Through an analysis of three rural communities in these provinces, this research sought to understand how and why benefits arising from the use of coastal resources in the fisheries and mining sectors are shared and distributed in the manner that they are.

In South Africa the systematic collection of water samples from surface waters and the collation of results is the responsibility of the Department of Water and Sanitation, previously the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry. Local authorities and private contractors are also responsible for conducting water quality tests for reporting purposes. In most cases, samples are collected by hand at predetermined sites and intervals across the country, and are tested for a standard set of parameters that covers various physical, chemical and bacteriological water quality measures. This approach and method of monitoring is time consuming, expensive and requires a high level of skills and capacity to achieve a representative and reliable sample. There is no immediate substitute, although there is a resurgence of interest in the use of bio-indicators in monitoring rivers. In this study, diatoms are investigated as an indicator of water quality because of the relative abundance of species and the ease with which they can be collected in the field, and the establishment of taxonomies of species that are aligned to pollution levels. There is limited knowledge about diatoms species found in lotic conditions, and in seasonal conditions in a Mediterranean climate where the surface water is slightly acidic. This study investigates the use diatoms in lotic waters of the Western Cape and compares this information to surface water quality measurements in the upper and middle course of the Berg River. The study commences by establishing baseline information of diatoms species for the upper to middle section of the Berg River which coincides with sites where surface water samples are regularly collected by the Department of Water and Sanitation. The study was conducted over a 12 month period in order to analysis the response of species to seasonal change and in relation to changing conditions at various point sources of where there is a known discharge into the Berg River. Species and population will be compared to the typological classification of diatom species and in relation to surface water quality. The study seeks to understand how diatoms respond to acidic waters of the Berg River; to measure the response of diatoms to changes in the water quality along the length of the river; and to determine the response of diatom species to point sources discharging water of varying quality into the river.

Includes bibliographical references.

Bibliography: leaves 146-155. / Sea surface temperature (SSTs) variations in the South Indian Ocean have been found to influence rainfall over Southern Africa. As one of the modes of South Indian Ocean SST variability, the subtropical South Indian Ocean dipole is observed to be associated with dry and wet summer conditions over Southern Africa. The positive phase of the subtropical South Indian Ocean dipole is characterized by warm SST anomalies in the southwest South Indian Ocean and cool SST anomalies in the southeast. This phase is associated with above average summer rainfall over the subcontinent. The negative phase is associated with dry conditions over Southern Africa and is characterized by cool SST anomalies in the southwest and warm anomalies in the southeast South Indian Ocean. In order to investigate the atmospheric response over Southern Africa to this phenomenon, this study uses the MM5 regional climate model in which the model is forced with a warm pole SST anomaly south of Madagascar.

Bibliography: pages 239-249. / The littoral aquatic plant community of Swartvlei declined after 1978, apparently as a result of increased lake water turbidity. To investigate the causes of this, land use and land management of the Swartvlei catchment area have been studied. Possible causes and the extent of accelerated runoff and sediment loss in different rainfall conditions were determined. Rainfall, water flow, Secchi disc and sediment load data are reviewed and the apparent relationship between them noted. Water samples were collected at 32 different sample sites to determine sediment loads. Samples were vacuum filtered through coarse and fine glass fibre filters and the results recorded in milligrams of sediment per litre of water. The quantity and duration of rainfall in the immediate pre-sampling period were recorded. Secchi disc transparency of Swartvlei water was recorded. Catchment land use and land management are described in four areas based on land use and geographical location. The naturally vegetated montane upper catchment area, the foothill plantation area, the agricultural areas on the tertiary plateau and the road reconstruction and recreation areas are considered separately. Land use and land management information was obtained from a literature review and study of topographical maps, orthophotographs, geological survey maps and aerial photographs. Flights over the area enabled confirmation of observations. Informal interviews with persons involved in catchment management, property-owners and roads authorities were conducted. Areas of accelerated sediment loss were determined and the magnitude of the problem noted. Results show that rainfall duration, intensity, quantity and distribution determine the effect of sediment-laden runoff on river and vlei water quality. Small storm events (< 50 mm) influence the water quality of tributaries particularly in the lower catchment areas. Storm events of > 50 mm influence the main catchment rivers and light penetration in Swartvlei at the river inflow points. Long-duration flood rainfalls bring about massive soil loss in the catchment and cause reduced light penetration over the entire surface area of Swartvlei. Most sediment originates from the lower sections of the catchment area where human activities are most intense. Natural vegetation acts as a protective barrier against soil loss and its removal and the lack of suitable runoff channels leads to greater sediment loss. Recommendations to reduce sediment loss are made. The topographical and soil characteristics of the area make it sensitive to soil loss, the significance of which has only been recognised recently. The socio-economic circumstances in the region and the present economic recession are limiting amelioration of the situation in this beautiful natural area.

Includes bibliography. / This report reviews the potential of financial incentives and compensatory mechanisms for achieving conservation goals on privately owned land in South Africa. Legal concepts, such as the notion of absolute ownership of property, are examined in the context of South Africa's historical and political circumstances to highlight how they have contributed to a highly individualistic attitude to land ownership in South Africa. The achievement of environmental objectives has relied largely on outright control of, and prohibitions on, the use of land. Incentives and compensatory mechanisms offer complementary methods of encouraging the diminution of ownership rights in private land for the public interest. A review of some foreign legal systems shows that compensation for the diminution of private rights in land is a grossly neglected area of South African law. It is found that attention should be given to the development of satisfactory principles of compensation as well as to the incorporation of incentives into South African legislation. It is concluded that the success of such recommendations is dependant on the fulfilment of certain administrative prerequisites, including the formulation of a national strategy for the conservation of private land in South Africa and the constitution of a formal body of experts to advise on compensation and incentive schemes.

This study identified the need to provide a proof of concept of the use and disaggregation of existing health data in order to study the cross-sectional and spatial distribution of HIV, tuberculosis and noncommunicable disease multimorbidity and the association with socioeconomic disadvantage at a South African, Western Cape Province and urban/intra-urban scale for 2008 and 2012. This study was framed within a health geography context and draws attention to the reality of health variations which are influenced by place-based effects, including the surrounding social, cultural and economic structural factors and mechanisms that, together, constitute the social determinants of health. However, in order to identify and understand these variations in health, access to health data that is able to be disaggregated by key characteristic and spatial scales, is essential. Therefore, this study utilised existing health data from the National Income Dynamics Study, a longitudinal study with a sample of approximately 28 000 people, to perform secondary data analysis using a positivist approach to research. This study found that the coupling of geospatial and health data is able to produce new health information and the graphical representation of data provides unique insights in health variations. Secondly, the burden of disease is not consistent between spatial scales which suggests variations in epidemiological profiles between sub-national geographies, thereby supporting the argument for the need of data disaggregation. Finally, the cross-sectional analysis of this study found multimorbidity to be associated with age, socioeconomic deprivation, obesity and urban areas, while the spatial analysis showed clusters (hot spots) of higher multimorbidity prevalence in parts of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, which compared with the socioeconomic disadvantage spatial pattern. Therefore, this study provides an example of the research needed to provide information to support policy improvement and enable the urban planning and public health professions to work together.

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 132-151). / The Succulent Karoo is a biodiversity hot spot situated along the west coast of southern Africa. While it is predominantly recognized as a west coast vegetation type its borders stretch as far east as Steytlerville in the Little Karoo. The area contains the largest number of endemic succulent species in the world and harbors nearly 10 percent of the of the total number of succulent species worldwide. Furthermore, spring mass-flowering events draw thousands of tourists to the region, providing welcome input to the local economies. The floral diversity is however, under threat from various environmental forces. These forces include inappropriate land use practices resulting in Land Degradation and the ever-present threat of Climate Change.

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 111-124). / This study aims to understand what role the landscape, and the management thereof, played in the March 2003 floods in the Kogmans River catchment. The Kogmans River (H3) secondary catchment is situated in the Klein (Uttle) Karoo region of the Western Cape, approximately 170km east of the city of Cape Town.

Bibliography: leaves 104-109. / This study assesses the process of solid waste management, from generation to disposal, on Robben Island. The major objectives of this research were the following: * To assess the quantity and the type of solid waste generated on Robben Island; * To investigate the areas where waste is generated; * To assess current waste management practices that are undertaken on Robben Island; and * To assess the level of understanding, the attitudes and the behaviour of people working and residing on Robben Island with regards to waste management issues. As a popular tourist destination site, the researcher took into consideration during the investigation that, waste quantities generated on Robben Island might vary from season to season depending on the number of tourists visiting the island per season.