Archaeotourism (also called archaeological tourism) is one of the oldest tourism niches people have visited archaeological sites for centuries. A question that arises is whether less well-known archaeological sites have potential as archaeotourism destinations. Therefore, the main aim of this study is to determine whether Wonderboom Nature Reserve in South Africa has potential as an archaeotourism destination. To determine the potential of the Reserve as such a destination, the attractions of seven archaeotourism sites are discussed four World Heritage Sites and three less well-known archaeological sites based on a literature study. These sites are popular because they offer tourists interesting events and edutainment. Some contribute to nationhood and identity, and have aesthetic value and/or religious meaning. Some have personal significance, and offer mystery, nostalgia or adventure. In some cases, Google Street View is available. In respect of Wonderboom Nature Reserve, a sample of 35 visitors to the Reserve were interviewed in 2015 to gauge their perceptions of the site, using semi-structured interviews. Based on the findings of the literature study and the results of the interviews, the study concludes that Wonderboom Nature Reserve does have potential to be an archaeotourism destination. This conclusion is based on the reasons for which people visit World Heritage and less well-known archaeological sites. For Wonderboom Nature Reserve, it is clear that people visit the site for the Day of the Vow event, and for the four main attractions (Fort Wonderboompoort, the Wonderboom tree, the waterfall, and caves). Some come for nostalgic reasons, others for the various activities the Reserve offers, such as hiking. It is also a sacred site for the Southern Ndebele. Some visitors claimed that they wanted to search for the fabled Kruger millions on the site. The Reserve's rich historical and archaeological resources are also an attraction. However, for Wonderboom Nature Reserve to reach its full potential, this study concludes with a few recommendations, namely better maintenance and proper promotion of the site. Route markings need to be improved. This study is important because scholars often ignore less well-known archaeological sites and their potential contribution towards tourism. / Archaeotourism / Dissertation (MHCS)--University of Pretoria, 2017. / Historical and Heritage Studies / MHCS / Unrestricted

My thesis project zooms in on Masmo to the southwest of Stockholm. Specifically a subway exit, built on Masmo Mountain during the 1960s, but never finished. The site features a very unique location on the border between the quite urban Million Programme era architecture of central Masmo, and the completely untouched forest in the nature reserve right next to it, Gömmaren. For 60 years, the Masmo Mountain has been discussed in Huddinge municipality as a potential site for future construction, yet nothing has ever been constructed. I think this might be because of the challenges the location poses regarding how to merge an urban site with one that is completely undeveloped. These topics are examples of what this thesis project seeks to explore: What qualities are there that are worthy of preserving when dealing with architecture in precious environments? Is it possible to improve certain qualities of a natural site that are neglected in its current state, such as accessibility, or do all additions aggravate the essence of nature and make the site less exquisite? What sacrifices are necessary to make in order to provide high quality environments for the inhabitants, and do they conflict with the interests of visitors, or could they possibly coincide?

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / Knowledge of the feeding ecology of an organism helps us to better understand predator-prey relationships and aspects of species biology, ecology and life-history traits. Understanding the feeding ecologies of snakes is challenging because snakes are generally secretive and often difficult to observe when foraging in the wild. Traditionally, studies attempting to quantify the diets of snakes relied on observing direct predation events, dissecting dead specimens, or microscopy of gut and stomach contents to identify prey species. However, investigations using traditional methods can result in an incomplete understanding of prey utilised by particular snakes. Analysis of prey DNA in snake faeces is a useful method to obtain accurate information on diet.

The fact that large herbivores, such as Rangifer tarandus, play a part in shaping its environment through grazing and trampling of the ground is widely acknowledged today, as well as that these factors have the potential of affecting regional patterns and even global climate. This study investigated whether a considerable increase in grazing by R. tarandus for 25 years resulted in any measurable effects on the diversity of plant species in tundra vegetation. We evaluated if any differences in species composition could be found, based on differences in grazing pressure and productivity of the soil. The effect of difference in grazing pressure was studied through analysis of vegetation at 30 sites, each site comparing two different classes of grazing pressure separated by a fence, and pellets from R. tarandus were counted along transects. We did not find any evidence that the difference in grazing pressure affected the species composition on either side of the fence, depending on the site. The lack of difference in plant species composition may be explained by insufficient differences in abundance of R. tarandus, insufficient time passed since the change in grazing pressure, or varying grazing seasons at the sites on either side of the fence.

My thesis project zooms in on Masmo to the southwest of Stockholm. Specifically a subway exit, built on Masmo Mountain during the 1960s, but never finished. The site features a very unique location on the border between the quite urban Million Programme era architecture of central Masmo, and the completely untouched forest in the nature reserve right next to it, Gömmaren. For 60 years, the Masmo Mountain has been discussed in Huddinge municipality as a potential site for future construction, yet nothing has ever been constructed. I think this might be because of the challenges the location poses regarding how to merge an urban site with one that is completely undeveloped. These topics are examples of what this thesis project seeks to explore: What qualities are there that are worthy of preserving when dealing with architecture in precious environments? Is it possible to improve certain qualities of a natural site that are neglected in its current state, such as accessibility, or do all additions aggravate the essence of nature and make the site less exquisite? What sacrifices are necessary to make in order to provide high quality environments for the inhabitants, and do they conflict with the interests of visitors, or could they possibly coincide?

Upphävande av ett naturreservat innebär inte alltid att reservatet upphävs helt, utan det kan även innebära förändringar av reservatets syfte eller ändringar i naturreservatsföreskrifterna. Upphävande av naturreservat kan vara nödvändigt av olika skäl och får ske endast i undantagsfall och efter noggrann bedömning där två olika faktorer vägs samman. Dels förekomsten av synnerliga skäl för upphävande samt möjligheten att kompensera för förlust av naturvärden. Denna studie undersöker förutsättningarna för upphävande av naturreservat generellt och förutsättningarna för upphävande av naturreservatet Pålsjö skog i Helsingborg. Genom en analys av lagstiftning, förarbeten och domar relaterade till upphävandet av naturreservat får man en djupare förståelse för den juridiska ramen och tidigare praxis. Aktiv deltagande och observationer av Helsingborgsteamet och Stadsbyggnadsnämnden i Helsingborg ger insikt i deras perspektiv, arbetsprocess och utmaningar. Slutsatsen från studien är att definitionen och tillämpningen av "synnerliga skäl" och "kompensation" inom naturvårdsområdet är komplexa och föremål för diskussion och tolkning. "Synnerliga skäl" avser exceptionella omständigheter som motiverar upphävande av naturreservat, medan "kompensation" handlar om att balansera eller motverka förlusten av naturvärden i samband med upphävanden. Det finns utmaningar med att fastställa rättvisa och effektiva kompensationsåtgärder samt bedöma värdet av förlorade naturvärden. Återskapande av den ursprungliga biologiska mångfalden och naturliga processer efter upphävande av naturreservat är svårt. Kompensation kräver noggrann planering och förvaltning för att ha en positiv och hållbar effekt på naturmiljön. Förbättringar kan göras genom att utveckla tydliga riktlinjer och rättsliga principer för kompensationsåtgärder samt involvera experter och berörda parter i beslutsprocessen. Att uppnå balans mellan naturvärden och samhällets utvecklingsbehov är viktigt. Genom fortsatt diskussion och utforskning av dessa begrepp kan vi arbeta mot förbättrad naturvård och bevarande av våra värdefulla naturresurser. / The revocation of a nature reserve does not always mean the complete revocation of the reserve, but it can also involve changes to the purpose of the reserve or amendments to the nature reserve regulations. Revoking a nature reserve may be necessary for various reasons and can only occur in exceptional cases and after careful consideration, weighing two different factors. These factors include the existence of exceptional reasons for revocation and the possibility of compensating for the loss of natural values. This study examines the conditions for revoking nature reserves in general and the conditions for revoking the Pålsjö Skog nature reserve in Helsingborg specifically. Through an analysis of legislation, preparatory works, and court judgments related to the revocation of nature reserves, a deeper understanding of the legal framework and past practices is obtained. Active participation and observations of the Helsingborg team and the Urban Planning Committee provide insights into their perspectives, working processes, and challenges. The conclusion of the study is that the definition and application of "exceptional reasons" and "compensation" within the field of nature conservation are complex and subject to discussion and interpretation. "Exceptional reasons" refer to exceptional circumstances that justify the revocation of a nature reserve, while "compensation" involves balancing or counteracting the loss of natural values associated with revocations. There are challenges in determining fair and effective compensation measures and assessing the value of lost natural values. Restoring the original biodiversity and natural processes after the revocation of a nature reserve is difficult. Compensation requires careful planning and management to have a positive and sustainable impact on the natural environment. Improvements can be made by developing clear guidelines and legal principles for compensation measures and involving experts and stakeholders in the decision-making process. Achieving a balance between natural values and the development needs of society is important. Through continued discussion and exploration of these concepts, we can work towards improved nature conservation and preservation of our valuable natural resources.

Growing up amidst the mountains of Jämtland sparked a passion in me to discover how nature could influence and inspire architectural design. For my diploma project, I envisioned four structures situated along two hiking trails, the Jämtland's Triangle in Åre Municipality and Sameslingan, in the Nature Reserve Paradiset in Huddinge. My design approach was a fusion of ecological and geometric principles. To create organic structures, I employed my understanding of topography, water flows, and hiking trails to shape the structures' geometric form. Furthermore, I drew inspiration from the Sami tradition of seamlessly blending into nature, leaving minimal impact on the landscape. To reflect this, I utilized natural materials such as wood, rammed earth, and stones from the site. The structures are also designed to be either easily assembled and disassembled or to gradually erode, becoming one with the earth and rocks. In this way, the structures will have a minimal environmental footprint and will be sustainable over time. My project also aims to shed light on the tragic history of colonialization of the Sami people in Jämtland. By doing so, my project aims to not only create sustainable structures but also to raise awareness and create a deeper connection between people and nature.

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Thesis (M. Sc. (Botany)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / Nature reserves are reservoirs for biodiversity. Their very purpose is to preserve indigenous fauna and flora and thus protect associated ecosystem services. The Schuinsdraai Nature Reserve of rural Sekhukhune District, Limpopo Province, is the focus of this study. Sekhukhune District is predominantly rural, with limited economic opportunities but rich mineral resources, the mining of which negatively impacts biodiversity. The Sekhukhune Centre of floristic endemism falls within this district and the nature reserve is thus an important factor in safeguarding a representative section of this floristic center. The veld type present in the reserve is central sandy bushveld. Although mining is prohibited within the reserve, invasive alien plants or (IAPs) pose as high a threat to biodiversity as does mining. The spread of IAPs in nature reserves is harder to control than mining which is prohibited outright whereas IAP spread is automatic and insidious. The management of IAPs is of concern to the government of South Africa and is an ongoing process. Rural areas and the nature reserves within them, such as the Schuinsdraai Nature Reserve, are often under studied or under managed with regards to IAPs. This study supplements the available but scarce data on IAPs for Schuinsdraai Nature Reserve. The Schuinsdraai Nature Reserve is dominated by the Central Sandy Bushveld vegetation type. Rainfall is on average 470 mm per year and mean annual temperature varies from 24 ˚C in the summer, to 14 ˚C in the winter. The topography includes mountains, hills, plains, and the Flag Boshielo Dam. The aims of the study were to establish the presence and extent of IAPs in the Schuinsdraai Nature Reserve and to determine whether the IAPs present negatively affect the biodiversity. Road-side inspections, road surveys and line transects were used to investigate presence and extent of IAPs. Modified Braun-Blanquet quadrates were used to compare the effect of the most prevalent IAPs on the plant biodiversity in the Schuinsdraai Nature Reserve. Quadrates were positioned in areas heavily infested by species of IAPs and these areas compared with untransformed areas within 10 m of the infested quadrates. Species richness, species evenness and v biodiversity indices were calculated for transformed (control) areas compared with infested areas. Roadside inspections and road surveys indicated the presence of IAPs. They revealed that most IAPs were present on the eastern side of the nature reserve closest to areas most visited by tourists. Roads and the movement of people therefore affect the spread of IAPs within the Schuinsdraai Nature Reserve. The four most prevalent species identified from roadside inspections and road surveys were: Opuntia stricta, Cylindropuntia fulgida, Cereus jamacaru and Boerhavia diffusa. Opuntia stricta had the greatest negative effect and was also the most prevalent IAP on the Schuinsdraai Nature Reserve. The number of IAPs per transect observed in the area where access was unlimited was significantly higher than where access was limited. Opuntia stricta was the IAPs exhibiting the most significant (.00057) impact on species richness and species diversity and, where funds are limited, these should be targeted for eradication rather than other IAPs. From the results obtained, management recommendations were tabled including the most important, which is to clearly demarcate areas where public movement should be restricted, and meticulously patrol areas which are open to the public and remove IAP’s immediately. In conclusion, IAPs are present and do cause deleterious effects on species richness, diversity and evenness within the Schuinsdraai Nature Reserve, however, the strict management of anthropogenic influences should be implemented to control their spread and increase.

vegetation and soil carbon-and nitrogen cycles in a grazing area through food selection, consumption, fertilization, and trampling. There have been discussions on how reindeer grazing, plant communities, and different ecosystems relate to each other and how the management of protected areas should proceed based on various laws, recommendations, and perspectives. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of reindeer grazing on biodiversity in northern Scandinavia and thus be able to support these discussions. Inventory data was collected in 1995 on both sides of the fence that demarcates Norway from Malla National Park in Finland. At the time of the inventory, reindeer husbandry had been prohibited on the Finnish side of the fence for several decades, creating a difference in grazing pressure between the inventory areas. A statistical comparison was made between the number of plant species for six different functional plant groups divided into four different soil moisture types between the two countries, as well as a comparison of the number of reindeer droppings per study area in each country to quantify the difference in grazing pressure. The results show that there were more grass species in meadow areas and more reindeer droppings on the Norwegian side. I found no significant difference for the other functional plant groups or for the grasses in the other soil moisture types. Based on these results, I conclude that reindeer may increase the number of grass species in meadow areas.