No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

The greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) is a large spiral-horned antelope that occurs in sub-Saharan Africa. The species is predominantly a browser and inhabits a diverse range of habitats including savanna woodland, scrub and open forests. The geographical distribution extends from south-eastern Chad, northern Central African Republic (CAR), through eastern Africa, to southern Africa. Throughout its range the species is threatened by habitat loss, fragmentation, diseases and hunting for trophy. Consequently, many populations have reduced numbers and are at great risk of local extinction. In the absence of evidence from comprehensive studies, strategies for conservation and management of many species are often based on subspecies designations despite the fact that the original descriptions were based on few samples and morphological characters that vary extensively. To develop appropriate conservation and management measures, it is imperative to obtain information on population structure, historical demography and evolutionary history of the species. The information generated is used to define units for conservation of the species. In this study, the objective was to investigate population structure and evolutionary history of the greater kudu by analysing mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region sequences and examining size variation in eight microsatellite loci. The mtDNA control region sequences were examined using a combined approach that included phylogeographic, nested clade and mismatch frequency distribution analyses. It was anticipated that use of the two types of genetic markers with contrasting patterns of inheritance and mutation would enhance the understanding and interpretation of the evolutionary history of the species throughout its range. The results were used to evaluate subspecies taxonomy, draw inferences on historical demography and provide information relevant for conservation and management of T. strepsiceros. Intraspecific variation in the mtDNA was examined in 94 samples from 12 locations and revealed low to medium levels of nucleotide diversity. The average nucleotide diversity was 2.7% (0.3% to 2.9%). The average sequence divergence between populations was 2.3% (0.0% to 5.7%). Eight microsatellite loci were analysed in 203 samples representing 13 locations. The number of alleles scored from these loci was 7-12 while the mean heterozygosity was 70.4% (66% to 76%). Microsatellite data showed shallow phylogeographic structure and the average measure of genetic differentiation <1>ST was 0.046. Comparisons of allelic variation across all populations revealed that the Eastern Cape had lower allelic diversity and showed significant differences in allele frequency distribution suggesting a genetic bottleneck in the population's evolutionary past. The combined analyses suggest that the greater kudu originated from Namibia and spread southwards before colonising other parts of its modern range. The results revealed weak geographic partitioning at the regional level, but showed two genetically distinct groups at the continental level. The first group comprised of populations from Namibia, Kimberley and the Eastern Cape from South Africa, while the second comprised of the remaining populations. The results suggest a single evolutionary significant unit (ESU) with two management units (MUs). In the long term, conservation efforts should focus on maintaining demographic connectivity over broad geographical areas within each MU in order to approximate the natural dispersal patterns of the species. / Thesis (PhD (Zoology))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Zoology and Entomology / unrestricted

City-regions have emerged as a critical focus of economic activity, governance and social organization as a result of the ongoing processes of economic restructuring. Canadian city-regions are limited in their capacity to respond to contemporary problems due to the functional and structural limitations of outdated governing systems. The Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) is a system of voluntary cooperation among twenty-one local municipalities. While this model has served the city-region well, its limits have been reached in terms of its ability to deliver necessary region-wide policy responses. Economic development, a crucial policy issue for urban regions, is characterized by vague and ill-functioning relationships and by poorly-defined policies and programs between the member municipalities and the regional tier. The GVRD is constrained by the fact that it can only do what is delegated by its members, and decisions are often compromised in order to suit conflicting local interests that exist throughout the region. A new governing model for the city-region should foster a regional vision, and should be appropriate for the responsibilities the city-region is expected to fulfill in this era of global competition. A single-tier government is the most appropriate model for Greater Vancouver, allowing comprehensive regional planning and innovative economic development to be carried out with a strong regional voice, and for decisions to be made with a greater degree of certainty, preserving the livability and economic health of Canada's fastest-growing city-region.

No description available.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1967. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

The widespread use of modern media of mass communication, the growth of the profession of social work and the direct impact of voluntary and government welfare programs on individual and family life have made the ordinary citizen aware of the existence of health and welfare services in his community. This awareness, however, is often generalized and may not prove sufficient to enable a person, at the point of human need, to communicate with that agency best fitted to serve him. To overcome these barriers in communication and to provide a continuing demonstration of the existence of and the co-operation between social agencies, governmental and voluntary, many communities have developed central information and referral services. This study seeks first to trace the development of central information services on the North American continent and in Great Britain. The process of community organizations leading to the inauguration of a "Community Information Service" in Vancouver, British Columbia, is described and evaluated, as is the pattern of administration and practice in the Vancouver Information-referral office during the first year of operation on an experimental basis. To evaluate the role of the Community Information Service, Vancouver, a compilation of inquiries according to source, nature and disposal during an eight month period is presented and analysed. The program of the Community Information Service is studied against six developed criteria. From this basis and from the replies received from eight organizations in response to a questionnaire, reasons for and against the continuation of the service beyond the agreed period of experimentation are presented and equated. Some modifications and simplification of agency structure may be anticipated. Schools of Social Work may lay greater emphasis on generalized preparation for practice. These factors may minimize the need for referral between agencies and with it the need for central referral services. But until the movements described above become more visible, the ordinary man living in a metropolitan area may still benefit from the existence of central information-referral offices. / Arts, Faculty of / Social Work, School of / Graduate

City-regions have emerged as a critical focus of economic activity, governance and social organization as a result of the ongoing processes of economic restructuring. Canadian city-regions are limited in their capacity to respond to contemporary problems due to the functional and structural limitations of outdated governing systems. The Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) is a system of voluntary cooperation among twenty-one local municipalities. While this model has served the city-region well, its limits have been reached in terms of its ability to deliver necessary region-wide policy responses. Economic development, a crucial policy issue for urban regions, is characterized by vague and ill-functioning relationships and by poorly-defined policies and programs between the member municipalities and the regional tier. The GVRD is constrained by the fact that it can only do what is delegated by its members, and decisions are often compromised in order to suit conflicting local interests that exist throughout the region. A new governing model for the city-region should foster a regional vision, and should be appropriate for the responsibilities the city-region is expected to fulfill in this era of global competition. A single-tier government is the most appropriate model for Greater Vancouver, allowing comprehensive regional planning and innovative economic development to be carried out with a strong regional voice, and for decisions to be made with a greater degree of certainty, preserving the livability and economic health of Canada's fastest-growing city-region. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of / Graduate

No description available.