Intense but short-term cloudbursts may cause severe flooding in urban areas. Such short-term cloudbursts mostly are of convective character, where the rain intensity may vary considerably within relatively small areas. Using uniform design rains where maximum intensity is assumed over the whole catchment is common practice in Sweden, though. This risks overestimating the hydraulic responses, and hence lead to overdimensioning of stormwater systems. The objective of this study was to determine how the hydraulic response to cloudbursts is affected by the spatial variation of the rain in relation to the catchment size, aiming to enable improved cloudburst mapping in Sweden. Initially, the spatial variation of heavy rains in Sweden was investigated by studying radar data provided by SMHI. The distribution of rainfall accumulated over two hours from heavy raincells was investigated, based on the assumption that the intensity of convective raincells can be approximated as spatially Gaussian distributed. Based on the results, three Gaussian test rains, whose spatial variation was deemed a representative selection of the radar study, were created. In order to investigate how the hydraulic peak responses differed between the Gaussian test rains and uniform reference rains, both test and reference rains were modeled in MIKE21 Flow model. The modelling was performed on an idealised urban model fitted to Swedish urban conditions, consisting of four nested square catchments of different sizes. The investigated hydraulic peak responses were maximum outflow, proportion flooded area and average maximum water depth. In comparison with spatially varied Gaussian rains centered at the outlets, the uniform design rain with maximum rain volume overestimated the peak hydraulic response with 1-8%, independent of catchment size. Uniform design rains scaled with an area reduction factor (ARF), which is averaging the rainfall of the Gaussian rain over the catchment, instead underestimated the peak response, in comparison with the Gaussian rains. The underestimation of ARF-rains increased heavily with catchment size, from less than 5 % for a catchment area of 4 km2 to 13 - 69 % for a catchment area of 36 km2. The conclusion can be drawn that catchment size ceases to affect the hydraulic peak response when the time it takes for the whole catchment to contribute to the peak response exceeds the time it takes for the peak to be reached. How much the rain varies over the area which is able to contribute to the peak response during the rain event, can be assumed to decide how much a design rain without ARF overestimates the peak responses. If the catchment exceeds this size, an ARF-scaled rain will underestimate the peak responses. This underestimation is amplified with larger catchments. The strong pointiness of the CDS-hyetograph used in the study risks underestimating the differences in hydraulic peak responses between the test rains and a uniform rain without ARF, while the difference between test rains and uniform rains with ARF risks being overestimated. / Intensiva men kortvariga skyfall kan orsaka omfattande översvämningsproblematik i urbana områden. Trots att sådana kortvariga skyfall oftast är av konvektiv karaktär, där regnintensiteten kan variera avsevärt inom relativt små områden, används idag uniforma designregn där maxintensitet antas över hela avrinningsområdet. Detta riskerar att leda till en överskattning av hydrauliska responser, och följaktligen överdimensionering av dagvattensystem. Denna studie syftar till att utreda hur den hydrauliska responsen av skyfall påverkas av regnets spatiala variation, i relation till avrinningsområdets storlek. Ytterst handlar det om att möjliggöra förbättrad skyfallskartering i Sverige. Initialt undersöktes den spatiala variationen hos kraftiga regn i Sverige, genom en studie av radardata tillhandahållen av SMHI. Utbredningen av regnmängd ackumulerad över två timmar från kraftiga regnceller undersöktes utifrån antagandet att intensiteten hos konvektiva regnceller kan approximeras som spatialt gaussfördelad. Baserat på resultatet skapades tre gaussfördelade testregn vars spatiala variation ansågs utgöra ett representativt urval från radarstudien. För att undersöka hur de hydrauliska responserna skiljer sig åt mellan de gaussfördelade testregnen och uniforma referensregn, modellerades såväl test- som referensregn i MIKE 21 Flow model. Modelleringen utfördes på en idealiserad stadsmodell anpassad efter svenska urbana förhållanden, bestående av fyra nästlade kvadratiska avrinningsområden av olika storlekar. De hydrauliska responser som undersöktes var maximalt utflöde, maximal andel översvämmad yta samt medelvärdesbildat maximalvattendjup, alltså toppresponser. Jämfört med spatialt varierade gaussregn centrerade kring utloppen överskattade ett uniformt designregn med testregnens maximala volym de hydrauliska toppresponserna med 1-8 %, oberoende av avrinningsområdets storlek. Uniforma designregn skalade med area reduction factor (ARF), vilken medelvärdesbildar gaussregnets nederbörd över avrinningsområdet, underskattade istället toppresponsen jämfört med gaussregnen. ARF-regnets underskattning ökade kraftigt med avrinningsområdets storlek, från mindre än 5 % för ett avrinningsområde på 4 km2, till 13 - 69 % för ett avrinningsområde på 36 km2. Slutsatsen kan dras att avrinningsområdets storlek upphör att påverka den hydrauliska toppresponsen, då tiden det tar för hela avrinningsområdet att samverka till toppresponsen överstiger tiden till denna respons. Hur mycket regnet varierar över det område som under regnhändelsen hinner samverka till toppresponsen, kan antas avgöra hur mycket ett designregn utan ARF överskattar toppresponserna. Överstiger avrinningsområdet denna storlek kommer ett ARF-regn att underskatta toppresponserna, och underskattningen förstärks med ökande avrinningsområdesstorlek. Den kraftiga temporala toppigheten hos den CDS-hyetograf som användes i studien riskerar att underskatta skillnaderna i hydraulisk topprespons mellan testregnen och ett uniformt regn utan ARF, medan skillnaden mellan testregn och uniforma regn med ARF istället riskerar att överskattas.

Human related activities have influenced the rivers of the southern Western Cape since as early as the 1700’s. As there is no detailed information available on ecological status of the Holsloot River, a tributary of the Breede River, this study aimed to gain insight into the effect of impacts associated with human activities on the habitat integrity of this river. The study intended to understand how seasonal changes, catchment characteristics and events are reflected in the ecological status of habitats along the river by applying bio-monitoring and river health measurements at selected sites in the upper, middle and lower reaches of the Holsloot River and compare the results to that of an undisturbed reference site. Results obtained in this study are compared with data gathered in 2008/2009 to determine if the ecological status of the river had changed in the period between the two sampling times. The study included assessment of the ecological status of the river based on standard bio-monitoring protocol (SASS5, IHI, IHAS and VEGRAI) as well as in situ water quality analysis (pH, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity and total dissolved solids). The construction of the instream Stettynskloof Dam changed the configuration of the riparian zone and river channel in the upper catchment area. Agricultural- and other human related activities, with consequent water abstraction, non-point-source pollution, loss of riparian vegetation, as well as dense stands of alien invader plants influence flow patterns and affects river ecology, especially in the dry summer months. Providing sufficient stream flow and adequate water levels, human related activities can create a larger variety of habitat types available that can support larger biodiversity and higher productivity. The level of inundation and stream flow, influenced by water abstraction as well as irrigation return-flow from extensive drainage systems especially in the dry months, contribute to the loss of biodiversity in the middle and lower reaches of the river. Where the upper reaches of the river are largely natural with few modifications, the habitat integrity deteriorates in the middle reaches so much so that ecosystem functioning are collectively impaired in lower reaches due to human related impacts. Sensitive macro-invertebrates found at lower seriously impacted parts of the river however, were in all probability washed down from lower impacted upstream habitats and may expectedly be able to again occupy habitats downstream if water quality and habitat availability improves. / Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Science)

No description available.

Cape Town, South Africa, falls within a winter rainfall region, making it difficult to assess the feasibility of rain- and stormwater harvesting. The reason for this is because the region’s high water demand period coincides with the low rainfall summer season, thereby limiting the availability of this alternative water resource when most needed. During this study, rainwater harvesting for toilet flushing purposes, collected from roof surfaces, was practically assessed by means of inserted flow meters at a pilot study site in Kommetjie, Cape Town. The combined and single system roof- and land surface runoff yields and savings of commercial buildings within the Kommetjie business area, were also theoretically assessed by making use of a mathematical roof- and land surface runoff model specifically developed during this study. The statistical testing of the hypotheses statements relating to the pre- and post-harvesting savings at the pilot study building, compared against the average actual municipal water usage, were performed. Hypotheses testing were also performed in order to compare the theoretical rain- and stormwater runoff yields for the commercial business area against the average actual municipal water consumption. The conclusions drawn from this study indicated that valuable potable water, as well as related financial savings, can be achieved within a winter rainfall region, thereby making rain- and stormwater harvesting a feasible option for commercial businesses in Cape Town. / Environmental Sciences / M.Sc. (Environmental Management)

The study focused on the role of the local community in the management of wetland. The study was triggered by the lack of participation of the local community in the management of the wetland. It is important to note that wetlands perform a number of ecosystem services, some of which are well recognised, others less so, and are internationally recognised as being one of the most important ecosystems for the conservation of biodiversity. South Africa is a signatory to the international obligations, which makes it a legal responsibility to make sure that wetlands are managed appropriately. It is therefore important for these natural resources to be managed appropriately. Information for generating data was obtained through the assessment of the wetland health and from the investigation of the management of the local community. In order to achieve the objectives of the study, qualitative method was used to gather the necessary data. The findings indicate that the current state of the wetland is severely modified, which means large loss of natural habitat, biota and basic ecosystem functions has occurred. The results also indicate that the community is ill-equipped to manage the resource appropriately. The findings therefore imply that immediate management interventions must be developed to improve the health of the wetland. In improving the state of the wetland, the study recommends, amongst others, that mitigation measures aimed at improving the wetland health and participation of wetland users be promoted. An establishment of a community-driven and multi-stakeholder intervention mechanism to help the community manage and utilise the wetland properly is also recommended. The study concludes by indicating that the community must comply with the environmental legislation and takes a lead in the management of the wetland, for the aim of restoring the functionality and integrity of the wetland. / Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Management)

Cape Town, South Africa, falls within a winter rainfall region, making it difficult to assess the feasibility of rain- and stormwater harvesting. The reason for this is because the region’s high water demand period coincides with the low rainfall summer season, thereby limiting the availability of this alternative water resource when most needed. During this study, rainwater harvesting for toilet flushing purposes, collected from roof surfaces, was practically assessed by means of inserted flow meters at a pilot study site in Kommetjie, Cape Town. The combined and single system roof- and land surface runoff yields and savings of commercial buildings within the Kommetjie business area, were also theoretically assessed by making use of a mathematical roof- and land surface runoff model specifically developed during this study. The statistical testing of the hypotheses statements relating to the pre- and post-harvesting savings at the pilot study building, compared against the average actual municipal water usage, were performed. Hypotheses testing were also performed in order to compare the theoretical rain- and stormwater runoff yields for the commercial business area against the average actual municipal water consumption. The conclusions drawn from this study indicated that valuable potable water, as well as related financial savings, can be achieved within a winter rainfall region, thereby making rain- and stormwater harvesting a feasible option for commercial businesses in Cape Town. / Environmental Sciences / M.Sc. (Environmental Management)

The study focused on the role of the local community in the management of wetland. The study was triggered by the lack of participation of the local community in the management of the wetland. It is important to note that wetlands perform a number of ecosystem services, some of which are well recognised, others less so, and are internationally recognised as being one of the most important ecosystems for the conservation of biodiversity. South Africa is a signatory to the international obligations, which makes it a legal responsibility to make sure that wetlands are managed appropriately. It is therefore important for these natural resources to be managed appropriately. Information for generating data was obtained through the assessment of the wetland health and from the investigation of the management of the local community. In order to achieve the objectives of the study, qualitative method was used to gather the necessary data. The findings indicate that the current state of the wetland is severely modified, which means large loss of natural habitat, biota and basic ecosystem functions has occurred. The results also indicate that the community is ill-equipped to manage the resource appropriately. The findings therefore imply that immediate management interventions must be developed to improve the health of the wetland. In improving the state of the wetland, the study recommends, amongst others, that mitigation measures aimed at improving the wetland health and participation of wetland users be promoted. An establishment of a community-driven and multi-stakeholder intervention mechanism to help the community manage and utilise the wetland properly is also recommended. The study concludes by indicating that the community must comply with the environmental legislation and takes a lead in the management of the wetland, for the aim of restoring the functionality and integrity of the wetland. / Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Management)

This thesis analyzes the commercial real estate market in Brno, with a focus on the fol-purchasing center. It also deals with determining the marketing strategy of OC Olympia. The marketing strategy was created SWOT analysis, and from it created proposals or recommendations for increasing visitor center. Next been created a competition analysis and market research around the center.

Southern Africa generally has an arid climate and many hydrologists are predicting an increase in water scarcity over time. This research seeks to understand the implications of this in socio-political terms. The study is cross-disciplinary, examining how policy interventions can be used to solve the problem caused by the interaction between hydrology and demography. The conclusion is that water scarcity is not the actual problem, but is perceived as the problem by policy-makers. Instead, water scarcity is the manifestation of the problem, with root causes being a combination of climate change, population growth and misallocation of water within the economy due to a desire for national self-sufficiency in agriculture. The solution lies in the trade of products with a high water content, also known as 'virtual water'. Research on this specific issue is called for by the White Paper on Water Policy for South Africa. / Political Sciences / M.A. (International Politics)

This dissertation integrates a process-based hydrological investigation with an ongoing paired-catchment study to better understand how forest harvest impacts catchment function at multiple scales. We do this by addressing fundamental questions related to the stocks, flows and transit times of water. Isotope tracers are used within a top-down catchment intercomparison framework to investigate the role of geology in controlling streamwater mean transit time and their scaling relationships with the surrounding landscape. We found that streams draining catchments with permeable bedrock geology at the Drift Creek watershed in the Oregon Coast Range had longer mean transit times than catchments with poorly permeable bedrock at the HJ Andrews Experimental Forest in the Oregon Cascades. We also found that differences in permeability contrasts within the subsurface controlled whether mean transit time scaled with indices of catchment topography (for the poorly permeable bedrock) or with catchment area (for the permeable bedrock). We then investigated the process-reasons for the observed differences in mean transit time ranges and scaling behavior using a detailed, bottom-up approach to characterize subsurface water stores and fluxes. We found that the mean transit times in catchments underlain by permeable bedrock were influenced by multiple subsurface storage pools with different groundwater ages, whereas storage in the poorly permeable catchments was limited to the soil profile and that resulted in quick routing of excess water to the stream at the soil bedrock interface, leading to mean transit times that were closely related to flowpath lengths and gradients. Finally, we examined how and where forest trees interacted with subsurface storage during the growing season using a forest manipulation experiment, where we tested the null hypothesis that near-stream trees alone influenced daily fluctuations in streamflow. We felled trees within this zone for two 2.5 ha basins and combined this with isotopic tracing of tree xylem water to test if water sources utilized by trees actively contributed to summer streamflow. We rejected our null hypotheses and found that diel fluctuations in streamflow were not generated exclusively in the near-stream zone. We were unable to link, isotopically, the water sources trees were utilizing to water that was contributing to streamflow. Our results provide new process-insights to how water is stored, extracted, and discharged from our forested catchments in Western Oregon that will help better explain how forest removal influences streamflow across multiple scales and geological conditions. / Graduation date: 2012