Abstract We are facing a century of rapid change in climate, with significant challenges in managing the impact of changes in living conditions for plants and animals. We can already see the responses of species through changes in phenology and spatial distribution, which may change ecosystem structure and function, with subsequent effect on ecosystem services and biological diversity. In Sweden, between 2005 and 2010, the red-listed species has increased by 13 % and similar trends can be seen across the world, making it difficult to attain national and international environmental objectives of preserving biodiversity. One way to reduce the loss of biodiversity is to protect nature from exploitation by allocating valuable areas as nature reserves, but climate change affects protected areas just as much as other landscapes and therefore requires elaborate systems of protection to facilitate species' survival. The paper has examined  how the decisions and management plans for nature reserves in Sweden have been followed-up and whether they are climate adapted or not by examining 30 nature reserves, classified as newly formed (2012), recently revised (2009-2011) and older (1977-2007) reserves, and assessed what is in the decisions and management plans for follow-up, revision, long-term goals and documentation. Officials in ten county administrative boards in Sweden were interviewed about how they handle documentation and monitoring of management plans, and if they take into account climate change in the forming of new nature reserves and if they have begun to look at the climate adaptation of nature reserves. The results show that county administrative boards do not take account climate change in the handling of new nature reserves and they generally have not started looking at climate adaptation of the nature reserves. Documentation is supposed to be carried out according to most management plans (77%) and was in fact carried out in reality in 70% of the county administrative boards, although a new system is being introduced by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency. Monitoring of management actions should be done according to most management plans, but in reality, monitoring of management plans is generally not performed (only 20% of the county administrative boards do). My results shows that nature reserves in Sweden are not climate adapted and have not taken into account climate change when formed and there is no continuous  follow-up done of decisions and management plans. There are many reasons for authorities to reconsider this, even if it requires a thorough review of current research. / Sammanfattning Vi står inför ett århundrade med snabba förändringar i klimatet och möter stora utmaningar i att hantera effekterna av ändrade levnadsförhållanden för växter och djur. Redan nu kan vi se responser från arter genom förändrad fenologi och geografisk utbredning vilket för med sig förändringar i ekosystemens struktur och funktion som i sin tur påverkar ekosystemtjänsterna och den biologiska diversiteten. I Sverige har mellan åren 2005 och 2010, de rödlistade arterna ökat med 13 % och liknande tendenser syns över hela världen vilket gör det svårt att nå nationella och internationella miljömål om att bevara biodiversiteten.  Ett sätt att minska förlusten av biodiversitet är att skydda naturen från exploatering genom att avsätta värdefulla områden som naturreservat men klimatförändringen påverkar de skyddade områdena lika mycket som övriga landskap och därför krävs genomtänkta system av skydd för att underlätta för arters överlevnad.  Uppsatsen har undersökt hur beslut och skötseldokument för naturreservat i Sverige följs upp samt undersökt om de är klimatanpassade genom en granskning av 30 naturreservat uppdelat på nybildade (2012), nyligen reviderade (2009-2011) samt äldre (1977-2007) reservat och bedömt vad som står i beslut och skötselplaner avseende uppföljning, revidering, långsiktiga mål och dokumentering. Personer på tio länsstyrelser i Sverige har intervjuats om hur de hanterar dokumentering och uppföljning av skötselplaner samt om de tar hänsyn till klimatförändringen vid avsättningen av nya naturreservat och om de har börjat titta på klimatanpassning av reservaten. Resultaten visar att länsstyrelser inte tar hänsyn till klimatförändringen i hanteringen av nya naturreservat och de har generellt inte börjat titta på klimatanpassning av naturreservat än, medan dokumentering ska utföras enl. skötselplanerna (77 %) och utförs i verkligheten hos 70 % av länsstyrelserna men ett nytt system är på väg att införas från Naturvårdsverket. Uppföljning av skötselåtgärder ska göras enligt de flesta skötselplanerna men i verkligheten utförs det inte generella uppföljningar av skötselplanerna (bara i 20 % av länsstyrelserna görs det).  Resultatet visar att naturreservat i Sverige inte är klimatanpassade och har inte avsatts eller avsätts inte med klimatförändringen i beaktande och deras beslut och skötselplaner följs inte upp kontinuerligt.  Det finns många skäl att tänka om för ansvariga myndigheter även om det kräver en grundlig genomgång av pågående forskning.

Capitalism has evolved globally by disciplining its key features to suit new markets and changing socio- economic environments. These features include private property, labour and neoliberalism. Whilst capitalism has managed to become a well-established system, occasionally it is confronted with challenges which expose its callous nature. In South Africa, land restitution calls into question capitalism's operation as it disrupts the conventional process of profit accumulation. This is evident when looking at the manner in which land claims are settled in private nature reserves that are under a land claim. Private nature reserves have been structured to bring together capitalism's key features of property, labour and neoliberalism and therefore become interesting sites on which to study how they react to land restitution. This study uses Mala Mala Game Reserve to investigate how capitalism unfolds in the game reserve. It specifically looks at the conservation business, labour conditions, and the settlement of the land claim in the reserve. It begins by analysing the structuring of the conservation business to fit capitalism's objective of profit accumulation. The emphasis here is on the relationship between capitalism and nature, and how the conservation business is built on the commodification of nature. It traces the business foundation of Mala Mala over time to understand how the reserve became a luxurious safari destination that target a small, select group of wealthy, mainly international tourists. The reserve promises quality wildlife viewing and luxury accommodation for its guests, which it is able to offer through the commercialisation of nature in a manner that is often viewed as ethical to the greater public, yet a closer look at the operation of the reserve shows the unaccounted cost of exclusion, dispossession and exploitation. These impacts are further contextualised in the second part of the study, which documents the structuring of labour as a condition for building the reserve's economic success. Labour is an important necessity for capitalism's operations and its conditions show us the fierce manner in which surplus value is extracted. The creation of the cheap labour system in South Africa played an important role in building conservation areas. The success of conservation business in private nature reserves routinely depends on conservation labour. The study finds that cheap labour in Mala Mala is secured through the adoption of a migrant labour system. Such a system highlights the social ‘cost' (labour) of capital accumulation that takes place in the reserve. While the first two parts of the study explain how capitalism has shaped the conservation business in Mala Mala, the last section investigates what happens when this almost perfectly structured system is challenged through land claims. The study finds that the clash between conservation business and land restitution produce a model of land reform that chime with neoliberalism. Backed by government and landowners, the model separates business ownership from landownership in order to guarantee capital accumulation. This study contributes to our understanding of land restitution in private nature reserves in South Africa and the land restitution model it produces.

Nature reserves in the City of Tshwane are under threat from ecological and historically significant decay due to the less defined nature of these landscapes. Architecture in form, function and technology can be developed in the in-between of nature and urban to act as conservator for these nature reserves. Utilizing the natural resources of nature to produce products for the urban dweller within a space that conserves the historical protective layers of the site. The space of interaction between nature and urban becomes the conservator, acting as active protector in terms of sustainable production, education and urban dweller interaction with the nature reserve and its continuous history of protection. / Natuurreservate in die stad Tshwane word bedreig deur ekologiese en historiese betekenisverval weens die minder gedefinieerde aard van hierdie landskappe. Argitektuur in vorm, funksie en tegnologie kan ontwikkel word in die tussen ruimte van natuur en stedelike gebiede om as natuurbewaarder vir hierdie natuurreservate op te tree. Die natuurlike hulpbronne van die natuur kan gebruik word om produkte vir die stedelike inwoner te produseer binne ‘n ruimte wat die historiese beskermende lae van die terrein laat voortduur. Die ruimte van interaksie tussen natuur en stedelike word die bewaarder, wat optree as ‘n aktiewe beskermer in terme van volhoubare produksie, opvoeding en stedelike inwoner interaksie met die natuurreservaat en sy voortgesette geskiedenis van beskerming. / Mini Dissertation (MArch(Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2018. / Architecture / MArch(Prof) / Unrestricted

At first glance, the image of a map looks familiar to a graphic designer. It comprisescolours, shapes and typography. But beyond the graphical surface it hides a complex system of techniques and rules, like the clockwork behind a dial. This thesis tries toapproach and improve map production from a starting point in graphic design. Byaddressing visitor maps for nature reserves it aims to make nature more accessibleand appealing to a larger group of people.The main purpose of the thesis is to examine how Swedish nature reserve visitormaps can be improved with focus on relevance for their aims and use and how thisis communicated through the visual presentation. A secondary purpose is to examinehow to produce such maps in a rational way, using digital geographic informationsystems (GIS) and adopted working processes.The research was conducted using a combination of traditional methods and techniques combined with research through design activity. Methods and techniques were gathered from ethnography, action-research and usability-research and include literature studies, interviews, questionnaire surveys, participatory observation, action-research protocols, beta-testing and collection of samples.The design activity resulted in both free-standing sketches and map-sketches forthe Gotlandic nature reserves Langhammars and Stora Karlsö. Two processes and one descriptive structure were developed and described: a process to adopt visual representations of map-information to its contextual relevance, a process to produce nature reserve visitor maps, and a structure to present practical design work in a scientificcontext. Results also comprised collected answers, discussions and samples from questionnaire surveys, participatory observation, interviews and general research.The thesis concludes that it is fruitful to consider the visitor map as “a product made for use” and apply a usability-approach as it is rather an example of visual information than visual communication. Close research of both sender and users is also important to be ableto select, adapt and fine-tune the information in the map in relation to its aims and use.The digital possibilities that enables GIS to provide easy accessible and accurate data can produce efficient workflows in map design if combined with the graphic designers experience to develop and streamline design processes. The combination of modern technology, practical design work and research is profitable in both an analogue and digital context and makes visitor maps a contemporary and interesting area for both researchers and practitioners.

At first glance, the image of a map looks familiar to a graphic designer. It comprisescolours, shapes and typography. But beyond the graphical surface it hides a complex system of techniques and rules, like the clockwork behind a dial. This thesis tries toapproach and improve map production from a starting point in graphic design. Byaddressing visitor maps for nature reserves it aims to make nature more accessibleand appealing to a larger group of people.The main purpose of the thesis is to examine how Swedish nature reserve visitormaps can be improved with focus on relevance for their aims and use and how thisis communicated through the visual presentation. A secondary purpose is to examinehow to produce such maps in a rational way, using digital geographic informationsystems (GIS) and adopted working processes. The research was conducted using a combination of traditional methods and techniques combined with research through design activity. Methods and techniques were gathered from ethnography, action-research and usability-research and include literature studies, interviews, questionnaire surveys, participatory observation, action-research protocols, beta-testing and collection of samples. The design activity resulted in both free-standing sketches and map-sketches forthe Gotlandic nature reserves Langhammars and Stora Karlsö. Two processes and one descriptive structure were developed and described: a process to adopt visual representations of map-information to its contextual relevance, a process to produce nature reserve visitor maps, and a structure to present practical design work in a scientificcontext. Results also comprised collected answers, discussions and samples from questionnaire surveys, participatory observation, interviews and general research.The thesis concludes that it is fruitful to consider the visitor map as “a product made for use” and apply a usability-approach as it is rather an example of visual information than visual communication. Close research of both sender and users is also important to be ableto select, adapt and fine-tune the information in the map in relation to its aims and use. The digital possibilities that enables GIS to provide easy accessible and accurate data can produce efficient workflows in map design if combined with the graphic designers experience to develop and streamline design processes. The combination of modern technology, practical design work and research is profitable in both an analogue and digital context and makes visitor maps a contemporary and interesting area for both researchers and practitioners.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. Johannesburg, 2017. / The distribution of grazing herbivores is influenced by several factors, including spatial and temporal availability of resources. The Telperion and Ezemvelo Nature Reserves (TENR), located on the border between Gauteng and Mpumalanga Provinces, experienced a declining hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus caama) distribution over the last years. Simultaneously, an increase in the density of plains zebra (Equus quagga) occurred in the reserves. In this study, I investigated the changes in the distribution of four herbivore species, namely red hartebeest, plains zebra, blue wildebeest and black wildebeest in TENR, and the possible influence that biotic and abiotic factors had on the distribution of hartebeest between 2010 and 2016. Data of aerial surveys conducted in the wet season of each year were used to assess the variation in herbivores distribution along the period. Furthermore, the influence of variables known to affect herbivore distribution (e.g. distance to water, slope gradient, spatial distribution of other herbivore species and vegetation greenness) was tested on hartebeest distribution in TENR. The results indicate that blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) had the highest distribution variation, while plains zebra presented the most spread distribution among the four species, and black wildebeest (Connochaetes gnou) concentrated their distribution almost entirely at the Ezemvelo nature reserve. Hartebeest avoided areas with the highest concentration of plains zebra, but did not show the same avoidance for areas with prevalence of wildebeest species. Further, high quality forage resources influenced the hartebeest distribution in TENR. Thus, competition for forage resources with bulk feeders may have affected the population and distribution of hartebeest between 2010-2016. / LG2018

Urban nature provides local ecosystem services such as absorption of air pollutants, reduction of noise, and provision of places for recreation, and is therefore crucial to urban sustainable development. Nature conservation in cities is also part of the global effort to halt biodiversity decline. Urban landscapes, however, display     distinguishing social and ecological characteristics and therefore the implementation of nature conservation frameworks into cities, requires reconsideration of what nature to preserve, for whom and where. The aim of this thesis was to examine the current urban nature conservation with special focus on formally protected areas, and discuss their future role in the urban landscape. A social-ecological systems approach was used as framework and both quantitative and qualitative methods were applied. The studies were performed at local to regional scales in the southern part of Sweden. Four key questions were addressed: i) What are the characteristics of nature conservation in urban landscapes? ii) How does establishment of nature conservation areas affect the surrounding urban landscape? iii) In what ways are spatial and temporal scales recognized in practical management of nature conservation areas? and iv) How can the dichotomy of built up and nature conservation areas be overcome in urban planning? Nature reserves in urban, compared to rural landscapes were in general fewer, but larger and included a higher diversity of land covers. They were also based on a higher number and different kinds of objectives than rural nature reserves. Urbanisation adjacent to nature reserves followed the general urbanisation patterns in the cities and no additional increase in urban settlements could be detected. In general, there was a lack of social and ecological linkages between the nature conservation areas and the urban landscape and practical management showed a limited recognition of cross-scale interactions and meso-scales. Such conceptual and physical isolation risks decreasing the public support for nature conservation, cause biodiversity decline, and hence impact the generation of ecosystem services. A major future challenge is therefore to transform current conservation strategies to become a tool where urban nature is perceived, planned and managed as valuable and integrated parts of the city. To enable social-ecological synergies, future urban planning should address proactive approaches together with key components like active enhancement of multifunctional landscapes, cross-scale strategies and border zone management. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 2: Manuscript. Paper 3: Submitted. Paper 5: Manuscript.</p>

This thesis deals with the subjects of conservation policies and property rights and how these two topics were discussed in relation to each other in the Swedish parliament during the latter half of the 20th century (1952–1998). How nature reserves were discussed in relation to the property rights of private forest owners is especially emphasized. The theoretical framework of the study is borrowed from the philosopher Ingemar Hedenius and further nuances and elaborates on the term property rights by dividing it into smaller constituent parts. Protocols from the Swedish parliament served as the primary sources for the study. Laws, bills and reports from different governmental committees were, however, also studied in conjunction with these protocols to contextualize and deepen the understanding of the subject matter. A qualitative text analysis was thereafter conducted to describe and analyze the gathered data. The results show that, generally, the right-wing parties tended to value property rights higher than the left-wing parties. The left-wing parties therefore also tended to value conservation policies higher than the right-wing ones. The liberal parties in the political center tended to value both property rights and conservation policies in an equal manner. All parties in the parliament did for the most part, however, agree that conservation policies to some extent needed to impede on certain property rights in order to be effective. It was rather to what extent that this was deemed acceptable that the parties had differing opinions. All parties, regardless of political affiliation, would also gradually focus more on political issues relating to conservation and environmental problems as time went on.

A Research Report submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. Johannesburg, 25 May 2015. / The African elephant, Loxodonta africana displays sexual segregation, a phenomenon which describes males and females of the same species living separately, except during the mating season. Despite it occurring in many sexually dimorphic species, the factors that govern sexual segregation are still poorly understood. The aim of my study was to investigate whether or not African elephants in the 1825 km2 Associated Private Nature Reserves (APNR), Limpopo Province were sexually segregated as a result of habitat segregation. I tested the Forage Selection Hypothesis (FSH) which, based on the Jarman-Bell principle, predicts that smaller females are more selective foragers as a result of their high energy demands and poor digestive capabilities in comparison to the larger males. Using the GPS location data of 18 collared adult elephants (12 male and 6 female) from November 2008 to November 2010, I plotted both the total (95% isopleth) and core (50% isopleth) home ranges of individual elephants. I used these home ranges to i) confirm sexual segregation in the APNR, ii) determine whether or not there was a difference in vegetation composition of the home ranges between males and females, and iii) to establish how frequently male and female elephants were associated with each of the vegetation types located within their home ranges. All analyses were done at both the total and core home range level. Home range overlaps were rare between male and female home ranges, particularly at the core home range level, confirming sexual segregation of elephants in the APNR. The vegetation composition data of the home ranges as well as the frequency of association by elephants with each of the available vegetation types (using GPS locations) revealed no significant difference between male and female elephants. Therefore, habitat segregation did not explain sexual segregation by elephants in the APNR. I propose that future studies should consider: i) temporal distribution of elephants to assess how much time each sex spends in each of the available vegetation types; ii) other resources, particularly the availability of water, in addition to the availability of forage, since water limits elephant movements; and iii) social segregation in conjunction with habitat segregation, since elephants display sex-specific differences in social organisation. A comprehensive understanding of the factors that govern sexual segregation of elephants might contribute to conservation management of elephants in the APNR and other small reserves.

Urban nature provides local ecosystem services such as absorption of air pollutants, reduction of noise, and provision of places for recreation, and is therefore crucial to urban sustainable development. Nature conservation in cities is also part of the global effort to halt biodiversity decline. Urban landscapes, however, display     distinguishing social and ecological characteristics and therefore the implementation of nature conservation frameworks into cities, requires reconsideration of what nature to preserve, for whom and where. The aim of this thesis was to examine the current urban nature conservation with special focus on formally protected areas, and discuss their future role in the urban landscape. A social-ecological systems approach was used as framework and both quantitative and qualitative methods were applied. The studies were performed at local to regional scales in the southern part of Sweden. Four key questions were addressed: i) What are the characteristics of nature conservation in urban landscapes? ii) How does establishment of nature conservation areas affect the surrounding urban landscape? iii) In what ways are spatial and temporal scales recognized in practical management of nature conservation areas? and iv) How can the dichotomy of built up and nature conservation areas be overcome in urban planning? Nature reserves in urban, compared to rural landscapes were in general fewer, but larger and included a higher diversity of land covers. They were also based on a higher number and different kinds of objectives than rural nature reserves. Urbanisation adjacent to nature reserves followed the general urbanisation patterns in the cities and no additional increase in urban settlements could be detected. In general, there was a lack of social and ecological linkages between the nature conservation areas and the urban landscape and practical management showed a limited recognition of cross-scale interactions and meso-scales. Such conceptual and physical isolation risks decreasing the public support for nature conservation, cause biodiversity decline, and hence impact the generation of ecosystem services. A major future challenge is therefore to transform current conservation strategies to become a tool where urban nature is perceived, planned and managed as valuable and integrated parts of the city. To enable social-ecological synergies, future urban planning should address proactive approaches together with key components like active enhancement of multifunctional landscapes, cross-scale strategies and border zone management. / At the time of the doctoral defense, the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 2: Manuscript. Paper 3: Submitted. Paper 5: Manuscript.