Faculty of Science; School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences; MSC Research Report / Three arachnid species, the rock scorpion Hadogenes gunningi, the burrowing scorpion Opistophthalmus pugnax and the baboon spider Harpactira hamiltoni have been identified as species of conservation interest for inclusion in a bioregional systematic conservation planning project by the provincial conservation authority in Gauteng province, South Africa. The systematic conservation planning procedure requires information on the spatial distribution and an estimate of the minimum viable area (MVA) required to support a population for species of conservation interest. The purpose of this report is to provide this information for these three arachnid species. 47 sites were sampled on a regular grid across Gauteng province where data were collected for habitat distribution modeling and density estimation for MVA calculation. Sites were sampled by two field workers. Distance sampling methodology was used for the estimation of density and the genetic algorithm for rule set production (GARP) was used for habitat distribution modeling. Analysis of distance data comprised fitting several alternative models to both continuous and interval data, and data for each field worker were analyzed both separately and pooled. To calculate MVA from estimates of population density a minimum viable population size of 2000 adult individuals was assumed. Based on composite models fitted to continuous data collected by both field workers mean MVA for Opistophthalmus pugnax was 431.57 ha (279.44 ha to 666 ha, 95% confidence interval), while that for Harpactira hamiltoni was 909.09 ha (518.00 ha to 1594.90 ha, 95% confidence interval). Insufficient data were collected for the estimation of population density for Hadogenes gunningi, but based on encounter rate relative to the other two species a subjective estimate of MVA between 380 ha and 570 ha is presented. Habitat distribution modeling was conducted at two grains of predictor variable data. As GARP produces highly variable results models were selected according to the criteria of having less than 5% omission and less than 10% non-prediction. Selected models were stacked and predictions of presence and absence summed for each map pixel across all models. The resultant maps of proportion of positive predictions per pixel were multiplied to obtain a final composite map of probability of occurrence. Accuracy of the coarse, fine and composite maps was assessed using receiver operating characteristic analysis. Mean AUC for models for Hadogenes gunningi were 0.893, 0.857 and 0.886. For Opistophthalmus pugnax and Harpactira hamiltoni mean AUC values were 0.831, 0.790, 0.856 and 0.783, 0.765, 0.805 respectively. Probabilities of occurrence were converted to presence absence at the threshold where false positive and false negative prediction rates were equivalent. Hadogenes gunningi is predicted to occur on most ridges within the province, while Opistophthalmus pugnax and H. hamiltoni are predicted to have a patchy distribution in the southern two thirds of the province. The results presented are a significant improvement on the data previously available for these species and it is recommended that their conservation status be revised in light of the results. Concerns regarding the utility of GARP in conservation planning and suggestions for further research are outlined.

No description available.

This thesis considers ways to improve biodiversity conservation at the bioregional level in Australia through the use of geospatial science technologies and biological modelling techniques. Following a review of approaches to biodiversity conservation at the bioregional level, including the roles and potential of geospatial science technologies in this regard, I consider biodiversity modelling using a case study of the Burt Plain bioregion in central Australia that focuses on selected taxa, ecosystems and landscapes. The Burt Plain bioregion was chosen since it is one of 19 bioregions nationally that has been given a 'very high' priority status for biological survey, assessment and potential reservation of land for conservation purposes. The specific research objectives for the Burt Plain bioregion study were to: · describe the species composition, distribution and nature of the dominant vegetation communities within the bioregion; · characterise environmental niche of communities with respect to selected environmental and management variables - latitude, longitude, climate, land systems and land units, geology, hydrography, topography, and tenure; · analyse how well or otherwise taxa have been sampled (during previous ground surveys) with respect to geographical and environmental variables; Biodiversity conservation at the bioregional level · develop and compare quantitative habitat models of the potential distribution of selected species based on presence-only distributional data; and · examine the significance of radiometric data as a potential correlate and predictor of the distribution of those selected species. National conservation initiatives such as the bioregional approach and international initiatives such as the biosphere reserves program to support the planning and management of biodiversity conservation are discussed in chapter two. The scientific and related processes underpinning the development of bioregions and strategies across the Australian states and territories are then considered. An important finding arising from this review is the need to improve biological information, especially through systematic surveys and on-going monitoring of ecosystems and populations of species, at the bioregional level to inform land use allocation and management. This finding is consistent with one of the general aims of the thesis to improve the spatial modelling techniques available for bioregional assessment and biodiversity conservation. In chapter three I review the role and limitations of geospatial technologies currently employed for biodiversity conservation management. Current developments and applications of GIS and remote sensing to wildlife research, conservation gap analysis and conservation reserve design are considered. Geographic information systems (GIS) are now routinely used by ecologists to Biodiversity conservation at the bioregional level analyse spatial data. Although various forms of GIS have been available for 15 to 25 years, the biological applications of GIS have figured most prominently in the ecological literature only in the past 15 years. The use of computer-generated models to simulate environmental events can provide a greater understanding of ecosystems, and offers improved predictive powers to conservation and land managers. The decision support offered by computer-based modelling techniques appears likely to underpin conservation and management decisions much more into the future providing that adequate biological and other datasets are available for this purpose. Dominant vegetation communities and various environmental gradients were analysed to characterise environmental niches at the bioregional scale for the Burt Plain bioregion (Chapter 4) and more locally at the catchment scale for the Upper Todd River Catchment (Chapter 5). In Chapters four and five I describe in detail the land tenure and use, land systems, climate soil, geology, topography, hydrology, vegetation and biodiversity of the Burt Plain bioregion and Upper Todd River Catchment. The bioregion contains some ephemeral watercourses, which are generally in fair to good condition, but are afforded little protection from a range of threatening processes, including grazing and trampling by feral animals and livestock and weed infestation. The major river systems occurring in the bioregion include parts of the Plenty, Hanson, Sandover and Lander Rivers. In the Upper Todd River Catchment the major watercourses Biodiversity conservation at the bioregional level are the Todd River and Station Creek, which exit the area via two narrow gaps in the low rocky hills on the southern boundary of the bioregion. The dominant geology can be summarised as plains and low rocky ranges of Pre-Cambrian granites on red earths. The bioregion has approximately 200 - 250 mm of summer rainfall, with rainfall occurring on 20 - 30 days per year. There is a high variability and range of temperatures, with an annual mean temperature of approximately 22-23°C. In Chapter six I consider a range of species found within the Burt Plain bioregion using existing survey data and techniques that enables the prediction of the spatial distribution of taxa. Using GLM and GAM models, Black-footed Rock- Wallaby (Petrogale lateralis), Spinifex Hopping Mouse (Notomys alexis) and Spencers Frog (Limnodynastes spenceri) were chosen for a more in-depth analysis. Environmental variables correlated with the presence of each species are then described and prediction maps showing the probability or likelihood of the presence of the species within the bioregion developed. In Chapter seven I examine the utility of radiometric data for wildlife habitat modelling. Statistical relationships are tested between the concentrations of the elements uranium, thorium and potassium and terrain characteristics such as position in the landscape, slope and aspect as well as other climatic variables. Radiometric data were found to be useful for developing statistical predictive Biodiversity conservation at the bioregional level models of six species: Red Kangaroo (Macropus rufus), Desert Dunnart (Sminthopsis youngsoni), Rabbit (Orcytolagus cuniculus), Brown Honeyeater (Lichmera indistincta), Little Spotted Snake (Suda punctata) and Southern Boobook (Ninox novaeseelandiae). I suggest that the utility of radiometric data for wildlife habitat modelling would appear significant and should be explored further using alternative quantitative modelling techniques and presence/ absence records for target faunal species. Predictions of species distributions may be useful for prioritising land acquisitions for reservation as well as in the future design of biological surveys. The thesis concludes with a synthesis of the major research findings, discussion of the limitations of the datasets available for the study, perspectives on management issues in the Burt Plain bioregion, and possible future research directions. It is important that purposefully-designed biological survey research be undertaken across the bioregions of the arid zone of Australia to enhance basic understanding of biodiversity patterns and their relationships to environmental heterogeneity and site-landscape level processes. Geospatial modelling techniques can assist such biodiversity survey and evaluation and make their conduct more cost-efficient and the inferences drawn from subsequent data analyses more powerful. This knowledge is required to contribute to the emergent concepts and theory of ecosystem dynamics and associated biodiversity patterns in arid Australia and, most significantly, to enhance the conservation and management of the unique biological complement and systems found in this region.

Denna studie syftar till att undersöka bioregionalism i relation till urbanisering och globalisering för att identifiera utmaningar som begreppet och rörelsen möter relaterat till dessa trender. Tidigare studier på forskningsfältet är begränsat och utspritt, vilket skapar ett behov av att samla och vidareutveckla det fragmenterade material som finns på området. Studien har genomförts genom en metodtriangulering av kvalitativa metoder i form av litteraturstudie och enkätstudie. Den första metoden syftar till att redogöra för ett vetenskapligt och akademiskt perspektiv medan den andra metoden redogör för ett gräsrotsperspektiv. De två metoderna integrerades sedan i en gemensam diskussion för att ge en mer representativ och heltäckande bild av vilka utmaningar bioregionalismen möter relaterat till trenderna. Resultatet visar att de största utmaningarna för bioregionalismen är att lyckas åstadkomma en kulturell förändring och att få det bioregionala paradigmet erkänt. De största svårigheterna ligger i den pågående dialektiken mellan urban/rural respektive lokal/global. Avslutningsvis konstateras att bioregionalismen i sin ursprungliga form inte är tillräcklig för att förstoras upp på en urban och global skala. För att omfamna dessa trender skulle bioregionalismen förslagsvis behöva utveckla de bioregionala idealen och synkroniseras med andra närliggande koncept. / This thesis aims to investigate bioregionalism in relation to urbanization and globalization to identify challenges that are facing the concept and the social movement related to these trends. Previous studies in this research field is limited and scattered, creating a need to collect and further develop the fragmented material in the area. The study was conducted through a triangulation of qualitative methods in terms of literature study and survey study. The first method aims to describe a scientific and academic perspective, while the second method describes a grassroots perspective. The two methods were then integrated in a joint discussion to provide a further representative and comprehensive picture of the challenges facing bioregionalism regarding the trends. The results show that the greatest challenges for bioregionalism are to succeed in achieving a cultural change and of getting the bioregional paradigm recognized. The greatest difficulty lies with the ongoing dialectic interplay between urban/rural and local/global. Finally the study concludes that bioregionalism in its original form is not sufficient enough to be scaled up to an urban and global level. To embrace urbanization and globalization, bioregionalism would tentatively need to develop its bioregional ideals and be synchronized with other adjacent concepts.

This study focused on using a mapping tool, Space Syntax, to analyze the connectivity of the Cache County road network and its use to plan for bicycles. Space Syntax is being compared to another method that is already used by city planners called Bicycle Level of Service, or BLOS. The two analyses used data from Cache County and, after they were modeled and evaluated, a statistical analysis was done to see how similar one is to the other. The analyses were done at both a regional and a local scale. At both scales the analyses were not similar. Data was added to the Space Syntax analysis at both scales to see if it would influence making it more similar to BLOS. Adding the data had no effect in making them similar. It was determined that Space Syntax and BLOS are not similar and more research would need to be done to attempt to make them similar. They both have advantages and disadvantages to them when being used for planning for bicycles. One is not necessarily better than the other, as they are two different methods that could be used.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:29:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 3838.pdf: 10535080 bytes, checksum: 8ff35f8ebf2efc35988d2147609fd370 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-07-11 / Presently, the accelerating process of globalization has given a change of values that, unfortunately, affect the daily of Bioregional communities, resulting in both loss of biological diversity as well as cultural diversity of those communities. Thus, this study aims to reveal that the Pantanal s community of São Pedro de Joselândia still has a strong relationship with the environment to which it is inserted, as evidenced by the local culture and resident s knowledge, especially the knowledge about local avifauna, demonstrating also that such knowledge can assist in preparing of bird s inventories made by the scientific community and assist in the recognition of resident s knowledge about the Pantanal wetlands, in relevance of dialogue between local and universal knowledge. The methodology is anchored in the Bioregionalism s theories, which advocate the development of the environment surrounding Bioregional communities, taking into consideration the circumstances and the knowledge of these communities. The results allowed the construction of a local list with 162 species of birds belonging to 56 families. The identifications made by the residents were made visually or by vocalizations of the species, and the classification made in the community is linked to morphology, behavior or vocalization of the species. Furthermore, we identified the ecosystem services of provision related to species that serve as a food supplement for the community, and cultural, related to species with some symbolic relation to the residents. Finally, an educational booklet about the community of São Pedro was produced, together with community residents, showing a bit of everyday life and relationships that residents have with the wetland environment, serving as a return to the community of the results achieved during the research. / Atualmente, o processo acelerado da globalização tem determinado uma mudança de valores que, infelizmente, afetam o cotidiano de comunidades biorregionais, resultando em perdas tanto da diversidade biológica como da diversidade cultural dessas comunidades. Dessa forma, esta pesquisa teve o objetivo geral de revelar que a comunidade pantaneira de São Pedro de Joselândia ainda mantém uma forte relação com o ambiente ao qual está inserida, evidenciada pela cultura local e pelos saberes de seus moradores, com destaque aos saberes sobre a avifauna local, demonstrando ainda que tais saberes podem auxiliar na elaboração de inventários da avifauna realizados pela comunidade científica e ajudar no reconhecimento dos saberes dos moradores sobre as áreas úmidas pantaneiras, na relevância do diálogo entre os saberes locais e os saberes universais. A metodologia ancorou-se nas teorias do Biorregionalismo, que defende a valorização do ambiente de entorno das comunidades biorregionais, levando em consideração as particularidades e os saberes destas comunidades. Os resultados obtidos propiciaram a construção de uma lista local com 162 espécies de aves pertencentes a 56 famílias. As identificações feitas pelos moradores foram feitas visualmente ou pela vocalização da espécie, sendo que a nomenclatura feita na comunidade está associada à morfologia, à vocalização ou ao comportamento da espécie. Além disso, foram identificados os serviços ecossistêmicos de provisão, relacionado às espécies de aves que servem como suplemento alimentar para a comunidade e, cultural, relacionado às espécies de aves com alguma relação simbólica para os moradores. Finalizando, um caderno pedagógico sobre a comunidade de São Pedro foi produzido, juntamente com os moradores da comunidade, demonstrando um pouco do cotidiano e das relações que os moradores possuem com o ambiente pantaneiro, servindo como retorno para a comunidade dos resultados alcançados durante a pesquisa.

A Mata Atlântica é um dos ecossistemas mais ameaçados do planeta, estando hoje reduzida a menos de 8% de sua extensão original, segundo dados desenvolvidos pela Fundação SOS Mata Atlântica e o Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais. Este bioma, considerado um dos ecossistemas com maior biodiversidade do mundo, está parcialmente protegido em algumas unidades de conservação ao longo da costa brasileira. Este trabalho visa discutir alguns dos conflitos existentes entre a política de conservação e a preservação da Mata Atlântica no entorno de três unidades de conservação estaduais no Rio Grande do Sul: Reserva Biológica Estadual da Serra Geral, Estação Ecológica Estadual Aratinga e Parque Estadual do Tainhas. Através de ferramentas do sensoriamento remoto e geoprocessamento, foi elaborada uma classificação da cobertura vegetal e dos diferentes tipos de uso da terra, utilizando imagens de satélite, fotografias aéreas de pequeno formato, trabalhos de campo e análises espaciais. O mapeamento de uso e cobertura da terra abrangeu uma área total de 350.137,68 ha, gerando 36 classes divididas em três categorias: cobertura vegetal, uso da terra e hidrografia. A cobertura vegetal totalizou 259.197,71 ha., representando 74,03% da área de estudo, o uso da terra 75.661,35 ha, com 21,61% e a hidrografia 15.278,61 ha com 4,38%. Nas análises foram geradas informações de distância e densidade dos fragmentos, além de classes de declividade e características do entorno das unidades de conservação. Foi elaborada então uma análise de multicritérios, que indicou as áreas com maiores conflitos socioambientais, e áreas com potencial de conservação. Os resultados permitiram analisar e sugerir alterações na política de conservação das unidades existentes. As áreas estudadas mostraram um alto potencial para práticas de uso associadas à conservação dos recursos naturais. O extrativismo da samambaiapreta (Rumohra adiantiformis) e o turismo ecológico são bons exemplos desta potencialidade. Neste sentido a estratégia de planejamento e a gestão biorregional seria fundamental para contemplar os interesses das populações locais, de uma forma mais sustentável e organizada. / The Atlantic rainforest is one of the most endangered ecosystems of the world, with only 8% of its original area remaining today, according to data from the SOS Mata Atlântica Foundation and the National Institute for Space Research (INPE). This biome, one of the world’s richest in biodiversity, is partially protected in a few conservation units along the Brazilian coast. The objective of the present work is to discuss some of the conflicts between conservation policy and the preservation of the Atlantic Forest around three conservation units in the State of Rio Grande do Sul: Serra Geral Biological Reserve, Aratinga Ecological Station e State Park of Tainhas. Using remote sensing and geoprocessing tools, a vegetation cover and land use map classification was produced using satellite imagery, aerial photographs, field work and spatial analysis. The total extent of the land use map was 350.137,68 ha, with 36 classes divided in three categories: vegetation cover, land use, and hydrography. Total vegetation cover was 259.197,71 ha (74,03% of the studied area), total land use area was 75.661,35 ha (21,61%) and hidrography was 15.278,61 ha (4,38% of the total area). The spatial analyses produced data on distance and density of forest fragments, slope classes, and characteristics around the conservation units. A multicriteria analysis indicated the area with the highest degree of socio-environmental conflicts and the areas that are potentially interesting for conservation. The results provided the basis for the suggestion of shifts in the present policy for protected areas. The studied region presents a high potential for land use practices associated with natural resource conservation. Extractivism of a native fern, called samambaia-preta (Rumohra adiantiformis), and ecoturism are examples of such potential activities. Bioregional planning and management would be a fundamental approach for taking into account the interests of the local populations in a more sustainable and organized way.

A Mata Atlântica é um dos ecossistemas mais ameaçados do planeta, estando hoje reduzida a menos de 8% de sua extensão original, segundo dados desenvolvidos pela Fundação SOS Mata Atlântica e o Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais. Este bioma, considerado um dos ecossistemas com maior biodiversidade do mundo, está parcialmente protegido em algumas unidades de conservação ao longo da costa brasileira. Este trabalho visa discutir alguns dos conflitos existentes entre a política de conservação e a preservação da Mata Atlântica no entorno de três unidades de conservação estaduais no Rio Grande do Sul: Reserva Biológica Estadual da Serra Geral, Estação Ecológica Estadual Aratinga e Parque Estadual do Tainhas. Através de ferramentas do sensoriamento remoto e geoprocessamento, foi elaborada uma classificação da cobertura vegetal e dos diferentes tipos de uso da terra, utilizando imagens de satélite, fotografias aéreas de pequeno formato, trabalhos de campo e análises espaciais. O mapeamento de uso e cobertura da terra abrangeu uma área total de 350.137,68 ha, gerando 36 classes divididas em três categorias: cobertura vegetal, uso da terra e hidrografia. A cobertura vegetal totalizou 259.197,71 ha., representando 74,03% da área de estudo, o uso da terra 75.661,35 ha, com 21,61% e a hidrografia 15.278,61 ha com 4,38%. Nas análises foram geradas informações de distância e densidade dos fragmentos, além de classes de declividade e características do entorno das unidades de conservação. Foi elaborada então uma análise de multicritérios, que indicou as áreas com maiores conflitos socioambientais, e áreas com potencial de conservação. Os resultados permitiram analisar e sugerir alterações na política de conservação das unidades existentes. As áreas estudadas mostraram um alto potencial para práticas de uso associadas à conservação dos recursos naturais. O extrativismo da samambaiapreta (Rumohra adiantiformis) e o turismo ecológico são bons exemplos desta potencialidade. Neste sentido a estratégia de planejamento e a gestão biorregional seria fundamental para contemplar os interesses das populações locais, de uma forma mais sustentável e organizada. / The Atlantic rainforest is one of the most endangered ecosystems of the world, with only 8% of its original area remaining today, according to data from the SOS Mata Atlântica Foundation and the National Institute for Space Research (INPE). This biome, one of the world’s richest in biodiversity, is partially protected in a few conservation units along the Brazilian coast. The objective of the present work is to discuss some of the conflicts between conservation policy and the preservation of the Atlantic Forest around three conservation units in the State of Rio Grande do Sul: Serra Geral Biological Reserve, Aratinga Ecological Station e State Park of Tainhas. Using remote sensing and geoprocessing tools, a vegetation cover and land use map classification was produced using satellite imagery, aerial photographs, field work and spatial analysis. The total extent of the land use map was 350.137,68 ha, with 36 classes divided in three categories: vegetation cover, land use, and hydrography. Total vegetation cover was 259.197,71 ha (74,03% of the studied area), total land use area was 75.661,35 ha (21,61%) and hidrography was 15.278,61 ha (4,38% of the total area). The spatial analyses produced data on distance and density of forest fragments, slope classes, and characteristics around the conservation units. A multicriteria analysis indicated the area with the highest degree of socio-environmental conflicts and the areas that are potentially interesting for conservation. The results provided the basis for the suggestion of shifts in the present policy for protected areas. The studied region presents a high potential for land use practices associated with natural resource conservation. Extractivism of a native fern, called samambaia-preta (Rumohra adiantiformis), and ecoturism are examples of such potential activities. Bioregional planning and management would be a fundamental approach for taking into account the interests of the local populations in a more sustainable and organized way.

A Mata Atlântica é um dos ecossistemas mais ameaçados do planeta, estando hoje reduzida a menos de 8% de sua extensão original, segundo dados desenvolvidos pela Fundação SOS Mata Atlântica e o Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais. Este bioma, considerado um dos ecossistemas com maior biodiversidade do mundo, está parcialmente protegido em algumas unidades de conservação ao longo da costa brasileira. Este trabalho visa discutir alguns dos conflitos existentes entre a política de conservação e a preservação da Mata Atlântica no entorno de três unidades de conservação estaduais no Rio Grande do Sul: Reserva Biológica Estadual da Serra Geral, Estação Ecológica Estadual Aratinga e Parque Estadual do Tainhas. Através de ferramentas do sensoriamento remoto e geoprocessamento, foi elaborada uma classificação da cobertura vegetal e dos diferentes tipos de uso da terra, utilizando imagens de satélite, fotografias aéreas de pequeno formato, trabalhos de campo e análises espaciais. O mapeamento de uso e cobertura da terra abrangeu uma área total de 350.137,68 ha, gerando 36 classes divididas em três categorias: cobertura vegetal, uso da terra e hidrografia. A cobertura vegetal totalizou 259.197,71 ha., representando 74,03% da área de estudo, o uso da terra 75.661,35 ha, com 21,61% e a hidrografia 15.278,61 ha com 4,38%. Nas análises foram geradas informações de distância e densidade dos fragmentos, além de classes de declividade e características do entorno das unidades de conservação. Foi elaborada então uma análise de multicritérios, que indicou as áreas com maiores conflitos socioambientais, e áreas com potencial de conservação. Os resultados permitiram analisar e sugerir alterações na política de conservação das unidades existentes. As áreas estudadas mostraram um alto potencial para práticas de uso associadas à conservação dos recursos naturais. O extrativismo da samambaiapreta (Rumohra adiantiformis) e o turismo ecológico são bons exemplos desta potencialidade. Neste sentido a estratégia de planejamento e a gestão biorregional seria fundamental para contemplar os interesses das populações locais, de uma forma mais sustentável e organizada. / The Atlantic rainforest is one of the most endangered ecosystems of the world, with only 8% of its original area remaining today, according to data from the SOS Mata Atlântica Foundation and the National Institute for Space Research (INPE). This biome, one of the world’s richest in biodiversity, is partially protected in a few conservation units along the Brazilian coast. The objective of the present work is to discuss some of the conflicts between conservation policy and the preservation of the Atlantic Forest around three conservation units in the State of Rio Grande do Sul: Serra Geral Biological Reserve, Aratinga Ecological Station e State Park of Tainhas. Using remote sensing and geoprocessing tools, a vegetation cover and land use map classification was produced using satellite imagery, aerial photographs, field work and spatial analysis. The total extent of the land use map was 350.137,68 ha, with 36 classes divided in three categories: vegetation cover, land use, and hydrography. Total vegetation cover was 259.197,71 ha (74,03% of the studied area), total land use area was 75.661,35 ha (21,61%) and hidrography was 15.278,61 ha (4,38% of the total area). The spatial analyses produced data on distance and density of forest fragments, slope classes, and characteristics around the conservation units. A multicriteria analysis indicated the area with the highest degree of socio-environmental conflicts and the areas that are potentially interesting for conservation. The results provided the basis for the suggestion of shifts in the present policy for protected areas. The studied region presents a high potential for land use practices associated with natural resource conservation. Extractivism of a native fern, called samambaia-preta (Rumohra adiantiformis), and ecoturism are examples of such potential activities. Bioregional planning and management would be a fundamental approach for taking into account the interests of the local populations in a more sustainable and organized way.

Text in Afrikaans / In hierdie navorsingsverslag word die omgewingsgerigte poësie van Johann Lodewyk Marais ondersoek. Marais se verskuns word onder meer as “groen”, “omgewingsgerig”, “ekopoëties”, “bioregionaal” en “biogeografies” beskryf en kritici is dit eens dat sy oeuvre ‘n sterk bewaringsingesteldheid vertoon. Marais se eiesoortige bydrae tot die bewaringsdiskoers (deur sowel sy verse as kritiese uitsprake) word hier geëvalueer aan die hand van sekere sleutelkonsepte uit die museum- en bewaringswetenskap wat telkens as metafore in sy poësie figureer: taksonomie, taksidermie en diorama. Saamgelees met Halloran se idee van die teks as argivale ruimte of museum, word hierdie konsepte (naamlik taksonomie, taksidermie en diorama) voorgehou as ‘n leesstrategie waarmee die bewaringsgesinde poësie van Marais gedekodeer kan word. / This research report focuses on the environmental poetry of Johann Lodewyk Marais. His poetry has been described as “green”, “environmental”, “ecopoetical”, “bioregional” and “biogeographical” and critics agree that the oeuvre displays a strong element of conservation and even preservation. Marais’s unique contribution towards this discourse of conservation is assessed by utilising certain key concepts from museology, which frequently manifests in his poetry as metaphors: taxonomy, taxidermy and diorama. Halloran’s notion of the text as archival space or museum, read in tandem with these concepts of taxonomy, taxidermy and diorama, is then presented as a reading strategy for decoding Marais’s poetry. / Afrikaans & Theory of Literature / M.A. (Afrikaans)