Commercial forestry is recognized for both its economic contribution as well as its environmental impact. Of particular concern, is the soil erosion and sedimentation of watercourses associated with forestry plantations. Environmental laws regulate many of the activities of the forestry sector. It is critical that the forestry sector ensure that its operations are compliant with the legal requirements that govern its use of natural resources. In pursuing legal compliance it is necessary to ensure that erosion control strategies are developed so as to ensure the positive effects of any interventions are optimised. The identification of areas that are particularly at risk to erosion or contribute to sediment delivery is an essential component in prioritising areas for management interventions. Establishing the erosion potential for commercial forestry areas is readily accomplished through the application of existing models. Process based erosion models generally have greater data requirements than the empirically derived USLE-based models. Given the paucity of data available, the latter approach was adopted. Two methods of topographic sub-factor derivation were investigated, those associated with the RUSLE (Renard, Foster, Weesies & McCool1991) and the Unit Stream Power method presented by Moore and Burch (1986). Since no existing methods identifying delivery risk areas existed, a method was developed based on principles and factors identified in the literature. Additionally, methods for identifying topographic assets, in terms of sediment attenuation, were developed. From these models three indices were derived; sediment supply, delivery risk and sediment attenuation. Thereafter, the mean Sediment Supply Index was divided by stream length for small catchments defined within the landscape to derive an index of sediment loading to streams. This index is used to identify priorities for management intervention across the landscape. The mean slope and sediment supply is used to develop buffer width recommendations for the streams draining the catchments, using a method developed by Karssies and Prosser (2001). Using the three indices in conjunction it is possible to make on-site and off-site erosion control recommendations as well as identify and exploit any natural features that can be utilized in erosion control. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2002

Environmental management has increasingly become a critical approach for dealing with environmental issues. Implicit in this, is the premise that for environmental management to be effective, a systematic approach is imperative. For this reason, environmental management systems have emerged as the strategy for organizations within which environmental management initiatives are co-ordinated. While environmental management systems (EMS) are a necessary and important tool to achieve quality environmental performance and protection, experience with them illustrates how their adoption and implementation are constrained by a number of factors. EMS cannot operate in isolation. Rather, they need to be incorporated into an organization's overall management strategy. Using the Msunduzi Council as a case study, this study looks at the challenges and complexities that local governments, tasked with the protection of the environment at local level, encounter. The New England Road Landfill Site has been highlighted as a section of the Msunduzi Council where an Environmental Management System is entrenched. Research methods used to obtain data comprised a workshop and key informant interviews. Issues that emerged from the workshop informed and directed the analysis of the data. As research undertaken and conclusions drawn suggest, the adoption and implementation of an Environmental Management Framework or System ensures that environmental matters are tackled in a systematic and proactive manner within an organization. This in turn promotes quality environmental management and subsequently sustainable development. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2002.

In southern Zululand in the province of KwaZulu-Natal within the iNkandla Magisterial District, a rural area, lies the indigenous iNkandla forest. This is the last remaining rare relict type of indigenous high wet rain forest in Southern Africa. This forest is of great importance not only for its unique biodiversity, its perennial source of water, but also as a resource base for the Cube people. This remote community lives mostly a traditional Zulu lifestyle in an area devoid of basic infrastructure, municipal services or economic activity. The Cube people are reliant on the forest resources for some of their daily basic material needs. This dissertation is an examination of the relationship between the Cube people and the iNkandla forest over time. The study investigates the ecology and biodiversity of the iNkandla forest. It also describes the Cube people's lifestyle, history and the continuous utilisation of the forest resources. The core focus of the study is that the iNkandla forest is not only an integral part of the Cube people's lives, but also has a rich cultural history. The research findings show that the daily activities of the Cube are impacting heavily on the forest resources. In order to minimise negative environmental impacts, sustainable utilisation of these resources needs to be established. This can enhance the relationship between the Cube people and the forest. The people's view of the forest and its change with time is investigated. The goods and services this forest provides to meet people's basic material needs portrays the relationship between the people and the forest. To sustain this relationship a model that illustrates a process that can be established and implemented effectively is recommended. This process will empower the Cube people to make constructive and effective choices and decisions. It will also inform the people of the sustainable ways of utilising the forest resources and enhance their relationship with the natural resources. The aim is to promote future developments that the Cube people are likely to see in future. This will inform their understanding of sustainable utilisation of the forest resources for future generations. Empowered people will recognise social principles for appropriate interactions with nature. The final part in this study revisits the theory of environmental history. It outlines briefly the manner in which the environmental history theory has been applied. It also explains the reason why the principles of environmental history have been adopted for this study. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2002

The application of a transfer of development rights (TDR) programme is a concept which has been used, both formally and informally, by regulators of development, as a mechanism to protect areas of historical, cultural, ecological, agricultural and environmental importance. The application of a TDR programme requires definition of a TDR boundary and the identification of sites within such area which are capable of sustaining development (receiving sites) and sites that are not suited to development (sending sites). A TDR programme serves to protect the natural environment; preserve historical and cultural diversity; and, strives to achieve an equitable spread bf development opportunities amongst property owners in a given area. There are those involved with current development planning policy within KwaZulu-Natal who propose that the planning legislation should formally incorporate TDR regulations into the KwaZulu-Natal Planning and Development Act (Act 5 of 1988). TDR programmes in KwaZulu-Natal have been applied in a limited sense and in an informal manner. To date, no area in KwaZulu-Natal has been formally designated as a TDR area and the formal implementation and the feasibility of instituting a TDR programme has not been tested. It is suggested that within an area where environmental, agricultural, historical or cultural significance has been identified an opportunity for the application of a TDR programme exists. The planning and implementation of a TDR programme within a designated area provides an opportunity for integrated and sustainable development to occur. Within a defined TDR area the parameters for development capacities are agreed to upfront through negotiation between property owners, approving authorities and interested and affected parties. Consequently the possibilities of over or inappropriate development levels within the defined special area are significantly reduced. It must be noted that TDR programmes are area specific and therefore should only be applicable in areas which are of significant agricultural, environmental, historical, cultural and ecological value. This thesis identifies a possible areawhere a TOR programme could be applied. It was thought appropriate that the pilot area should be one which is environmentally sensitive and where only limited development has been permitted. The Midmar Area of Controlled Subdivision, situated north of Pietermaritzburg in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands provides an ideal opportunity where a TDR model could be examined and developed. In essence, this thesis defines TDR programmes and includes a brief investigation into international application of TDR programmes. In particular, it examines the application of a TDR programme at Lake Tahoe in the United States to illustrate the possible levels of sophistication that such a programme may achieve. It outlines the legislative framework in terms of which a TDR programme may be implemented for the study area. An overview of the current situation of the Midmar Area of Controlled Subdivision is presented which includes a summary of the attributes of the area; the current development pressures it faces; and, planning initiatives impacting on the Midmar Dam and its surrounds, all of which inform the study. The thesis also examines how and whether the implementation of a TOR programme could be successfully achieved. The study concludes that the Midmar Area of Controlled Subdivison would form an ideal foil on which to test the application of TOR programmes in KwaZulu-Natal. A set of recommendations which would form the basis for the implementation of a TOR programme in the Midmar Area of Controlled Subdivision is provided. The thesis does not attempt to identify each individual parcel of land which should be ascribed receiving or sending site status as this would require further in-depth study by various specialists. / Thesis (M.Env.Dev.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2001.

Air transport climatology to Cape Point (South Africa; 34.21ºS, 18.29ºE) was examined by analyzing 5-day kinematic back trajectories at both 300 and 5000 m above ground level for the period 2001-2003. Trajectories were computed using the Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory model version 4 (HYSPLIT-4). A multivariate statistical procedure, known as cluster analysis was performed separately for the whole data set, and for yearly and seasonal trajectories, in this way trajectories were classified into distinct transport pathways showing interannual and seasonal variations. The influence of weather systems such as semi-permanent subtropical continental anticyclones, transient ridging anticyclones originating in the midlatitude westerlies, and baroclinic disturbances in the westerlies on major transport patterns were also discussed. Cluster analysis results identified seven transport flow patterns to Cape Point (northerly, north-easterly, south-easterly, southerly, south-westerly, westerly and north-westerly). Similar year to year gross features of atmospheric transport patterns were observed at the 5000 m level, however, variability in transport patterns was observed at the 300 m level. Both spring and summer mean clusters exhibit a south-easterly transport associated with trade winds, while autumn and winter show recirculation associated with anticyclones dominating over the interior of South Africa during this period. The influence of the 2002/2003 ENSO (El Ninõ-Southern Oscillation) proved to be insignificant on flow characteristics of Cape Point. Other features such as recirculation of air across southern Africa were also observed. The flow height characteristics of the 5-day cluster means to Cape Point affirmed that South Africa lies in the descending component of the Hadley cell circulation. The autumn and winter cluster means show greater wind shear between the 300 and 5000 m levels. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2008.

The aim of this dissertation was to develop a multi-criteria decision support system (MCDSS) to allow a specified manager to select with confidence one or many of these BMPs for a particular site. The principal design approach was a review of South African and international literature pertaining to stormwater management techniques, in particular BMPs. This information was formulated into a primary matrix using a rank-and-weighting method. The scores were then checked against the literature to ensure that they were reasonable, culminating in the initial MCDSS. The MCDSS was then provided with seven scenarios, described in the literature, and the output reviewed. Although, the MCDSS would select appropriately when given few criteria for selection when these were increased, inappropriate outcomes resulted. Consequently, weighting factors were assigned to each criterion. The MCDSS was further tested using all the selection criteria and the output deemed satisfactory. The MCDSS was then tested in a case study of the Town Bush stream catchment at eleven sites along the river network and the results were adequate. Taking into consideration the economic aspects of BMP implementation a need also arose for the sites to be allocated to certain authorities depending upon ownership or responsibility. The sites were prioritised depending on potential threat to property and lastly by the hydrological nature of the stream at each site. A stormwater plan for the study area was also proposed. Although the MCDSS was functioning adequately it was not without its limitations. Limitations included the use of drainage areas as a surrogate measure for peak discharge thus, not allowing the user to design a series of BMPs or treatment chain. A second limitation was that initially the BMPs were designed as offline systems where stormwater is managed before entering the channel but in this study they were used as inline systems. Hence the ultimate selection was biased towards those BMPs able to deal with large drainage areas. Recommendations for further improvement include the development of a surrogate measure for drainage area thus allowing the user to design a treatment chain of BMPs; testing the MCDSS in more diverse circumstances; developing a more comprehensive set of selection criteria; and developing a clearer priority-setting model as the one used was rather simplistic. In conclusion the MCDSS provides the user with a useful tool where the selection and implementation of BMPs no longer has to take place in an ad hoc manner. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2001

Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife (KZN Wildlife) needed to develop a solid waste management policy and strategy for their protected areas, as well as specific solid waste management plans for existing and new developments within these areas. These had to be in keeping with the principles of sustainable development, protected area conservation objectives, best practice and legislative requirements. A pilot study was thus undertaken at two large KwaZulu-Natal protected area visitor facilities, Hilltop Rest Camp in Hluhluwe Game Reserve and Sodwana Bay Rest Camp, to investigate the types and amounts of solid waste generated . In addition, the solid waste disposal methods employed in 1984 and 2000, the disposal options available and the constraints and impacts of solid waste disposal throughout the protected area system were investigated. A comparison was made with solid waste production and management at Skukuza Rest Camp in the Kruger National Park as well as with various international waste sources. The information was presented in the form of histograms for comparison and tree cluster analysis was used as a heuristic tool to discuss the results. Hilltop and Sodwana Bay Rest Camps produced similar waste although its composition varied according to the specific source of production within the visitor facility . The waste produced at KZN Wildlife protected area visitor facilities had a similar composition to that produced at Skukuza Rest Camp. Audits of waste management practices at Hilltop, Sodwana Bay and Skukuza indicated that KZN Wildlife was not adequately managing the solid waste at their two protected area visitorfacilities. However, solid waste was being responsibly disposed of at Skukuza Rest Camp. The type of waste produced at protected area visitor facilities in a number of other African countries and Australia, was similar in composition to that produced in South African protected areas; all were similar to that produced in developed, westernised countries. A survey in 1984 of waste disposal methods in 32 KZN Wildlife protected areas, indicated that disposal to municipal landfill was only practised by protected areas less than 5 000 ha in size and less than 30 km from a municipallandfill. The current (2000) survey showed that disposal directly to landfill without reduction within protected areas had been discontinued, and that there was an increased proportion of waste disposal to municipal landfill. Such disposal was primarily limited to areas of less than 10000 ha and less than 40 km from such a landfill. The main constraints on the choice of waste disposal method were the cost of transport and limited budgets. A draft solid waste management policy and strategy were developed. The policy set out the legal requirements , ecological objectives and constraints of solid waste disposal in protected areas and also the preferred disposal options. The strategy set out the waste disposal methods available and their associated risks, likely impacts, opportunities and implications for management. The use of a simple matrix, that combined transport costs (represented by distance to a municipal landfill site); the size of the protected area (assumed to reflect the amount of solid waste generated); and the environmental risk of leachate production (as indicated by the climatic water balance), with suitable waste disposal options, was recommended. This matrix was designed to assist in the objective implementation of the draft waste management policy and in selection of an appropriate waste disposal method for each protected area. The draft policy and strategy were applied to produce a solid waste management plan for a new development in Umfolozi Game Reserve. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2001.

This research explores decision making in land suitability with regard to natural resource management, as it is practised in South Africa and internationally. The complexity of the problem leads to the need to use stakeholder analysis and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis which are researched further in the dissertation. A framework for decision making on land suitability is suggested. It is applied experimentally in several case studies on decision making in land suitability with regard to natural resource management. A land suitability analysis provides a typical scenario whereby a hard factual approach such as a GIS with data on soils, climate, rainfall, topography, ecosystems, etc. is combined with socio-economic activities such as agriculture, forestry and nature conservation. Most land suitability analysis is carried out with the aid ofa GIS. However, a GIS is limited to largely objective, spatial data. It is here that multicriteria decision analysis plays an important role by combining the different stakeholder perspectives with socio-economic and scientific data in a comprehensive Decision Support System. In this research, the Analytic Hierarchy Process is used to produce an experimental model on decision making in land suitability and this model is then tested against real life case studies which proves the model to be a valid decision making technique. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2000.

There is growing realisation world wide that the attainment of environmental sustainability is contingent upon reinstatement of community authority over management of natural resources. In acknowledgement of this imperative the government of Mozambique has formulated policies and enacted legislation to promote Community-Based Natural Resource Management. The research reported here considers the prospects for achieving CBNRM in a fishery located in a remote part of the country on the border between Mozambique and Tanzania. The central hypothesis addressed is that the fishery in historical terms was operated under a common property regime and that, under a number of forces , this has changed to an open access regime. The challenge facing government is to return the fishery to a common property regime. A conceptual framework which illustrates transformation of the fishery was developed. This was used to structure the research. Central question posed includes: what evidence is there that the fishery may have operated as common property system? what evidence is there that it now operates as an open access system? • what forces promoted such change, if indeed change has occurred? The findings are that the fishery has changed and now has the characteristics of the prospects for a return to CBNRM. Three issues are considered: who is the community? • what are the resources? and what are the management issues? It is concluded that definition of the 'community' is difficult because of historical precedents of access and use. The resource is shown to be complex including fish, water, land and plants; it also varies in tenure and space. Quite different rights of tenure issues accompany different resources. And management is complicated by international issues and apparent weaknesses in organisational structures, legislation and resources (human and financial). Evidence indicates that the people involved in the fishery are concerned about the state of the fishery and the lack of controls. They express a need for CBNRM. This study exposes the very complex nature of the fishery and suggests that failure to appreciate and understand this complexity encourages simplistic approaches to introduction of CBNRM. These are likely to fail. It is recommended that in light of the complexity elucidated by this research, the government should engage a strategic planning process with the intention of designing and implementing a process for introducing CBNRM which is constructed in the context of what is a very complex system. / Thesis (M.Env.Dev.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2000.

The eMpofana riparian rehabilitation project (eMRRP) is a pilot project started by Umgeni Water (UW) to demonstrate how effective the removal of invasive alien vegetation is in improving the water yield of a catchment. The disturbance of the country's vulnerable wetland and riparian zones is a major factor contributing to water· stress. The study area was eMpofana riparian areas of Kwazulu-Natal midlands. The study was conducted to establish perceptions of property owners and project employees on eMpofana riparian rehabilitation project with regard to control of invasive alien vegetation. Apart from· these two categories of stakeholders, others whose perceptions were included in the study are one official each from MONDI, SAPPI, the National Working for Water Programme (WFWP) and Kwazulu Natal Nature Conservation Services. However, property owners and project employees were· the main respondents of study. Although all .stakeholders play a crucial role in the project, property owners were selected because clearing takes place on their properties. Similarly project employees perceptions were vital as they are physically involved in clearing invader species and are direct beneficiaries of the project through job creation; To enable interviewees to give their perceptions on various steps on the project cycle; the following key issues were selected; Awareness, Process, Water, Biodiversity, . Tourism, Capacity building, Support, and Sustainability of control of alien invasive plants. Based on these key issues, a questionnaire was drawn. There were fifty-two respondents: 25 property owners and 27 project employees.. The approach used in the study was survey research, and social science methods were employed. Survey research was chosen for this research because of its capacity to provide appropriate data on perceptions of stakeholders of the eMpofana project. The method is useful in a variety of situations such as providing solution to a problem of public policy, provide required data for managing a business or simply for testing hypotheses developed by scientists in the social world. The questions on awareness of the eMpofana riparian rehabilitation project (eMRRP). and the National Working for Water Programme{WFWP) revealed low awareness levels of the two projects. Almost half (48%) property owners indicated little awareness of the national WFWP and almost the same percentage i.e. 42% had little awareness of the provincial WFWP. Also 96% of eMpofana project employees indicated no awareness of the WFW national level and 70% said they were not aware of the WFW provincial level. Given that WFW is a national programme with over 200 alien plant control progratmhes countrywide, one wonder why awareness was so low among the respondents. As for involvement in the project conceptualisation, none of the respondents interviewed indicated involvement in that project phase. However all the project employees indicated that the project was successful (85% very successful and 15% successful). Fifty six per cent property ~wners indicated very strong 'support mainlybecause ofreestablishment of biodiversity through ridding the riparian areas of iilvader species. Ninety-five per cent of the project workers indicated that UW solely supports the eMpofana project and that that support is mainly financial. As for job creation, 88% project workers were of the view that eMpofana riparian project was very successful in creating jobs. It is worth noting that both property owners and the employees shared the same view on water users and project employees being the main beneficiaries of the project. The impact of clearing invader species oil water by the eMRRP was rated as being very significant. Moreover, 52% employees and 44% property owners felt that the project's main beneficiaries were water users in the cities and property owners themselves. As for linkage with the National WFW programme, the perceptions of property owners and project employees revealed a general preference for eMpofana project to continue running independently. On. succesSes achieved in various project phases, most property owners felt the planning phase of the project was the most successful, even though most of them were not involved in the phase. Thirty per cent of the employees felt execution was successful followed by financing, 30%. As the responses from both property owners and employees show, most respondents (property owners and project employees) were of the view that the project goal of reinstating biological diversity was very important. The property owners were of the view that the re-establishment of the naturalness of the area would contribute favourably towards tourism in the area, which they rated very high. The rating explain why property owners also rated biodiversity conservation and the naturalness of the area equally high. On the other hand, Umgeni Water's top priority is water security and the differing priorities between UWs and eMRRP could be seen as a weakness of the project. However, as a holistic view of biodiversity conservation necessitates protection of water resource in the area, the difference could be synchronised to become a strength ofthe eMRRP (see recommendations). The eMRRP has opportunities on a number of areas such as the opportunity to participate in the national campain on control of invader species by teaming up with WFWP and other stakeholders. Also joinirig this partnership would accord eMRRP stakeholders the pride of contributing to the national campaign on control of invader species. Although there is marked success made by UW in planning, financial support, job creation, gender equity in the eMRRP, there is need to address sustainability of the project. In conclusion, it is clear that the eMRRP started off with most stakeholders having low awareness ofits activities and those ofWFW Programme. However, by clearing invasive alien plants in eMpofana riparian areas, the project has gained support from property owners and its employees. Property owners support the project mainly because of possible re-establishment of naturalness of the area (biological diversity) and the employees give their support mainly because of the employment that they receive. However, the goal of sustainability of the eMRRP is likely to remain elusive as long as priorities are not harmonised: property owners' priority (based on benefits drawn) is biodiversity conservation whereas that of UW is water security. / Thesis (M.Env.Dev.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2000.