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The impacts of land development on ecological conservation in Hong KongLung, Hoi-yan., 龍凱茵. January 2000 (has links)
published_or_final_version / Environmental Management / Master / Master of Science in Environmental Management
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Modeling of Land Use Change Effects on Storm Water Quantity and Quality in the City of Carrollton and the North Texas AreaDuncan, Phillip Brent 12 1900 (has links)
Development and population are rapidly increasing in urbanizing areas of North Texas and so is the need to understand changes in storm water runoff flow and its contamination by nutrients, sediment, pesticides and other toxicants. This study contributes to this understanding and has two primary components: first, development of a graphical user interface for a geographic information system and storm water management database, and second, performing a two-scale hydrological modeling approach (the US Corp of Engineers HEC-HMS model and the US Environmental Protection Agency SWMM model). Both primary components are used together as a toolkit to support the storm water management program of the City of Carrollton, located in North Texas. By focusing limited city resources, the toolkit helps storm water managers in the process of compliance with federal regulations, especially the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit, and provides guidance for reporting, planning and investigation. A planning example was conducted by modeling potential changes in storm water quality due to projections of land use based on the City of Carrollton's Comprehensive Plan. An additional component of this study is the evaluation of future changes in surface water quantity and quality in the North Central Texas area, specifically in a rural but rapidly urbanizing subbasin area of the greater Lake Lewisville watershed. This was accomplished using the US Corp of Engineers HEC-HMS hydrological model. Precipitation scenarios were derived from years of historically high, medium, and low annual precipitation. Development scenarios were derived from current land use in the Lake Lewisville sub basin, current land use in the city of Carrollton, and from Markov projections based on recent land use change calculated from satellite images of 1988 and 1999. This information is useful for future land use planning and management of water resources in North Texas.
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Contested spaces: NTFPS, livelihoods, and conservation planningUnknown Date (has links)
This research examines tensions between Latino/a farmworkers, who rely on the seasonal harvest of saw palmetto (Serenoa repens [W. Bartram] Small) berries for increased livelihood security, and conservationists and land-managers who view harvesting as detrimental for wildlife. Informal harvesting occurs on public and private lands, sometimes without permission. Berries, though ubiquitous on the landscape, have become a contested resource. The rapid conversion of rural wildlife habitat into suburban development has increased State urgency to bring natural areas into protection along the Florida Ecological Greenways Network. Habitat infringement and associated pressures on wildlife by development has led to the promotion of the state-wide Florida Wildlife Corridor, based on the FEGN. This corridor would connect isolated Florida black bear (Ursus americanus floridanus) populations and Florida panthers (Puma concolor coryi) with other populations. The scale of the commercial berry industry is unknown, but is estimated at millions of pounds annually. State and wildlife conservationists are increasingly concerned with the perceived scale of the harvest and its possible associated effects on wildlife, particularly Florida black bears. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2014. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
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People and park conflicts in China: an observation from Shimentai nature reserve in Yingde, Guangdong ProvinceXu, Shaowei, Steve., 許韶偉 January 2002 (has links)
abstract / toc / Geography and Geology / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy
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Environmental impact assessment: impact on land-use & infrastructure design林景光, Lam, King-kong. January 1997 (has links)
published_or_final_version / Urban Design / Master / Master of Urban Design
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Phosphorous dynamics in soils under contrasting long-term agricultural management practices in the KwaZulu-Natal midlands.Majaule, Ugele. January 2006 (has links)
Little is known regarding the effects of land use on soil organic matter and P
status of South African soils. For that reason, the effects of the main
agricultural land uses in the midlands region of KwaZulu-Natal [maize (Zea
mays), sugarcane (Saccharum spp), annual ryegrass pasture (Lolium
multiflorum), permanent kikuyu pasture (Pennisetum clandestnum), gum
(Eucalyptus grandis) and pine (Pinus patula)] on soil organic matter content,
microbial biomass C and P and inorganic and organic P pools derived from a
modified Hedley P fractionation was investigated on two sites where the longterm
history of land management was known.
In comparison with undisturbed native grassland, permanent kikuyu pasture
resulted in an increase in organic C, organic P and microbial biomass C and
P. Maize and sugarcane production resulted in a decrease in organic C,
organic P and microbial C and P. Under annual pasture, gum and pine
forests, organic matter and microbial biomass concentrations remained similar
to those under native grassland. Under native grassland, extractable organic
P accounted for 50% or more of the total P content of soils but under
agricultural management with regular applications of fertilizer P, there was an
increase in the percentage of total P present as inorganic P.
Agricultural management greatly affected the distribution of P among the
various inorganic and organic P fractions. Resin-Pi and NaHC03-Pi (the
potentially-available forms of Pi) showed similar trends with land use being
greatly elevated under kikuyu pasture at both sites and sugarcane and maize
at one site. This accumulated Pi was thought to have originated from recent
fertilizer applications and possibly recently mineralized organic P. Trends for
NaOH-Pi with land use differed greatly from those of the Resin- and NaHC03Pi
fractions. Concentrations were notably high under maize and sugarcane
production. Of the pools of soil organic P, the NaHC03-Po fraction was most
greatly affected by land use, being elevated under kikuyu and decreased
under maize and sugarcane. This supports the assertion that it is the
NaHC03-Po fraction that is the most labile soil organic P pool. It was concluded that land use greatly affects soil organic C and P status, soil
microbial biomass C and P contents, soil inorganic P concentrations and the
distribution of P among the various P fractions.
A short-term (8 weeks) laboratory incubation experiment was carried out to
compare the effects of inorganic (KH2P04) and organic (cattle manure, poultry
manure and maize crop residues) sources of P, applied at a rate equivalent to
30 kg P ha-1
, on soil inorganic and organic P fractions and the potential
availability of soil P. Additional treatments consisted of lime [Ca(OHhl at 5 ton
ha-1 and lime plus inorganic P. Applications of lime raised soil pH to a similar
extent after 1, 4 and 8 weeks incubation. After 8 weeks, a small increase in
soil pH was also noted for the cattle and poultry manure and maize residue
treatments. For the inorganic P fractions, substantial treatment effects were
observed only for the Resin-Pi fraction. The inorganic P source was more
effective than the organic ones at increasing Resin-Pi after 1 and 4 weeks
incubation and of the organic sources, cattle and poultry manure were more
effective than maize residues. Resin-Pi concentrations generally increased
between 1 and 4 weeks incubation but then declined rapidly between 4 and 8
weeks incubation. After 8 weeks incubation, treatment effects on Resin-Pi
were small. Concentrations of NaHC03-Pi, dilute HCI-Pi and concentrated
HCI-Pi all declined over the incubation period. There was no clear trend with
incubation for NaOH-Pi although for the poultry manure and maize
treatments, concentrations declined between 4 and 8 weeks incubation. In
general, concentrations of NaHC03-Po were greater for organic than
inorganic P sources after 8 weeks incubation suggesting microbial
immobilization of P in these treatments. There were increases in NaHC03-Po
and concentrated HCI-Po over the incubation period suggesting progressive
immobilization of P from the Pi fractions that declined in concentration during
the incubation. Concentrations of NaOH-Po were not greatly affected by
incubation period. The lime treatments, however, had lower NaOH-Po
concentrations than the others suggesting that liming may have stimulated
microbial mineralization of Po. Residual-P concentrations increased over the
incubation period. This was attributed to conversion of extractable Pi fractions
into recalcitrant, non-extractable Pi forms and/or immobilization of Pinto
intransigent organic forms. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2006.
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Architecture, development and ecology : Garry Oak and Peri - urban VictoriaMackin, Nancy 11 1900 (has links)
This thesis seeks to explain how site-scale design decisions can assist retention of rare plant
communities concentrated in and near settled areas. To do so it focuses on a specific species
and development context. Explanations are sought through examination of case studies of landuse
developments in proximity to retained Garry oak plant communities located in the perimeter
of Victoria, British Columbia. In the study region, exponential declines in species populations,
health, and diversity of rare Garry oak ecosystems have been largely attributed to impacts from
land-use developments. Over the past century, land-use developments have transformed the
floral, spatial, structural and functional characteristics of the settled landscape. Isolated islands
of imperiled plant associations remain on protected bioreserves: for recruitment and
connectivity, these rare fauna rely on private-land greenways. Architectural teams have the
potential to influence the decision-making processes that create ecologically-vital greenspace on
private land, thereby enhancing survival for declining plant communities. Case-study evidence
for the importance of land-use decisions on diminishing Garry oak meadow is gathered through
vegetation surveys conducted on Garry oak meadow in proximity to six architectural projects on
Victoria's western edge. Observed changes in growth extensions are then categorized in relation
to human activities associated with built form, and correlated with principles from Landscape
Ecology. An ARC of design strategies, developed in primary research by K. D. Rothley is
adapted for architectural use as follows: firstly, AREA of a plant community is kept free of
encroachment by the orderly frame established around vegetation; secondly, RARE SPECIES
and habitat are identified with borders or signage; thirdly, CONNECTIVITY between retained
landscapes is secured by siting roads and buildings to minimize ecosystem fragmentation. To
effectively communicate preexisting landscape ecology principles, grouped under the ARC of
strategies, illustrations and key-word phrases are developed. These principles, when integrated
into architectural teams' structural knowledge, extend the architects' perceived role beyond
aesthetics and economic efficiency. Enhancing habitat value through retention or restoration of
rare ecosystems at the margins of suburban development, becomes an additional realm of
influence for professional teams designing the spatial configurations of peri-urban landscapes.
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An assessment of changes in land use/cover patterns in the Albert Falls area, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.Yemane, Mehreteab Michael. January 2003 (has links)
The Albert Falls Area had witnessed severe competition over land use between
agriculture, recreation, conservation and other land uses. The area also has been the scene
for inefficient land management that led to degradation of land resources. For proper land
use planning and environmental management, information on land use/cover change is
vital. This study has developed a spatial and descriptive historical land use/cover
databases for the years 1944, 1967, 1989, and 2000 to provide an understanding of land
use/cover patterns in Albert Falls Area. The databases were created by interpreting
historical aerial photographs and using Geographic Information Systems. The data was
subsequently analyzed to detect relevant trends in land use/cover patterns in the study
area.
Generally land use/cover pattern of Albert Falls Area during the period 1944 to 2000 may
be described as being mainly agricultural. The results showed a marginal increase of
indigenous forests attributed to the continuous efforts by different governmental
departments and policies that focused on the protection of the remaining patches of
indigenous forests. Grassland not only decreased by more than half but it also
deteriorated in quality during 1944 to 2000. Commercial Forestry predominates the study
area and showed an increasing trend from 1944 to 1967. Cultivated Land was observed to
decrease at the expense of Commercial Forestry plantations and Waterbodies. Although
sugarcane plantations increased after 1967, total Cultivated Land showed a decreasing
trend. The construction of Albert Falls Dam and other small Farm Ponds within the
agricultural farms increased the land areas covered by Waterbodies. Residential Area
coverage generally decreased irrespective of the encroachment of informal settlements,
while that outside Non-Residential Area and Transportation Routes generally increased
with the development of commercial agriculture in the area. Barren Land decreased
continuously due to higher land demand in the study area.
The study showed that land use/cover changes in Albert Falls Area. have resulted in
habitat fragmentation, development of monoculture land use, flourishing of Farm Ponds in agricultural farms, and expansion of agricultural activities on marginal lands. Creation
of corridors/linkages between the fragmented forest patches; commencement and
implementation of the already well drafted land and land resource policies and
regulations; commencement of the holistic management plans in the area were
recommended for a sustainable land use. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2003.
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Using multi-criteria decision making in developing a decision support system for land suitability with regard to natural resource management.Chuntharpursat, Avinash. January 2000 (has links)
This research explores decision making in land suitability with regard to natural resource
management, as it is practised in South Africa and internationally. The complexity of the
problem leads to the need to use stakeholder analysis and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis
which are researched further in the dissertation. A framework for decision making on land
suitability is suggested. It is applied experimentally in several case studies on decision making
in land suitability with regard to natural resource management. A land suitability analysis
provides a typical scenario whereby a hard factual approach such as a GIS with data on soils,
climate, rainfall, topography, ecosystems, etc. is combined with socio-economic activities such
as agriculture, forestry and nature conservation. Most land suitability analysis is carried out with
the aid ofa GIS. However, a GIS is limited to largely objective, spatial data. It is here that multicriteria
decision analysis plays an important role by combining the different stakeholder
perspectives with socio-economic and scientific data in a comprehensive Decision Support
System. In this research, the Analytic Hierarchy Process is used to produce an experimental
model on decision making in land suitability and this model is then tested against real life case
studies which proves the model to be a valid decision making technique. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2000.
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Linkages between selected hydrological ecosystem services and land use changes, as indicated by hydrological responses : a case study on the Mpushini/Mkhondeni Catchments, South Africa.Schütte, Stefanie. 11 June 2014 (has links)
Nature provides essential services to humans, including climate regulation, water provisioning and regulation. These so-called ecosystem services have economical, societal and environmental value. This research aims at improving the knowledge on the linkages between selected hydrological ecosystem services and current and proposed land uses within the water-limited Mpushini/Mkhondeni Catchments in South Africa. The research contributes to the recognition of feedback and linkages within the complex ecological-human system, so that informed land use decisions can be made. The research aim is achieved by first reviewing the literature on hydrological ecosystem services, land use in an ecosystem services context and the links between the two. The study area is then sub-delineated into land use determined hydrological response units for baseline natural land cover, as well as for current and proposed land use scenarios. Using an appropriate model, selected hydrological processes are simulated in order to isolate the effects of individual land uses on hydrological responses, both on a local and a more catchment-wide scale.
Various land uses were found to affect hydrological responses, such as runoff and its components of stormflows and baseflows, as well as transpiration and sediment yields, differently. These responses were found to be suitable indicators of selected ecosystem services such as water provisioning or flow regulation. Irrigation and high biomass crops, such as sugarcane and wattle plantations were found to reduce downstream water provisioning services. Degraded lands were found to reduce physical water quality through increased sediment yield, to reduce water provisioning during low flow periods, while the degraded lands increased stormflows, thereby reducing regulation of high flows. Urban land uses were found to significantly increase runoff, with increased impervious areas causing a shift from evaporation and transpiration towards runoff. Stormflows increased, with high flow regulation being reduced. Baseflows increased as well, as a result of a spill-over of runoff from impervious to pervious urban areas, which led to increased low flow regulation. In addition, in this study area urban return flows are generated from externally sourced water, further increasing streamflows and especially low flows. While urban areas showed an increase in downstream water quantity provision, the water quality was reduced. The combined effects of the current land use mosaic on the annual streamflows partially cancel each other out, while the proposed urbanisation dominated hydrological responses. Influences of various land uses on hydrological ecosystem services were thereby shown, which contributes to a better understanding of the linkages between the two. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2014.
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