This thesis has been conducted for the Luleå University of Technology (LTU), Sweden as part of an inter-university collaboration between LTU and the Montanuniversität Leoben (MUL), Austria.   The project has included three master thesis works, all investigating some aspects of the effects of jointing on fragmentation through small scale tests.   The topic of this thesis has been to develop a method for representing/introducing artificial joint planes into concrete blocks and subsequently manufacture a number of specimens with different joint sets for testing, using block dimensions previously used at MUL. The method for manufacturing the jointed test specimens, developed by the author at LTU, has been evaluated through blasting and fragmentation analysis. Comparison of the different produced joint sets has been done to assess the influence of jointing on fragmentation.   A total of 10 magnetic concrete blocks were produced and evaluated. The 10 blocks had an average density of 2485 ± 41 kg/m3 (mean ± standard deviation). Eight of the 10 blocks contained joint sets (JS) with different characteristics, while two blocks were un-jointed reference blocks. A total of four different joint sets were developed.   The four joint sets had the following properties; JS1: joint spacing 95 mm, strike/dip equal to 0/90°, JS2: joint spacing 47.5 mm, strike/dip equal to 0/90°, JS3: joint spacing 47.5 mm, strike/dip equal to 60°/90° and JS4: joint spacing 89 mm, strike/dip equal to 0/70°.   The produced joints have proven to behave as desired, i.e. being able to reflect incident waves and to stop some incident cracks.   It has been found that there is a strong indication of jointed blocks producing a finer median fragmentation size (x50) than that of the reference blocks. This means that by introducing joint sets into the test specimens the degree of fragmentation by blasting has been increased. This was predicted by the Kuz-Ram model.   Each of the 28 blasted rows has been sieved and analysed. All the data has been fitted to the three parameter Swebrec function, producing an average coefficient of determination (an R-square value) of 0.9946 ± 0.0064.

In general, small farms have significant social and ecological advantages over industrialized large farms. However, a combination of complex pressures is making it difficult for many small-scale farmers to stay in business – including in Canada, where this thesis is focused. The consequential loss of many small farms results in a general loss of diversity and a decreased flexibility for future options for food procurement for many communities. Creating more and increasingly sustainable options for food procurement is progressively more important in the face of rising food and fuel prices, degradation of ecosystem services, and the increase of extreme climate fluctuations. For these and other reasons, creating social-ecological resilience in small farming systems is key to ensuring more options for long-term food procurement.Permaculture – the design and maintenance of agriculturally productive ecosystems based on the patterns and relationships found in natural ecosystems – has been identified in the literature as a potential tool to build social-ecological resilience in small scale farming systems. This study evaluates permaculture from a resilience perspective, and compares the analysis to permaculture use on three farms in British Columbia (BC). This has been done in order to understand whether or not the practice contributes to the social-ecological resilience of the small farming systems in which it is used, and if so, how.Results imply that permaculture use does in fact increase social-ecological resilience of small farms by encouraging ecological, social and economical diversity – creating buffer zones that allow for flexibility and augmented future options for the farm and also potentially for the community in which the farm operates. It has been shown that the key actors in each case study fundamentally place a strong emphasis on the importance of human and environmental health – while recognizing the need to address the interrelated nature of social and ecological issues. A strong social connection in the local community and connections in the global community are of high importance because of the support provided to actors, and diverse sources of income that are related to the structure of the farm are also shown to be key elements in each case. It would be valuable for continuing study to aim to uncover how permaculture can be used on a larger scale without loosing its social and ecological benefits.

In the marine realm, there has been considerable habitat degradation caused by multiple human disturbances that often act synergistically, strongly affecting fish and invertebrate populations and, consequently, one of the major stakeholders of these resources, fishers. However, the mechanisms underlying how marine habitats support fisheries remain understudied. In this dissertation I examined the importance of fish habitat at global, regional and local scales in two distinct systems (mangrove habitats in the tropics and rockfish habitats in inshore waters of Vancouver Island) combining a suite of different approaches. First, I explored the mangrove-fishery linkage relationship by conducting a global meta-analysis. I found strong evidence supporting the importance of mangrove area to enhance fisheries. This relationship, however, varied across countries, likely based on regional geomorphological settings and fishery management policies. Subsequently, I determined the use of mangrove and adjacent habitats by fish in a tropical lagoon system in the continental Caribbean (Colombia), systems often overlooked in the Caribbean when analyzing mangroves as fish habitat. I collected fish with gillnets at different distances from mangroves and at different sites within the same lagoon system. While fish used mangroves, fish abundance was not higher in these habitats compared to adjacent ones, as predicted. However, diversity tended to be higher in mangroves. Nevertheless, the major driver affecting abundance, diversity and biomass was salinity. That is, diversity and abundance decreased as salinity increased. Next, I used a Local Ecological Knowledge approach to explore the mangrove-fishery linkage relationship because fishers are seldom incorporated into such relationships. By conducting semi-structured interviews I found that fishers fish close to their village and to mangroves, that in addition to fishing they use mangroves for firewood and as construction material. Fishers also agreed that mangroves are important for their fishing activity, as these habitats are critical for fish and crustaceans caught in the system. Finally, I examined the importance of derived benthic parameters for rockfish abundance and distribution at large spatial scales (100s km) in inshore waters of Vancouver Island. I established that higher complexity better explains presence and higher abundance of rockfish. Furthermore, the results provided valuable information for fishery and spatial management and habitat conservation to help recover rockfish populations. All together, these findings highlight the urgency to preserve coastal marine habitats for both juvenile and adult marine organisms to sustain small-scale fisheries as a food source and for traditional purposes. While conserving habitats is a key component of a broader and more complex ecosystem approach that includes overfishing and other anthropogenic pressures, in the absence of a holistic approach the chances of success are minimal. / Graduate / 2019-04-18

Bonefish (Albula spp.) support valuable recreational and artisanal fisheries worldwide. Declining stocks have been reported at multiple localities, potentially jeopardising numerous multimillion-dollar industries. In particular, tourism generated through bonefish fly fishing contributes considerably to the economies of many isolated tropical islands and atolls. However, despite their economic value, little is known about bonefish in the Indian Ocean. This study aimed to contribute to the understanding of bonefish ecology in the Indian Ocean by (1) reviewing the bonefish literature to identify knowledge gaps; (2) evaluating the postrelease survival of acoustically tagged bonefish and; (3) quantifying the spatial and temporal movements of bonefish at a near-pristine and predator rich atoll in the Seychelles. A review of published literature on bonefish indicated that despite considerable biological and ecological research in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, virtually no research has been conducted in the Indian Ocean. To help address this research gap, an acoustic telemetry study was initiated at the remote St. Joseph Atoll, within an existing array of 88 automated datalogging acoustic receivers. Thirty Albula glossodonta were surgically implanted with Vemco V13 acoustic transmitters in May 2015 and tracked for a period of one year. Only 10% of the tagged bonefish were detected for more than two weeks. A comparison of the final 100 hours of movement data from fish that were detected for less than two weeks to fish detected for longer periods revealed distinct differences. These included differences in area use patterns and significant differences in the average daily distance moved, speed of movement and residency index. This suggested that mortality in the form of post-release predation was high (90%) with tagged fish detected for less than two weeks being preyed upon by sharks. The three surviving bonefish were tracked for 210 to 367 days. These individuals remained in the atoll and showed high use of the marginal habitats between the shallow sand flats and the deeper lagoon. Water temperature, diel cycle and tide were significant predictors of bonefish presence in the lagoon. The high post-release predation of bonefish has implications for the management of this and other Albula species. Despite these fisheries being catch-and-release, bonefish fishing may be unsustainable due to the high post-release mortality, particularly in areas that are rich in predators. Therefore, protected areas or limitations on fishing effort need to be considered.

Magister Artium (Development Studies) - MA(DVS) / Climate Change (CC) is arguably the most pressing topic of our modern society. The acceleration in magnitude and frequency of climate variability associated with it, along with the overall change of climate patterns threatens to push their adaptive capacity to breaking point, hinting at the significant impact that CC will have on the livelihoods of small-scale farmers of the developing world, and on South Africa in particular. This research project aims to investigate how local knowledge and agriculture-based coping practices of small-scale farmers of the Ebenhaeser community are adapted to deal with and attempt to reduce the vulnerability of their livelihood strategies to CC. This illustrative study followed a qualitative methodology, using qualitative data collection (in-depth and semistructured interviews, as well as special focus group discussions) and analysis (thematic ordering) methods to fulfil its aim. This study revealed that local farmers were able to identify changes in climate which were hazardous to their livelihoods and that they have been developing coping practices in response the CC. Furthermore, this analysis showed that local small-scale farmers used their local body of knowledge as a basis for the development of these coping practices, and that this local knowledge base itself has been affected by CC. An important finding of this study was the extent to which local social, historic, economic, political and physical conditions influence the sensitivity and adaptive capacity of the smallscale farmers of the Ebenhaeser community. The findings of this study opened our eyes to the realities of CC and its impacts on and adaptation efforts of small-scale farmers of the Ebenhaeser community. The study show ed that unless these issues are addressed in a comprehensive and holistic manner, there is no real prospect of sustainable, long-term CC adaption solutions for the small-scale farmers of this area, and conceivably none for many more rural communities in South Africa.

This dissertation examines the role of donor-funded international projects to reduce mercury pollution from artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASM). ASM is the second largest source of anthropogenic global mercury pollution, accounting for roughly 1000tonnes of atmospheric emissions and releases to the environment per annum. The artisanal mining economy involves 10-15 million people across the developing world, and supports 80-100 million people directly and indirectly. In 2003 the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Program reached consensus that there is sufficient scientific evidence to trigger an international response to global mercury pollution, including the pollution generated by ASM. Yet thus far most international interventions have concentrated on environmental monitoring and assessment, while virtually no efforts have focused on implementing solutions. The aim of this dissertation is to move global mercury policy for ASM past its emphasis on assessments. It does this by developing a philosophical and strategic policy framework to guide future interventions by international institutions. A brief history of global mercury policy is provided, illustrating how ASM has been neglected and examining divisions between ecocentric and technocentric theories of environmental intervention. The relationship between ASM and poverty is examined, reaching the conclusion that because artisanal gold mining is a form of upward mobility for the world's extreme poor, the idea of reducing mercury pollution by redirecting miners into alternative livelihoods is unrealistic; indeed gold itself is the alternative livelihood. Using case studies collected in the field, the issue of conflict over property rights between artisanal miners and large-scale mining companies is explored, and a risk mitigation framework presented to assist companies to coexist with artisanal miners. Finally, a new approach to international intervention is proposed based on three interdependent principles of formalization, capitalization, and education. A plan is developed for directing more expertise and financial resources to the field, and more effectively meeting the needs of miners. Specific recommendations include a rapid assessment methodology to select project sites, and improving operational linkages among public and private institutions. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Mining Engineering, Keevil Institute of / Graduate

Crossing the Cartography of Exile explores ideas of territoriality, hybrid identity and transculturation. The thesis and exhibition is the result of two years of Practice-Led Research, which is the performative research methodology, carried in the La Chapelle Woodshop of the 100 Laurier Avenue East Building of the Department of Visual Arts. The building was the former Juniorat du Sacré-Coeur of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate built in 1893-94. The Woodshop is the former chapel of the seminary therefore has references to a place of prayer and worship and for my praxis became a place to re-enact the ancient trade of Joseph the Carpenter. The La Chapelle Shipyard inside the woodshop as mnemonic site became a performative site-specific platform specialized in creating small-scale sculptures with recycled and repourposed shipping pallets and a place in which to connect memory with the ancient trade of a shipwright or shipbuilder. Small-scale sculpture then became a symbolic marker for the intimacy of a personal and free territory made of repurposed shipping pallets. Therefore, by working with recycled changeable materials I fashioned a poetic visual language to enchant the wound of exile.

The fishing industry provides direct and indirect livelihoods for over 140 000 people in South Africa and the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has identified 150 fishing communities. Industrial boats employ some 200 people for every 1 000 tons of fish caught, while small-scale fishing methods employ some 2 400 people for the same amount of fish. There are various means of managing the fishing industry, which operates in a common-pool resource. Small-scale fishers, however, live in poverty. The way in which the fishing industry is currently being managed, through the individual transferable quota system, has led to further problems for the small-scale fishers and the communities in which they live. The aim of the study is provide a solution to the question of the best way to manage the fishing industry, for the benefit of small-scale fishers, while also ensuring sustainability in the fishing industry. The research will investigate three research questions, through literature review and data gathered from interviews with small-scale fishers. The research questions will investigate whether it is economically viable for small-scale fishers to continue to fish, whether small-scale fishers want to have a self-management system and what would be the best institutional model to manage the common-pool resource. The research findings have found that there is not one best way to manage the common-pool resource. For communities to manage the common-pool resource themselves, it is critically important that trust exists in the communities. The research has furthermore confirmed recent literature that the individual transferable quota system can lead in many instances to social problems in a community / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / zkgibs2015 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / Unrestricted

Simarouba glauca, a non-edible oilseed crop native to South Florida, is gaining popularity as a feedstock for the production of biodiesel. The University of Agriculture Sciences in Bangalore, India has developed a biodiesel production model based on the principles of decentralization, small scales, and multiple fuel sources. Success of such a program depends on conversion efficiencies at multiple stages. The conversion efficiency of the field-level, decentralized production model was compared with the in-laboratory conversion efficiency benchmark. The study indicated that the field-level model conversion efficiency was less than that of the lab-scale set up. The fuel qualities and characteristics of the Simarouba glauca biodiesel were tested and found to be the standards required for fuel designation. However, this research suggests that for Simarouba glauca to be widely accepted as a biodiesel feedstock further investigation is still required.

Thesis (M. Dev.) -- University of Limpopo, 2016. / The management of projects has gained an increasing impetus amongst researchers throughout the world in the last decade. Most of the research projects have focused on which extent can lack of resources affect the implementation of projects in developing countries. Little has been said about the relationship between lack of corporate governance and the management of projects for small scale sugar cane farmers. In this study, the researcher focused on the effects of project management on poverty alleviation and sustainable livelihoods. The study used a mixed method research design which equally employed case study and descriptive approaches. From the quantitative perspective, structured questionnaires were administered, while in the qualitative approach semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data. Results indicated that the success of projects aimed at poverty alleviation and sustainable livelihoods is dependent on the successful implementation of project management skills. The research amongst others recommend that training and financial support be prioritised for the community projects to achieve their intended objectives.