Magister Scientiae - MSc / This research investigated the nature, source and the spatial variation of the salinity of the water used for irrigation in the urban farming area of Philippi, which lies in the Cape Flats region of the Cape Town Metropolitan Area, South Africa. The irrigation water is mainly drawn from the Cape Flats aquifer, and pumped into ponds for eventual crop irrigation. Water samples were collected in summer and in winter from fifteen selected sites using standard water sampling procedures. Each site consisted of one borehole and one pond. The samples were routinely analyzed for salinity levels, and concentrations of major and minor ions. From the same boreholes and ponds, water was sampled in summer for isotope analysis to assess effects of evaporation on the water quality and salinity. Descriptive statistics were used to display the variation in range of specific ions in order to compare them with the recommended ranges. Geographical Information Systems analysis described the spatial distribution of the salinity across the study area, and hydrogeochemical analysis characterized the various waters and detected similarities between the water samples in the study area and other waters found in the Cape Flats region. In addition, the US salinity diagram classification of irrigation water developed by Richards (1954) was used to assess the current suitability of groundwater and pond water samples collected during the entire sampling period for irrigation activities. The research indicated that the concentrations of some ions such as chloride, nitrate, potassium and sodium exceeded in places in the study area, the target range values set by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF, 1996) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (Ayers and Westcot, 1985). It revealed that borehole and pond water were mostly brackish across the area regarding their total dissolved salts content, and fresh water was only found in the middle part of the study area. The research found that sea water does not intrude into the aquifer of the study area, and the accumulation of salts in groundwater and soil in the study area is mainly due to the agricultural activities and partially due to the natural movement of water through the geological formation of the Cape Flats region. The conceptual model of the occurrence of the salinization process supported these findings. From this investigation it is understood that the groundwater and pond water in the study area were generally suitable for irrigation purposes but they have to be used with caution as the vegetables are classified as sensitive and moderately sensitive to salt according to DWAF Irrigation water guidelines (1996). The quality of these waters was mainly affected by the land use activities. / South Africa

In this study the possibility to change to test-day models for genetic evaluation of production traits and somatic cell score of South African dairy breeds (i.e. Ayrshires, Guernseys, Holsteins and Jerseys) was investigated. Fixed Regression BLUP Animal Models were therefore developed, using test-day records of the first three lactations as repeated measures of the same trait. Milk, butterfat and protein yields were included in multitrait evaluations. A permanent environmental effect was fitted across lactations. Heritabilities estimated were comparable with other yield and somatic cell score estimates obtained from test-day models. Breeding values of qualifying sires were presented to INTERBULL for participation in the March 2005 test-runs. Genetic correlations between South Africa and other participating countries compared well with those amongst other countries, participating in these international evaluations. Trend validation tests were successful for all traits and breeds except for somatic cell score of the Guernsey breed, due to insufficient data for this trait. South Africa is now participating in routine INTERBULL evaluations in order to obtain MACE (multiple across country evaluation) breeding values, using this methodology. Further refinement of the model was tested, i.e. inclusion of a fixed calving year effect in the model and pre-adjusting records for heterogeneous variances due to days in milk and parity. This was investigated for the Jersey breed and recommended for implementation in the other South African breeds. South Africa’s methodology is now more comparable to that of the leading dairy producing countries of the world. / Thesis (PhD (Animal and Wildlife Sciences))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Animal and Wildlife Sciences / unrestricted

With more and more countries transforming their energy focus onto renewable energy, the growth of wind energy is at its all-time high. Despite being a relatively new technology, offshore wind has thrived rapidly in the past decade. Sweden has been incorporating offshore wind energy into marine spatial planning (MSP) and national interest in energy production with a view to realizing the national goals of 100% renewable electricity generation by 2040 and net zero emissions by 2045. The goal of this study is to identify locations that are suitable for harvesting wind energy resources in nearshore sea areas of Sweden, with the consideration of social, environmental, economic, and technical criteria. The spatial analysis was performed by the combination of Geographical Information System (GIS) and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA). Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was the MCDA method adopted, where the criteria, including 11 constraints and 5 factors, were identified and examined by processes of weighted linear overlay (WLC) and Boolean overlay respectively. Then, the suitability index (SI) was computed and a suitability map, showing 4 classes of suitability, was generated.The results show that less than half of the Swedish coastal sea areas are highly or fairly suitable for offshore wind power development, while the rest was unsuitable. The unsuitable areas were mainly a consequence of the constraints of protected areas and military-related claims. The results were also compared to the areas indicated in the municipal plans for wind power, the national interest for wind energy production, as well as the existing and rejected wind turbines. This indicated that the study results correspond well with them and that the space for offshore wind energy is still plentiful despite the large exclusion area. The applied methodology and results of this study can be a stepping stone to planning authorities and developers in the planning decision-making process.

Master of Urban and Regional Planning

The Florida Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis pratensis) is a state threatened endemic subspecies of the Sandhill Crane (Nesbitt & Tacha, 1997). With a population that was estimated at a maximum of 5,000 individuals in 2003 (Nesbitt & Hatchitt, 2008), it is imperative to identify potentially viable habitats, as Florida is rapidly developing. This research develops a Habitat Suitability Index model to determine unsuitable to optimally suitable habitat locations throughout west-central Florida. To do so, six suitability variables based on the crane’s life history were evaluated: Potential nesting area, immediate nesting area, wetland coverage, foraging area, brooding area, and road proximity. The results were compiled into a map, which showcased a gradient of habitat suitability within the Southwest Florida Water Management District boundary. Validation of this model included assessing the 2013-2017 stop data obtained from the North American Breeding Bird Survey for two routes in the project area. However, this data proved to be insufficient and unreliable, resulting in insignificance. The intention of this research was to prioritize those areas that are of optimal suitability to assist on conservation management of this threatened species. However, it highlighted the necessity for updated research, data, and population information for the Florida Sandhill Crane.

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Denna rapport syftar till att utreda och klargöra de allmänna lämplighetsvillkoren vid fastighetsbildning (som finns beskrivna i 3 kap. 1 § fastighetsbildningslagen) och hur denna paragraf ska tolkas vid lämplighetsprövning. Detta har gjorts genom en rättsfallsstudie, där fokus lagts på hur paragrafen har tolkats i rättspraxis. Rättsfallsstudien har sedan kompletterats med propositionsanalyser och litteraturstudier. I uppsatsen har de 58 rättsfall som legat till grund för rättsfallsstudien redovisats för sig för att sedan analyseras och tolkas. Slutsatserna av arbetet presenteras i form av riktlinjer för vad som ska beaktas vid lämplighetsprövning. Riktlinjerna bygger på observerade tolkningar i rättspraxis och är menade att underlätta tolkningen av paragrafen. Till att börja med kan det konstateras att det finns flera dimensioner på paragrafen och att den innehåller åtta krav gällande fastigheters belägenhet, omfång, utformning, tillgång till behövliga vägar, vatten- och avloppsanordningar för bebyggelsefastigheter, varaktighet, aktualitet samt tillvägagångssätt. Kraven som ställs och faktorerna som spelar in i bedömningen beror dels på vilket av dessa krav som behandlas samt vilket ändamål fastigheten ska ha. Kraven som ställs är även högre för en obebyggd fastighet än för en bebyggd fastighet när fastigheten ska användas för boendeändamål. I studien blir det även tydligt att kraven som ställs på fastigheter för fritidsändamål är högre än för fastigheter för permanent boende. Det kan även konstateras att jord- och skogsbruksfastigheters lämplighet regleras till stor del av 3 kap. 5 § FBL. / This bachelor thesis report aims to investigate and clarify the general conditions concerning suitability for property formation (as described in Chapter 3, section 1 Real Property Formation Act) and how these conditions are supposed to be interpreted. This has been done through a court case study, where the focus has been on how the conditions have been interpreted in case law. 58 court cases have been studied separately and then analyzed in the report. The conclusions are presented in the form of guidelines concerning what to consider for a suitability assessment with regard to the conditions in Chapter 3, section 1 Real Property Formation Act. The guidelines are based on observed interpretations in case law and are meant to facilitate the interpretation of the conditions. It should be noted that there are several dimensions to the general conditions concerning suitability and that there are eight conditions considering real estates’ location, size, design, access to necessary roads, water and sewage systems for residential properties, duration, timeliness and approach. Depending on which of these conditions are considered, the assessment will be made in accordance. The assessment will also depend on the purpose of the real estate. For example, the requirements are higher for a real estate for recreational purposes than for a real estate for permanent residence. The requirements are also higher for a real estate containing no buildings than for a real estate that already contains a residential building when the real estate is meant for accommodation purposes. It may also be noted that agriculture and forestry real estates’ suitability mostly depends on the conditions in Chapter 3, section 5 Real Property Formation Act. Title

Cotula coronopifolia is a short-lived plant that originates from South Africa and Namibia. It has been present in Europe since the 18th century. This study includes a monitoring inventory of two C. coronopifolia populations on Öland, Sweden, which has taken place continuously four consecutive years (2018-2021). It also includes a climate suitability model projected over Europe.  The monitoring inventory gives a picture of the population’s yearly dynamic in terms of spread, expansion and densities. The population density has decreased during these four years and the expansion speed has shifted from over 370 m/year between 2018 and 2019 to a contraction of -20 m/year thereafter. The decreasing densities seem to be due to lower grazing intensities in the last two years. It is also possible that C. coronopifolia have occupied most of the possible habitat available at these two locations.  The model was made to visualize the potential geographic range of C. coronopifolia based on contemporary climate variables such as temperature and precipitation. Predicted suitable habitat was extensive in the coastal regions of western Europe but surprisingly low in the eastern parts of Europe. The most important variable in the model turned out to be “the annual range between maximum temperature and minimum temperature” and that range is generally smaller in coastal climates. That, together with the fact that most of the occurrence records comes from the western parts of Europe (which may reflect the introduction history of the species rather than the climate and/or a geographic reporting bias), should be considered as alternative explanations for the difference in suitability between eastern and western Europe. However, the model seems to give a plausible picture over the contemporary potential distribution range in Sweden where the reporting effort is generally high. This study shows that C. coronopifolia is a species suitable for modelling. Future, refined models should include dispersal mechanisms, propagule pressure and future climate scenarios to predict plausible population spread.

53 Abstract Application of MiFID directive on activities in universal bank MiFID or Markets on financial instruments Directive, is extensive and key European financial market regulation. Introduced into the laws of all the Member States many new applications and employed a large number of companies. The content of this work is to first clarify the concept of a universal bank, the bank and the reason why the Directive applies to them. Furthermore, analysis of specific activities and procedures, which are due to the introduction of the Directive into law occurred mainly by retail investors, the current clients of universal bank. Most attention is devoted to investor protection, mainly test the appropriateness and suitability, performance instructions for the customer. The following chapter is devoted to issues of organizational changes, the new rules required. Part of the text is devoted to the transposition process in individual countries and especially in the Czech Republic. Another chapter is concerned with problems that frequently appear in the application and in the last chapter outlines recent developments, particularly in the new draft directive, revising MiFID after almost five years of operation, which is just being born on the soil of the European Union. The conclusion is the finding that changes in...

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