Thesis (MA (Geography and Environmental Studies))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / The acceleration of biodiversity loss is understood to threaten the ecosystems upon which life on earth depends. Existing conservation approaches have proved insufficient to stem global biodiversity losses. Mounting evidence indicates that responsible biodiversity conservation requires an integration of ecology with economics. Accordingly, contemporary conservation interventions incorporate a concept that ecosystems and biodiversity can be used and also conserved. In South Africa, such interventions can be appropriately applied in the Cape Floristic Region (CFR), an area containing severely endangered biodiversity where land use and conservation goals rarely mesh. More than 80% of land in the CFR is privately owned, with large tracts transformed for viticulture. Conservation challenges thus include the reconciliation of wine production needs with biodiversity protection necessities. This thesis comprises a case study of the Biodiversity and Wine Initiative, an organisation that simultaneously promotes biodiversity conservation in the South African wine sector, by a process of mainstreaming within an viticultural context. The overall study aim was to improve understanding of the BWI as a mainstreaming initiative. Specifically, the area of inquiry is an investigation into how effectively the BWI has protected biodiversity in the CFR between 2005 and 2008. Individual aims were to investigate reductions in threat to biodiversity in the CFR; to assess farmer adoption levels of BWI strategy; and to formulate a sustainability appraisal of the Biodiversity and Wine Initiative. A strategic triangulation of methods was employed. Stakeholder interviews were conducted to probe adoption levels and opinions of BWI strategy. Case studies of two BWI champion estates provided data on best practice. Towards a critical appraisal of sustainability, an assessment was made of the BWI as a functioning mainstreaming model, which included case studies of two model farms.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: South Africa is a semi-arid country with an average annual rainfall of 197mm, in comparison with the international average of 860mm per year, of which the available freshwater sources are currently being utilised virtually completely. The water restrictions in the Western Cape during the summer of 2000/2001 and of 2001/2002 are sufficient evidence of this. This threatening water shortage holds far-reaching consequences for the socio-economic development of the country if an active effort is not made to manage the water resources in a sustainable manner. Starting in the 1990s, the concept of integrated catchment management crCM) began to enjoy widespread attention as a mechanism to manage water resources. However, it was primarily forced, state-initiated projects with little direct community involvement that enjoyed a limited amount of success. This study undertook community-driven, integrated catchment management in a relatively small catchment in the Veldwachters River valley in the Stellenbosch area in the Western Cape in order to investigate the effectiveness thereof as a mechanism for sustainable water resource management. The study firstly places the concept of rCM in perspective, after which the study area is demarcated spatially within the South African and the regional context. Community-based action research as research approach provides the techniques to reconcile and integrate the duality of the rCM process, namely the human and physical elements in a catchment, and to successfully involve the community in the process. The first phase of the study entails the gathering of existing and new information and the definition of the environmental status of the catchment area in a situation analysis, which was presented to the community as an information document to initiate public participation. During the second phase, a community partnership was established by means of introductory interviews, correspondence, focus group meetings and public forums. The third and executive phase was characterised by the mobilisation of the community partnership in the execution of strategic planning procedures, such as the formulation of a catchment vision, prioritisation of relevant catchment management issues, the statement of the management objectives and the formulation and implementation of action plans for the management of various issues in the catchment. The conclusion drawn after a thorough evaluation of the course of the study is that the implementation of community-driven integrated catchment management can be successful ina smaller catchment. A few crucial requirements need to be taken into consideration in future applications elsewhere, namely: • That the study area must have a small enough area so that all stakeholders can be involved relatively easily and for a catchment identity and "ownership" of the process to be able to develop; • That the process must initially be facilitated externally until a community partnership has been established and a management committee has been elected, after which the facilitation and management of the process must be handed to the community so that it can finally become completely community driven; • That socio-econornic issues initially will receive more attention than the natural environment, but that these issues need to be utilised to establish the ICM process, after which the natural environment naturally will receive greater priority; and • That the researcher must remain patient, particularly during the second and third phases of the process, as public participation and particularly the establishment of a community-driven process can be slow and exhausting. This case study emphasises that each application of ICM will be unique because the degree of community involvement and the priorities of catchment communities will differ. Communitydriven integrated catchment management is not, under any circumstances, an instant solution for water management and water conservation issues, but it is the only sustainable option. KEY WORDS: catchment management, public/community participation, situation analysis, water resource management, action research. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Suid-Afrika is 'n semi-ariede land met 'n gemiddelde reenvalsyfer van 497mm per jaar teenoor die wereldgemiddelde van 860mm per jaar, waarvan beskikbare varswaterbronne tans byna ten volle benut word. Die waterbeperkings in die Wes-Kaap gedurende die somers van 2000/2001 en 200112002 is afdoende bewys hiervan. Hierdie dreigende watemood hou verreikende gevolge vir die sosio-ekonomiese ontwikkeling van die land in, indien daar nie 'n daadwerklike poging aangewend gaan word om die waterhulpbronne volhoubaar te bestuur nie. Sedert die negentigerjare het die konsep van geintegreerde opvanggebiedbestuur (GOGB) as waterhulpbronbestuursmeganisme wye belangstelling begin geniet. Dit was hoofsaaklik afgedwonge, staatsgeinisieerde projekte met min direkte gemeenskapsbetrokkenheid wat beperkte sukses gehad het. Hierdie studie het 'n gemeenskapsgedrewe geintegreerde opvanggebiedbestuur op 'n relatief klein opvanggebied in die Veldwachtersrivier vallei in die Stellenbosch omgewing in die Wes-Kaap ondemeem, ten einde die effektiwiteit daarvan as 'n volhoubare waterhulpbron-bestuursmeganisme te ondersoek. Die studie plaas eerstens die konsep van GOGB in perspektief, waama die studiegebied ruimtelik binne die Suid-Afrikaanse en streekskonteks afgebaken word. Gemeenskapsgebaseerde aksienavorsing as navorsingsbenadering verskaf die tegnieke om die tweeledigheid van die GOGB proses, naamlik menslike en fisiese elemente in 'n opvanggebied, te verso en en te integreer en om die gemeenskap suksesvol by die proses te betrek. Die eerste fase van die studie behels die insameling van bestaande en nuwe inligting en die ornskrywing van die omgewingstatus van die opvanggebied in 'n situasie-analise, wat as inligtingsdokurnent aan die gemeenskap voorgele word om publieke deelname te inisieer. Gedurende die tweede fase is 'n gemeenskapsvennootskap gevestig met behulp van inleidende onderhoude, korrespondensie, fokusgroepbyeenkomste en pub Iieke forums. Die derde en uitvoerende lase is gekenmerk deur die mobilisering van die gemeenskapsvennootskap m die uitvoering van strategiese beplanningsprosedures soos die formulering van 'n opvanggebiedvisie, prioritisering van tersaaklike opvanggebiedkwessies, bestuursdoelwitstelling en die formulering en implementering van aksieplanne vir die bestuur van verskeie kwessies in die opvanggebied. Die gevolgtrekking na die noukeurige evaluering van die verloop van hierdie studie, is dat die implementering van gemeenskapsgedrewe gemtegreerde opvanggebiedbestuur in 'n kleiner opvanggebied wel suksesvol kan wees. 'n Paar beslissende vereistes moet met toekomstige toepassings elders in ag geneem word, naamIik: • Dat die studiegebied oppervlakgewys klein genoeg moet wees sodat alle rolspelers relatief maklik betrek kan word en 'n opvanggebied-identiteit en "eienaarskap" van die proses kan ontwikkel; • Die proses moet aanvanklik ekstem fasiliteer word, totdat 'n gemeenskapsvennootskap gevestig is en 'n bestuurskomitee verkies is, waama die fasilitering en bestuur van die proses aan die gemeenskap oorgegee moet word om uiteindelik ten volle gemeenskapsgedrewe te word; • Dat sosio-ekonomiese kwessies aanvanklik aandag b6 die natuurlike omgewing sal geniet, maar dat hierdie kwessies benut moet word om die GOGB proses te vestig, waama die natuurlike omgewing vanselfsprekend hoer prioriteit sal geniet; en • Dat die navorser veral gedurende die tweede en derde fases van die proses geduld moet behou, omdat publieke deelname en veral die vestiging van 'n gemeenskapsgedrewe proses, tydsaam en vermoeiend kan wees. Hierdie gevallestudie beklemtoon dat elke toepassing van GOGB uniek sal wees omdat die mate van gemeenskapsdeelname en -prioriteite tussen opvanggebiedgemeenskappe sal verskil. Gemeenskapsgedrewe gemtegreerde opvanggebiedbestuur is onder geen ornstandighede 'n kitsoplossing vir waterbestuur en -bewaring nie, maar dit is die enigste volhoubare opsie. SLEUTEL WOORDE: opvanggebiedbestuur, publieke/gemeenskapsdeelname, situasie-analise, waterhulpbronbestuur, aksienavorsing

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2006. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Municipal waste presents problems of pollution, health hazards and resource conservation. Household waste forms part of municipal solid waste that is a challenge to control due to its heterogeneity and diversity. The ever-filling landfills for the disposal of solid waste due to rapid population increase and urbanization call for urgent waste management strategies to reduce, reuse and recycle solid waste. In this study householders' attitudes, participation in recycling and willingness to participate in household solid waste recycling are investigated to design and implement a household solid waste recycling programme in Stellenbosch. Questionnaire survey data about the awareness of, attitudes towards, and participation in household waste recycling were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods in the STATISTICA V6 program. Results were displayed in frequency tables, bar charts, maps and pie charts. The same statistical program was used to fmd the relationship between the householders' willingness to participate in the household solid waste recycling programme, namely the Blue Bag Household Waste Recovery Programme (BBHWRP), and their socio-demographic and socio-economic characteristics. The respondents' willingness to sort household waste is compared to their willingness to participate in the BBHWRP in Stellenbosch. The willingness of householders in different residential areas is also compared. The relationships were analyzed by performing cross-tabulations and the chi-square test. The householder's attitudes towards household solid waste recycling were found to be positive, showing pro-recycling and pro-environmental behaviour among the respondents. Participation in recycling was found to be relatively moderate where separation of waste, self-delivery of recyclables to recycling buy-back centres and depots were commonly practised. Composting was least reported to be practised by householders in Stellenbosch. Respondents showed strong willingness to participate in the BBHWRP, however, most of the explanatory factors used, including place of residence, did not relate to respondents' willingness to participate in the BBHWRP. Despite this situation, smaller families and respondents' willingness to sort household waste at home by householders were found to relate directly to willingness to take part in the BBHWRP. There were, however, poor response rates in the study. Although reminders were used to improve response rates, only a 30 per cent response rate could be reached. It is recommended that a household solid waste sorting and recycling scheme in Stellenbosch should be considered in order to minimize and recycle household waste to extend the lifespan of the town's landfill site. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Munisipale afval skep probleme vir besoedeling, gesondheidsrisiko's en hulpbronbewaring. Huishoudelike afval vorm deel van die vaste afval wat moeilik is om te beheer weens die heterogeniteit en diversiteit daarvan. Die stortingsterreine vir vaste afval word al hoe voller weens die immer groeiende bevolking en weens verstedeliking, en dringende afvalbestuurstrategie om die soliede afval te verminder, weer te gebruik en te herwin, word benodig. In hierdie studie word gekyk na die houdings van die huisgesinne, hulle deelname aan herwinning en hulle gewilligheid om deel te neem aan vaste afvalherwinning sodat 'n huishoudelike vaste afvalherwinningsprogram ontwerp kan word en in Stellenbosch implementeer kan word. Vraelysopnamedata oor die bewustheid van, houdings teenoor en deelname aan huishoudelike afvalherwinning is ontleed met beskrywende statistiese metodes in die STATISTICA V6-program. Die resultate word vertoon in frekwensietabelle, balkdiagramme en sektordiagramme. Dieselfde statistiese program is gebruik om die verwantskap tussen die huisgesinne se gewilligheid om deel te neem aan die huishoudelike vaste afvalherwinningsprogram, naamlik die Blue Bag Household Waste Recovery Programme (BBHWRP), en hulle sosio-demografiese en sosio-ekonomiese kenmerke te vind. Die respondente se gewilligheid om huishoudelike afval te sorteer is vergelyk met gewilligheid om deel te neem aan die BBHWRP in Stellenbosch. Die gewilligheid van gesinne in verskillende woongebiede is ook vergelyk. Die verhoudings is ontleed aan die hand van kruistabulasies en met behulp van die chi-kwadraat toets. Daar is gevind dat die huisgesinne se houdings teenoor die herwinning van vaste huishoudelike afval positief is, wat 'n aanduiding gee dat die respondente pro-herwinning en pro-omgewing is. Daar is gevind dat die deelname aan herwinning relatief gemiddeld is waar sortering van afval en die selfaflewering van afval by herwinningsterugkoopsentra algemeen beoefen word. Baie min huisgesinne in Stellenbosch is betrokke by die maak van kompos. Respondente toon gewilligheid om deel te neem aan die BBHWRP, maar daar is gevind dat die verklarende faktore, insluitende woonplek, nie verwant is aan hulle gewilligheid om deel te neem aan die BBHWRP nie. Ten spyte van hierdie situasie is daar gevind dat kleiner gesinne en die respondente se gewilligheid om huishoudelike afval tuis te sorteer, direk verwant is aan gewilligheid om deel te neem aan die BBHWRP. Daar was egter swak responskoerse in die studie. Alhoewel herinneringbriewe gebruik is om responskoerse te verbeter, is 'n responskoers van net 30 persent behaal. Daar word aanbeveel dat 'n vaste huishoudelike afvalsorteringskema in Stellenbosch oorweeg moet word om huishoudelike afval te verminder en te herwin en om die lewensduur van die stortingsterrein te verleng.

Thesis (MA (Geography and Environmental Studies)--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This research focuses on the black rhinoceros and ecotourism in three conservation areas in the Kunene region of Namibia. The reciprocal impact between black rhino and community-based ecotourism is analysed. The research is located in two communal conservancies, #Khoadi-//Hôas and Torra, and in a photographic tourism concession, the Palmwag Concession Area. The research aims to explore and describe the reciprocal impact of community-based ecotourism efforts and black rhino spatial movement patterns in three conservation areas in north-west Namibia. An in-depth literature review was undertaken on the reciprocal impact between rhino-tracking tourism and conservation. A comparison was also made between the effects of human-induced disturbance on spatial movement patterns of black rhinos and the perception of tourists about tracking black rhinos. The value of black rhinos to community-based ecotourism was also determined. Quantitative research methodology was used for this study. Explorations of objectives were conducted through direct field observation with the aid of radio-telemetry tracking and aerial surveying for data gathering. The researcher employed SRT (Save the Rhino Trust) trackers in the study areas to assist with the tracking. The sample consisted of 24 transmitter-fitted black rhino in the three conservation areas. Rhino not fitted with transmitters have been included in the sample for more accurate results. Four hundred questionnaires were distributed at four tourist lodges in the study area. The hypothesis that sustainable ecotourism does not influence black rhino spatial behaviour was rejected. Rhinos in the study were easily disturbed and did not readily return to undisturbed behaviour. Their major response to disturbance was to run away. The disturbance was influenced by their initial activity when found. The highest disturbance occurred early in observations. Rhinos illustrated similar causes of disturbance throughout the study sites. The Springbok River emerged as the area with the most severe reactions to disturbance. This was supported by home range data and ecological constraints. Analysis of tourist responses regarding rhino tracking indicated a high demand for and level of satisfaction. This was the single determining factor for tourists to return to the Kunene region to do rhino tracking again. Tourists were willing to pay close to market price to track black rhino. It is recommended that tracking of black rhino should be avoided in the Springbok River and Aub/Barab areas. Tracking protocols should stipulate that tracking should only be conducted early in the morning; that rhinos may only be approached from downwind; that observation time may not exceed 15 minutes; that groups must be kept small; and that the approach distance may not be less than 100 metres. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die fokus van die navorsing is op swart renosters en ekotoerisme in drie bewaringsgebiede in die Kunene streek van Namibia. Die wedersydse wisselwerking tussen swart renosters en gemeenskaps-gebaseerde ekotoerisme is nagevors. Die navorsing het plaasgevind in twee kommunale bewaringsgebiede, #Khoadi-//Hôas en Torra asook ‘n konsessie vir fotografie in die Palmwag Konsessie Gebied. Die doel van die navorsing was om die wedersydse wisselwerking van gemeenskapsgebaseerde ekotoerisme en swart renosters se geografiese bewegingspatrone in drie bewaringsareas in noordwes Namibië te ondersoek en te omskryf. ‘n Deeglike literatuurstudie is gedoen ten opsigte van die wedersydse wisselwerking tussen toerisme met die doel om renosters waar te neem deur spoorsny en bewaring van die spesies. Die uitwerking van versteuring deur mense op die geografiese bewegingspatrone van swart renosters is vergelyk met die persepsie van toeriste ten opsigte van spoorsny van swart renosters. Die waarde van swart renosters ten opsigte van ekotoerisme is ook bepaal. Kwantitatiewe navorsingsmetodologie is gebruik in die studie. Die doelstelling van die navorsing is uitgevoer deur direkte veld waarnemings met behulp van radio-telemetriese opsporing en data insameling met behulp van lugsensusse. Die navorser het spoorsnyers van SRT (Save the Rhino Trust), wat in die studiegebied werk, in diens geneem om van hulp te wees met die spoorsny van renosters. Die steekproef het bestaan uit 24 swart renosters toegerus met seintoestelle in drie bewaringsgebiede. Renosters wat nie seintoestelle gehad het nie, is ook in die steekproef ingesluit ten einde beter dekking te verkry. Vierhonderd vraelyste is by vier toeristeoorde in die studiegebied versprei. Die hipotese dat volhoubare ekotoerisme nie ‘n invloed uitoefen op die geografiese gedrag van swart renosters nie, is verwerp. Renosters in die studie-gebied is maklik versteur en het nie geredelik teruggekeer tot onversteurde gedrag nie. Hulle reaksie op versteuring was gekenmerk deur weg te hardloop. Die mate van versteuring is bepaal deur die renosters se aanvanklike aktiwiteit by opsporing. Die meeste versteuring het gedurende vroeë waarneming plaasgevind. Dieselfde oorsake van versteuring is in al drie gebiede gevind. Die Springbokrivier was die gebied waar die sterkste reaksies ten opsigte van versteuring bespeur is. Dit word ondersteun deur die grootte van die loopgebiede van die renosters en ekologiese beperkings van die gebied. Data-analise van toeriste-vraelyste het aangetoon dat daar ‘n groot aanvraag en belangstelling is in die spoorsny van renosters. Die grootste bepalende faktor vir toeriste om na die Kunene streek terug te keer, is om renosters te sien deur middel van spoorsny. Toeriste is gewillig om die heersende markprys vir spoorsny van renosters te betaal. Navorsingsaanbevelings sluit in dat spoorsny van swart renosters in die Springbokrivier en Aub/Barab gebiede vermy word. Spoorsny-protokol moet stipuleer dat dit net in die vroeë oggend gedoen word, dat renosters slegs van onderkant die wind genader word, waarnemingstyd mag nie 15 minute oorskry nie, groepe moet klein wees en die afstand vanaf die diere mag nie nader as 100 meter wees nie.

Thesis (MA (Geography and Environmental Studies)--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to determine how class differentiation influences local residents‟ perceptions, preferences, needs and use of community/neighbourhood parks in the City of Cape Town. The research objectives included mapping the social geography and park provision; determining profile information, general park-usage information, outdoor recreation options, service-delivery perceptions and levels of park satisfaction; and making suggestions to the City Parks Department. Data were collected from the Flowmap and geographic information systems (GIS) programmes, the 2007 Community Survey, Census 2001 and questionnaires that were distributed through schools. Two Flowmap and GIS proximity analyses were conducted. Questionnaire data were processed at the automatic scanner of the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) at Stellenbosch University. Open-ended data were manually analysed in the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), Excel and Word. The research findings indicate that class differences have an effect on the respondents‟ demographic profiles, park provision, park usage and contentment with parks. The high- and middle-income group respondents can reach more parks, mostly within 0-5 minutes. Park provision and park proximity are more problematic for the low-income group respondents. The low-income group children frequent parks the most and visit them the longest. Children and adults in all income groups mostly walk to parks. Parks are used for active and passive recreation during different life stages. The low-income group respondents are more satisfied with service delivery, while no income groups regard parks and recreation as a crucial service to improve. Parks are also not an important outdoor recreation option for any income group. The respondents‟ fears and dissatisfaction related to parks were expressed through concerns regarding safety and maintenance and a lack of park facilities and vegetation, which influences their satisfaction with parks. Future research recommendations include a park analysis of more diverse demographic profiles, distributing questionnaires to various places with authority, integrating research on community/neighbourhood park usage and the open-space system, and researching the challenges, solutions and means to encourage interclass park usage in desegregated areas. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie was om te bepaal hoe klasverskille plaaslike inwoners se persepsies, voorkeure en gebruik van en behoefte aan gemeenskaps-/woonbuurtparke in die Stad Kaapstad beïnvloed. Die navorsingsdoelwitte het die volgende ingesluit: kartering van die sosiale geografie en parkvoorsiening; ‟n bepaling van profielinligting, algemene parkgebruikinligting, buitemuurse ontspanningsopsies, diensleweringspersepsies en vlakke van parkbevrediging; en om voorstelle aan die Departement Stadparke te maak. Data is van die Flowmap en geografiese inligtingstelsels (GIS) programme, die 2007 gemeenskapsopname, Sensus 2001 en vraelyste wat deur skole versprei is, versamel. Twee Flowmap- en GIS-nabyheidsanalises is gedoen. Vraelysdata is met die outomatiese skandeerder van die Sentrum vir Onderrig en Leer (SOL) by die Universiteit van Stellenbosch geprosesseer. Data van oopvrae is met die hand in die Statistiese Pakket vir die Sosiale Wetenskappe (SPSS), Excel en Word geanaliseer. Die navorsingsbevindings toon dat klasverskille ‟n effek op die respondente se demografiese profiele, parkvoorsiening, parkgebruik en tevredenheid met parke het. Die hoë- en middel-inkomstegroep-respondente kan meer parke bereik, meestal in 0-5 minute. Parkvoorsiening en nabyheid aan ‟n park is vir die lae-inkomstegroep-respondente meer problematies. Die lae-inkomstegroep-kinders besoek parke die meeste en vir die langste tydperk. Die meeste kinders en volwassenes in alle inkomste-groepe stap na parke toe. Gedurende verskillende lewensfases word parke vir aktiewe en passiewe ontspanning gebruik. Die lae-inkomstegroep-respondente is meer tevrede met dienslewering, terwyl geen inkomste-groepe parke en ontspanning as ‟n kritieke diens beskou wat verbeter moet word nie. Parke is ook nie ‟n belangrike buitemuurse ontspanningsopsie in enige inkomste-groep nie. Die respondente se vrese en ontevredenheid ten opsigte van parke is uitgedruk deur kommer oor veiligheid en instandhouding en ‟n gebrek aan parkfasiliteite en plantegroei, wat hul tevredenheid met parke beïnvloed. Toekomstige navorsingsvoorstelle sluit in om ‟n parkanalise op meer diverse demografiese profiele uit te voer, om vraelyste na verskeie plekke met outoriteit te versprei, om navorsing oor gemeenskaps-/woonbuurtparke en die oopruimtesisteem te integreer, en om navorsing oor die uitdagings, oplossings en metodes om inter-klas-parkgebruik in gedesegregeerde areas aan te moedig, uit te voer. Trefwoorde

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: With the inception of precision farming techniques during the last decade, agricultural efficiency has improved, leading to greater productivity and enhanced economic benefits associated with agriculture. The awareness of health risks associated with food borne diseases has also increased. Systems such as Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (RACCP) in the USA and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) in Europe are trying to ensure that no food showing signs of microbial contamination associated with production techniques are allowed onto the export market. Growers participating in exporting are thus being forced to conform to the requirements set by international customers. The aim of this study was to compile a computerized record keeping system that would aid farmers with the implementation of GAP on farms, by making use of GIS capabilities. A database, consisting of GAP-specific data was developed. ArcView GIS was used to implement the database, while customized analyses procedures through the use of Avenue assisted in GAP-specific farming related decisions. An agricultural area focusing on the export market was needed for this study, and the nut producing Levubu district was identified as ideal. By making use of ArcView GIS, distinct relationships between different data sets were portrayed in tabular, graphical, geographical and report format. GAP requirements state that growers must base decisions on timely, relevant information. With information available in the above-mentioned formats, decisions regarding actions taken can be justified. By analysing the complex interaction between datasets, the influences that agronomical inputs have on production were portrayed, moving beyond the standard requirements of GAP. Agricultural activities produce enormous quantities of data, and GIS proved to be an indispensable tool because of the ability to analyse and manipulate data with a spatial component. The implementation of good agricultural practices lends itself to the use of GIS. With the correct information available at the right time, better decisions can promote optimal croppmg, whilst rmmrrnzmg the negative effects on the consumer and environment. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Gedurende die afgelope dekade het die gebruik van presisie boerderytegnieke tot verbeterde gewasverbouing gelei, wat verhoogde produktiwiteit en ekonomiese welvarendheid tot gevolg gehad het. 'n Wêreldwye bewustheid ten opsigte van die oordrag van siektekieme geasosieer met varsprodukte het ontstaan. Met die implementering van Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) en Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), poog die VSA en Europa om voedsel wat tekens van besmetting toon van die invoermark te weerhou. Buitelandse produsente en uitvoerders word dus hierdeur gedwing om by internasionale voedselstandaarde aan te pas. Hierdie navorsing het ten doel gehad om 'n gerekenariseerde rekordhouding stelsel daar te stel wat produsente sal bystaan tydens die implementering van GAP, deur gebruik te maak van GIS. 'n Databasis gerig op die implementering van GAP is ontwerp. ArcView GIS is gebruik word om die databasis te implementeer, waarna spesifieke navrae die data ontleed het om sodoende die besluitnemingsproses te vergemaklik. 'n Landbou-area wat aktief in die uitvoermark deelneem was benodig vir dié studie, en die Levubu distrik was ideaal. Verwantskappe tussen datastelle is bepaal en uitgebeeld in tabel-, grafiek- en verslag vorm. Die suksesvolle implementering van GAP vereis dat alle besluite op relevante inligting gebaseer word, en met inligting beskikbaar in die bogenoemde formaat kan alle besluite geregverdig word. Deur die komplekse interaksie tussen insette en produksie te analiseer, was dit moontlik om verwantskappe uit te beeld wat verder strek as wat GAP vereistes stipuleer. Deur die gebruikerskoppelvlak in ArcView te verpersoonlik is die gebruiker nie belaai met onnodige berekeninge nie. Aktiwiteite soos landbou produseer groot datastelle, en die vermoë van GIS om die ruimtelike verwantskappe te analiseer en uit te beeld, het getoon dat GIS 'n instrumentele rol in die besluitnemingsproses speel. Deur middel van beter besluitneming kan optimale gewasverbouing verseker word, terwyl die negatiewe impak op die verbruiker en omgewing tot 'n minimum beperk word.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: South Africa has a long history of divided towns and cities. The grave inefficiencies and inequalities that developed between the racial communities during these periods must now be redressed in post-apartheid South Africa by integrating and unifying the physical and social structures of the country's urban settlements. In spite of the positive general trends in race relations and attitudes towards residential integration, South African towns and cities generally remain hyper-segregated. This could be an indication that White attitudes pertain only to the principles of integration, but that they do not actually want to live in integrated neighbourhoods themselves. The aim of this study is to assess the influence of racial preference in the dismantling or continuation of segregation in the South African town of Vredenburg during the postapartheid era. This is done by determining the influence that the population group composition of a neighbourhood has on the desirability of living in that neighbourhood when accounting for varying levels of crime and neighbourhood deterioration. A factorial survey questionnaire was used to gather the data, which were then analysed by way of multiple regression analyses. The results of the analyses indicate that the sampled residents of Vredenburg are generally not influenced by the population group composition of the neighbourhood. However, the more unsafe the neighbourhood, the more litter that is strewn about, the lower the housing quality and the more unfriendly the neighbours, the less respondents liked the neighbourhood. The results also indicate that members of the upper socio-economic class are more critical of their neighbourhoods and tend to evaluate them according to stricter criteria than the lower socio-economic classes do. The findings suggest that the racial composition of a neighbourhood per se does not significantly affect the attitudes of Vredenburg's residents towards a neighbourhood. Rather, high levels of crime and residential environmental deterioration are the factors that strongly affect both White and non-White people's views of a neighbourhood. Higher levels of crime and environmental deterioration are commonly associated with the lower socio-economic class. In the case of Vredenburg, vast socio-economic differences exist between the White and non- White residents of the town. These differences are not likely to change considerably in the short term. The continuation of these class differences will most likely be the cause of continued segregation in Vredenburg. Keywords: Apartheid city, Centralisation, Concentration, Evenness, Exposure, Factorial survey, Hyper-segregation, Integration, Multiple regression analysis, Neighbourhood characteristics, Racial preference, Segregation, Segregation indices. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Suid-Afrika het 'n lang geskiedenis van verdeeelde stedelike gebiede. Die erge ongelykhede en oneffektiewe strukture wat tussen die verskillende rassegroepe binne die stedelike gebiede ontstaan het, moet reggestel word in die post-apartheid era. Dit moet gedoen word deur die verdeelde fisiese en sosiale strukture van Suid-Afrika se stedelike gebiede te integreer. Ondanks die algemene positiewe neiging in rasseverhoudings en houdings teenoor residensiële integrasie, bly Suid-Afrikaanse stedelike gebiede steeds hiper-gesegregeerd. Dit kan 'n teken daarvan wees dat Blankes se ingesteldheid slegs positief is teenoor die beginsel van integrasie maar dat hulle nie self in geïntegreerde woonbuurte wil bly nie. Die doel van die studie is om die invloed van rassevoorkeur te bepaal in die aftakeling of voortsetting van segregasie in Vredenburg, Suid-Afrika, gedurende die post-apartheidsera. Dit word gedoen deur die invloed van bevolkingsgroepsamestelling op die begeerte om in daardie buurt te woon te bepaal, in ag genome die invloed van verskillende vlakke van misdaad en omgewingsverval binne daardie woonbuurt. 'n Faktoriale opnamevraelys is gebruik om data in te samel. Die data is daarna ontleed deur middel van veelvuldige regressie-analises. Die resultate van die analises toon dat die inwoners van Vredenburg, wie aan die steekproef deelgeneem het, in die algemeen nie beïnvloed is deur die bevolkingsgroepsamestelling van 'n woonbuurt nie. Daarteenoor het die deelnemers minder gehou van woonbuurte wat meer onveilig is, waarin meer rommel gestrooi is, waarvan die behuisingskwaliteit laer en die bure meer onvriendelik is. Die resultate toon ook dat lede van die hoë sosio-ekonomiese klas meer krities is oor woonbuurte en geneig is om dié areas volgens strenger kriteria te evalueer as die laer sosio-ekonomiese groepe. Die bevindings dui aan dat die rassesamestelling van 'n woonbuurt per se me die ingesteldheid van die dorp se inwoners beduidend beïnvloed nie. Dit is eerder hoë vlakke van misdaad en residensiële omgewingsverval wat beide Bruin en Blanke inwoners se opvattinge oor 'n buurt beduidend beïnvloed. Hoër vlakke van misdaad en omgewingsverval word gewoonlik met die laer SOSIOekonomiese klas geassosieer. In Vredenburg se geval bestaan daar groot sosio-ekonomiese verskille tussen die Blanke en nie-Blanke inwoners van die dorp. Dit is onwaarskynlik dat hierdie verskille in die korttermyn beduidend sal verander. Voortgesette klasverskille sal waarskynlik die oorsaak wees van volgehoue segregasie in Vredenburg. Trefwoorde: Apartheidstad, Blootstelling, Egaligheid, Faktoriale opname, Hiper-segregasie, Integrasie, Konsentrasie, Meervoudige regressie-analise, Rassevoorkeur, Segregasie, Segregasie- indekse, Sentralisasie, Woonbuurtkaraktereienskappe.

Thesis (MPA (Geography and Environmental Studies)--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLSI ABSTRACT: Students are very diverse and mobile population group who are present across the globe. Higher education institutions do not provide sufficient accommodation for students and therefore they need to depend on the private sector for alternative accommodation. The influx of students into neighbourhoods has been coined as studentification and this has various positive and negative impacts on neighbourhood structure. Stellenbosch is classified as a university town with a student population of 15 000 and the University of Stellenbosch only provides accommodation for half of its students. The students that can not be accommodated by the university have to turn to the private sector for accommodation. Die Weides and Simonswyk are neighbourhoods adjacent to campus and have fallen pray to studentification because of a high influx of students which led to an increase in population and physical density. The studentification in Die Weides and Simonswyk has various social, cultural, economical and physical consequences which creates challenges for the spatial planning of these neighbourhoods. A qualitative and quantitative approach has been used for this study. The literature study focusses on the following aspects: studentification and its dimensions; neighbourhood quality; two types of student housing; and the role that public policy has to fulfill in student housing regulation. Furthermore, the student accommodation policy of Stellenbosch Municipality and the densification policy is discussed to get an understanding of the current situation in Die Weides and Simonswyk and what future developments may occur. Property sales in Die Weides and Simonswyk over the past 16 years were analyzed to determine the level of property change that has occurred. Surveys amongst students and permanent residents within Die Weides and Simonswyk have been conducted to determine the degree of studentification that has occurred within the neigbourhoods. The accommodation policy for students which has been approved by the Stellenbosch Council, is a commendable initiative to try and regulate studentification. The policy only focusses on future student accommodation and the regulation thereof, however the policy is unclear on how current existing student accommodation should be dealt with. The valuation of property transactions in the two neighbourhoods shows that it is the utility and demand which is the main factors for property values and changes that occur. It has been found that student housing affects the neighbourhood in a negative manner and that it also decreases the neighbourhood quality. Negative social, physical and cultural consequences are experienced within these neighbourhoods, resulting in issues such as noise, traffic, high density and the loss of neigbourhood characteristics. Within Die Weides and Simonswyk there is a lack of social cohesion between the permanent residents and the students and neither of the two parties are attempting to get to know each other. Studentification offers several challenges for the development and implementation of public policy and spatial planning at regional and international level. Urgent attention needs to be given to more sustainable integration of student accommodation in Stellenbosch. Communication and willingness to co-operate between all relevant parties, will determine whether studentification can be regulated in a successful manner in Stellenbosch. The growth of the student population is inevitable and the presence of student accommodation in the town's neighborhoods will continue to increase. Public policy and the role that it should play in regulating studentification should be reviewed in Stellenbosch. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Studente is ‘n diverse en mobiele bevolkingsgroep wat regoor die wêreld voorkom. Hoër onderwys instansies voorsien selde voldoende akkommodasie aan studentebevolkings en dit forseer studente om alternatiewe akkommodasie te bekom in die privaat sektor. Die invloei van studente in buurte en binnestedelike woongebiede word gekenmerk met die term studentifikasie wat verskeie positiewe en negatiewe gevolge in hou vir die struktuur van woonbuurte. Stellenbosch word beskou as ‘n universiteitsdorp met ‘n studentebevolking van ongeveer 15 000 en die Universiteit van Stellenbosch bied akkommodasie aan die helfte van sy studente. Oorblywende studente moet dus die privaatsektor betree vir alternatiewe akkommodasie om ook in Stellenbosch te kan resideer. Die Weides en Simonswyk is woonbuurte neweliggend aan die kampus en is ’n teiken vir studentifikasie deur ‘n toevloei van studente en die gevolglike bevolkingsdruk wat na verdigting (mense en geboue) lei. Die studentifikasie van Die Weides en Simonswyk het verskeie sosiale, kulturele, fisiese en ekonomiese impakte en dit skep uitdagings vir die ruimtelike beplanning van die woonbuurte. Die studie volg beide kwalitatiewe en kwantitatiewe navorsingsbenaderings. Die literatuuroorsig fokus op studentifikasie en die dimensies daarvan, woonbuurtkwaliteit, twee tipes studentebehusing en die rol wat openbare beleid kan speel in studentebehuising regulasie. Stellenbosch munisipaliteit se studente akkommodasiebeleid en verdigtingsraamwerk word bespreek om agtergrond te kry oor die huidige situasie in Die Weides en Simonswyk en watter toekomstige ontwikkelings mag voorkom. Eiendomsverkope in Die Weides en Simonswyk oor die afgelope 16 jaar is ontleed om die vlak van eiendomsverandering te bepaal en meningsopnames onder studente en permanente inwoners in Die Weides en Simonswyk is gedoen om te bepaal wat die werklike omvang van studentifikasie is in die buurt. Die akkommodasiebeleid vir studente wat deur die Stellenbosch Stadsraad goed gekeur is, is ‘n prysenswaardige inisiatief om studentifikasie te probeer reguleer. Die beleid fokus egter net op toekomstige studentebehuising, die regulasie daarvan en die beleid is nie duidelik oor hoe reeds gevestigde studentebehuising aangespreek gaan word nie. Die waardebepaling van eiendomstransaksies in die twee buurte toon dat die nut en vraag die hoof rolle speel in die eiendomswaardes en verandering wat voorkom. Daar is bevind dat die teenwoordigheid van studentebehuising in woonbuurte grootliks negatiewe impakte het en dat dit woonbuurtkwaliteit verlaag. Negatiewe sosiale, fisiese en kulturele gevolge word in buurte ondervind, met kwessies soos geraas, verkeersdruk, oorskryde drakapasiteit en verlore woonbuurtkarakter is die manifestasies daarvan. Daar is nie ‘n sterk sosiale band tussen studente en permanente inwoners in Die Weides en Simonswyk nie en beide partye wend nie veel pogings aan om mekaar beter te leer ken nie. Studentifikasie bied verskeie uitdagings vir die ontwikkeling en toepassing van openbare beleid en ruimtelike beplanning op internasionaal en plaaslike vlak. Aandag moet dringend aan die meer volhoubare integrasie van studentebehuising in Stellenbosch gegee word. Kommunikasie en bereidwilligheid vir samewerking tussen alle rolspelers sal bepaal of studentifikasie in Stellenbosch op ‘n suksesvolle manier gereguleer kan word. Die groei van die studentebevolking is onvermydelik en die voorkoms van studentebehuising in die dorp se leefruimtes en woonbuurte sal in Stellenbosch toeneem. Openbare beleid en die rol wat dit moet speel in die regulering van studentifikasie sal onverwyld hersien moet word in Stellenbosch.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 1944. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: No Abstract Available / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen Opsomming Beskikbaar

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on earth at all scales of observation. Its persistence underlies ecological and evolutionary processes and is pivotal for the sustenance and future development of human societies through the provision of ecosystem services. Especially since the industrial revolution, anthropogenic land-cover change has placed ever-increasing strain on natural systems through the destruction and degradation of habitat. The Cape Floristic Region (CFR) is a global biodiversity hot spot which contains some of the highest levels of floristic diversity and endemism on the planet. Since European settlement large swathes of this region have been transformed to facilitate socio-economic development, placing tremendous pressure on indigenous biodiversity. Due to the intimate relationship that exists between land cover and biodiversity it is possible to draw inferences on the current state of the biodiversity of an area, assess the pressures that will likely face it in the future and plan accordingly based on an analysis of land-cover change. As a means of assessing the state of biodiversity in the CFR, this thesis has developed a series of three land-cover maps for the Berg River catchment in the Western Cape province for 1986/1987, 1999/2000 and 2007 using Landsat TM and ETM+ data. Areas of natural vegetation were delineated on the land-cover maps using an object-orientated nearest neighbour supervised classification. Remnants of natural vegetation were classified according to potential vegetation boundaries described by Mucina and Rutherford’s map of the vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Contrary to initial expectations, the area occupied by natural vegetation had increased by 14%. However, considerable variation was recorded between vegetation types with certain types exhibiting marked increases in extent while others had been encroached by expanding cultivated and urban areas. An assessment of the accuracy of the 2007 land-cover map showed that significant swathes of natural vegetation were infested with alien invasive species or dominated by particularly resilient species which are not as severely affected by anthropogenic activities as other species. It is concluded that the methodology employed in this study provides a scoping mechanism by which more intensive research may be directed toward areas exhibiting significant land-cover change. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Biodiversiteit verwys na die verskeidenheid lewe op aarde op alle waarnemingsvlakke. Die volhouding daarvan onderlê ekologiese en ewolusionêre prosesse en die verskaffing van ekosisteemdienste is deurslaggewend vir die onderhoud en toekomstige ontwikkeling van menslike samelewings deur. Veral sedert die industriële rewolusie het veranderinge in antropologiese gronddekking toenemende druk op natuurlike sisteme geplaas, grootliks deur die vernietiging en ontaarding van habitatte. Die Kaapse Floristiese Streek (KFS) met van die hoogste vlakke van floristiese diversiteit en endemisiteit op aarde, is ‘n brandpunt van wêreldwye biodiversiteit. Sedert die vestiging van Europese setlaars is uitgebreide dele van hierdie streek omskep om sosio-ekonomiese ontwikkeling te bevorder, wat geweldige druk op inheemse biodiversiteit geplaas het. Te wyte aan die intieme verhouding wat tussen gronddekking en biodiversiteit bestaan, is dit moontlik om deur middel van ‘n ontleding van gronddekkingsveranderinge afleidings te maak rakende die huidige stand van biodiversiteit in ‘n streek. Sodoende kan bepaal word watter druk ʼn streek moontlik in die toekoms sal moet weerstaan. Vooruitbeplanning kan dienooreenkomstig gedoen word. Ten einde die stand van biodiversiteit in die KFS te beraam, het hierdie tesis ‘n reeks van drie gronddekkingskaarte (1986/1987, 1999/2000 en 2007) vir die Bergrivier-opvangsgebied in die Wes-Kaapprovinsie met behulp van Landsat TM en ETM+ data ontwikkel. Areas met natuurlike plantegroei is met behulp van ‘n voorwerp-georiënteerde naaste-buurman klassifikasie afgebaken. Oorblyfsels van natuurlike plantegroei is volgens potensiële plantegroeigrense, soos beskryf deur Mucina en Rutherford se kaart van die plantegroei van Suid-Afrika, Lesotho en Swaziland, geklassifiseer. In teenstelling met aanvanklike verwagtinge, het die area wat deur natuurlike plantegroei bedek word met 14% toegeneem. Tog is aansienlike variasie tussen plantegroeitipes opgemerk, met sekere soorte wat opvallende omvangstoename toon, terwyl ander plantegroeitipes deur landbou en stedelike groei vervang is. ‘n Beraming van die akkuraatheid van die 2007-gronddekkingkaart toon dat noemenswaardige stroke natuurlike plantegroei deur uitheemse indringerspesies besmet word of deur uiters weerstandige spesies, wat nie so ernstig as ander spesies deur antropologiese aktiwiteite beïnvloed word nie, gedomineer word. Die gevolgtrekking is dat die metodologie wat in hierdie studie gebruik is ‘n meganisme verskaf waardeur meer intensiewe navorsing op areas wat aansienlike verandering in gronddekking ten toon stel, gerig kan word.