Thesis (M. S.)--Architecture, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2010. / Committee Chair: Augenbroe, Godfried; Committee Member: Bayer, Charlene; Committee Member: Gentry, Russell. Part of the SMARTech Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Collection.

Thesis (M.E.)--University of Canterbury, 2001. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 134-144). Also available via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 2007. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains xvii, 210 p. : ill. (some col.), col. maps. Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 169-210).

Thesis (MS en S)--Stellenbosch University, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Environmental impact assessments have become increasingly popular over the past few years, by necessity and due to the general increase in environmental awareness. By definition, environmental impact assessment is a process having the ultimate objective of providing decision makers with an indication of the likely consequences of their intended actions. First popularized in the United States of America in the seventies, environmental impact assessments have since evolved worldwide into an effective decision making tool. In South Africa, environmental impact assessments became legally enforceable in 1998 under the Environment Conservation Act (Act 73 of 1989) and presently serves as an effective tool in facilitating decision making for sustainable development. A large number of impact assessments are at present being produced for all categories of activities, but questions arise about the effectiveness of these assessments in fulfilling their intended purpose. The present study aims to answer these questions and provide insight into the nature, content and standard of environmental impact assessment in South Africa by examining the foundations and application of the concept. The main method of research was the analysis of various assessments, already submitted to regional authorities, on the basis of content, methods used, depth of analysis, degree of public input and their overall contribution to the better understanding of the problem at hand. During the analysis many inadequacies and merits of these impact assessments were revealed. The quality of reports ranged from good (about one third) to average and poor (about one third). Shortcomings identified related inter alia to data collection; ignorance of socio-economic factors; ignorance of cumulative effects; and analysis and evaluation problems. The benefits that these impact assessments could bring about, were also analysed. It was deduced that there were inherent benefits the most practical being that the good reports assisted the decision making process considerably. Sustainable development was also promoted. It was found that the implementation of the concept still needs more stringent management and monitoring with improved application and incorporation into the present planning approach / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In die afgelope paar jaar het omgewingsimpakstudies (OIS) toenemend populêr geword as gevolg van noodsaaklikheid en die algemene toename in omgewingsbewustheid. By definisie is OIS 'n proses met die uiteindelike doel om besluitnemers in te lig oor die waarskynlike gevolge van hul handelinge. OIS het wêreldwyd ontwikkel in 'n effektiewe besluitnemingshulpmiddel sedert dit aanvanklik tydens die sewentiger jare in die Verenigde State van Amerika gepopulariseer is. Omgewingsimpakstudies is wetlik afdwingbaar in Suid Afrika sedert 1998 onder die Wet op Omgewingsbewaring (Wet 73 van 1989). Dit dien as 'n effektiewe middel in die fasilitering van besluitneming oor volhoubare ontwikkeling. 'n Groot aantal impakstudies word tans opgestel vir alle kategorieë van aktiwiteite, maar die effektiwiteit van hierdie studies in die vervulling van hul doelstellings word bevraagteken. Die doel van hierdie studie is om hierdie vraag te beantwoord en insig te verskaf oor die aard, inhoud en standaard van impakstudies in Suid Afrika deur grondslae en toepassing van die konsep te ondersoek. Die hoof metode van navorsing was die ontleding van verskeie studies reeds ingedien by plaaslike owerhede, op grond van inhoud, metodes gebruik, diepte van ontleding, graad van publieke deelname en hul algehele bydrae tot 'n beter begrip van die probleem. Tydens die ontleding is verskeie beperkings en meriete van impakstudies ontbloot. Die kwaliteit van verslae het gewissel van goed (omtrent een derde) tot gemiddeld en swak (omtrent een derde). Tekortkominge geïdentifiseer hou verband met o.a. data insameling, onkunde van sosio-ekonomiese faktore, onkunde van kumulatiewe effekte en ontleding-en evalueringsprobleme. Voordele van impakstudies is ook geanaliseer. Die belangrikste was dat goeie verslae besluitnemingsprosesse aansienlik kan bystaan. Volhoubare ontwikkeling is ook bevorder. Daar is gevind dat die implementering van die konsep steeds strenger bestuur en beheer benodig, met verbeterde integrasie in die beplanningsproses.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study acknowledges the status quo in South Africa as a country in transformation. Leaders concur that people live under the spell of the evil triplets of poverty, inequality and unemployment amidst the need for development and economic growth. In order to initiate positive change, the 1996 Constitution of South Africa supports integrated environmental management (IEM) and sustainability principles towards ecological, economic and social compromise. Furthermore, the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) was legislated in 1996 along with the mandatory environmental impact assessment (EIA) tool in 1998. Despite this legislation being of global standards, current discourse highlights the need for new strategies and tools to improve IEM. The constraint lies in the implementation of policy as the EIA process is limited by inconsistency and project specific focus. Fortuitously technology has developed to levels where web-based tools encourage spatial awareness and individual responsibility for the environment. Usage of participative GIS supported by best practice in governance has the potential to successfully drive IEM. This research builds on the integration of a policy instrument (EIA), spatial technology (GIS), development and human factors (people) as pillars of transdisciplinary methodology to collaborate and gather new information to expand knowledge and augment existing processes. The study objectives required rigorous research and involved a wide range of participants in a feasibility study to provide details of the viability of integrating GIS usage into EIA conduct in South Africa. Participants in the research were selected from the geographical scope of Cape Town and represent involved parties in EIA and potential users of GIS in EIA. The legislative scope is the Western Cape Province. Triangulation, a mixed method approach, was employed to collect and collate qualitative and quantitative information based on the opinions of involved parties in the IEM, EIA and GIS domains. Primary data collection methods included observation, fieldwork, informal, formal and focus group discussions as well as an e-mail questionnaire and a Likert scale e-survey. The knowledge gained was evaluated using SWOT and graphics. The findings indicated that the majority of participants agreed that technology and skills are available to design and develop a web-based application for GIS usage in EIA. However, from the outcome of the study the main challenge is not related to technical skills and capacity, but to align the EIA with IEM sustainability principles for effective decision making and self-regulation. It is therefore envisaged that web-based GIS usage in EIA based on IEM has the potential to reconnect the EIA process by uniting people in knowledge with easy access to information from a central data base repository to an on-line web-based platform that links time and space to inform decision making. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die uitgangspunt van hierdie studie is dat Suid-Afrika 'n land in transformasie is en die behoefte aan ontwikkeling en ekonomiese groei van kardinale belang is weens die armoede, ongelykheid en werkloosheid waaronder baie mense lei. Effektiewe omgewingsbestuur is uiters belangrik om omgewingsbesoedeling en agteruitgang te verhoed. Ten einde 'n positiewe verandering te inisieer, ondersteun die 1996 Grondwet van Suid-Afrika geïntegreerde omgewingsbestuur (GOB) en volhoubaarheidsbeginsels teenoor ekologiese, ekonomiese en sosiale kompromie. Die 1996 Nasionale Wet op Omgewingsbestuur (NEMA) het die omgewingsimpakstudie (OIS)-instrument in 1998 verpligtend verklaar. Die OIS wetgewing is gebaseer op hoë internasionale standaarde, maar ten spyte hiervan beklemtoon die huidige diskoers die behoefte aan nuwe strategieë om OIS in die praktyk effektief te belyn met die GOB beleid. Tans word die OIS proses beperk deur teenstrydigheid tussen gebruikers van die proses sowel as projekspesifieke fokus. Tegnologie het ontwikkel tot 'n vlak waar webgebaseerde GIS ruimtelike bewustheid aanmoedig en individuele verantwoordelikheid vir die omgewing aanbeveel en ondersteun word. Deelnemende GIS, ondersteun deur goeie regering, het die potensiaal om OIS en GOB suksesvol in die praktyk te implementer. Hierdie navorsing bou voort op die integrasie van 'n beleidsinstrument (OIS), ruimtelike tegnologie (GIS) asook ontwikkeling en menslike faktore (mense) en ondersteun die transdissiplinêre metodologie om nuwe inligtig te versamel en vryelik te deel. Die studiedoelwitte het streng navorsingsmetodologie vereis deur 'n wye verskeidenheid van deelnemers te betrek in 'n ondersoek na die haalbaarheid van die integrasie van GIS gebruik in OIS in Suid-Afrika. Deelnemers aan die navorsing is gekies uit die geografiese domein van Kaapstad en was betrokke partye in omgewingsbestuur en potensiële gebruikers van GIS in OIS. Die wetgewende domein is die Wes-Kaap. 'n Gemengde-metode benadering is gevolg om kwalitatiewe en kwantitatiewe inligting te versamel en was gebaseer op die menings van die betrokke partye in die IEM, OIE en GIS terreine. Die kennis is geëvalueer met behulp van SWOT analise en grafika. Die bevindinge dui aan dat die meerderheid van die deelnemers saamstem dat tegnologie en vaardigheid beskikbaar is om 'n program vir GIS-gebruik in OIS te ontwikkel. Die uitslag van die studie dui daarop dat die grootste uitdaging vir effektiewe besluitneming en self-regulering nie verband hou met tegniese vaardighede en kapasiteit nie, maar om die OIS te verenig met GOB-volhoubaarheid beginsels. Die vooruitsig is dus dat web-gebaseerde GIS gebruik in OIS gebaseer op GOB die potensiaal het om mense met kennis te verenig en omgewingsbestuur effektief in te lig.

Orientador: Paulo Sergio Tonello. / Banca: Manuel Enrique Gamero Guandique / Banca: Kelly Cristina Tonello / Resumo: A diminuição dos ecossistemas promove o isolamento populacional de espécies da fauna e flora, impedindo-as de continuarem suas justas perpetuações existenciais, rumo às inerentes evoluções de que cada espécie tem o direito de traçar. Diante disso, são necessárias extensas parcelas de habitats a fim de manter e garantir a permanência da extraordinária biodiversidade do Estado de São Paulo. Com a intenção de contribuir para o incremento ambiental no Município de Votorantim, SP, este estudo realizou diagnósticos hidroambientais em áreas estratégicas e com potenciais atributos à criação de Parques Naturais Municipais. Para isso, as duas principais áreas selecionadas foram física e espacialmente delimitadas utilizando-se técnicas de geoprocessamento, quando foram catalogadas as nascentes e corpos d'água existentes e realizadas coletas de amostras de água e sedimentos destinadas às análises laboratoriais para determinação de suas características físico-químicas, bacteriológicas e de metais pesados para seus respectivos enquadramentos perante os valores estabelecidos pela legislação pertinente. Os diagnósticos hidroambientais das áreas selecionadas possibilitaram a avaliação da existência de impactos positivos e negativos sobre o meio ambiente. A partir daí foram propostas ações planejadas de conservação e recuperação ambiental para a devida criação de Parques Naturais Municipais. Além dos diagnósticos hidroambientais para a criação de áreas legalmente protegidas em Votorantim, o intuito deste estudo suplementa-se por meio do auxílio à perpetuação das espécies nativas da região, ao favorecer o estabelecimento de amplos corredores ecológicos entre remanescentes florestais saudáveis e assim contribuir para a garantia no provimento dos serviços ambientais essenciais à qualidade de vida de todos / Abstract: The decline of ecosystems promotes the populational isolation of fauna and flora species, preventing them to continuing their fair existential perpetuations, towards their inherent evolutions that each species has the right to follow. Therefore, becomes needed large habitat parcels in order to maintain and ensure the permanence of the extraordinary biodiversity of São Paulo State. In order to contribute to the environmental development in the city of Votorantim, SP, this study conducted hydro-environmental diagnosis in strategic areas of the municipality potential to creation of Natural Public Parks. For this, the two main areas selected were physically and spatially delimited using geoprocessing techniques, when were cataloged the springs and streams, and made collections of water and sediment samples for laboratory tests to determine their physical, chemical, bacteriological and heavy metals characteristics to their respective frameworks before the values set by the relevant legislation. The hydro-environmental diagnosis of the selected areas allowed the observation of the existence of positive and negative impacts on the environment. From there have been proposed planned actions to environmental conservation and recovery aiming due creations of Natural Public Parks. Besides the hydro-environmental diagnosis for legally creation protected areas in Votorantim, the purpose of this study supplements by means of the aid to the native species perpetuation in the region, by favoring the establishment of large wildlife corridors between healthy forest remnants and thereby to contribute to the guarantee the provision of environmental services essential to the life quality of all / Mestre

O agravamento dos problemas ambientais e sociais representa um quadro de insustentabilidade do atual padrão de desenvolvimento. Portanto, as empresas devem adotar instrumentos de gestão ambiental como uma das alternativas na busca da sustentabilidade. Este estudo prevê a aplicação de um modelo de gestão ambiental para a triparia implantada no sudoeste do estado do Paraná, visando aumentar o nível de sustentabilidade ambiental da empresa. Inicialmente foi realizada a caracterização da empresa, elaborando-se descrições e fluxogramas das atividades desenvolvidas, incluindo processo industrial, estações de tratamento de água e de efluentes líquidos, geração de vapor e de resíduos sólidos, frota de veículos e setor administrativo. A seguir, por meio de quadros de entradas e saídas, foi realizada a identificação dos aspectos ambientais de cada atividade, propiciando a análise ambiental da empresa, de forma qualitativa e quantitativa, confrontando-se a situação atual com a legislação ambiental, quando aplicável. Na próxima etapa, aplicando-se um instrumento de gestão, foi realizada a avaliação de impactos ambientais, que contempla a identificação e avaliação dos impactos. Concluindo, foram identificados impactos negativos, principalmente relacionados aos meios físicos e biológicos, que podem ser minimizados pela implantação dos programas e medidas sugeridos, entre eles redução no consumo de água, reuso de efluentes e águas pluviais, otimização do tratamento de efluentes, ajuste no processo de combustão, regularização das inconformidades legais. Por outro lado foram identificados impactos positivos, principalmente relacionados ao meio socioeconômico, que devem ser mantidos ou ampliados, para que a empresa possa aumentar seu nível de sustentabilidade. / The worsening environmental and social problems represents a framework of unsustainability of the current standard of development, therefore, the companies must adopt instruments of environmental management as an alternative in search of sustainability. This study provides an application of a model of environmental management for gut sectors implanted in the southwest Paraná, seeking to increase the level of environmental sustainability of the company. Initially it was carried out the characterization of the company, producing descriptions and flowcharts activities, including industrial process, water treatment plants and liquid effluents, steam generation and solid waste, fleet of identification of environmental aspects of each activity, allowing the environmental analysis of the company, qualitatively and quatitatively, confronting the current situation with the environmental legislation, when applicable. In the next step, by applying a management tool, was carried out the assessment of environmental impacts, which includes the identification and assessment of the impacts. In conclusion, negative impacts were identified, particularly related to biological and physical environment, that can be minimized by the implementation of the programs and measures suggested, among them reduction in water consumption, reuse of effluent and rainwater, optimization of the treatment of effluents, adjust in the combustion process, regularization of legal non-conformities. On the other hand were identified positive impacts, particularly related to the socio-economic environment, that must be kept or extended, in order to allow the company to increase its level of environmental sustainability.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-10-06T13:03:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2015-07-27. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2015-10-06T13:18:44Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000851435.pdf: 4525520 bytes, checksum: 42dcf266ab8ed9c7ba5e6c38d5be1020 (MD5) / A diminuição dos ecossistemas promove o isolamento populacional de espécies da fauna e flora, impedindo-as de continuarem suas justas perpetuações existenciais, rumo às inerentes evoluções de que cada espécie tem o direito de traçar. Diante disso, são necessárias extensas parcelas de habitats a fim de manter e garantir a permanência da extraordinária biodiversidade do Estado de São Paulo. Com a intenção de contribuir para o incremento ambiental no Município de Votorantim, SP, este estudo realizou diagnósticos hidroambientais em áreas estratégicas e com potenciais atributos à criação de Parques Naturais Municipais. Para isso, as duas principais áreas selecionadas foram física e espacialmente delimitadas utilizando-se técnicas de geoprocessamento, quando foram catalogadas as nascentes e corpos d'água existentes e realizadas coletas de amostras de água e sedimentos destinadas às análises laboratoriais para determinação de suas características físico-químicas, bacteriológicas e de metais pesados para seus respectivos enquadramentos perante os valores estabelecidos pela legislação pertinente. Os diagnósticos hidroambientais das áreas selecionadas possibilitaram a avaliação da existência de impactos positivos e negativos sobre o meio ambiente. A partir daí foram propostas ações planejadas de conservação e recuperação ambiental para a devida criação de Parques Naturais Municipais. Além dos diagnósticos hidroambientais para a criação de áreas legalmente protegidas em Votorantim, o intuito deste estudo suplementa-se por meio do auxílio à perpetuação das espécies nativas da região, ao favorecer o estabelecimento de amplos corredores ecológicos entre remanescentes florestais saudáveis e assim contribuir para a garantia no provimento dos serviços ambientais essenciais à qualidade de vida de todos / The decline of ecosystems promotes the populational isolation of fauna and flora species, preventing them to continuing their fair existential perpetuations, towards their inherent evolutions that each species has the right to follow. Therefore, becomes needed large habitat parcels in order to maintain and ensure the permanence of the extraordinary biodiversity of São Paulo State. In order to contribute to the environmental development in the city of Votorantim, SP, this study conducted hydro-environmental diagnosis in strategic areas of the municipality potential to creation of Natural Public Parks. For this, the two main areas selected were physically and spatially delimited using geoprocessing techniques, when were cataloged the springs and streams, and made collections of water and sediment samples for laboratory tests to determine their physical, chemical, bacteriological and heavy metals characteristics to their respective frameworks before the values set by the relevant legislation. The hydro-environmental diagnosis of the selected areas allowed the observation of the existence of positive and negative impacts on the environment. From there have been proposed planned actions to environmental conservation and recovery aiming due creations of Natural Public Parks. Besides the hydro-environmental diagnosis for legally creation protected areas in Votorantim, the purpose of this study supplements by means of the aid to the native species perpetuation in the region, by favoring the establishment of large wildlife corridors between healthy forest remnants and thereby to contribute to the guarantee the provision of environmental services essential to the life quality of all

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:26:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-05-20Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:29:38Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 brito_gs_me_rcla.pdf: 2281388 bytes, checksum: 3fb0e89e9e54d7893a058c3593eb2435 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / O presente trabalho consiste no estudo e avaliação das alterações no meio ambiente decorrentes da presença de depósitos tecnogênicos na bacia hidrográfica do ribeirão Anicuns, na região sudoeste da cidade de Goiânia, Goiás. Os depósitos tecnogênicos são testemunhos da ação geológica humana e revelam características da transformação do ambiente natural pelas diferentes formas de apropriação do espaço. A pesquisa compreendeu as seguintes etapas: delimitação de unidades geoambientais; caracterização e mapeamento dos depósitos tecnogênicos presentes nas planícies e canais fluviais da bacia, destacando-se a dinâmica de formação e evolução dos depósitos, a influência da ação humana nesse processo e sua relação com os depósitos naturais; e a integração dos dados obtidos, evidenciando-se as principais alterações da bacia. A análise integrada do meio físico, biótico e do uso e ocupação do solo resultaram na delimitação de nove unidades geoambientais. A análise dos depósitos tecnogênicos implicou na determinação de cinco tipos de depósitos, classificados em construídos e induzidos. A avaliação da bacia indica os altos índices de impacto do meio ambiente decorrentes do processo de produção do espaço. A metodologia adotada se mostrou eficaz no estudo das alterações da bacia do ribeirão Anicuns e permitiu a compreensão da relação entre o homem e o meio / This work consists in the study and evaluation of environment changes arising from the presence of technogenic deposits in the Anicuns river basin, in southwestern of Goiania city, Goiás. Technogenic deposits are witness of human geological action and reveal’s features of the natural environment transformation through various forms of space appropriation. The research included the following steps: definition of geoenvironmental units, characterization and mapping of the technogenic deposits placed in floodplains and river channels, highlighting the formation dynamics and evolution of the deposits, the influence of human action in this process and its relationship with the natural deposits; the integration of data, evidencing the main changes of the basin. The integrated analysis of the physical, biotic and land use and occupation resulted in the delineation of nine environmental units. The analysis of technogenic deposits resulted in the determination of five types of deposits, classified as constructed and induced. The basin assessment indicates high levels of environmental impact resulting from the process of space production. The methodology was effective in the study of changes in the Anicuns basin and allowed the understanding of the relationship between man and environment

Orientador: Admilson Írio Ribeiro / Banca: Gerson Araújo de Medeiros / Banca: Fátima Conceição Márquez Piña-Rodrigues / Resumo: Uma das maiores riquezas naturais do Brasil é o seu potencial mineral. A região amazônica é conhecida pela abundância de recursos minerais, podendo destacar o topázio, petróleo, e principalmente a cassiterita. Como consequência da mineração, o ecossistema vem sofrendo um processo constante de degradação. Um importante artifício na exploração de recursos minerais é a reabilitação e/ ou recuperação das áreas degradadas, para isso, é necessário estabelecer indicadores de degradação, assim como de qualidade do solo associada a sua biota, levando em consideração que esse é um ambiente dinâmico, heterogêneo e complexo de características físicas, químicas e biológicas diversificadas. Desse modo, o objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a associação entre variáveis da atividade biológica do solo e variáveis morfométricas dos agregados, visando estabelecer uma função de pedotransferência para identificar de maneira expedita os melhores indicadores de recuperação para as áreas experimentais localizadas em substrato piso de lavra na Floresta Nacional do Jamari-RO.Os resultados apresentaram grande variabilidade no conjunto das variáveis morfométricas e uma menor dispersão dos dados para as variáveis biológicas. A metodologia de análise da amplitude das diferenças entre os parâmetros nas áreas analisadas permitiu a comparação entre as áreas em recuperação facilitando a interpretação gráfica das diferenças. Foi possível por meio da correlação canônica, determinar combinações lineares entre o conjunto de variáveis da diversidade biológica do solo e do conjunto das variáveis dos parâmetros morfométricos dos agregados do solo Considerando que o modelo das combinações lineares não apresentou um ajuste satisfatório, a definição de um índice expedito ficou comprometida, pois haveria necessidade de se estudar os problemas de multicolinearidade e intercorrelação entre as equações... / Abstract: One of the biggest natural wealth of Brazil is its mineral potential. The Amazon region is known for the abundance of mineral resources, and can highlight the topaz, oil, and especially tin. As a result of mining, the ecosystem has undergone a constant process of degradation. An important tool in the exploration of mineral resources is the rehabilitation and / or restoration of degraded areas, for this it is necessary to establish degradation indicators, as well as soil quality associated with its biota, taking into account that this is a dynamic environment, heterogeneous and complex physical, chemical and biological diverse. Thus, the objective of this work was to study the association between variables of biological soil activity and morphometric variables of households, aiming at a Pedotransfer function to identify expeditiously the best indicators of recovery for the experimental areas located in mining floor substrate the National Forest of Jamari-RO.Os results showed great variability in all the morphometric variables and a lower dispersion of data for biological variables. The analysis method of the amplitude differences between the parameters analyzed in the areas allowed the comparison of the areas facilitating recovery graphical interpretation of differences. It was possible through the canonical correlation determine linear combinations of the set of variables of soil biodiversity and to all the variables of the morphometric parameters of soil aggregates whereas the linear combination model has not submitted a satisfactory adjustment, the definition of an index expeditious been compromised, as there is need to study the problems of multicollinearity and intercorrelation between the predictive equations of biological activity through morphometric variables. / Mestre