<p>This study aimed at analysing the South African government's attempt at reconciling poverty reduction and biodiversity conservation in the context of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). The study analyses this, using the cases of Hluleka and Mkanbati Nature Reserves in the Eastern Cape Province. To achieve this aim, the study used qualitative research methodology, which employed a three-pronged approach.</p>

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of requirements for the degree of Master of Science. / Three key objectives of transfrontier conservation are biodiversity conservation, local economic development and the promotion of peace and cooperation across international borders (Ramutsindela, 2004). Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCA’s) may incorporate a variety of conservation land uses, and comprise of both consumptive and non-consumptive uses of wildlife (Hanks, 2003). It is critical that this mosaic of land uses is well managed and integrated in order to meet the conservation and socio-economic goals of TFCA’s. One challenge is that different conservation land use areas may have varying effects on wildlife. This study aims to further our understanding of these effects in the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park of South Africa and Mozambique. The research uses the behavioural responses of wildlife as a way of determining the tolerance of wildlife to potentially disturbing activities. Four different conservation land use areas, namely trophy hunting, communal land, photographic tourism and exclusive photographic tourism were studied and compared in and around the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, southern Africa. The aim of this study was to firstly establish the diversity of mammals and the frequency of mammal sightings within each conservation land use area, and secondly, assess the response behaviour of five mammal species to an approaching vehicle. K-means cluster analysis was used on both the mammal sightings data and the response behaviour data in order to determine key influencing variables. Throughout the study period, the mammal diversity and frequency of mammal sightings were the highest in the private ecotourism concession, followed by the national park, and then the trophy hunting reserve and lastly communal land. The behavioural responses displayed by the five study mammals (African elephant, African buffalo, impala, chacma baboon and Burchell’s zebra) also varied considerably between the four conservation land use areas. The lowest response indexes and least number of flight responses occurred in the national park, followed by the private ecotourism concession, and conversely, a higher average initial response index and a greater occurrence of flight responses occurring in the trophy hunting reserve and communal land. According to the findings from the cluster analyses, the type of conservation land use impacts on the sighting potential and sighting quality of mammals, but so do iii topographical differences and seasons. These results can help in the management of each conservation land use area on its own and as an integrated part of a TFCA.

Esta dissertação constitui-se em um estudo do Projeto Couro Vegetal da Amazônia que possui características de um projeto de design sustentável. O trabalho procura demonstrar isto através da conceituação de sustentabilidade aplicada ao projeto de produto sob os ângulos ambiental, social e econômico. A conceituação foi feita segundo parâmetros internacionais aplicadas ao contexto brasileiro. O estudo tem como ponto de partida o uso e características da matéria prima renovável, a borracha, e seu histórico do ponto de vista do extrativismo, dos conflitos sociais e dos resultados positivos destas lutas a favor dos seringueiros que resultou também em benefícios ecológicos para a preservação das florestas através da criação de Unidades de Conservação de Uso Sustentável que fazem parte das políticas públicas brasileiras atuais. Para medir o impacto ambiental do produto foi estudada a ferramenta de Avaliação de Ciclo de Vida e sua aplicação na fabricação do couro vegetal. O trabalho pretende contribuir para a criação de parâmetros de sustentabilidade aplicados ao design brasileiro que possam servir de referência na atividade de projeto de produto. / This dissertation is a study of Amazonia Vegetal Leather Project that has caracteristics of sustainable design. The aim of this work is to demonstrate it, based upon concepts of sustainability considering environmental, social and economic aspects, applied to product project. This approach has been made based in international concepts applied to brazilian reality. The starting point of the study is the use and the caracteristics of the renewable raw material, the natural rubber, its history of extractivism, social conflicts, and the positive results for the seringueiros and for the conservation of the forest by the creation of Conservation Units with Sustainable Use that is part of brazilian public politics nowadays. To measure the environmental impacts of the product the Life Cycle Assesstment has been studied and its application to vegetal leather production. The intention of this work is contribute to create parameters of sustainability applied to Brazilian design that can be a reference to the activity of product project.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a estrutura populacional e genética de Hymenaea stigonocarpa Mart. ex Hayne em duas áreas no Cerrado do Estado de São Paulo. Para tanto, foram transferidos oito iniciadores microssatélites nucleares (SSR) de Hymenaea courbaril para H. stigonocarpa, além de cinco iniciadores microssatélites cloroplastidiais (cpSSR) universais. O presente trabalho respondeu às hipóteses sobre a dispersão restrita de sementes, a existência de propagação vegetativa e a viabilidade evolutiva das populações nas unidades de conservação analisadas. O estudo foi conduzido em duas unidades de conservação administradas pelo Instituto Florestal do Estado de São Paulo e representam alguns dos últimos remanescentes protegidos de Cerrado no Estado, com fisionomias e históricos contrastantes. Na população localizada na Estação Ecológica de Itirapina (EEI), Itirapina, S.P., foram encontrados 68 indivíduos de H. stigonocarpa dispostos em reboleiras. Utilizando marcadores SSR, foram constatados apenas 18 genótipos diferentes (genetes), evidenciando a propagação vegetativa na EEI. Apesar do número reduzido de genetes na área, esta população apresentou excesso de heterozigotos. Mesmo assim, a área mínima viável para conservação ( AMV ) foi maior do que a área total da EEI devido à baixa densidade de indivíduos. A análise de paternidade, utilizando todas as sementes disponíveis na EEI (n = 71), revelou que 42,46% tiveram doadores de pólen fora na área amostrada e o tamanho efetivo de vizinhança de polinização foi de 1.283 ha, mostrando a importância da preservação de áreas particulares ou a expansão da unidade de conservação. Houve dominância de doadores de pólen e a distância média de polinização foi de 2.325 m, variando de 0,35 a 3.570 m. Além disso, os marcadores cpSSR revelaram um forte efeito fundador, com a existência de um único haplótipo. Contrastando com a EEI, a população estudada na Estação Ecológica de Assis e na Floresta Estadual de Assis (EEA) apresentou 47 indivíduos distintos geneticamente (genetes). O uso de marcadores SSR na população da EEA revelou um alto e significativo índice de fixação ( f = 0,177), associado a uma significativa estrutura genética espacial (EGE) ( xy q = 0,075) até 750 m. A EGE foi resultante de uma dispersão restrita de sementes, comprovada pelo uso de marcadores cpSSR. A alta divergência genética demonstrada pelos marcadores SSR e o número de haplótipos privados encontrado na população da EEA fez com que cada população fosse considerada uma Unidade Independente para o Manejo (UIM) e, ao mesmo tempo uma Unidade Evolutiva Significativa (USE). Essas designações implicam que, apesar das populações da EEA e da EEI possuírem um tamanho efetivo ( e N ) e uma AMV insuficientes para a manutenção da endogamia local de H. stigonocarpa em curto prazo, a localização específica dessas unidades permitiu englobar reservatórios gênicos distintos, importantes para se iniciar uma conservação evolutivo-adaptativa. Assim, programas visando a restauração florestal ou melhoramento de H. stigonocarpa devem contemplar genótipos de cada USE. Além disso, a coleta de sementes visando a conservação deve obedecer a uma distância mínima de 750 m quando os indivíduos não estiverem dispostos em reboleiras. / This study aimed to evaluate the population and genetic structure of Hymenaea stigonocarpa Mart. ex Hayne in two areas of Cerrado in the State of São Paulo. For this, eight nuclear microsatellite (SSR) primers from Hymenaea courbaril and five universal chloroplastidial microsatellite primers (cpSSR) were transferred from Hymenaea coubaril to H. stigonocarpa. This study answered the assumptions regarding restricted seed dispersal, vegetative propagation and the existence of the populations evolutionary viability in the studied conservation units. This study was conducted in two protected areas managed by the Forest Institute State of São Paulo and represent some of the last protected remnants of Cerrado in the State with contrasting physiognomies and history. The 68 trees of H. stigonocarpa on the population located in the Ecological Station of Itirapina (ESI), Itirapina, S.P., were spatially clumped. Using SSR markers only 18 different genotypes (genets) were found, showing the existence of vegetative propagation in ESI. Despite the limited number of genets in the area, this population showed an excess of heterozygotes. Even so, the minimum viable area for conservation ( AMV ) was greater than the total area of the ESI due to low density of individuals. The paternity analysis using all the available seeds in ESI (n = 71) revealed that 42.46% of pollen donors were outside the sampled area and the effective neighborhood size of pollination was 1283 ha demonstrating the importance of surrounding areas and the expansion of the protected area. There was pollen donor dominance and the average distance of pollination was 2325 m, ranging from 0.35 to 3570 m. Furthermore, the markers cpSSR revealed a strong founder effect, with the existence of a single haplotype. In contrast to the ESI, the population studied in the Ecological Station of Assis and in the Assis State Forest (EEA), had 47 trees, all genets. The use of SSR markers in the population of the ESA revealed a high and significant fixation index ( f = 0177), associated with a significant spatial genetic structure (SGS) ( xy q = 0075) up to 750 m. The SGS was originated by a limited seed dispersal, as evidenced by the use of cpSSR markers. The high genetic divergence shown by SSR markers and the number of private haplotypes found in the population of the ESA are reasons to consider each population independent units for management (IUM) and at the same time an Evolutionary Significant Unit (ESU). These designations mean that, in despite of the populations of the ESI and ESA have insufficient effective sizes ( e N ) and AMV for the maintenance of H. stigonocarpa inbreeding level in the short term, the specific location of these units allowed to include different gene pools, important in starting an adaptive-evolutionary conservation. Thus, programs aimed at forest restoration or breeding of H. stigonocarpa shall address each ESU genotypes. Moreover, the collection of seeds for conservation should have a minimum distance of 750 m among trees, when these are not clumped.

Esta dissertação constitui-se em um estudo do Projeto Couro Vegetal da Amazônia que possui características de um projeto de design sustentável. O trabalho procura demonstrar isto através da conceituação de sustentabilidade aplicada ao projeto de produto sob os ângulos ambiental, social e econômico. A conceituação foi feita segundo parâmetros internacionais aplicadas ao contexto brasileiro. O estudo tem como ponto de partida o uso e características da matéria prima renovável, a borracha, e seu histórico do ponto de vista do extrativismo, dos conflitos sociais e dos resultados positivos destas lutas a favor dos seringueiros que resultou também em benefícios ecológicos para a preservação das florestas através da criação de Unidades de Conservação de Uso Sustentável que fazem parte das políticas públicas brasileiras atuais. Para medir o impacto ambiental do produto foi estudada a ferramenta de Avaliação de Ciclo de Vida e sua aplicação na fabricação do couro vegetal. O trabalho pretende contribuir para a criação de parâmetros de sustentabilidade aplicados ao design brasileiro que possam servir de referência na atividade de projeto de produto. / This dissertation is a study of Amazonia Vegetal Leather Project that has caracteristics of sustainable design. The aim of this work is to demonstrate it, based upon concepts of sustainability considering environmental, social and economic aspects, applied to product project. This approach has been made based in international concepts applied to brazilian reality. The starting point of the study is the use and the caracteristics of the renewable raw material, the natural rubber, its history of extractivism, social conflicts, and the positive results for the seringueiros and for the conservation of the forest by the creation of Conservation Units with Sustainable Use that is part of brazilian public politics nowadays. To measure the environmental impacts of the product the Life Cycle Assesstment has been studied and its application to vegetal leather production. The intention of this work is contribute to create parameters of sustainability applied to Brazilian design that can be a reference to the activity of product project.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T17:31:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Janice_Costa_da_Silva.pdf: 1517975 bytes, checksum: c3393750f9cefea56774dadfb01ef50c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-12-20 / This study aimed to analyze the agricultural activities that occur in the areas surrounding the Iguassu National Park, in the band corresponding to the municipality of São Miguel do Iguaçu. The central focus of the discussion is based on the need for regularization of the use of the natural environment, considered important for environmental conservation. The Iguazu National Park is a conservation of protected areas, where the activities have to comply with its management plan, particularly in the range called the buffer zone (or transition environment) that must have a radius of ten (10) km surrounding the park. That management plan does not allow cultivation of transgenic crops in its buffer zone causing much discussion among the owners. This impediment is discussed and justified by the farmers who criticize the application of these laws. They, in their discussions, they ask that the law is changed, or rather it is licensed for a minimum planting of transgenic crops, which means changing the rules of protection of areas around the National Park. This information subsidize this research, which seeks to facilitate a greater awareness on how to use and exploitation of natural resources, especially close to the environmental reserve, considering the current agricultural techniques that hinder environmental sustainability. At the end of the study it was found that environmental changes, considered more significant in the study area are related to human behavior and economic activities. / Este estudo teve como objetivo principal analisar as atividades agrícolas que ocorrem nas áreas do entorno do Parque Nacional do Iguaçu, na faixa correspondente ao município de São Miguel do Iguaçu. O foco central da reflexão está pautado na necessidade de regularizações do uso do meio natural, consideradas importantes, para a conservação ambiental. O Parque Nacional do Iguaçu é uma unidade de conservação de proteção integral, onde as atividades desenvolvidas têm de respeitar seu plano de manejo, particularmente na faixa denominada de zona de amortecimento (entorno ou de transição) que deve ter um raio de 10 (dez) quilômetros circundante ao Parque. O referido plano de manejo não prevê a possibilidade de cultivo de transgênicos em sua zona de amortecimento o que causa muita discussão entre os proprietários. Esse impedimento é debatido e justificado pelos agricultores que fazem críticas sobre a aplicação dessas leis. Os mesmos, nas suas discussões, solicitam que a lei seja alterada, ou melhor, que seja licenciada uma distância mínima para o plantio de transgênicos, o que significa alterar as normas de proteção das áreas do entorno do Parque Nacional. Essas informações subsidiam esta pesquisa, que procura viabilizar uma maior conscientização quanto à forma de uso e exploração dos recursos naturais, particularmente, próximo à reserva ambiental, considerando as técnicas agrícolas atuais que dificultam a sustentabilidade ambiental. Ao final do estudo foi possível identificar que as alterações ambientais, consideradas mais significativas da área de estudo, estão relacionadas ao comportamento humano e as atividades econômicas.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-12T14:42:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Janice_Costa_da_Silva.pdf: 1517975 bytes, checksum: c3393750f9cefea56774dadfb01ef50c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-12-20 / This study aimed to analyze the agricultural activities that occur in the areas surrounding the Iguassu National Park, in the band corresponding to the municipality of São Miguel do Iguaçu. The central focus of the discussion is based on the need for regularization of the use of the natural environment, considered important for environmental conservation. The Iguazu National Park is a conservation of protected areas, where the activities have to comply with its management plan, particularly in the range called the buffer zone (or transition environment) that must have a radius of ten (10) km surrounding the park. That management plan does not allow cultivation of transgenic crops in its buffer zone causing much discussion among the owners. This impediment is discussed and justified by the farmers who criticize the application of these laws. They, in their discussions, they ask that the law is changed, or rather it is licensed for a minimum planting of transgenic crops, which means changing the rules of protection of areas around the National Park. This information subsidize this research, which seeks to facilitate a greater awareness on how to use and exploitation of natural resources, especially close to the environmental reserve, considering the current agricultural techniques that hinder environmental sustainability. At the end of the study it was found that environmental changes, considered more significant in the study area are related to human behavior and economic activities. / Este estudo teve como objetivo principal analisar as atividades agrícolas que ocorrem nas áreas do entorno do Parque Nacional do Iguaçu, na faixa correspondente ao município de São Miguel do Iguaçu. O foco central da reflexão está pautado na necessidade de regularizações do uso do meio natural, consideradas importantes, para a conservação ambiental. O Parque Nacional do Iguaçu é uma unidade de conservação de proteção integral, onde as atividades desenvolvidas têm de respeitar seu plano de manejo, particularmente na faixa denominada de zona de amortecimento (entorno ou de transição) que deve ter um raio de 10 (dez) quilômetros circundante ao Parque. O referido plano de manejo não prevê a possibilidade de cultivo de transgênicos em sua zona de amortecimento o que causa muita discussão entre os proprietários. Esse impedimento é debatido e justificado pelos agricultores que fazem críticas sobre a aplicação dessas leis. Os mesmos, nas suas discussões, solicitam que a lei seja alterada, ou melhor, que seja licenciada uma distância mínima para o plantio de transgênicos, o que significa alterar as normas de proteção das áreas do entorno do Parque Nacional. Essas informações subsidiam esta pesquisa, que procura viabilizar uma maior conscientização quanto à forma de uso e exploração dos recursos naturais, particularmente, próximo à reserva ambiental, considerando as técnicas agrícolas atuais que dificultam a sustentabilidade ambiental. Ao final do estudo foi possível identificar que as alterações ambientais, consideradas mais significativas da área de estudo, estão relacionadas ao comportamento humano e as atividades econômicas.

Within the broad field of global environmental history this master thesis analyses transfrontier conservation areas (TFCAs) also known as 'peace parks', and explores how the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park (GLTP) has been envisioned, described, motivated and implemented. Using Actor-Network Theory and Framing Analysis, the thesis analyses how the idea of the GLTP and the critique against it has been framed over time through the analysis of official reports and academic research in combination with in-depth interviews with key actors. By approaching the topic of transfrontier conservation in a broad manner, and by incorporating a wide variety of sources, the thesis attempts to go beyond single explanations of the phenomenon and, instead, provide a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the transfrontier conservation idea linked to the GLTP and its history. The thesis shows that the rise of transfrontier conservation involves a complex network of actors, spanning over local-global and public-private scales. Integrated networks are formed between key actors including national governments and conservation authorities, donor agencies, NGOs – in particular the Peace Parks Foundation, and civil society. The GLTP has been framed as a way to achieve three main goals: biodiversity conservation, community development through ecotourism and public-private partnerships, and regional peace and security. The thesis shows that the framing has shifted over time, from a strict conservation focus to more inclusive approaches where social aspects are seen as increasingly important for the long term sustainability of TFCAs. But the idea that transfrontier conservation can resolve all regional problems, from political cooperation to wildlife management to local socio-economic development, is also contested in this study. The thesis illuminates a gap between official policy/management reports and academic studies related primarily to the role of community development in the framing and implementation of the GLTP. Despite various challenges that hinder the effective implementation of the goals and visions of the park such as wildlife crime, insufficient community involvement and problematic legal and policy arrangements, the thesis concludes that the GLTP represents an important contribution to global conservation commitments and needs to be viewed as a complex, long-term and constantly evolving project.

Concerns about declines in marine biodiversity led to the creation of marine protected areas and spatial fishery closures as tools for recovery. Yet many marine conservation areas suffer low levels of compliance from diverse fishing populations, including recreational fishers. Little research quantifies levels of recreational fisher compliance and its drivers, especially in temperate marine environments, despite the prevalence of this kind of fishing in some regions. This thesis addresses this knowledge gap through a study of recreational fisher compliance in Rockfish Conservation Areas (RCAs) in British Columbia, Canada. One hundred and sixty four RCAs were implemented between 2003 and 2007 and now cover 4847.2 km2. These conservation areas were created in response to widespread concern from fishers and non-governmental organizations about inshore rockfish population declines. However, recent research suggested that recreational fisher compliance might be low. This thesis had two goals: 1) contribute to knowledge about, and develop methods of assessing, non-compliance within marine conservation areas, and 2) address the immediate problem of suspected recreational non-compliance in RCAs. I had the following objectives: 1) Assess ecological and social RCA effectiveness to date, using a framework for improving governance from the literature on common pool resources; 2) Assess recreational fisher knowledge and perceptions of RCAs, and 3) Quantify non-compliance and social and ecological compliance drivers in RCAs. Methods included a literature review, structured surveys with 325 recreational fishers at 16 locations in the Salish Sea (Southern Gulf Islands and Victoria area), and trail camera monitoring in 42 coastal locations (both RCAs and unprotected sites). Results show that recreational fisher knowledge and compliance to RCA regulations is low. The assessment of social and ecological effectiveness shows much room for management improvement for recreational fisheries. This finding is supported by my survey and trail camera data. I found that 25.5% of recreational fishers had never heard of RCAs and ~60% were unsure of RCA locations. The total non-compliance rate was 23% in RCAs. Seventy nine percent of trail camera monitored RCA sites showed confirmed or probable fishing activity, with no significant difference between fishing effort inside and outside RCAs. However, 77% of fishers surveyed believed that rockfish conservation is necessary with advertising, fisher education, and increased monitoring offered as solutions to non-compliance. I recommend managers implement a public outreach and education campaign to address low levels of compliance. This study suggests that positive perceptions of marine conservation areas and conservation initiatives are not enough to create high compliance. Educating stakeholders and creating high levels of awareness should be an essential first step when creating marine conservation areas. My research offers important insights into the study of non-compliance, and the immediate problem of recreational non-compliance in BC’s RCAs. My successful use of a simple and cost/time efficient multiple methods approach to assessing compliance provides robust tools for future compliance analyses, and hence provides a valuable contribution to the compliance literature. The study also suggests that trail camera monitoring could be a promising new method for monitoring coastal conservation areas. / Graduate / 0768 / 0792 / 0306

Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) are considered a suitable strategy to combine nature conservation and poverty alleviation in southern Africa, usually through ecotourism. There have, however, been critical voices questioning whether this is actually succeeding. Many researchers claim that the conservation and tourism efforts are leaving the local communities at greater risks of impoverishment rather than helping them. This study consults previous research to examine this issue through the examples of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA), and the communities living close to its National Parks in Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe. The methodology used is a systematic literature study of 26 secondary sources. The study finds that the previous research reveals that the experiences of the communities vary between different areas in the TFCA. The general feeling is that of displacement in different ways, except in those communities that have found ways of empowering and developing themselves; through tourism schemes. Otherwise, the attitude from the authorities in the national parks of the TFCA seems to be that the conservation and tourism efforts in the area are given priority over the local residents’ needs. Theories such as systems ecology, sustainable development and deep ecology may have answers to this issue on paper, however judging from the reality presented in the literature used in this study they are not realistic in practice. What is obvious is that economic interests are prioritized in the GLTFCA just as in the rest of the world.