The global crisis of biodiversity depletion sets the stage for a necessary re-definition of State self-interest in the international milieu. That re-definition is effected by a changing perception of 'self'; one that occurs through the mental lens of interdependence and long-term vision. This thesis attempts to challenge conventional precepts and present a submission for change by drawing upon constructivist thought, which asserts that current perceptions are socially constructed and rooted in "collective intentionality", such that what has been human-made can be altered by the same processes through which it came into existence. In so doing, the author employs the notions of international ethics as a shared belief and international law as an ideational instrument to facilitate that change in favor of international cooperation toward the necessary amelioration of global biodiversity diminution in order to assure our future.

Thesis (doctoral)--Universität Mannheim, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (p. [219]-230) and subject index.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of New South Wales, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 371-411).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Brigham Young University. Dept. of Integrative Biology, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 122-130).

No description available.

This thesis investigates the design of a model, methods and guidelines that may assist government agencies in South Africa to find a balance between the objective of biodiversity conservation and increased local economic development in cases of land restitution in protected areas. The data collection that was needed for this study took place from 2007 to 2009 and was limited to seven priority protected areas in Mpumalanga Province. The general model design was established via an extensive literature review and analysis of the legal background and formed the theoretical concept of this thesis. The general model design was used to devise the guidelines for co-management to be used by government agencies in South Africa for the possible implementation of the biodiversity conservation and local economic development mandates in cases of land restitution in protected areas, within their financial and institutional limitations. From the results, it is clear that a consolidated government position, agreed upon by all relevant government stakeholders, assists in keeping the land restitution process in protected areas within the legal framework. Through the analysis of the model design in the seven priority protected areas it was identified that additional information is needed to reach the preferred land claim settlement option per protected area such as the actual tourism record, a socio-economic assessment of the environment in which each protected area is embedded, and financial figures to make projections on current and future net profit calculations. Government should support all the land claim settlement options, as elaborated in the model design, which is not the case at the moment, and most alternative options, other than co-management, are currently still unclear and/or not feasible. This might have serious negative implications for the conservation agency, with the risk of compromising its mandate to manage areas of high biodiversity effectively. The methods that were developed to workshop the generic agreement frameworks with the land claimant representatives proved to assist in the land claimants making an informed choice within the legal framework and to tailor the land claim settlement option and agreements to their specific situation. / Development Studies / Ph. D. (Development Studies)

This thesis investigates the design of a model, methods and guidelines that may assist government agencies in South Africa to find a balance between the objective of biodiversity conservation and increased local economic development in cases of land restitution in protected areas. The data collection that was needed for this study took place from 2007 to 2009 and was limited to seven priority protected areas in Mpumalanga Province. The general model design was established via an extensive literature review and analysis of the legal background and formed the theoretical concept of this thesis. The general model design was used to devise the guidelines for co-management to be used by government agencies in South Africa for the possible implementation of the biodiversity conservation and local economic development mandates in cases of land restitution in protected areas, within their financial and institutional limitations. From the results, it is clear that a consolidated government position, agreed upon by all relevant government stakeholders, assists in keeping the land restitution process in protected areas within the legal framework. Through the analysis of the model design in the seven priority protected areas it was identified that additional information is needed to reach the preferred land claim settlement option per protected area such as the actual tourism record, a socio-economic assessment of the environment in which each protected area is embedded, and financial figures to make projections on current and future net profit calculations. Government should support all the land claim settlement options, as elaborated in the model design, which is not the case at the moment, and most alternative options, other than co-management, are currently still unclear and/or not feasible. This might have serious negative implications for the conservation agency, with the risk of compromising its mandate to manage areas of high biodiversity effectively. The methods that were developed to workshop the generic agreement frameworks with the land claimant representatives proved to assist in the land claimants making an informed choice within the legal framework and to tailor the land claim settlement option and agreements to their specific situation. / Development Studies / Ph. D. (Development Studies)

No description available.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfillment of the MSc by Coursework Degree (in Resource Conservation Biology) June 2017. South Africa. / Understanding why species occur where they do and, predicting where species might migrate to under different global change scenarios is an important aspect of biodiversity conservation. Regions that harbour high levels of species diversity and endemism arising from sharp local climatic and ecological gradients are highly susceptible to changing conditions. Kumara plicatilis is a tree aloe endemic to the Boland mountain ranges in the species-rich fynbos region in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. The species is currently listed as Least Concern as far as habitat degradation, population decline, invasive species and direct-use threats are concerned although impacts of anthropogenic climate change on this habitat specialist remain undocumented. This study used species distribution models to successfully classify the environmental niche of the species as well as delineate spatial patterns of probable occurrence and abundance based on this niche. In addition, models based on the IPCCs 2014 ‘best-case’ and ‘worst-case’ climate change scenarios provide projections of changes in the spatial occurrence patterns of Kumara plicatilis expected under conditions of shifting climates. Niche-based statistical analyses were further used to draw temporal comparisons between current and future projected ranges to ascertain the degree and properties of shared niche space now and in the future. Results indicate that suitable habitat conditions for the species distribution is irregularly spread around the central and southwestern fynbos region constrained by several climatic and biophysical variables including winter rainfall and temperature conditions as well as vegetation type. The species is expected to experience limited to severe declines in the area of suitable habitat available under mild and harsh climate change conditions, respectively. The patterns arising from these models are in line with the environmental niche measurements which show large degrees of overlap between current and future niche space of the species. These outcomes suggest that Kumara plicatilis displays traits of environmental niche conservatism where unsuitable climate and biophysical conditions can limit its geographic range and local extinction of populations can occur due to global change. Whilst the results of this study offer a useful and initial insight into the possible impacts of shifting climates on this species, outcomes from modeling should be interpreted with caution to reach the best management decisions and conservation action for this endemic species. / MT 2017

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Science, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 6 November 2015. / Environmental degradation and pollution continue to characterise the mining sector in South Africa despite a robust legislative framework which is aimed at enhancing sustainable mining practices. Of particular concern is the impact of mining on biodiversity. During 2013 the Departments of Environmental Affairs and Mineral Resources, together with the South African Mining and Biodiversity Forum, an alliance of stakeholders from industry, conservation organisations and government facilitated by the Chamber of Mines of South Africa, released the South African Mining and Biodiversity Guideline (SAMBG), which aim to mainstream biodiversity into the mining sector. The guideline seek to integrate biodiversity considerations into planning processes and manage biodiversity through the lifecycle of a mine, and so contribute to better outcomes. In addition to the guideline, mining companies that obtain funding from financial institutions that are signatory to the Equator Principles are required to implement IFC Performance Standard 6 (IFC PS6) which also deals with biodiversity conservation. There is a concern that the SAMBG adds further to the burgeoning pile of standards, guidelines and best practices that mining companies are required to meet, but without necessarily adding anything new. This research project deals with this concern through a review of the SAMBG to assess their potential contribution to biodiversity conservation and to determine, through a comparative analysis, whether any overlaps and gaps exist between the guideline and IFC PS6. A qualitative methodology was used to understand how the Aichi Biodiversity Targets are addressed by the SAMBG. Based on this review a conclusion as to the role of the SAMBG amongst the range of guidelines and standards was drawn. The research indicated that there is alignment between the SAMBG, the IFC PS6, the Aichi Biodiversity Targets and South African national environmental legislation. They all aim to achieve a similar outcome, the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, but provided different levels of detail and are targeted at slightly different audiences.