Compared to extensive study in the northern hemisphere, very little is known of southern African palaeoclimates. This study aimed to extend understanding of the nature of and controls on southern African palaeoclimates of the last 40 000 years. Through a study of the approximately 20 000 year long Makapansgat and Wonderkrater palaeoclimatic records, and an extensive literature review of southern African palaeoclimatic studies, a number of common rainfall and temperature fluctuations were detected across the summer rainfall region. Based on these trends, general models of rainfall and temperature changes over time were developed for the region. The analysis of a coral core, derived from a Porites lutea head from Sodwana Bay, covering the last 116 years, indicated higher frequency climatic fluctuations over the last century. Climatic variability on the long- and short-term could then be related to known atmospheric processes through application of the Tyson (1986) model for southern Africa atmospheric circulation. North-south shifts in mean circulation dominate climatic variability in the region but there are also regular disturbances to this mean, such as in the form of the EI Nino - Southern Oscillation. The fluctuations seen in present and palaeoclimatic records are the result of a complex interaction between internal and external mechanisms of climate change. Wavelet analyses of recorded and proxy climatic datasets highlighted the cycles which dominate southern African climatic variability on timescales from years to millennia. The causes of these cycles were then assessed in the context of established solar, atmospheric and oceanic models. Wavelet analyses also provided an indication of frequency changes over time and were therefore useful for detecting climate change. An analysis of proxy and recorded climatic datasets for southern African rainfall over the last 100 years indicated a frequency modulation of the 18 year rainfall cycle, which was first described by Tyson (1971). This variation may be related to anthropogenic climate change. It became apparent from this study that there is a need for increased scientific interest in the palaeoclimatic trends of the region. The number of continuous, high-resolution datasets needs to be increased to allow for comparison and confirmation of various trends with records from sites across the globe. An understanding of the nature of regional and global teleconnections is essential before reliable climate change models can be established. There is also a need for further understanding of short-term southern African climate variability on inter-annual timescales.It is only once we have an understanding of the natural climatic variability of the region ,and its inherent cyclicity,that we can begin to distinguish the impact of anthropogenic activities on climate. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2005.

Urbanisation, a process occurring at an excessive rate per annum, has implications for the natural environment that are vast and varied. One of the most significant is the effect on natural habitats, shaped by habitat destruction and modification. The simplification of ecosystems, homogenisation of landscapes and influence on keystone species are a few impacts on indigenous fauna existing in these habitats. Some species are unable to withstand external disturbances, while other species are more adaptable, and often thrive in these modified, and now optimal, environments. Increasingly, provisions are made to accommodate nature in an urbanising world with tools like Impact Assessments and Opens Space Systems. These procedures however, do little to specifically protect indigenous fauna, progressively categorised as "problem animals" or vermin, like monkeys, which often bear the brunt of attacks by humans who see them as a nuisance and a threat to their well-being. The study therefore aimed to "Assess the nature and extent of the monkey problem in the former Westville Borough", a suburb in the city of Durban, South Africa. Questionnaires administered to residents and interviews done with stakeholders documented their views on the "monkey problem," and the effectiveness of proposed solutions in alleviating these problems. Using orthographic photographs, illustrating land-use change, the rate and nature of habitat destruction experienced in the former Westville Borough between 1974 and 2001 was assessed. Records of injuries to monkeys held by the Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW), along with letters of complaint regarding monkeys in local newspapers, were collected to assess the nature and frequency of the problem. Resident's opinions implied that the threat of Vervet Monkeys was more perceived then real. Eighty three percent thought monkeys were not a threat to humans. Education and awareness campaigns were thought to be successful in alleviating the problem by 86% of residents and 100% of interviewees. Residents believed that "everyone" should be responsible for the problem while interviewees were divided in opinion but placed most responsibility on local government. An assessment of land-use changed showed a decrease of over 15% in open space provision over a twenty six year period. CROW records showed that the majority of monkey injuries were due to assault or shooting and most often to males between the months of April and July. Conclusions based on the findings of the study emphasise the need for stronger legislation specifically for Vervets and detailed guidelines on both management of and responsibility for the monkeys, with less shifting of blame by stakeholders and authorities. The implementation of education and awareness programs were also advocated, to educate the public on the problem and their role in protecting one of Africa's most valuable assets. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2005.

Wetlands have long been recognised as enhancing the quality of inflowing waters, particularly regarding the plant macronutrients nitrogen and phosphorus. Any research into non-limiting solutes has largely been of a 'black box' nature, with no insights into mechanism of retention presented. Research in the Okavango Delta, Botswana and preliminary work in the uMkhuze Wetland System, South Africa has identified retention of large amounts of non-limiting solutes within these wetland systems. Chemical sedimentation in the Okavango accounts for 360 000 tonnes per year, while a rough mass balance in the uMkhuze Wetland System suggested retention on a scale of 16 000 tonnes per year. The Yengweni and Totweni Drainage Lines are north-south oriented systems that, together with the uMkhuze River floodplain, were selected to investigate chemical retention in the uMkhuze Wetland System. These drainage lines were once tributaries of the uMkhuze River that have been dammed at their southern ends by alluvial deposition on the uMkhuze River floodplain to form tributary valley lakes. Considering seasonal variations in groundwater levels in combination with conductivity, sites of solute concentration were revealed in the groundwater. The use of chloride as a concentration tracer has indicated that solutes are progressively depleted in the groundwater under the influence of a concentration mechanism, with silicate minerals and calcite attaining saturation. Groundwater chemistry and hydrological factors have highlighted the southern Yengweni and floodplain regions as active sites of solute concentration. In these areas, groundwater elevations are variable, which is mirrored by variation in groundwater chemistry. Although elevated solute concentrations do occur elsewhere, the seasonal variation is less marked. The search for solute sinks in the uMkhuze Wetland System also considered the sediment of the wetland system as a possible sink. Elevated solute concentrations in the groundwater could be linked to the accumulation of minerals in the soil, suggesting precipitation of minerals by saturation under a concentration process. In tho southern Yengweni and floodplain regions, concentrated groundwater bodies were linked to high concentrations of minerals in the soil, including neoformed montmorillonite, and calcite deposits. Other sites of chemical concentration in the groundwater in the northern Yengweni and Totweni Drainage Lines have produced little modification of the reworked marine sands on which the wetland is founded. Processes in the southern Yengweni and floodplain regions are clearly more efficient in removing solutes from the wetland surface water and immobilising them in the soil of the drainage line than is happening in the Totweni and northern Yengweni regions. Transpiration by vegetation seems to be the major factor driving chemical sedimentation in this subtropical system, and as such vegetation in this wetland system is not the passive factor it is often assumed to be. The vegetation of the wetland is itself initiating and perpetuating the retention of chemicals in the system. Hierarchical patch dynamics in combination with the theory of thresholds, derived from geomorphology, is useful for placing chemical sedimentation in wetlands into a spatiotemporal framework that increases understanding of the process, and allows identification of sites where chemical sedimentation is likely to occur in wetlands. There are a number of thresholds that define chemical sedimentation driven by evapotranspiration in the uMkhuze Wetland System, which may be considered at increasing spatiotemporal scales from the microscale of seconds within a limited section of the groundwater, to the macroscale thousands of years at the landscape scale of the wetland system. With increasing scale, the effects of the transformations at each hierarchical level have corresponding increasing influence on the structure and function of the wetland system. The initial threshold is surpassed once concentration products of evapotranspiration are retained to some degree within the wetland system, due to increased residence times of groundwater on modification of the hydrological regime from discharge to recharge. Increased residence times allow the products of seasonal concentration to persist beyond the timescale of seasons. The second threshold is the saturation and precipitation of mineral phases that accumulate within the soil profile. With sufficient accumulation of chemical sediments, the physical properties of the sediment are modified, which reduces the velocity of water flow in the soil (Threshold 3). This has implications for hydrological flows between the surface water and groundwater systems. Threshold 4 is attained once the sediment is modified to such a degree that the chemical sediments act as an aquitard, such that surface water and groundwater may be effectively separated. Extrinsic factors influencing the process of chemical sedimentation, such as the atmospheric water demand, chemical composition and volume of inflowing waters, as well as the nature and density of vegetation, may indicate the potential of a system to sequester chemical sediments but cannot predict their occurrence completely, except maybe at the extremes of semi-arid and arid systems. It is the local and intrinsic factors of hydrological flows, their chemical composition and nature of clastic sediments that will govern residence times of water in the system, and therefore the location, nature and extent of chemical sedimentation. Furthermore, chemical sedimentation driven by evapotranspiration is not limited by sediment type as are adsorption and complexation reactions, which are dependent on the availability of active sites, nor by chemical composition of inflowing waters as this factor simply dictates the suite of minerals produced. Therefore, chemical sedimentation in wetlands is expected in a wide range of settings from temperate to arid, with varied substrates and hydrological regimes. The large-scale removal and retention of solutes within wetland soil has system-wide implications for wetland structure and functioning. The ramifications of chemical evolution of the groundwater and soil extend from influencing the distribution of plants and animals, to geomorphological implications of accumulating chemical sediments, as well as off-site effects including water quality enhancement of water available to downstream systems and users. An understanding of the process of chemical sedimentation in wetlands may inform good management to protect this vital function of wetlands, particularly with increasing development and industrialisation pressures in many areas. Extensive chemical sedimentation has been discovered in both the Okavango Delta, Botswana by Ellery, McCarthy and colleagues and through this study in the uMkhuze Wetland System, with the proposed driving force being transpiration. Vegetation induced chemical sedimentation is a hitherto unknown, although seemingly important component, of chemical processing in tropical and subtropical wetlands, and under certain conditions, even in temperate wetlands. This insight into chemical transformations in wetland systems adds a further dimension to the accepted model of chemical cycling. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2008.

Marine tourism is an expanding segment of both international and domestic tourism in KwaZulu-Natal and can be of valuable contribution to the national and local economy, but there are also concern s about its sustainability. Two of the most popular marine activities in KwaZulu-Natal are diving and recreational fishing. However, these two different user groups can also create conflicts as they have very different user practices in relation to the same marine area and its resources. While certain marine regions along the coast have been declared marine protected areas with site specific management plans, other popular marine areas remain almost unmanaged. Shelly Beach on the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal is the most popular boat launching site on the Natal coastline with both divers and recreational fishermen visiting a fossilised sand dune reef called Protea Banks which is situated 7 to 8 km off-shore from Shelly Beach. The reef is famous for its abundance of fish as the attraction for fishermen and big sharks attracting divers. A controversial topic in association with Protea Banks is its shark population. The divers are concerned that the number of sharks is decreasing, while the fishermen are concerned about there being too many sharks eating their hooked fish before they can boat their catch. This study looks at marine tourism and sharks using Protea Banks as a case study for marine tourism and management. The focus is on stakeholders' and different marine user groups' opinions on management, marine resource protection and user conflict. The issue of sharks and sustainability in association with both diving and recreational fishing is also investigated. The study shows that the stakeholders have developed a system of self-regulation based on the experience gained from their utilisation of Protea Banks. The stakeholders prefer to maintain this system rath er than the authorities declaring the area a marine protected area or in other ways further involve the authorities. The various stakeholders express different but specific environmental concerns including carrying capaci ty, seasonality and unsustainable pressure during the peak tourist season, shark and fish management, and lack of enforcement of regulations. The study concludes with recommendations toward s a site specific management plan for Protea Banks. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2005.

The South African Sugarcane production is one of the world’s leading sugarcane (Saccharum spp. Hybrid) producers. However, in recent years Eldana saccharina Walker has been the most destructive pest in South African sugarcane production, causing great crop loses per annum and is the most important factor limiting sugarcane productivity. The pest has been monitored using a traditional visual approach whereby a representative sample of stalks is taken from a field and split longitudinally to assess damage and count the number of E. saccharina larvae and pupae. However, this approach is time-consuming, labour intensive and sometimes biased as only easily accessible areas are often surveyed. In order to investigate a more economical but equally effective survey methodology, this study aimed to determine the potential of using hyperspectral remote sensing (spectroradiometry) for identifying sugarcane attacked by E. saccharina. A hand-held spectroradiometer ASD Field Spec® 3 was used to collect leaf spectral measurements of sugarcane plants from a potted-plant trial taking place under shade house conditions at the South African Sugarcane Research Institute (SASRI). In this trial, nitrogen (N) and silicon (Si) fertilizers were applied at known levels to sugarcane varieties. Varieties were either resistant or intermediate resistant or susceptible to E. saccharina attack. In addition, watering regimes and artificial infestation of E. saccharina were carefully controlled. Results illustrated that severe E. saccharina infestation increased spectral reflectance throughout the whole spectrum range (400 – 2500 nm) and caused a red-edge shift to the shorter wavelength. Eldana saccharina stalk damage was also linearly related to modified normalized difference vegetation index (mNDVI) using R2025 and R2200 (R2 = 0.69). It was concluded that hyperspectral data has a potential for use in monitoring E. saccharina in sugarcane rapidly and non-destructively under controlled conditions. A followup study is recommended in field conditions and using airborne and/or spaceborne hyperspectral sensors. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2009.

Geohelminthiasis is a serious problem in city slums and despite being easily treatable in the short term, its elimination enjoys a low priority by parents, teachers and public health authorities. This is partly due to the greater emphasis given to the AIDS and TB programmes. This study of the prevalence, intensity, and reinfection rates of single and multiple geohelminth (Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and Necator americanus) infections in young children living in slums (informal settlements) in the Durban Unicity is a first for an African city and one of few similar studies anywhere in the world. The geohelminth status was assessed by means of a baseline survey of ten different slums, followed by two further surveys, one after 4Y:z - 6 months and another after 12 months. Infections were measured by microscopic examination of faeces before and after chemotherapy, and risk factors within and between slums were identified by means of a quantifiable questionnaire. The study showed that: 1. The slums have a high endemicity and transmission rate of geohelminth infections. 2. The sub-tropical climate and environment ensured a high survival rate of infective stages. 3. A. lumbricoides had a high prevalence and intensity, followed by T. trichiura with a moderately high prevalence and light intensity. A small proportion of children had intensities of these helminths an order of magnitude higher than previously recorded from rural areas of South Africa. N americanus had a very low prevalence and a very light intensity. 4. Egg output from follow-up 1 to follow-up 2 increased 4.6 fold for A. lumbricoides and 9.4 fold for T. trichiura. 5. Albendazole proved to be a very effective drug against A. lumbricoides and N americanus but not as effective against T. trichiura. 6. The infection and reinfection rates of A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura proved to be influenced by different risk factors. 7. The most important risk factors included topographical position of the slum, quality of the dwelling, number of inhabitants, geophagy and source of fruit and vegetables. II Whereas the ideal solution to the geohelminth problem in the slums would be to upgrade the slum and its inhabitants, this is not an immediately viable option. The challenge of geohelminth control in these slums must be to determine the degree of environmental contamination by human faeces containing infective eggs, to ascertain the survival rate of the eggs and larvae and to implement a control programme together with suitable education of the inhabitants. The Parasite Control Programme should take into consideration that many slum-dwelling children do not go to school and need to be treated at home. A further factor that will have to be taken into account is that lack of influx control to urban areas will mean the continual reinfection of slum-dwellers by the movement from the rural areas. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2001.

The coastal forests of Kenya represent a rare and threatened forest type which has over 3,000 plant taxa, of which about 500 are endemic. The patches which comprise this forest type include sacred forests, the kayas, that are rich in biodiversity. The aim of the study report was to investigate the phytosociological relationships in two selected kayas, Mtswakara and Fungo, and the plant utilisation by the people of the Duruma and Giriama tribes who live around these forests. The vegetation was sampled using the phytosociological approach developed by Braun-Blanquet. In kaya Mtswakara 51 relevés of 0.2 ha. were sampled and a total of 317 species from 191 genera in 79 families were recorded, representing 48 tree species, 134 shrubs, 82 herbs, 45 climbers, and 8 epiphytes. In kaya Fungo, 280 species from 213 genera in 74 families, representing 35 tree species, 125 shrubs, 73 herbs, 43 climbers, and 3 epiphytes, were recorded in 54 relevés. TWINSPAN classification of the data indicated the existence of four plant communities and six sub-communities in kaya Mtswakara; and three plant communities, four sub-communities, three stages, three sub-stages and one undetermined vegetation type in kaya Fungo. The phytosociological results indicated that diagnostic species for plant communities are not necessarily the dominant tree species; and interactions of edaphic factors, plant resource extraction, fire and grazing influenced the formation and distribution of vegetation types. The human populations living around the forests depend upon and utilise plant species found in the kayas to meet some of their basic domestic needs and cultural requirements. But, unlike in the past, the council of kaya elders (ngambi) cannot address all the forest management problems, due to factors such as increased disrespect of cultural traditions in the communities, increasing demands of forest plant resources due to population increase, conflicts between local faction groups claiming legitimacy in kaya management and socio-political changes. Surveys conducted in the local markets showed that although forest plants formed a small percentage of the building poles traded, the firewood trade was considerable. In addition to the regular market trade, there is a 'house-to-house' trade conducted by some community members who sell poles, timber planks and firewood which probably had been collected from the kayas. Although a considerable amount of pole resource wais available in the kayas the observed vegetation degeneration through plant resource extraction, fire, and grazing, was likely to be at a faster rate compared to the natural regenerative ability of the forests, thus threatening the existence of these kayas forests. The immediate challenges facing kaya conservation, therefore, include re-empowering the cultural management systems, and the provision of short-term and long-term alternatives for the forest plant resources in the face of increasing demand for the resources and social change. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2000. / People and Plants (UNESCO)

Stratospheric ozone plays an important role in absorbing ultraviolet radiation. The well-known depletion of the ozone layer has raised several concerns in terms of an expected increase in surface ultraviolet radiation. South Africa, situated in the southern mid-latitude regions, has experienced a general downward trend in total column ozone since 1979, As a result of this negative trend in total column ozone, the ultraviolet flux at the earth's surface is expected to increase. Excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation is known to have acute and chronic effects on human health, including erythema and skin cancer. Numerous studies have acknowledged a relationship between childhood ultraviolet radiation exposure and the risk of contracting skin cancer, namely malignant melanoma, during adulthood. The aim of this study is to investigate the ultraviolet radiation dose and exposure of children and adolescents in Durban, South Africa. Polysulphone film badges were used to quantify the daily erythemal ultraviolet radiation dose of 30 individuals of varying ages and skin types, engaged in different activities, over a one-week period during summer. The results highlight the diversity of childrens' and adolescents' behavioural patterns, with behaviour being found to play an important role in determining an individual's ultraviolet radiation dose. The mean daily erythemal ultraviolet radiation dose of the children and adolescents was 1.03 MED units with a median of 0.57 MED units and a 95% range of 0.22 - 7.22 MED units. The most striking finding was that the median value was below the critical value of 1 MED unit. An explanation for the unexpectedly low erythemal ultraviolet radiation doses recorded in this study was sought in the prevailing climatic conditions. Ambient erythemal ultraviolet radiation levels recorded during the study period were high, ranging between 20.57 - 30.60 MED units. However, high temperatures (>27°C), coupled with high humidity values, may have encouraged the children and adolescents to avoid direct sunlight and find shade while outdoors. The daily erythemal ultraviolet radiation doses of the children and adolescents were also compared to the ambient erythemal ultraviolet radiation levels received on a horizontal surface by a YES UVB-l pyranometer located at the University of Natal (Durban). Children and adolescents in Durban received approximately 4.58% of the total daily ambient erythemal ultraviolet radiation incident upon a horizontal surface. This was found to be similar to a study (5 - 6%) conducted by Diffey et al. (1996) in England, as well as a study (4 - 8%) by Gies et al. (1998) in Brisbane, Australia. The personal ultraviolet radiation exposure journals of the children and adolescents were used to determine the timing of exposures, duration of exposures and nature of outdoor activities and these were then related to their daily ultraviolet radiation doses. Of all the factors considered, the nature of an individual's activity was found to have the strongest influence in determining their ultraviolet radiation dose. An activity model was derived in order to investigate the effect of activity on ultraviolet radiation dose, where three activity factors, namely swimming, walking and tennis, were calculated for a South African context and compared with those from previous international studies. It was found that the activity factors derived in this study were similar to Holman et al. (1983) and Herlihy et al. (1994) and may be used in an activity model to estimate individual erythemal ultraviolet radiation dose for a particular activity. The value of this innovative activity model lies in its ability to predict individual ultraviolet radiation dose and this may help to emphasise the importance of responsible outdoor behaviour. A mannequin was used to quantify the anatomical distribution of erythemal ultraviolet radiation under clear sky and overcast conditions. It was found that the vertex of the head and shoulders received the highest erythemal ultraviolet radiation doses under both conditions. This was then related to the erythemal ultraviolet radiation doses of the children and adolescents as recorded by the polysulphone film badges in order to identify anatomic sites susceptible to high erythemal ultraviolet radiation doses. Behaviour alternatives and ultraviolet radiation protective mechanisms were discussed and recommendations made for children and adolescents residing in Durban. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2002.

The aim of this dissertation is to examine the integration of social issues into the Development Planning Process through environmental assessment procedures. A Case Study of Petrol Filling Stations (PFS) was examined in order to assess the level of integration of the social environment into the development planning process. It is often the case that developments, especially large developments, are conceptualized at a scale that marginalises the needs of local communities. The indirect cost and benefits of these developments on the community is not adequately researched prior to the implementation of these developments. Local concerns from the social environment are often marginalized in the decision making process. The literature in the study indicates that public involvement is often seen as anti-development, reflecting self-interest and being typical of the NIMBY (Not in my backyard) Syndrome. This dissertation comprises two main parts. The first part provides the theory and methodology employed by the researcher to gather data to explore the topic. International and national literature is analysed in relation to the Development Planning Process, Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and its evolution, Public Participation, The NIMBY Syndrome, Social Impact Assessments (SIA) and relevant case studies are explored. The second part of this research analyses in detail the case study in relation to the development planning process and the EIA process. The intention of the analysis of the case studies was to establish at exactly what point the social environment is included in the development planning process and EIA process. The intention was to further establish if the process and its practice is adequate in ensuring the assessment and inclusion of the social environment into the decision making process. The second part of this research also analyses the interviews that were undertaken in order to assess how practitioners consider and include the social environment into the decision making process. The research confirms that in this particular instance the social environment was not adequately included early enough in the decision making process. Often social concerns are considered by developers to be a mechanism to delay development and are viewed as a “stumbling block” to development. However, the recognition of social issues and good public participation have been recognized as an important factor in ensuring quick decision-making and successful implementation of projects. Social screening is critical at the outset, prior to a development application being lodged with the relevant approval authority. Developers have recognized the importance of SIA and thorough public involvement in projects. Social screening can be used as a tool outside of, or prior to, the formal Development Planning and EIA application processes. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2010.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is one of the most used tools for environmental management since its introduction in 1970s in the United States of America. Being a systematic process that examines the environmental consequences of development actions in advance, it is perceived as one of the tools which can help different nations to achieve sustainable development because of its capabilities to provide necessary information for decision-makers in order to balance economical, social and ecological paradigms of sustainable development in development projects. This research aims to assess the practice of the EIA processes in Rwanda and specifically seeks to identify the major challenges faced by environmental officers in this process. Given the nature of this research, policy review and desktop research methods have been used to study the current EIA procedures in Rwanda while a quantitative survey method was used to collect data and assess the practices of EIA process as well as the challenges faced by environmental officers in Rwanda. All environmental officers (8) who were dealing with EIA in Rwanda before the transfer of the EIA department to the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and all consultant companies which have been approved and which have at least done an EIA study in Rwanda (19) were targeted and received questionnaires via emails. All the environmental officers and 12 (63%) of the consultants responded to the questionnaire. The data was captured in the Software Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) template after being coded and has been analysed thematically. The policy review reveals that the current procedures are being developed given that the EIA process started in 2005. Like many developing countries, implementation remains a key challenge. Institutional arrangements remain to be finalised. In terms of the survey findings, even if EIA officers are more experienced than EIA consultants both have some skill gaps including using Geographical Information System (GIS) and remote sensing, understanding project management and customer care skills. Additionally, they receive very little training and capacity-building opportunities, although they desire these. The main challenges identified related to insufficient baseline data, funding, shortage of staff, lack of adequate resources, instilling environmental awareness among developers (developers perceive EIA as a barrier) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) which is not conducted. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2011.