The purpose of this study was to develop and test a predictive understanding of the vegetation dynamics of the Lowveld of South Africa (30°35'E to 30°40'E and 24°00'S to 25°00'S). The study covered about 5000 km2 in Adjacent Private Protected Areas (APPA) adjoining the Kruger National Park (KNP). Data gathering (800 sites; 23 properties) commenced in 1989 and those recorded up to 2004 are reported here. The value, both ecological and economic, of the wildlife and tourism industry dependent on this savanna region is discussed in both historical and current perspectives. A range of land-use objectives and anthropogenic interventions were exposed. The properties ranged in size from 30 to 800 km2 and formed an effective and extensive manipulative experiment for investigating interaction of bush density, animal stocking, use of fire and landscape-scale processes. The first descriptive classification (at 1:250 000) of the area was developed using Inverse Distance Weighted interpolations. This confirms similar landscape/vegetation patterns in the KNP and Mocambique. The current mode of determining stocking density or carrying capacity was interrogated and indices suitable for complex multi-species systems developed. This was done in the context of equilibrial/disequilibrial paradigms. Application of the original indices resulted in drought-related declines in animal biomass of 4000 kg km2 over 20 years due to overestimation of carrying capacity. The model proposed here uses rainfall, animal type, biomass and vegetation parameters to determine stocking density for both coarse (regional) and ranch-specific scales. Principal driving determinants (rainfall, geology, soil type, tree density canopy cover, animal numbers, feeding classes and fire) of vegetation structure and their influence on the herbaceous layer were investigated. Groupings on ecological potential showed 'high' potential areas are less sensitive to animal impact than those classified as 'low' potential. Sustainability, embedded in a forward-looking component viz. Strategic Adaptive Management (SAM) with well-articulated endpoints viz. Thresholds of Potential Concern (TPCs) was used to study fluctuations in animal populations with Connochaetes taurinus (Blue wildebeest) as the case study. The TPC approach provides strong pointers for proactive management aimed at maintaining the system within bands defined by TPCs supporting operationally practical and periodically reviewed objectives. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.

A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of SCience University of the Witwatersrand. Johannesburg for the Degree of Master of Science / This study of the impact of elephants, Loxodonta africana (Blumenbach), in private reserves ln South Africa's lowveld region aimed to determine the sizes and species of woody plants most often affected by elephants and the proportion and severity of elephant impact on the marula tree Sclerocarya birrea. The study was conducted in three parts: vegetation quadrats in areas where elephants had been foraging, direct observation of the feeding behaviour of hand-raised elephants, and transects to sample S. birrea across the study areas. To distinguish preferences, the frequency of elephant impact on each species was compared with the frequency with which it was encountered by the elephants. In the vegetation quadrats, I found that uprooting and leaf stripping were infrequent in all sizes of stems, Main stem breakage affected stems lese than 30 cm in diameter whereas branch breakage and bark stripping increased with increasing size. Favoured species were Combretum collinum, Acacia gerrardii, Albizia harveyl sclerocarya birrea, Dalbergia metenoxyton, and Pterocarpus rotundifolius. Notable among neglected species were Acacia toriifis, Tettnmelle prunioides, and Terminalia sericea which are favoured food items for elephants elsewhere. Other common species which were not selected by elephants were Acacia exuvielis, Cassine transvaalensis, Ehretia emoene, Euclea netalensis and Securinega virosa. Behavioural observation revealed that hand-raised elephants favoured eating Sclerocarya birrea, Combretum epiculeium, and Acacla nigrescens. The elephants stripped bark from A. nigrescens and S. birrea. Assessment of rnarula trees revealed that elephant impact killed fewer than 2% of stems during the preceding season. Fewer than 24% of trees had current season breakage or bark removal. Main stem breakage Was found in stems smaller than 40 ern in diameter. Ring barking was concentrated on the larger size classes, while the smaller size classes escaped any detectable form of elephant impact. / Andrew Chakane 2018

Cultural factors have been shown to play a role in human decision making and behaviour. The main objective for this research was to identify and evaluate the possible influence of Shangaan cultural beliefs, myths and behaviours, on the spread of HIV within the Mnisi tribe. A qualitative method of investigation was followed; interviews with three participants and observations of the Mnisi culture were used in the construction of the investigation and findings. Through the information obtained two cultures influencing the spread of HIV in the Mnisi tribe were identified, they are (1) The culture of power-rule and fear, and (2) The culture of poverty. / Psychology / M.Sc. (Psychology)

Cultural factors have been shown to play a role in human decision making and behaviour. The main objective for this research was to identify and evaluate the possible influence of Shangaan cultural beliefs, myths and behaviours, on the spread of HIV within the Mnisi tribe. A qualitative method of investigation was followed; interviews with three participants and observations of the Mnisi culture were used in the construction of the investigation and findings. Through the information obtained two cultures influencing the spread of HIV in the Mnisi tribe were identified, they are (1) The culture of power-rule and fear, and (2) The culture of poverty. / Psychology / M.Sc. (Psychology)

Student Number : 0310612G - MSc research report - School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies - Faculty of Science / Wildfire prediction and management is an issue of safety and security for many rural communities in South Africa. Wildfire prediction and early warning systems can assist in saving lives, infrastructure and valuable resources in these communities. Timely and accurate data are required for accurate wildfire prediction on both weather conditions and the availability of fuels (vegetation) for wildfires. Wildfires take place in large remote areas in which land use practices and alterations to land cover cannot easily be modelled. Remote sensing offers the opportunity to monitor the extent and changes of land use practices and land cover in these areas. In order for effective fire prediction and management, data on the quantity and state of fuels is required. Traditional methods for detecting vegetation rely on the chlorophyll content and moisture of vegetation for vegetation mapping techniques. Fuels that burn in wildfires are however predominantly dry, and by implication are low in chlorophyll and moisture contents. As a result, these fuels cannot be detected using traditional indices. Other model based methods for determining above ground vegetation biomass using satellite data have been devised. These however require ancillary data, which are unavailable in many rural areas in South Africa. A method is therefore required for the detection and quantification of dry fuels that pose a fire risk. ASTER and MAS (MODIS Airborne Simulator) imagery were obtained for a study area within the Lowveld region of the Limpopo Province, South Africa. Two of the ASTER and two of the MAS images were dated towards the end of the dry season (winter) when the quantity of fuel (dry vegetation) is at its highest. The remaining ASTER image was obtained during the middle of the wet season (summer), against which the results could be tested. In situ measurements of above ground biomass were obtained from a large number of collection points within the image footprints. Normalised Difference Vegetation Index and Transformed Vegetation Index vegetation indices were calculated and tested against the above ground biomass for the dry and wet season images. Spectral response signatures of dry vegetation were evaluated to select wavelengths, which may be effective at detecting dry vegetation as opposed to green vegetation. Ratios were calculated using the respective bandwidths of the ASTER and MAS sensors and tested against above ground biomass to detect dry vegetation. The findings of this study are that it is not feasible, using ASTER and MAS remote sensing data, to estimate brown and green vegetation biomass for wildfire prediction purposes using the datasets and research methodology applied in this study. Correlations between traditional vegetation indices and above ground biomass were weak. Visual trends were noted, however no conclusive evidence could be established from this relationship. The dry vegetation ratios indicated a weak correlation between the values. The removal of background noise, in particular soil reflectance, may result in more effective detection of dry vegetation. Time series analysis of the green vegetation indices might prove a more effective predictor of biomass fuel loads. The issues preventing the frequent and quick transmission of the large data sets required are being solved with the improvements in internet connectivity to many remote areas and will probably be a more viable path to solving this problem in the near future.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This dissertation examines the identity of hunters, sportsmen and their associated communities in two diverse regions of southern Africa during the last two decades of the nineteenth and the first decade of the twentieth centuries. It argues that this was a critical period during which new patterns of hunting and local tradition were created. In the eastern Cape districts of Albany, Fort Beaufort and Bathurst kudu and buffalo were hunted pursuant to permits granted in terms of the Game Act, 1886. An analysis of the identity of those to whom these permits were granted or refused provides insights into power, connection and influence amongst the English-speaking colonial elite of the region who sought to control the right to hunt “royal game”. It also reveals their interaction with civil servants who exercised the power to grant or withhold the privilege. Kudu were transferred from public to private ownership, through a process of “privatization” and “commodification” on enclosed private land, and there preserved for sporting purposes by the local rural gentry. The survival – and even growth – in numbers of kudu in the region was achieved in these private spaces. Buffalo, on the other hand, were hunted into local extinction notwithstanding their protection as “royal game”. In the north-eastern Transvaal Lowveld wild animals in public ownership were hunted by a wide variety of hunters with competing interests. The identity of the “lost” Lowveld hunters, previously hidden from history, including an important but overlooked component of elite recreational hunters from the eastern Cape, is explored as a window into the history of hunting in the region prior to the establishment of game reserves. Both the identity and networks of these hunters and sportsmen are considered in the context of enduring concerns about race, class, gender and the exercise of power. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis ondersoek die identiteit van die jagters, sportmanne en die gepaardgaande gemeenskappe in twee verskillende streke van Suider-Afrika gedurende die laaste twee dekades van die negentiende en die eerste dekade van die twintigste eeu. Dit voer aan dat hierdie 'n kritieke tydperk was waartydens nuwe patrone van jag en plaaslike tradisie geskep is. In die Oos-Kaapse distrikte van Albany, Fort Beaufort en Bathurst is die jag op koedoes en buffels toegelaat op grond van permitte toegestaan in terme van die Wild Wet, 1886. Die ontleding van die identiteit van diegene aan wie hierdie permitte toegestaan of geweier was, bied insae oor die uitoefening van mag, verhoudings en invloed onder die Engelssprekende koloniale elite van die streek, wat probeer het om beheer uit te oefen oor die jag van die “koninklike wild”. Dit openbaar ook hul interaksie met staatsamptenare wat hulle magte gebruik het om permitte uit te ruik of te weerhou. Eienaarskap van koedoes was oorgedra vanaf openbare na privaat besit, deur 'n proses van "privatisering " en "kommodifikasie" op geslote private grond, met die verstandhouding dat dit vir sport – doeleindes deur die plaaslike landelike burger gebruik kon word. Die oorlewing – en selfs groei – in die getal koedoes in die streek is behaal in die private besit. Buffels, aan die ander kant, is tot plaaslike uitwissing gejag ondanks hul beskerming as "koninklike wild". In die Noord-Oos Transvaalse Laeveld is wilde diere in openbare besit gejag deur 'n wye verskeidenheid van jagters met mededingende belange. Die identiteit van die "verlore" Laeveld jagters, voorheen verborge in die geskiedenis, wat 'n belangrike maar oor die hoof verwaarloosde komponent van elite rekreasionele jagters van die Oos-Kaap insluit, word ondersoek as 'n venster op die geskiedenis van jag in die streek voor die totstandkoming van wildreservate. Beide die identiteit en netwerke van hierdie jagters en sportmanne word beskou in die konteks van blywende belangstelling met ras, klas, geslag en die uitoefening van mag.

I examined the effect of sugarcane plantations on small mammal communities at 3 sites in the Lowveld of Swaziland during the dry and wet seasons of 2008. I evaluated changes in species abundance and community parameters in relation to distance to the interface, as well as the relationship between small mammal communities and environmental variables. I used pitfall arrays and Sherman live traps to sample small mammals along 9 traplines at the land-use interface and on a gradient extending 375 m into each land-use. I used point-centered-quarter, range pole, and line-transect sampling to characterize plant community structure. Two generalist small mammal species had increased abundance as distance into the sugarcane increased. Two species with wide geographic ranges appeared to select areas within 75 m of the interface. Four species with restricted habitat tolerances or diets were negatively affected by sugarcane, as was 1 species that selects for low ground cover. Two species may have avoided the interface. For the majority of species in the Lowveld, sugarcane does not provide habitat. Sugarcane monocultures > 375 m in width may form a barrier to movement of small mammal species. Species richness and diversity significantly decreased at the interface of 2 sites, however, 1 site had increased diversity associated with the interface. My analysis indicated a difference in community composition between the 2 land-uses and differences between the farthest interior conservation area (375 m)-interface (0 m) and the farthest interior sugarcane (375 m). There was no difference in community composition between seasons or distances within the conservation area. The farthest interior sugarcane trapline had distinctness from other traplines within the sugarcane, and may be of importance for minimizing the effects of habitat fragmentation in lowveld savanna. The effects of sugarcane did not extend into adjoining natural vegetation. My results indicated grass biomass, litter depth and shrub density played important roles in structuring the communities. Between sites, variation in community structure attributable to the sugarcane interface varied. The site with poorest vegetative cover had the highest relative importance of distance to the interface. One species (Steatomys pratensis) was negatively affected by distance to the interface.

The overall objective was to develop stocking rate models for three veld types. namely the Lowveld. the Southern Tall Grassveld and the Natal Sour Sandveld. in Natal. Sub-objectives were to determine the 1) residual herbage mass at the end of the summer, 2) residual herbage mass at the end of winter and 3) individual animal performance under grazing conditions, and the effect of stocking rate on these three variables. Multiple linear regression component models were successfully developed to meet all three of the sub-objectives for each of the three veld types. Results show that veld condition is an extremely important factor determining animal production from veld, and that stocking rate on veld in good condition could possibly be double that on veld in poor condition. Stocking rate did not have the expected impact on individual animal performance in the summer. although it did have an important moderating influence under any particular set of environmental conditions. Stocking rate did. however. have a marked effect on herbage production and therefore on herbage availability in winter and so also on the ability to overwinter cattle without having to supply additional supplementary feed. Stocking rate in summer therefore had a major indirect effect on animal production in the winter. Carryover of residual herbage from one year to the next is probably not as important in these veld types as in some other parts of the country. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1990.

The main objective of the study was to estimate non-market value of irrigation water as an input in sugar cane production in the Lowveld of Swaziland. This study used two independent approaches to non-market valuation, the residual value and production function approaches, to calculate the value that sugar cane farmers in the Lowveld region of Swaziland attach to irrigation water. The former estimated the average value of water, while the latter estimated the marginal value. The study also estimated the output elasticity of irrigation water, identified factors determining irrigation water values, and used stochastic frontier analysis to estimate farmers’ technical efficiency (TE) scores, and investigated the relationship hypothesised between irrigation water values and TE. Irrigated sugar cane production was specifically selected for this study on account of its socio-economic importance in Swaziland. Using data obtained from 78 sugar cane farms, the mean estimated value of irrigation water, measured in Emalangeni per metre cubed, was E1.60/m3 using the residual value approach, and E1.51/m3 using the production function approach. A t-test showed that the observed differences between the values estimated from the two independent approaches were not statistically significant, suggesting that either method can be used to value irrigation water employed in sugar cane production in Swaziland. The results from the t-test, in conjunction with the economic theory of duality, also allow us to conclude that the production technology employed by irrigation sugar cane farmers exhibits constant returns to scale. Irrigation water was output inelastic (0.711), lending additional credence to the constant returns technology conclusion. The value calculated for irrigation water was negatively related to irrigation water quantity, suggesting that price can be used as an instrument to directly regulate the quantity of irrigation water the farmer employs. The value calculated for irrigation water was negatively related to quantities of labour, quantity of irrigation water used, fertilizer and chemicals employed, suggesting that price can be used as an instrument to indirectly regulate the quantity of irrigation water the farmer employs. The value imputed for irrigation water was positively related to farm size and total revenue, suggesting that the more resourceendowed farmers can potentially pay higher for irrigation water. It is thus conceivable to design irrigation water pricing policies with equity considerations. TE scores ranged from 0.397 to 0.955, with a mean of 0.840. Farmers with higher TE scores also had higher implicit values for irrigation water, suggesting that irrigation water pricing can be used as a tool for motivating resource use efficiency. The key policy implication derived from this study is that price-based instruments have a potential in the management of scarce irrigation water resources in Swaziland. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development / unrestricted

The study was on the perceived effects of climate change on agricultural production among smallholder crop farmers in the Lowveld areas of Mpumalanga province, South Africa. A total of 351 farmers were randomly selected and well-structured interviews were scheduled that contained both close-ended and open-ended questions. Data collected was analysed with descriptive statistical tools while logit regression model was used to analyse the relationship between the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers and their level of awareness of climate change The findings revealed that majority 33.9% of the respondents were 56 years and above and most (72.1%) of the respondents were male. Likewise, 68.4% were married while their major occupation was farming. It was discovered that most (66.4%) of the farmers were not aware of the changes in climate in the study area. Only 52.7% stated that there was information on climate change. The impacts of climate change on crop production from the view of the farmers included (1) Reduced crop production levels and (2) No production, which have been affecting their livelihood diversely such as increase in socio-economic problems, reduction in income and increase in unemployment. The result of the logit model analysis revealed a significant relationship between the age of the farmers (0.019), land tenure system (0.062), the manager of the farm (0.036) and the farm ownership (0.072) and their level of climate change awareness. The study recommends that government as well as stakeholders’ programmes designed to improve farmers’ awareness of climate change and its impact on production should consider the aforementioned explanatory variables / Agriculture, Animal Health and Human Ecology / M. Sc. (Agriculture)