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A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of requirements for the degree of Master of Science. March 2016 / Coastal waterbodies along the east coast of southern Africa evolved from fluvial origins that were slowly drowned by rising sea levels during the Holocene. The accumulation of sediment in these systems is relatively undisturbed, providing ideal sites from which longer term observations of palaeo-climatic variability over most of the Holocene period can be made. Lake St. Lucia, on the north coast of KwaZulu- Natal, is the largest estuarine lagoon in Africa and is widely regarded as one of the most important shallow water systems globally. Despite the importance of this system, little is currently know about the processes driving the long-term evolution of the lake. This study aimed to reconstruct the hydrological changes associated with the Holocene evolution of Lake St. Lucia using fossil diatoms. Analyses were performed on two sediment cores from the North Lake (15.6 m) and False Bay (15.9 m) basins of Lake St. Lucia. Age models, each based on eight radiocarbon dates, revealed continuous sedimentary records covering ~8300 cal. yr BP. A total of 150 samples were examined resulting in a total of 113 species recorded which were used to infer changes in environmental conditions based on their reported ecological preferences. / GR 2016

Estuarine studies worldwide have shown that sediment disturbance effects on the macrobenthos are reIated to the nature and scale of the disturbance. Decreased species densities, diversity and richness have been found where the substratum and current patterns have been altered either by direct removal or by the creation of channels . Sediment disturbance in the St. Lucia Narrows has occurred through dredging, beam trawling and episodic floods. The Narrows, a meandering tidal channel approximately 21 km long linking the st Lucia Lakes to the sea, were dredged between 1952 and 1971 to provide a greater flow of seawater to the lakes during periods of low lake levels. A canal was cut through land from the Mfolosi River to the Narrows in an attempt to ameliorate hypersaline conditions in the Lakes, but was never commissioned. Beam trawling has formed the basis of a prawn bait fishery since the 1930's. The bait boats trawl on the mudflats over the entire Narrows on a daily basis and often churn the substratum with their propellers. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of dredging, a once-off large scale disturbance, and beam trawling, a frequent small scale disturbance, on the macrobenthos of the Narrows. Studies in 1983 and 1984 showed that the dredged channel was impoverished compared with the adjacent mudflat, and that the Link Canal was devoid of benthos. In 1988 species densities, especially of polychaetes, were found to be lower in areas open to beam trawling than in adjacent closed areas. The dredged channel during the present study was again impoverished compared with the adjacent mudflats. The three most abundant species occurring on the mudflats, the crab Tylodiplax blephariskios, the amphipod Victoriopsia chilkensis and capitellid polychaetes, were recorded at densities an order of magnitude lower in the channel than on the mudflats. The substratum in the channel was generally sandier than the mudflats, and this condition appeared to be maintained by the scouring action of tidal currents. It was calculated that the creation of the dredged channel had reduced the standing benthic biomass in the Narrows by a minimum of approximately 20%. The Link Canal was colonised by the three major mud flat species , but at densities an order of magnitude lower than the mudflats. Beam trawling of experimental sites at monthly and 6-monthly intervals on muddy and sandy substrata in the Narrows between July 1989 and July 1990 did not appear to have a negative effect on the benthos. The coverage of the bait boats was calculated to be comparable to the trawling effort in this study, and suggested that the bait fishery is not having a detrimental effect on the benthos. It was concluded that the macrobenthos in the Narrows represented a pioneering community characteristic of estuaries, either not affected by, or able to recover from small scale and episodic disturbances provided that there was no long term habitat modification. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1992.

Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the academic requirements for the degree of Master of Science. Department of Chemistry University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg April 2017. / The Mkhuze River discharges into the most northern part of Lake St Lucia, via a contemporary bayhead delta. The delta formed in response to sea level rise during the last deglaciation and today exerts great influence on the functioning of Lake St Lucia, one of the largest estuarine systems in Africa and a globally important conservation area. A sediment core (11.5 m) was extracted from the distal end of the delta to examine the geomorphic evolution of the Mkhuze River Delta and links with variations in Holocene sea level and climate. Radiocarbon and optically-stimulated luminescence dating show that the core captured the entire Holocene infill and documents changes in sedimentation over the last ~13.8 kyr. Grain size and high resolution XRF analysis indicates that initiation of the modern delta occurred since ~7200 cal yr BP , when deglacial sea-level rise reached present-day level. Initial Holocene aged sediments are dominated by clay and silt material that was deposited when seawater intruded into Lake St Lucia via a palaeo-river connection to the ocean at Leven Point. The influx of silt and clay material was accompanied by the emergence of an onshore proto-barrier that created a sheltered lagoonal environment and promoted the accumulation of fine fluvial sediment. The presence of discrete, coarse-grained horizons enriched in zircon identifies a period of increased marine palaeostorm activity between 4700 and 2500 cal yr BP. This period is characterised by the presence of discrete shell fragment accumulations and is interpreted to reflect a strongly positive Indian Ocean dipole anomaly, which resulted in warmer sea surface temperatures and an increase in regional cyclone activity and frequency. The upper part of the core is characterized by generally fine silt and is marked by a decrease in sedimentation rate that corresponds to a phase of lateral delta progradation. The last ~1700 cal yr BP years of the record identify with subtle changes in grain size that can be attributed to a strengthening in El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) activity, which is known to be associated with prolonged drought and wind erosion in eastern South Africa. This study highlights the usefulness of coastal geochemical records in identifying environmental changes and related climate signals at a regional scale. / GR2018

No / This article briefly outlines the convergence vs. divergence debate before describing research into the potential impact of national culture on the transfer of ''best practice operations management'' to hotels in St. Lucia. The main focus of the paper is on the findings of fieldwork, which supports the contention that national culture does potentially create a barrier to the successful transposition of approaches developed elsewhere. In the case of St. Lucia high uncertainty avoidance and leanings towards high power distance appeared to hinder the adoption of teamworking, empowerment and communication. In addition, attitude towards time and punctuality also mitigated against the provision of a reliable service as and when required. However, with training and supportive HR practices, the end results achieved by International Chains did demonstrate the value of operating ''people friendly'' policies in line with ''best practice''. This article briefly outlines the convergence vs. divergence debate before describing research into the potential impact of national culture on the transfer of ''best practice operations management'' to hotels in St. Lucia. The main focus of the paper is on the findings of fieldwork, which supports the contention that national culture does potentially create a barrier to the successful transposition of approaches developed elsewhere. In the case of St. Lucia high uncertainty avoidance and leanings towards high power distance appeared to hinder the adoption of teamworking, empowerment and communication. In addition, attitude towards time and punctuality also mitigated against the provision of a reliable service as and when required. However, with training and supportive HR practices, the end results achieved by International Chains did demonstrate the value of operating ''people friendly'' policies in line with ''best practice''.

Sea-level rise is one of the most certain impacts of climate change that will have major long-term implications for tourism in the Caribbean. Sea-level rise will impact coastal tourism through inundation and erosion, damage to tourism infrastructure, (e.g., hotels/resorts, transportation) and also essential coastal resources (e.g., beaches and coral reefs). The study examines the implications of projected scenarios of sea-level rise for tourism in St. Lucia. Using geospatial analysis that integrates elevation data from satellites and digitized locations of tourism properties, transportation infrastructure (airports and cruise ports) and areas that have been zoned for future tourism development, this study identifies tourism assets that would be at risk to permanent inundation from a 1 m sea-level rise, flooding from storm surge associated with a 1/25 year storm event under 1 m sea-level rise, and exacerbated erosion associated with 1 m sea-level rise. The results indicate that while 1 m of sea-level rise would cause permanent inundation at only 4% of the 73 tourism properties assessed (impacting 7% of 4947 of rooms on the island), the additional exposure to storm surge and waves under a 1/25 year storm event would cause flooding damages at 30% of 73 tourism properties impacting 54% of rooms on the island. This study also found that erosion associated with 1 m of sea-level rise would impact 100% of the coastal resorts with inventoried beach assets. The study uses Google Earth and field observations to examine the potential of inland retreat as an adaptation strategy for coastal tourism resorts. Results indicate that 24 of 37 coastal tourism properties assessed would be unable to retreat due to current development or physical barriers, (e.g., water surfaces, protected areas). The study reviewed 16 national policies and planning documents to examine to what extent sea-level rise was considered in tourism planning and development, and found that only two policy documents referred to sea-level rise within the context of tourism. The thesis concludes with a discussion of additional research needs and recommendations for long-term planning and decision-making that are aimed at improving tourism adaptation to climate change and sea-level rise in St. Lucia.

Dry forests of the Caribbean islands are regarded as highly disturbed ecosystems and have been characterized as having a high density of small diameter stems, a lower basal area at maturity and a lower species-richness than continental Neotropical dry forests. However, the emerging view regards these ecosystems as phenologically complex, where taxonomic and structural composition is variable over time and space, due to local hydraulic regimes induced by high topographic and climactic variability and varying forms and intensities of disturbance. The former view is derived from a few studies, the majority of which have been conducted in Puerto Rico and from one data review of small 0.1 ha plots representing 4 sites in the Antilles and 25 sits in the continental Neotropics. Overall, little is known about the less-disturbed dry forest formations of the Antilles. Given the emerging view and lack of research in less-disturbed Antillean dry forests, a case study of dry forest structure and composition on the island of St. Lucia is used to examine heterogeneity in dry forest floristic and structural composition on the topographically, floristically and climactically complex island of St. Lucia. Amongst twenty-two 15 x 15 m widely distributed plots, only 11/64 species/genera were found in >50\% of plots and clustering was observed amongst uncommon species, supporting evidence of floristic heterogeneity. Significant differences between the total basal area of each plot (Kruskal-Wallis test, p <0.05) were observed; each plot differed significantly with at least 2 other plots, 6 differed significantly with 10 or more plots, providing evidence for structural heterogeneity. Comparisons were also made with prior research to question generalizations about Antillean dry forests. Amongst large diameter stems, species richness and stem density was higher in this study, when compared to more-disturbed Antillean dry forests. The most speciose dry forest genus was Zanthoxylum, while four families were found to be equally speciose namely, Myrtaceae, Fabaceae, Rutaceae and Rubiaceae, highlighting inconsistencies with prior generalizations. Species-richness values reported amongst Neotropical dry forests were highly variable amongst similar regions, let alone the continental Neotropics, relative to the Antillean Archipelago. Stem density and basal area in St. Lucia was similar to ranges reported throughout the Neotropics, further supporting evidence for intra-island structural variability. The intra-region heterogeneity observed in Antillean and Neotropical continental dry forests indicates that results from localized plot-based studies of structure and composition, should not be extrapolated to broad geo-political regions.

Dry forests of the Caribbean islands are regarded as highly disturbed ecosystems and have been characterized as having a high density of small diameter stems, a lower basal area at maturity and a lower species-richness than continental Neotropical dry forests. However, the emerging view regards these ecosystems as phenologically complex, where taxonomic and structural composition is variable over time and space, due to local hydraulic regimes induced by high topographic and climactic variability and varying forms and intensities of disturbance. The former view is derived from a few studies, the majority of which have been conducted in Puerto Rico and from one data review of small 0.1 ha plots representing 4 sites in the Antilles and 25 sits in the continental Neotropics. Overall, little is known about the less-disturbed dry forest formations of the Antilles. Given the emerging view and lack of research in less-disturbed Antillean dry forests, a case study of dry forest structure and composition on the island of St. Lucia is used to examine heterogeneity in dry forest floristic and structural composition on the topographically, floristically and climactically complex island of St. Lucia. Amongst twenty-two 15 x 15 m widely distributed plots, only 11/64 species/genera were found in >50\% of plots and clustering was observed amongst uncommon species, supporting evidence of floristic heterogeneity. Significant differences between the total basal area of each plot (Kruskal-Wallis test, p <0.05) were observed; each plot differed significantly with at least 2 other plots, 6 differed significantly with 10 or more plots, providing evidence for structural heterogeneity. Comparisons were also made with prior research to question generalizations about Antillean dry forests. Amongst large diameter stems, species richness and stem density was higher in this study, when compared to more-disturbed Antillean dry forests. The most speciose dry forest genus was Zanthoxylum, while four families were found to be equally speciose namely, Myrtaceae, Fabaceae, Rutaceae and Rubiaceae, highlighting inconsistencies with prior generalizations. Species-richness values reported amongst Neotropical dry forests were highly variable amongst similar regions, let alone the continental Neotropics, relative to the Antillean Archipelago. Stem density and basal area in St. Lucia was similar to ranges reported throughout the Neotropics, further supporting evidence for intra-island structural variability. The intra-region heterogeneity observed in Antillean and Neotropical continental dry forests indicates that results from localized plot-based studies of structure and composition, should not be extrapolated to broad geo-political regions.

A stunning poem that draws the attention of the reading public, Omeros is often regarded as the most famous and most successful of Derek Walcott¡¦s works. In one sense, Omeros is the Greek name for Homer, and Walcott chose it for the title of the poem to show his ambition to be a Caribbean Homer, a poet developing an epic from a West Indian perspective. With the epic form and resonant mythic Greek namesakes, Omeros is built upon Walcott¡¦s innate love for St. Lucia. Structurally, the epic form provides the vast framework he needs to describe the multicultural Creole society. However, after a close reading of the text, we can actually find that it does not follow so much the conventions of a classical tradition, since it is not actually a heroic poem. Unlike the superhuman characters in Homeric epics, the male protagonists in Omeros are common people who endure the suffering of individual in exile and try to put down roots in a place where they think they belong. One famous critic, Robert D. Hamner, reads Omeros as an epic of the dispossessed, one in which each of its protagonists is a castaway in one sense or another. In this respect, the male characters are injured (either spiritually or physically). In contrast, the female characters in Omeros, though few in number, play the important roles of heroines to heal the wounds of the male protagonists and to help them trace their roots. This thesis will, therefore, analyze three female characters in the poem. Chapter 1 will focus on Ma Kilman, a black obeah woman. She embodies the memories of the past as well as the connection between African experience and West Indian culture. Through the practice of obeah, a holistic healing method different from Western diagnosis, she is capable of soothing wounds caused by past sufferings. Chapter 2 will examine Maud Plunkett, a white Irish housewife. She represents the physical link between Ireland and St. Lucia due to their inherent similarities ¡Vboth are being colonized with St. Lucia being divided by race and class, while Ireland is split along religious and class lines. Maud¡¦s existence symbolizes the alienation gap on the island; her death, at the end, bridges the gap and relieves historical traumas. Chapter 3 will deals with Helen, an ebony local woman. Appropriating mythical as well as historical allusions, Walcott gives new voice to this Caribbean Helen. She demonstrates her autonomy to male characters and becomes an unapproachable goddess that they attempt to possess. She reestablishes peace and achieves a new harmony in St. Lucia as a way of cross-cultural healing.

Sea-level rise is one of the most certain impacts of climate change that will have major long-term implications for tourism in the Caribbean. Sea-level rise will impact coastal tourism through inundation and erosion, damage to tourism infrastructure, (e.g., hotels/resorts, transportation) and also essential coastal resources (e.g., beaches and coral reefs). The study examines the implications of projected scenarios of sea-level rise for tourism in St. Lucia. Using geospatial analysis that integrates elevation data from satellites and digitized locations of tourism properties, transportation infrastructure (airports and cruise ports) and areas that have been zoned for future tourism development, this study identifies tourism assets that would be at risk to permanent inundation from a 1 m sea-level rise, flooding from storm surge associated with a 1/25 year storm event under 1 m sea-level rise, and exacerbated erosion associated with 1 m sea-level rise. The results indicate that while 1 m of sea-level rise would cause permanent inundation at only 4% of the 73 tourism properties assessed (impacting 7% of 4947 of rooms on the island), the additional exposure to storm surge and waves under a 1/25 year storm event would cause flooding damages at 30% of 73 tourism properties impacting 54% of rooms on the island. This study also found that erosion associated with 1 m of sea-level rise would impact 100% of the coastal resorts with inventoried beach assets. The study uses Google Earth and field observations to examine the potential of inland retreat as an adaptation strategy for coastal tourism resorts. Results indicate that 24 of 37 coastal tourism properties assessed would be unable to retreat due to current development or physical barriers, (e.g., water surfaces, protected areas). The study reviewed 16 national policies and planning documents to examine to what extent sea-level rise was considered in tourism planning and development, and found that only two policy documents referred to sea-level rise within the context of tourism. The thesis concludes with a discussion of additional research needs and recommendations for long-term planning and decision-making that are aimed at improving tourism adaptation to climate change and sea-level rise in St. Lucia.