en die gebruik daarvan in verdere vuur navorsing word sterk aanbeveel.