This dissertation measured using appropriate methodology the degree of independence of the Reserve Bank of Malawi based on the Reserve Bank of Malawi Act of 1989. Furthermore the dissertation assessed the vulnerability of this independence in the context of good governance and a variety of internal and external threats on the independence. This comes from the understanding that even though central banks are accorded independence, there are situations where practice deviates from what the charters state. Therefore the dissertation provides recommendations on how to strengthen the Reserve Bank Act to support its legal independence. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2008.

Wildlife viewing is a form of recreation that is becoming increasingly popular throughout the world, particularly in African protected areas. In order for protected area managers to cater for this demand effectively, managers need to incorporate wildlife viewing recreation into the planning and development of protected areas. Protected area management has traditionally focused on the management of wildlife populations and habitats to the exclusion of visitor recreational needs. Where visitor needs have been incorporated into the planning and development of protected areas, this has been through the provision of inputs such as facilities and wildlife. The experience-based management (EBM) approach to recreation however proposes that people engage in particular recreation opportunities in order to attain certain desired benefits or outcomes. Madikwe Game reserve provides visitors with the opportunity to view a wide variety of game. The aims of this study were to (1) provide an understanding of what visitors sought from their experience~ regarding wildlife viewing in Madikwe Game Reserve (2) classify the types of experiences desired by visitors to the reserve using the EBM model as a framework and (3) examine management implications of results. A survey of visitors was conducted in the reserve using a Pre-visit and a Postvisit questionnaire. Results from 178 respondents indicated that well-known species as well as rare/endangered specie: were the most popular among visitors. Respondents were generally very satisfied with their wildlife viewing experiences in terms of species abundance and variety, and information received about animals. The results also suggest that additional information about items other than wildlife could enhance the experiences of visitors to Madikwe. Three distinct wildlife viewing experiences desired by visitors were identified, namely a High Involvement Experience, which had the highest interest in almost all recreational opportunities, a Generalist Experience characterised by a moderate interest in recreational opportunities and an Occasionalist Experience that displayed the least interest. While the Occasionalist Experience is presently adequately catered for in Madikwe, lodge and park manager can provide for the High Involvement and Generalist Experiences more efficiently by expanding the wildlife viewing experience that is currently offered in the reserve. This would be done primarily through the expansion of informational items provided, and the development of activities associated with wildlife viewing. The success of such measures would be dependent on the adoption of a cooperative strategy between lodge managers, park managers and other relevant stakeholders. / Thesis (M.Env.Dev.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2004.

In recent years several regions in South Africa including KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) have experienced a significant shift in their farming practice, moving away from conventional commercial farming to the apparently more lucrative private game farming. This is clearly evident in the northern parts of KZN, where most Private Game Reserves (PGRs) occur in semi-arid areas, which are poorly suited to agriculture or livestock farming. These conversions of land cover or change in land use (i.e. from conventional commercial farming to private game farming) is occurring fairly swiftly even though the extent (area of change), impacts and implications of this trend have not been established. Very limited scientific research has been carried out on the environmental effects, impacts and implications of these land cover/use changes related to PGRs. In an attempt to document these changes as well as the environmental implications, three PGRs i.e. Kube Yini, Thanda and Phinda and the Mkhuze Game Reserve within northern KZN were selected for in-depth study. Mkhuze, which is owned and managed by the state, was selected as the control for this study, as it has remained relatively undisturbed for a long period of time. A comparison between the PGRs and Mkhuze was carried out to compare the land cover/use changes within the study area since the establishment of the PGRs. Remote sensing software was used to achieve the aim and objectives of this study. Using satellite images from 1990 and 2007, a change detection analysis was performed to determine the land cover/use changes that occurred within the study area during the period 1990-2007. Sixty-four land cover/use classes were generated from the analysis. These sixty-four classes were reclassified into five broad land cover/use classes which were identified as (1) water and riverine vegetation, (2) sand forest, forest and rock faces, (3) woodlands, (4) old fields and disturbed areas, (5) and grasslands. The results illustrated that during the period 1990 to 2007, the land cover/use of the entire study area changed significantly, with the overall land cover/use changes illustrating a decrease in the water bodies and riverine vegetation (6 percent to 3 percent); sand forest, forest and rock faces (19 percent to 16 percent); woodlands (26 percent to 25 percent); and old fields and disturbed areas (26 percent to 25 percent) whilst an increase in the grasslands (23 percent to 31 percent) was evident. Within each individual PGR, significant land cover/use changes related to private game farming were evident. In Kube Yini PGR, a decrease in the water bodies and riverine vegetation (4 percent to 1 percent); old fields and disturbed areas (23 percent to 11 percent); and grasslands (6 percent to 5 percent) were observed whilst an increase in the sand forest, forest and rock faces (31 percent to 47 percent); and grasslands (6 percent to 5 percent) land covers were seen. There has been no change in the woodlands cover (i.e. remains 36 percent). Old fields and disturbed areas have decreased due to the clearing programme that was implemented by Kube Yini, which has also contributed to the increased sand forest, forest and rock faces; and grassland land covers. At Thanda PGR, water bodies and riverine vegetation remained the same overall, while an increase in the grasslands cover (19 percent to 49 percent) was clearly evident. A decrease in the sand forest, forest and rock faces (13 percent to 4 percent); woodlands (29 percent to 18 percent); and old fields and disturbed areas (38 percent to 28 percent) was also noted. This was due to Thanda‟s Management Plan, whereby management had cleared the old fields and disturbed areas to accommodate the increased tourist accommodation, increased game species as well as the increased space that is required for these species. Furthermore over the recent years, Thanda has been practicing bush clearing and thinning of vegetation, which has resulted in the creation of a grassland landscape. A grassland landscape was required for viewing the game species, which resulted in a decreased sand forest, forest and rock faces; woodlands; and old fields and disturbed areas. In Phinda too, the water bodies and riverine vegetation remained the same (i.e. 1 percent). The sand forest, forest and rock faces (32 percent to 19 percent); and woodlands (43 percent to 41 percent) decreased whilst an increased old fields and disturbed areas (15 percent to 26 percent); and grasslands (9 percent to 13 percent) were observed. Sand forests are sensitive and decrease in extent rather easily as a result of disturbances experienced in the area. The decrease in sand forest, forest and rock faces during this period may be due to the increased wildlife and especially elephant population experienced on this reserve. The woodlands land cover decreased in size as a result of clearing to accommodate tourist infrastructure as well as creating a grassland landscape i.e. open space and clear viewing for the game species. The changes in Phinda‟s land cover resulted can be explained by the different management practices that were practised on the reserve. The results from the PGRs were compared against Mkhuze so as to determine whether private game faming was in fact changing the landscape of the study area. During this period 1990 to 2007, Mkhuze experienced only slight changes within it‟s land cover/use classes: water and riverine vegetation (2 percent to 1 percent); sand forest, forest and rock faces (16 percent to 15 percent); and grasslands (29 percent to 26 percent) decreased whilst an increase in the woodlands (27 percent to 30 percent); and old fields and disturbed areas (26 percent to 28 percent) were noted. Since Mkhuze is managed by the state with its priority being conservation first and not increased monetary gain, competition between species and habitants occurred with the least amount of human influence. It is most likely that the water and riverine vegetation; and grasslands decreased due to the drought experienced in the area between 2001-2006, which may have led to the increased old fields and disturbed areas. In addition woodlands may have increased due to its resistance to harsh conditions. Also contributing to the increased old fields and disturbed areas could be the increased wildlife numbers experienced in the reserve. The slight drop in the sand forest, forest and rock faces land cover most likely resulted due to natural competition between the vegetation species as well as management realising the significance of the sand forest, thus assisting in the preservation of the sand forest, forest and rock faces cover. An accuracy assessment was carried out to determine the accuracy of the image classification, and a 75 % accuracy was achieved for the overall analysis. The results illustrate that during the period 1990-2007, the study area‟s land cover changed significantly and that this was mostly like due to the changes within the land cover of the individual PGRs. Climatic data for this period was also taken into consideration to see whether climate variations had occurred and whether this had impacted the change in land cover/use of the study area. The results from the PGRs were compared against the state reserve results as well as the climatic data. The results suggest that the majority of the land cover/use changes within the study area had occurred largely due to private game farming rather than natural processes. The climatic variables such as temperature of the area remained fairly unchanged whilst humidity remained fairly high. With the exception of the drought experienced in the area between the period 2001-2006, it is most likely that the changes in the area are the result of the change to private game farming. Private game farming is having a significant effect on the landscape of the study area and this is largely due to the different management practices practised on each individual PGR. It is recommended that PGRs be monitored and regulated consistently in order to prevent the degradation of the environment and its ecosystem. The study exhibits the value and usefulness of satellite imagery in detecting land cover/use changes related to private game farming. Landsat 5 TM imagery was the most suitable and accurate in identifying and mapping broad scale land cover/use changes related to private game farming. If a more detailed level of investigation is required, the use of higher resolution imagery (e.g. Spot/Landsat 7) is advised. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2010.

This creative project consists of the design of a Master Plan for the Mbaracaju Forest Reserve, a 143,000 acre site in eastern Paraguay which is part of the devastated Atlantic Forest , an area requiring urgent conservation action. This creative project adresses site inventory and analysis, programming, land uses, site specific facility development guidelines, and three Master Plan Alternatives. The Master Plan seeks to support environmental preservation, sustainable development, and environmental education. The hypothesis of this project is that preservation and environmentally sound use of the Reserve are possible through a Master Plan that responds to the sensitivity of the various areas and its management, and to an activities program oriented towards global preservation. The Incorporation of the traditional inhabitants of the land as active participants in the Master Plan will serve as an example for Paraguay and for the world. This Master Plan, which will promote environmental preservation and biological diversity, will benefit the inhabitants of the Reserve, of Paraguay, and from around the world. For this report to the Graduate Office at Ball State University there are included the major aspects of the Master Plan. It is important to clarify that the whole report, which has 200 pages, is available in the lybrary of the College of Architecture and Planning. / Department of Landscape Architecture

No description available.

Biosphere reserves have evolved out of a responsibility to resolve conflict by reconciling the needs of humans with the need to maintain ecological integrity and biodiversity. Participatory approaches to planning and management are seen as key to linking conservation and sustainable development. The purpose of this research was to investigate participation in planning and management activities in the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve (NDBR) located in Uttaranchal, India. Eco-development and microplanning have emerged in India as two government-initiated mechanisms allowing greater opportunity for other sectors to have a role in conservation-related planning and management activities. Although there has been progress in the application of participatory processes, the two case studies in this research illustrate the need to bolster civic and private sector participation in planning and management of the NDBR. One important and positive outcome of the participatory processes that were applied was that relationships had improved between the sectors.

The system frequency of a synchronous power system varies with the imbalance of energy supplied and the electrical energy consumed. When large generating blocks are lost, the system undergoes a frequency swing relative to the size of the loss. Limits imposed on the magnitude of frequency deviation† prevent system collapse. Operation of frequency responsive plant to control frequency, results in lower machine efficiencies. Changes to the generation mix on the British transmission system have occurred in the past ten years, when the response requirement was last reviewed. Future increased levels of wind turbines‡ will alter the operational characteristics of the system and warrant investigation. A process to optimise the response requirements while maintaining statutory limits on frequency deviation has been identified. The method requires suitable load and generator models to replicate transmission system performance. A value to substitute for current load sensitivity to frequency has been presented from empirical studies. Traditional coal fired generator models have been improved with additional functions to provide a comparable response with existing units. A novel combined cycle gas turbine model using fundamental equations and control blocks has also been developed. A doubly fed induction generator model, based on existing literature, has been introduced for representing wind turbine behaviour in system response studies. Validation of individual models and the complete system against historic loss events has established confidence in the method. A review of the current system with the dynamic model showed that current primary response requirements are inadequate. The secondary response requirements generally show a slight reduction in the holding levels. Simulations including extra wind generation have shown that there is potential to reduce the primary response requirement in the future. The secondary response requirements are maintained with added wind farms.

Grey-cheeked mangabeys (Cercocebus albigena) are distributed across Central Africa, but have previously only been studied in detail at the eastern edge of their range in Uganda. Hence, little is known about this species from the western African rain forests, where forest composition and primate species are different from those in eastern Africa. The behaviour and ecology of grey-cheeked mangabeys was studied in the Lope Reserve, Gabon over 18 months, between January 1991- June 1991 and September 1991- August 1992. Systematic data were collected mainly from one habituated group, and data were also collected opportunistically from other groups in the study area. The mangabeys' diet is diverse, with 100 items of plant food from 75 species recorded. Overlap in the mangabey's diet with the seven other diurnal primate species at Lope is high. Sixty-four percent of fruit-pulp, 51% of seed, 38% of leaf, 27% of stem and pith, and 15% of flower species in their diet are also eaten by at least one other species of diurnal primate. Mangabeys spent 36% of their time feeding, eating seeds. This is high, compared to studies in Uganda where seeds were relatively unimportant in the diet of grey-cheeked mangabeys. Seed-eating, may be a result of differences in forest composition, since there are a higher number of species from the family Leguminosae at Lope. Alternatively, seed-eating may be a strategy for competing with sympatric primate species. This is the first time grey-cheeked mangabeys have been studied in areas where they coexist with both gorillas and chimpanzees, which at Lope, both have a large proportion of succulent fruits in their diets. For more than half of the time mangabeys spent eating seeds, the seeds were taken from immature fruit. Mangabeys, therefore, may be eating unripe seeds as a form of exploitation competition. The overall home range size of the main group (18-23 members) was 225 ha, and a second group (18-20 members) had an estimated home range size of 156 ha. Use of different habitats was shown to be related to the availability in time (as assessed by phenological monitoring), and in space (as determined from strip sampling two 1 ha plots in two habitat types: savanna-edge and river-edge forests) of certain plant species. Comparisons with grey-cheeked mangabeys studied in Uganda revealed that home range size varied from about 10% to 200% of the size of those at Lope. Mangabeys spent an average of 80% of the time in association with at least one other primate species. Benefits of the associations are thought to be biased towards the Cercopithecus spp. since they followed mangabeys, but rarely vice versa. These species may benefit from decreased predation rates due to the mangabey's larger body and group size, and because mangabeys more actively defend against predators. Forests at Lope are highly seasonal, with periods of relative fruit scarcity in the long dry season. During this period, mangabeys spent a greater proportion of time feeding, their diet was less diverse consisting almost entirely of seeds, and mangabeys were observed in polyspecific associations less, than during the long rain season when fruit was relatively more abundant. The great variation in behaviour and ecology between the present study, and studies of grey-cheeked mangabeys in Uganda, highlights the ecological flexibility of this species, and emphasises the importance of both forest composition and primate community structure in shaping behaviour.

The aim of this study was to determine the predictors of excess weight gain among children participating in the Kahnawake Schools Diabetes Prevention Project (KSDPP). Study objectives were addressed in a secondary analysis of data collected from 1994 to 2004. Mean BMI percentiles and relative weight values increased over time in repeat cross-sectional analyses. Participants followed longitudinally were split into two groups: (1) children gaining weight at ≤ the median value of weight for their age, sex and height (n=86); (2) children gaining > the median value (n=177). Therefore, two-thirds of the participants were gaining weight greater than the norm. Among boys only, those in the higher weight group were heavier for their age, sex and height at the start of their follow-up period. No significant differences were observed in reported dietary intake, physical activity levels or screen time between children in the two weight gain groups.

Kashechewan, a flood-prone remote First Nation in northern Ontario, is the focus of this thesis. It is an exploration into the factors that have contributed to the community’s decline and current state. By looking at how these factors influence built form, the principles, possibilities, and concepts that are latent within it are used to re-establish ways in which the people can view, value, and act upon the land to create lasting change. The discussion has larger implications about how we, as Canadians, live with the land and built forms, and react to one another both as a collective, and as individuals. It is an attempt to dissolve the distinction between ‘aboriginal’ and ‘colonizer’ to open up greater design possibilities. Composed as a series of explorations into the physical and spiritual form of the community, this thesis weaves together three parts of its larger story connected with the thread of narrative poem. Part I opens a discourse that considers the impact of the system and establishment of Aboriginal Reserves on the community. Part II explores the notion of remoteness alongside methods of movement and transportation of people and materials. Part III engages the ephemeral, discussing memory and the meaning of transient moments. Stemming from these streams of exploration, three individual designs are proposed. The first explores flood-resilient architecture as a sensitive response to the river and engages the future expansion of the community beyond the walls of the dike. The second envisions an integration of movement into a centralized community hub. The third lays out an approach to abandoning the site while preserving its sacred spaces. In each case, the design explores built form as a tool for fusing back together the spirit of the land and the narrative of the people. Through the metaphor of flooding as a conversation between the light and the dark, this thesis looks at the history of abuse between aboriginal and colonizer, and the current abuse of substance and soul from which an architectural premise moves forward. The thesis attempts to embrace the complexity and difficulty of designing with such inherent obstacles to overcome by taking inspiration from the simple and sublime beauty of the place and distilling it into built form.