Lake Tana is a biodiversity and natural reservoir for fresh water supply contributing significantly to the economy of Ethiopia and downstream recipient countries, namely: Sudan and Egypt. The Lake Tana Ecosystem provides a variety of goods and services such as: provisioning, regulating, amenity and supporting services. These services are affected by high human activities which threaten the water quality and biodiversity of the lake. Hence, this study aims to assess the impact of human activities on water quality, biodiversity and livelihood of Lake Tana and its shore sides.To assess the impact of anthropogenic activities of Lake Tana; physicochemical parameters, macroinvertebrates, macrophytes and livelihood of the Lake side communities were collected in the year 2014/2015 during dry and wet seasons for 11 sampling sites as indicated in Figure 1.1 and Table 1.1. The variations of physicochemical, metals and bacterial parameters were investigated. The overall water quality parameters (mean analytical results) of Lake Tana were found to be: Temp (Temperature)23.0OC, pH 7.5, EC (Electrical conductivity)180.1 μS/cm, BOD5 (Biological oxygen demand in 5 days)37.3 mg/l, COD (Chemical oxygen demand)316.5 mg/l, TSS 0.3 mg/l, TDS 93.1 mg/l, SO4 2- 11.0 mg/l, PO4 3- 42.4 mg/l, Cr (0.08 mg/l), (Mn (0.01 mg/l), E. Coli (13.4 Cell/ml), F. Coliform (82.5 Cell/ml), T. Coliform (113.0 Cell/ml), etc. These parameters did not show significant variation among the sites but were significantly different between wet and dry seasons (P<0.05). The highest concentration values were recorded during the wet season. However, most of the parameters under investigation were within the Ethiopian EPA (Environmental protection agency) permissible range except PO4 3-, S2-, E. Coli (Cell/ml), F. Coliform (Cell/ml) and T. Coliform (Cell/ml). Based on the analysis of the water quality index (WQI), Lake Tana water was unfit for drinking purpose and needs treatment. For theMacroinvertebrates analysis, a total number of 629 macroinvertebrate individuals are belonging to 9 orders and 38 families were found. In the study year impacted areas number of identified macroinvertebrates were 478 (76%); of this, 233 (37%) were in the wet season and 245 (39%) in the dry season and the total number of individuals identified in the reference area was 151 (24% of the total) in the wet season 61 (9.7%) and in the dry season 90 (14.3%) individuals. The diversity was more in the dry season. The dominant orders were Odonata (156 individuals), Coleoptera (153 individuals) and Hemiptera (141 individuals). The literature indicated that the presence of more Odonata, Coleptera and Hemipteran larvae is an indication of water quality deterioration due to pollution. From the collected samples, the total number of tolerant individuals was 303 (48.2%) and facultative individuals were 243 (38.7%) while intolerant individuals were 80 (12.7%). Most of the taxa (48.2%) had tolerance scores ranging from 7 to 10. The analysis of different forms of indices showed poor water quality. The water quality of Lake Tana was also determined by developing the LTMI (Lake Tana Metric Index). The index indicated the impairment levels of the study sites. Seven of the sites were in the category of poor (disturbed) and the other three were very poor (highly disturbed). The study on macrophytes recorded 43 species and 18 families during the two seasons (wet and dry), throughout the study year. 2687 individual macrophytes were collected; 1756 in the wet season and 931 in the dry season. Poaceae (15 species) with abundance mean 215.40 ± 421.7 was the most dominant family, followed by Cyperaceae (5 species) 35.40 ± 68.3. Sacciolepis africana was the dominant macrophyte species in Lake Tana. But in the study area Ambobahir, the dominant species was Cyperus papyrus while the Megech study area was invaded by the nuisance exotic weed Eichhornia crassipes. In the present study, the low macrophyte diversity values of Shannon Wiener index (2.90), Simpson Diversity Index (1-D) (0.90), Simpson Dominance Index (D) (0.10), Margalef’s index (M’) richness index (5.32) and Evenness Index (E) (0.77) throughout the study year indicate moderate water quality status while the presence of certain bio-indicator species like Eichhornia, Potamogeton and Cyperus in the lake also confirm pollution. Because of the effect of human activities on water quality and biodiversity, the livelihood of the riparian community is affected indirectly. Hence, to recommend mitigation and remediation actions, this study also focused on the assessment of the change of livelihoods of people living in the study area using qualitative research methods (key informant interview, focus group discussion (FGD), observations, published and unpublished materials and photographes). Lake Tana is a home to different flora and fauna including endemic species. The flora such as macrophytes and forest resources are used mainly for traditional medicine, fuel wood, rope, pole, habitat for birds, animal feed, etc. and the fauna includes fish, hippos, crocodiles, invertebrates, etc. Further, the Lake Tana area is a good habitat for indigenous cattle breeds (Fogera breed) and field crops gene center. The major resources around Lake Tana are land (the major source of livelihood), vegetation resources (macrophytes and forest resources), wildlife resources (fish, the other important source of livelihood) and cultural landscapes (churches and monasteries). Lake Tana is exposed to a set of interrelated environmental problems induced by human influence such as deforestation, erosion, sedimentation, water level reduction, erratic rainfall, flood, and competition for water resources, pollution and introduction of alien species. The causes to these problems were overgrazing, farmland expansion, cultivation of marginal lands (shorelines), encroachment of communal land, pollution and vegetation removal to meet demand for food and fuel wood. It is observed that alteration of Lake Tana and its fringe wetlands has affected the whole dynamics of the Lake’s ecosystem and the livelihood of the surrounding community. Ecosystem components are interlinked; hence correlation analysis was done between physicochemical parameters and macroinvertebrates of Lake Tana. Thus, correlations among many of the physicochemical parameters and macroinvertebrates families have been observed. To mention some of the correlations, the changes in the physical, chemical and biological characteristic of the lake affected the aquatic life forms and significantly affect economic activities that the lake supports. The RDA(Canonical redundency analysis) ordination of the species-environmental variable association indicated that pH, Cd, Pb and SO42- and Velidae, Chironomidae, Physidae, Gerridae, Corixidae, Dytiscidae, Caenidae, Coenogrionidae Simuliidae and Psephenidae were negatively correlated while Mussidae positively correlated with these environmental variables. This study concludes that the main threat to aquatic ecosystems in Lake Tana arises from agricultural activities, urbanization and industrialization that deteriorated water quality and biodiversity. Thus, it is recommended that proper management of Lake Tana should be put in place to prevent further deterioration of water quality and biodiversity of the lake for its sustainable development. / Environmental Sciences / Ph. D. (Environmental Science)

Submitted by Filipe dos Santos (fsantos@pucsp.br) on 2017-11-09T11:21:25Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Homero Jorge Mazzola.pdf: 6715257 bytes, checksum: 0ca8ade2e27bf06bea8cc8e5da6d6b4d (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-11-09T11:21:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Homero Jorge Mazzola.pdf: 6715257 bytes, checksum: 0ca8ade2e27bf06bea8cc8e5da6d6b4d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-11-27 / To build a sustainable future is humanity's great mission in a world characterized by deep social inequalities and environmental changes. Saint-Exupéry said: "The future is not a place where we are going, but a place we are creating. The path to it is not found but built and the act of doing so transforms both the creator and his destiny". Man has the competence to begin its construction, however, must transform himself to make it happen. The purpose of this thesis, elaborated in the form of an essay, is to explore possibilities to build this auspicious future, committed to future generations without under valuating the forces that defend the continuity of our way of life. Three fundamental questions ground this work: where do we come from, what are we and where are we going to, that are structured in three human journeys: past, present and future. In the first we find the lessons and learnings of the evolution process, essential for understanding the present and planning the future. The second journey depicts both the human capacity to transform the planet, adapting it to its needs and desires, as the resistance of those who stand against the continuity of the capitalist world system and defy humanity to metamorphose into a meta system rich in possibilities or to sink in a generalized insignificance. On the last journey, the future, it is approached a vision of the complexity of the world and the human psychic nature, which feed discussions about the individual and collective transformations that must occur to generate a desired future. Man has before him uncertainties, bifurcations and dilemmas, which can result in catastrophe or well-being. The social and climatic deterioration, perverse by itself, can also be good, taking the humanity off passivity, leading it to an overall transformation. A plausible path is a new civilizing context grounded in holistic and ecological educational reform, and structured through a truly global society: the World-Society. There is a great challenge ahead. What will happen, however, only the future will show / Construir um futuro sustentável é a grande missão da humanidade em um mundo assinalado por desigualdades sociais enraizadas e mudanças ambientais profundas. Saint-Exupéry disse: “O futuro não é um lugar para onde estamos indo, mas um lugar que estamos criando. O caminho para ele não é encontrado, mas construído e o ato de fazê-lo transforma tanto o realizador quando o destino”. O homem tem competência para iniciar sua construção, mas deverá se transformar para concretizá-lo. Com esta tese, elaborada na forma de um ensaio, exploram-se possibilidades para se construir esse futuro auspicioso, comprometido com as gerações futuras, sem desprezar as forças que defendem a continuidade do nosso modo de vida. Três questões fundamentais a embasam: de onde viemos, quem somos e para onde vamos, que na tese são abordadas na forma de jornadas humanas: passada, presente e futura. Da primeira extraem-se as lições e aprendizados da história evolutiva, imprescindíveis para se compreender o presente e planejar o futuro. A segunda jornada retrata tanto as profundas transformações que o homem produziu no planeta, adequando-o às suas necessidades e desejos, como as reações dos se posicionam contra a continuidade do sistema mundo capitalista e convidam a humanidade a metamorfosear-se em um metassistema rico em possibilidades ou sucumbir no abismo da insignificância generalizada. Na última jornada, a futura, são abordados conhecimentos sobre a complexidade do mundo e sobre a natureza psíquica humana, que alimentam discussões sobre as transformações individuais e coletivas que devem ocorrer para que se possa engendrar um futuro desejado. O homem tem diante de si incertezas, bifurcações e dilemas, que podem conduzi-lo à catástrofe ou ao bem-estar. A deterioração social e climática, perversa por si, pode ser também um bem e tirar a humanidade da passividade, conduzindo a uma mudança abrangente. Um caminho plausível é um novo contexto civilizatório embasado em uma reforma educacional holística e ecológica, e estruturado através de uma sociedade realmente global: uma Sociedade-Mundo. Há um grande desafio à frente. O que acontecerá, entretanto, só o futuro dirá

The effects of urbanization and continual human disturbance on the plant and avian communities of Forest Park and forested lands surrounding Portland, Oregon, were studied. I examined characteristics of plant and avian communities at 25 sites, 24 which were in Forest Park and surrounding areas and one which was in the Ancient Forest Preserve (old-growth stand) northwest of Forest Park. Data were analyzed using multiple regression, ANOV A, and Bonferonni/Dunn. Seven variables were selected representing different urbanization gradients. An additional covariable coded for the old-growth stand, allowing it to be used as a control. Many tree variables, especially those related to shade-tolerant species, were positively correlated with both the distance from downtown Portland and the number of houses in the surrounding area, and negatively correlated with the distance from the nearest forest edge; however, many shrub and herbaceous variables were negatively correlated with the distance from downtown Portland. Species diversity for herbaceous and shrub species was greater at more urban sites, but diversity of trees was lower at more urban sites. There were significantly more non-native species of plants in the city section. I found significantly fewer saplings and small trees, especially shade-tolerant species, in the section of Forest Park closest to downtown Portland, although tree mortality was positively correlated with distance from Portland. Summer bird data revealed significant increases in the abundances of urban and edge species at more urban sites, with concomitant reductions in forest species. There were significantly more ground gleaning birds and short distance migratory species. I also found a significantly greater abundance of birds in the old-growth stand during the winter. This increase was positively correlated with the depth of snow in the nearby Cascade Mountains. My results indicate that Forest Park is apparently progressing in a normal successional pattern with the exception of the city section. The reduction in shade tolerant saplings and small trees in the city section suggest that rate of succession has been slower at more urban sites. Avian data suggest that urbanization affects bird species abundance and guild composition in the more urban areas.

Volume 2 consists almost entirely of maps. Includes index of plant species. Bibliography: p. 227-242 (v.1) Floristic and structural changes in native vegetation resulting from man's influence are examined in detail in 5 South Australian parks. The results permit the clear delineation and segregation of those patterns determined by man's activities, from those induced by soil and topographic features.

No description available.

In the Midst of Spoils is a setting, for SATB choir and small instrumental ensemble, of the poem "Blight," by Ralph Waldo Emerson. Emerson's poem contrasts modern man's exploitative attitude toward nature with the more reverent attitude assumed by ancient or primitive cultures. This setting is in a single movement, approximately twenty minutes in duration, consisting of fifteen distinct sections.

Surface water pollution is prevalent in numerous areas of central Roodepoort mainly due to gold mining activities. The surface water quality for the Bosmontspruit, Russell’s Stream and the New Canada Dam was assessed from October 2010 to March 2011. Physical, chemical and biological characteristics of the water were determined for 8 monitoring points and the results obtained were compared with the In-stream water quality guidelines for the Klip River catchment and the South African Water Quality Guidelines. A trend noticed throughout the sampling period was the non-compliance in the levels of total dissolved solids (TDS) and dissolved oxygen. The results indicated that concentrations of iron, aluminium, nickel, manganese and potassium were above the limit across the Bosmontspruit and Russell’s stream. There was also significant evidence of excessive faecal coliform and ammonium pollution in the Bosmontspruit. During the monitoring period it was noted that water from these streams were utilised for crop irrigation, bathing, livestock and human consumption and may pose a health hazard due to poor water quality. / Environmental Sciences / M.Sc. (Environmental Science)

In South Africa water is recognized as a crucial element in the battle against poverty, the cornerstone of prosperity, and a limiting factor to growth. The National Water Act 36 of 1998 recognizes that basic human and environmental needs should be met and that the use of water in all aspects must be sustainable. The Crocodile River (East) is situated in the north east of the Republic of South Africa and it is recognized as a stressed catchment in South Africa. The main impacts are domestic, industrial, agricultural, mining and afforestation activities. These activities pollute the river by discharging effluent as well as seepage from areas that support mining and intensive agriculture in to the river. The river catchment has been a center of research studies for many scientists either focusing on water quality or biological indicators separately. The aim of study was to determine the present ecological condition and the health of the Crocodile River. The objectives were to determine water quality status, identify possible sources of pollution and assess the spatial and temporal trends in ecological state. Fourteen monitoring sites were selected from the Crocodile River and its tributaries. The macro-invertebrates data were collected using the SASS 5 protocol and fish were collected using an electroshocker- catch and release method during high and low flow conditions of the year 2013. Water quality data was obtained by sampling using a polyethylene bottle from different sites within the Crocodile River and its tributaries from September 2012 until August 2013. The samples were analyzed by Mpumamanzi laboratory in Nelspruit and Waterlab in Pretoria. Additional water quality data was obtained from the Department of Water Affairs. Multivariate statistical methods were used to analyze all the data obtained. The multivariate statistical methods indicated that fish and macro-invertebrates species abundance, richness and evenness increase with the river flow distance downstream. Water temperature was one of the leading environmental variables for the structuring of fish and macro-invertebrates assemblage in the Crocodile River and its tributaries. A group formation of site during high and low flow condition by the Bray Curtis similarity and NMDS ordination indicated that many sites share similar macro-invertebrates or fish species. The one way ANOVA analysis indicated that there was no significance difference between macro-invertebrates richness and abundance during both flow conditions but there was a significance difference in fish richness and abundance between the two flow conditions. The PCA indicated that sodium has the highest physico-chemical impact amongst the physico-chemical parameters in the bi-plot followed by ammonium and nitrate. A correlation of physico-chemical parameters such as chlorine, total dissolved solid, electrical conductivity, sulphate and pH was observed. The levels of total dissolved solids and electrical conductivity were found to increase longitudinally as the river flows downstream. The dominance of single species within the macro-invertebrates and fish communities was an indication of imbalance of the communities within the sites. The presence of the macro-invertebrate family Beatidae and the fish species Chiloglanis pretoriae at sites CR3 and CR4 indicates a good water quality in the upper reaches during low flow condition as these species are sensitive to changes in water quality, while the presence of the macro-invertebrate family Pleidea and fish species Barbus viviparus at sites CR10 and KR1 during low flow condition indicated possible water pollution as these species tolerate changes in water quality and this was linked to the discharge of effluent from industrial, abandoned mines and run-offs from agricultural activities in the downstream reaches of the river. The low flow condition was dominated by sensitive species especially in the upper reaches than during high flow condition. The macro-invertebrates assessment index indicated that during low flow condition the Crocodile River was mostly at ecological class B (largely natural with few modification) above the Kwena dam, but from downstream of the dam the ecological category was in C class (moderately modified), while its tributaries are in ecological category B (largely natural with few modification). The fish response assessment index indicated that the ecological category for fish was mostly at C class (moderately modified) in the Crocodile River. The changes in macro-invertebrates communities and fish in the Crocodile River were believed to be associated with change of water quality and habitat modification due to flow modification. Agricultural activities in the upper reaches and a combination of industrial and mining activities in the middle and lower reaches of the Crocodile River were believed to be the sources of pollution that results in the change of water quality, fish and macro-invertebrates assemblage in the Crocodile River. Investing in the health of the Crocodile River is important for many Mbombela citizens and river dwellers as they rely on the functioning of the river for survival. / Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Science)

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis investigates why human poverty and environmental degradation still exist to the extent that they do in a world where there appears to be sufficient scientific and social knowledge to reduce them considerably. It asserts that the reason they continue to exist on such a large scale is because their root cause - a mistaken understanding of humanity's role in creation - has not been sufficiently examined. Humanity's mistaken understanding of ourselves as the Cartesian lords of creation is addressed by introducing the Biblically-based concept of Shalom, as interpreted by theologians Ulrich Duchrow and Gerhard Liedke in their book, Shalom. Biblical Perspectives on Creation, Justice and Peace (1987). The concept stresses how our exploitative relationship towards creation results in destructive relationships with our fellow human beings and ultimately with God. The thesis argues that global capitalism's central value of accumulating wealth for its own sake has severely disrupted Shalom in society and the rest of creation. Using a second work of theologian Ulrich Duchrow, Alternatives to Global Capitalism. Drawn from Biblical History Designed for Political Action (1995), the social and environmental poverty inducing structures within the world economy are highlighted. It is asserted that in order to reduce poverty and environmental degradation within the economy, this central value of wealth accumulation for its own sake has to be replaced with one that seeks to satisfy the basic needs of all people. The thesis also discusses the inability of the South African government's macro economic strategy - the Growth, Employment and Redistribution plan (GEAR)- to create Shalom. In order for the macro-economic strategy of South Africa to address the exploitative relationships that exist within the economy, it is argued that a more critical attitude towards the values and structures of the market economy is needed. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis ondersoek die vraag hoekom armoede en omgewingsaftakeling steeds bestaan in 'n wêreld waar genoegsame wetenskaplike en sosiale kennis beskikbaar is om dit aansienlik te verminder. Dit argumenteer dat die rede waarom hierdie probleme op so 'n groot skaal voortbestaan, is omdat hulle grondoorsaak - 'n verkeerde verstaan van die mens se rol in die skepping - nie voldoende ondersoek is nie. Die mensdom se misverstaan van sigself as die Cartesiaanse meesters van die skepping word aangespreek deur die ondersoek van die Bybels-gebasseerde konsep van Shalom, soos geïnterpreteer deur die teoloë Ulrich Duchrow and Gerhard Liedke in hulle boek Shalom. Biblical Perspectives on Creation, Justice and Peace (1987). Die konsep benadruk hoe ons eksploiterende verhouding tot die skepping resulteer in 'n vernietigende verhouding met ons medemens en uiteindelik, met God. Die tesis argumenteer dat globale kapitalisme, met die akkumulasie van welvaart vir sigself as sentrale waarde, Shalom ondermyn in die wêreld en die res van die skepping. Deur gebruik te maak van 'n tweede werk van die teoloog Ulrich Duchrow, Alternatives to Global Capitalism. Drawn from Biblical History Designed for Political Action (1995), word die strukture wat sosiale- en omgewings-armoede veroorsaak binne die wêreldekonomie, ondersoek. Dit word gestel dat, ten einde armoede en omgewingsvernietiging te verminder, hierdie sentrale waarde van welvaartakkumulasie vir sigself vervang moet word met een wat daarna streef om die basiese behoeftes van mense te bevredig. Die onvermoë van die Suid-Afrikaanse regering se makro-ekonomiese strategie, naamlik die Groei-, Werkskeppings- en Herverdelingsprogram (GEAR) - om Shalom te skep, word ook bespreek. Dit word geargumenteer dat, ten einde 'n situasie te bereik waar die makro-ekonomiese strategie van Suid Afrika die eksploiterende verhoudings binne die ekonomie aanspreek, 'n meer kritiese houding ten opsigte van die waardes en strukture van die vryemark ekonomie benodig word.

Marine and coastal ecosystems are subject to diverse and increasingly intensive anthropogenic activities, making understanding cumulative effects critically important. However, accurately accounting for the cumulative effects of human impacts can be difficult, with the possibility of multiple stressors interacting and having greater impacts than expected, compounding direct and indirect effects on individuals, populations, communities and ecosystems. Assessment of multiple stressors therefore requires extensive scientific research that directly tests how single or multiple ecological components are affected by stressors, both singly and when combined, and as a consequence, cumulative effects assessments are now increasingly included in environmental assessments. Currently, there is a need to assess these at larger spatial scales, with additional research also urgently needed on the responses of ecological components, processes and functions to single and cumulative stressors. As cumulative environmental impacts could be better addressed by regional stressor effects assessments that combine methods for predicting multiple pressures on ecosystem recovery alongside degradation, this study used several separate approaches that can be used in parallel to give support for local management measures. I tested four completely different methods - a range of multi-metric indices, a food web model (Ecopath), a predictive model (Ecosim) and a Bayesian Belief Network model. Each approach was tested and compared in two shallow water estuarine systems, in Scotland and England, initially concerning the impact of nutrient enrichment and subsequent recovery and was followed by an investigation of how the addition of multiple stressors (nutrient levels, temperature and river-flow rates) would impact the future state of each system. The response to stressors was highly context dependent, varying between and within geographic locations. Overall, each of the four different approaches complemented each other and gave strong support for the need to make big reductions in the pressures and to consider trade-offs between impacting pressures. The models and tools also indicate that in order to reach an improved overall environmental state of each ecosystem, a focus on nutrient reductions are likely to be the most effective of the controls on stressors explored and that cumulative effects of the management of nutrient inputs and increased water temperatures and river-flow are likely to exist.