Thesis--Wisconsin. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 437-445).

Thesis (M. Sc.)(Plant Science)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis--Norges Landbrukshøgskole, Institutt for økonomi og samfunnsfag, 2003. / Title from title screen (viewed Oct. 4, 2005). Includes bibliographical references. Also issued in print format.

Thesis (M.S.) -- Central Connecticut State University, 2005. / Thesis advisor: David A. Kedeckel. "... in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in International Studies." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 82-88). Also available via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1983. / Typescript. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 99-100).

Thesis (M. S.)--Oklahoma State University, 2007. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

The study sought to test the applicability of the Hotelling rule in South Africa. In environmental economics, the Hotelling rule has come to be a pillar of the exhaustible resources framework and in addition to this, it has presented essential insights into the consumption and extraction of non-renewable resources. Hotelling sought to address one important question which had been unanswered regarding the depletion of exhaustible resources: How much of the natural resource in question should be consumed presently and how much of it should be stocked up for future generations? The focus was to find a solution for those involved in the exploitation of natural resources to choose between the current value of the natural resource if extracted and sold and the future increased value of the asset if left unexploited. According to the Hotelling rule, the extraction path in competitive market economies will, under certain circumstances, be socially optimal. An extraction path that is not socially optimal compromises the welfare of future generations. The welfare of South Africa’s present population and more especially in the future will be greatly determined by the stock of natural resources available and the quality of the environment. Currently, the production processes deplete natural resources. Concern with the supposed increasing scarcity of gold in South Africa, and the possibility of running out of gold, has become a source of concern. South Africa’s gold reserves (gold in the ground that can be extracted profitably) are becoming depleted at an alarming rate. Most reserves are already exhausted; and the costs involved in mining lower-grade ore, and deposits located very deep in the ground, are becoming excessive. In light of this, this study sought to test the applicability of the Hotelling rule in South Africa. In order to empirically test the Hotelling rule, the study was guided by previous literature that had sought to test it. In this regard, the study used both descriptive and inferential statistics. The study has three data analysis chapters. The first two presented and examined the time series properties of gold prices, gold production and gold consumption. The third data analysis chapter examined the relationship between gold price and interest rates. In the first two data analysis chapters, visual inspection, growth rates, variance ratio tests and advanced unit root tests were used to examine the time series properties of gold prices, gold production and gold consumption. Results showed that the behaviour of the gold price series and gold production series in South Africa have a behaviour that is socially optimal. This is in line with the Hotelling rule. The rule predicts exponentially increasing resource prices and this result in mineral resources following the path of the positive trend. The positive trend is prompted by the increasing price reflecting the increasing scarcity of the resource. However, consumption trends were seen to be violating the Hotelling rule. The Hotelling rule predicts that the price increases until it eventually reaches the choke price, where the quantity demanded decreases to zero. However, in contrast to this, results showed that the demand for gold has been increasing instead of decreasing. This is not in line with the Hotelling rule. Furthermore the relationship between interest rate and gold price was negative and this suggested that the price of gold was not rising at the rate of the interest rate. The results of the study suggested that gold production is not following a social optimally path. The study recommended that the government come up with measures that prolong the lifespan of the gold reserves. These included research and development to promote technological innovations in the mining sector. This may make it possible for firms to access lower-grade ores. The study also recommended that since the Hotelling rule partly applied in the gold sector, there is a need to adopt some other theoretical measures that can ensure that the proceeds from the gold taxes are used in the most effective way.

ix, 107 p. : maps. A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. / This study examines the effect oil has on the onset and duration of conflict. In the "resource curse" literature, researchers argue that a state's abundance in natural resources can raise the likelihood of civil war. Such findings are largely based on correlations from large-n statistical studies or are hypotheses from individual case studies. These approaches fail to check the causal validity of key variables in multiple cases. Using a data-set comprised of sixteen countries that have experienced both oil extraction and civil war, this study conducts a qualitative causal variable analysis within these cases, while also checking the causal significance of key variables across cases. This study of oil-related civil wars analyzes the cross-case validity and overall relevance of: rebel greed, citizen grievances, unemployment in oil-rich regions, state military spending, clientelistic patterns of oil rent distribution, and oil-sector nationalization schemes. / Committee in Charge: Dr. Jane K. Cramer, Chair; Dr. Shaul E. Cohen; Dr. Anita M. Weiss

Magister Scientiae (Biodiversity and Conservation Biology) - MSc (Biodiv and Cons Biol) / Natural resources play important roles in ecosystem service delivery, more especially in rural households where livelihoods depend heavily on natural resources for the delivery of ecosystem services. The various benefits derived from provisioning, supporting, regulating and cultural services of natural ecosystems such as food, medicines, carbon sequestration, spiritual fulfilment all support human life and sustain its well-being. Research on valuation of natural resources suggest that the values derived mainly from non-marketed natural resources are insignificant and thus, not reflected in national accounts. Economic valuations have traditionally been concerned with the quantification of direct use values of ecosystem services that are marketed to produce tangible benefits. The scope of natural resource valuations have, however been broadened by scientists in recent years to consider passive or non-use values to reflect the total economic values of natural resources and ecosystem services to societies. In this study, I valued the streams of ecosystem services derived from natural resources in Leliefontein communal rangeland; an area of 192 000 hectares in the semi-arid region of Namaqualand in South Africa. Rangeland forage for livestock, medicinal plants, fuelwood, and water resources from the Communal Area were valuated for one production year between January and December 2012. Valuation was done to incorporate both marketed and non-marketed natural resources which were used within the production year. The total economic value for the area was estimated at R20 156 672 per annum. Value of rangeland forage was estimated at R61.92 ha-1 yr-1, fuelwood’s value was estimated at R25.04 ha-1 yr-1, value of medicinal plants was R2.26 ha-1 yr-1 and water resources valued at R9.45 ha-1 yr-1. The non-use value was estimated by eliciting the willingness to pay for the conservation of the natural resources using a contingent valuation method. Economic value of natural resources in Leliefontein increased to R105 per hectare from R99 when non-use value was added to reflect the total economic value of ecosystem services in the area. Household income level positively correlated with individual’s willingness to pay for ecosystem services. I recommend that decision making should take into account the socio-economic conditions of a community when determining the total economic value of ecosystem services. Non-use value of the ecosystems should be considered especially in rural areas where people depend on the natural environment for livelihoods and socio-cultural well-being. Sustainable and equitable utilisation of natural resources for the purpose of maintaining a sustainable flow of critical ecosystem services should form the basis for formulating policies on land use and sustainable development.

The background problem to this research is the reported inefficiency of extension delivery the Limpopo Province, which is a region plagued by problems of large-scale poverty, unemployment, a decline in food production and degradation of natural resources. With extension management being a key issue in this regard, particularly because of its tremendous potential impact and multiplication effect, the purpose was to evaluate the management and leadership skill of extension managers in one of the five districts of the province. All levels of management were involved in the study and in every case assessments were made by subordinates, which involved 107 frontline extension workers (30 percent) at the lowest level. The general findings confirm the low level of leadership skills but also that managers tend to overrate their management skills and underrate the management problem, and are thus not likely to address it. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that this misperception regarding the management of extension is worst in the most critical management categories, namely at the supervisory level and the senior management level. Skills training evolves as a high priority, but indications are that so-called neutrally trained managers who have no good knowledge and understanding of extension will not be a solution. / Dissertation (MInstAgrar (Agricultural Extention))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development / unrestricted