Impact assessment is a requirement for development in many countries across the globe, seeking to inform the decision-maker as to the environmental, social and economic impact of an ongoing or proposed project. Socioeconomic impact assessment (SEIA) is a means of informing decision-makers as to the socioeconomic effects a project could have, or is having, thus contributing to informing adaptive management practices. However, the tendency of socioeconomic impact assessment to highly quantitative economic methods of analysis raises the question of whether the desired results are achieved by the process. The purpose of the research was to determine whether highly quantitative forms of economic analysis are suitable for measurement of impacts in a social context where distributive as well as net impact is important; to critically analyze the method utilized in achieving highly quantitative economic impact assessment results; and lastly to draw conclusions and make recommendations regarding the efficacy of monitoring processes used to inform adaptive management practices. The research was conducted by means of a case study focusing on three SEIAs carried out on the same entity, namely the Addo Elephant National Park. Managed by South African National Parks (SANP), it began expanding its borders in the early 2000s. Funded by the World Bank, SANP was required to carry out a comprehensive Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in 2003 to ensure the expansion did not have negative environmental, social and economic repercussions, and where such consequences were unavoidable, to ensure that mitigation and management thereof was informed by useful monitoring exercises. Given the need for resettlement and issues of economic distributive concern raised in the 2003 SEA, the three socioeconomic impact assessments conducted from 2005 – 2010 as part of the ongoing monitoring exercises formed an ideal framework for answering the primary research questions. The findings indicate that despite consistent terms of reference, different assessors interpret mandates from the commissioning body in different ways, leading to varied applications of the same theory, some methodologically better than others. Economic multiplier analysis was found to be inadequate as a measure of the distributive effects of economic impact. Moreover, a lack of consistency, accountability and transparency in the monitoring process led to three sets of results that were incomparable over time and thus inadequate as a means to inform adaptive management practices. Asymmetries of and between power and expertise in the commissioning body and the assessors led to breakdowns of the assessment process in terms of accountability and integrity and resulted in a failure to properly define the scope of the study and measure the relevant indicators. The following recommendations were made: that the economic multiplier method be complemented by additional methods of analysis when utilized in disparate social contexts where distribution of economic benefit is important; that monitoring practices be systematized at an early stage of the process to ensure comparable results useful in informing ongoing management practices; and that what an assessment measures and how it measures it be clarified with reference to an objective source. Finally, the number of factors for consideration in any impact assessment means that measurement of the full picture suffers resource constraints, emphasizing the need for impact assessment oversight to recognize the deficiencies of the process whilst still acknowledging that ‘some number is better than no number’.

The study was conducted in the Greater Kruger National Park Complex (GKNP), which consists of the Kruger National Park (KNP) and adjacent private game reserves and focuses primarily on the following objectives: • To monitor and evaluate the standard of the existing disease surveillance programmes for the following diseases, Foot and Mouth, Anthrax, Tuberculosis, Brucellosis and Rabies, within the Kruger National Park and adjacent private game reserves by evaluating the level of competency and knowledge in field rangers, field guides and trails rangers with regard to these specific diseases. It can be stated that important differences exist between disease surveillance techniques used for domestic animals and those used for wildlife (Bengis, R.G., Kock, R.A., & Fischer, J., 2002). According to Morner, T., Obendorf, D.L., Artios, M., & Woodford, M.H., 2002, it is more difficult to monitor diseases in wildlife than in domestic animals because wild animals are not constrained by boundaries and can roam over large. distances. For significant diseases in wildlife, an active surveillance programme may be the preferred approach with the aim to collect a certain number of samples from a target population (live or dead animals) to determine the point prevalence of certain pathogens. Active veterinary participation is essential in protected area management, with emphasis on training of technicians, rangers and field biologists with regard to specific diseases and their clinical signs, surveillance and sampling techniques, data collection, and reporting. For the purpose of this study, data collection was conducted by means of a questionnaire drawn up according to the related critical points as described in the Dufour grid (Dufour, 1998). The results of this study clearly showed a need to address certain important aspects regarding a wildlife disease programme within the GKNP. A more efficient wildlife disease surveillance programme, which included more specific and “hands-on” trained staff, would definitely ensure a better early warning system which would detect new or emerging disease outbreaks. / M. Tech. (Nature Conservation))

Populations of small prey species (< 92 kg) can be regulated by competition, habitat-mediated responses, climate change, disease and predation. Populations of small prey species have declined in the Addo Elephant National Park Main Camp Section since the reintroduction of apex predators (lion and spotted hyaena). One possible explanation is predation by lion and spotted hyaena. However, small prey species are not generally considered preferred prey items of these predators, hence their contribution to predator diets needs to be explored. Global Positioning System (GPS) cluster analysis has emerged as a viable approach to locate lion kills for lion diet estimation in AENP, however this technique is known to bias diet estimates to large prey species. Understanding the impact of lion predation on populations of small prey in Main Camp therefore requires better estimates of lion diets. This study investigated the potential underestimation of small prey species in lion diet estimates by combining the data from scat analysis and carcasses located at GPS clusters. The adjusted lion diets were then used to investigate if the impact of lion predation could explain declines in small prey, by relating lion prey preferences to prey population trends in Nyathi. Using the results from Nyathi, it could then be inferred whether lions could have been responsible for the declines observed in Main Camp. Six GPS-collared lions provided location data used to construct individual movement paths, along which spatio-temporal clusters of GPS locations (n = 4896) were identified for ground investigation. Carcasses (n = 643) were recorded at the GPS clusters and scats (n = 256) were collected at GPS clusters with or without carcasses. Data from the located carcasses and scat collections were then used to create a history of feeding events for each collared lion in Main Camp-Colchester and Nyathi from a) carcasses alone or b) a combination of scats and carcasses, based on an estimated short and long lion throughout period. Relative prey availability was estimated based on camera trapping in Nyathi in high lion, low lion and no lion use areas, as lions may encounter some prey species more than other prey species. Jacobs’ index prey preference was used to investigate the importance of prey species to lion diets at three landscape scales: 1) Nyathi, 2) lion UD and 3) core lion UD. Lastly, prey population trends were investigated in Nyathi to provide an indication of possible changes in prey populations. Large prey species dominated the adjusted diets of lions in Main Camp-Colchester and Nyathi. However, when comparing the GPS carcass-derived lion diet estimate to the combined lion diet estimate, small prey were underestimated more often than large prey in the GPS carcass-derived lion diet estimate. Missed feeding events were therefore a function of prey body size. In addition, missed feeding events were also representative of the lion diets based on carcasses, with the tendency for species more often consumed to be missed more often in the diet record. However, even though small prey species were underestimated, they represented the minority of species consumed by lions and were predominantly avoided by lions in Nyathi. Lion prey preferences thus did not correlate to the declines in small prey species in Naythi, suggesting other potential drivers are important for small population trends in Nyathi. Lion predation cannot be ruled out as a driver of the decline in small prey species in Main Camp, due to different ecological conditions (e.g. vegetation density) in Main Camp compared to Nyathi, during the observed small prey population declines. Lion prey preferences in Nyathi revealed fine-scale variations in species specific preferences by lions, as well as site-specific differences in prey preferences when compared to published lion prey preference meta-analyses. These findings suggest that metaanalysis studies should be used as a guideline from which hypotheses about local predatorprey interactions can be developed rather than as an absolute measure of prey preference.

This study presents an investigation into the population dynamics and social structure of a small, closed elephant population. Specifically, it examined population growth rates for evidence of density-dependent regulation. It also quantified the association patterns of female elephants groups, and male elephants groups. Social structure was examined using Hamilton’s kinship theories of inclusive fitness, and age. Male-female patterns of association were also examined for inbreeding avoidance behaviours. The study population was located in Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa. Density-dependence was assessed using a long-term data set. Densities were considerably higher than estimated carrying capacities. Population growth rate was positively correlated with increasing density. No relationship between birth rate, the age of first calving or calf sex ratio and elephant density was detected but there was a positive relationship between birth rate and rainfall during conception year. Mortality rates, particularly for juveniles, were low, and mean inter-calf interval was 3.3 years. There is no evidence of density dependent regulation in this population. These findings indicate that density dependence should not be considered as an option in the control of elephant numbers in this Park, or where elephant resources are not seasonally limited. Examination of association patterns of the adult female component revealed that associations were not random at the population, family or individual scale. This is the second study on African elephants to confirm previous behavioural studies that predicted that preferred associates were close maternal relatives. This supports many studies showing that social species preferentially associate with their kin. The adult males in this population were found to have a well differentiated society with non-random associations. Generally, males were found to have weak associations with most other males and strong associations with only a few males. This association pattern was found to be persistent over the time frame of the study, as indicated by the time lag analysis. Males returned to their natal family, even when maternally related females were in oestrus. Oestrous females directed positive behaviours towards musth males. It appears that behavioural inbreeding avoidance mechanisms in this small, closed population are inhibited: musth status seems to override inbreeding avoidance. General principles from this case study were interpreted in terms of their applicability to other small, closed populations.

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1960 S54

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1955 M34 / Master of Science

This study addresses the healthcare needs of employees and their families living in the Kruger National Park (KNP). A quantitative, explorative, descriptive research design was used to interview respondents who comprised of 75 male and female employees with children of various ages. The findings revealed that physical, psychological, environmental, socio-cultural, and behavioural needs of the employees and their families living in the KNP is probably unattainable as healthcare services are poorly distributed throughout the KNP, being mostly concentrated in the main camp of Skukuza. A number of respondents indicated that they required consultations about psychological and socio-cultural stresses in their lives. These services are not available in the KNP. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

Tesis (MSc) -- Stellenbosch University, 1995. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A map of the different plant communities in a part of the West Coast National Park (WCNP) is presented. The approach of the Zurich-Montpellier school is used for the phytosociological studies. Thirty plant communities are described and related to environmental factors. One new alliance, two sub-alliances, seventeen associations, seven sub-associations and three variations are described. It is suggested that the Willdenowio -- Diospyretum austro-africanae is raised to alliance level and the Eucleo -- lschyrolepion eleocharidis lowered to sub-alliance level. The different floristic groups in which the plant communities fell were Strandveld, Proto-fynbos, marsh, strand and ecotones between Strandveld and Fynbos. A further extensive survey was conducted in the Postberg Nature Reserve (PNR), which forms part of the West Coast National Park, to determine the possible cause of decline in small antelope numbers (duiker, grysbok and steenbok). The potential production of the vegetation of the Postberg Nature Reserve is about 561.64 kg DM/ha/yr. Rumen analyses of the small antelopes were performed in an attempt to assess the possible relationship between plants and animals. It is found that the small antelope utilizes a big spectrum of plants. Different plant communities were structurally examined and it is proved that the steenbok are bolder than the other two small antelope and are prepared to feed in areas having a lower plant density. Duiker and grysbok preferentially prefer plant communities taller than 60 cm. KEYWORDS Braun-Blanquet, community structure, distribution, Fynbos Biome, habitat, plant communities, Raphicerus campestris, Raphicerus melanotis, Strandveld, Sylvicapra grimmia. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: 'n Plantgemeenskapskaart is vir 'n deel van die Weskus Nasionale Park (WNP) opgetrek. Die Zurich-Montpellier fitososiologiese benadering is gebruik om die plantegroei te analiseer en te beskrywe. Dertig plantgemeenskappe is geklassifiseer, beskryf, gekarakteriseer en ekologies geinterpreteer. Ben nu we alliansie, twee sub-alliansies, sewentien assosiasies, sewe subassosiasies en drie variasies is beskryf. Daar is voorgestel dat die Willdenowio -- Diospyretum austro-africanae tot alliansievlak verhoog en die Eucleo -- Ischyrolepion eleocharidis na suballiansievlak verlaag word. Die verskillende floristiese groepe waarin hierdie plantgemeenskappe geval het bestaan uit Strandveld, Protofynbos, strand-, vleiland-, en ekotone tussen Strandveld en Fynbos. 'n Verdere intensiewe studie is in die Postberg Natuurreservaat (PNR), wat deel uitmaak van die Weskus Nasionale Park, ondemeem om 'n moontlike verklaring te vind vir die afname van kleinwildsoorte (duiker, grysbok en steenbok). Die produksiepotensiaal van die Postberg Natuurreservaat (PNR) is bepaal op ongeveer 561.64 kg DM/ha/jaar. Maaginhoud ontledings van die kleinwildsoorte is gebruik om 'n moontlike verhouding tussen plant en dier te bepaal. Daar is bevind dat die kleinwildsoorte 'n groot spektrum van plante kan benut. Verskillende plantgemeenskappe is t.o.v. plantegroeistruktuur ondersoek en daar is bewys dat die steenbok minder skugter as die grysbok en duiker is en in oop areas, met 'n laer plantdigtheid, sal beweeg. Die duiker en grysbok verkies plantgemeenskappe wat meer as 60 cm hoog is. TREFWOORDE Braun-Blanquet, Fynbosbioom, gemeenskapstruktuur, habitat, plantgemeenskappe, Raphicerus campestris, Raphicerus melanotis, Strandveld, Sylvicapra grimmia, verspreiding.

Disease management along the boundaries of wildlife reserves is a growing conservation problem worldwide, as infected wildlife can migrate outside protected areas and pose a threat to livestock and human health. The bison Bison bison population in Yellowstone National Park has long been infected with Brucella abortus, the bacterium causing bovine brucellosis. Concern over migratory bison transmitting B. abortus to cattle herds on lands adjacent to Yellowstone has led to proposals for bison vaccination. Model simulations suggest that vaccination is unlikely to eradicate B. abortus from Yellowstone bison but could be an effective tool for reducing the level of infection and eliminating unpopular management practices such as lethal culling. The culling of Yellowstone bison to reduce the risk of brucellosis transmission to cattle is negatively affecting long-term bison conservation because of difficulties in diagnosing actively infected animals. Age-specific serology and B. abortus culture assays from slaughtered bison were used to develop a diagnostic tool to estimate whether particular animals are infective. Findings suggest that active B. abortus infection is age-dependent, which allows true infection probabilities to be estimated based on age and quantitative diagnostic tests. Active brucellosis infection was associated with below-average nutritional condition, with the intensity of B. abortus infection being influenced by seasonal reductions in dietary protein and energy. The reproductive strategy of Yellowstone bison is linked with the seasonal availability of food, which increases bison fitness but may have consequences for B. abortus infection. Seasonal food restriction may also influence the ability of vaccinated bison to recall protective immune responses when later exposed to B. abortus. The rate of fat metabolism was an important factor influencing cell-mediated responses. Thus, individual variation and the seasonal availability of food may reduce vaccine efficacy when vaccination is applied at the population level. Consequently, effective management practices will require a diverse range of integrated methods, which include maintaining separation of livestock and wildlife, managing habitat to reduce brucellosis transmission, and reducing disease prevalence in wildlife. The long-term success of these management practices will depend on sound science and support of the stakeholders involved.

No description available.