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Ecological functionality of the Upper and Middle Vaal Water Management areas
(2012-12-05) Dzwairo, Bloodless; Otieno, Fredrick Alfred O.; Ochieng, George M.
A harmonised in-stream water quality guideline was constructed for the Upper and Middle Vaal Water Management Areas (WMAs) using ideal catchment background values for the sub-catchments; Vaal dam, Vaal barrage, Klip River and Blesbokspruit/Suikerbosrant Rivers. Data for years 2003 to 2009 was interpolated to a daily time-step for 2526 days at 21 monitoring sites covering both WMAs. Conductivity was used as a surrogate to capture the variability in water quality. This provided an ecological functionality model of the study area, coded for ranges 10-18, 19-45, 46-80, 80< and 81-100 mS/m. The Upper and Middle Vaal basin is currently extremely vulnerable to changes in water quality, uncertainty about changes which it can tolerate, and the fact that there are very limited options for mitigating effects of poor water quality in the basin, overall. Thus a precautionary approach is being proposed in this paper, in order to protect the ecological functionality of the aquatic ecosystem. The proposed harmonised guideline presents a crucial model to pre-determine the ecological functionality for any water point in the study area, in order to provide upstream-downstream pollution trading and other decision support processes towards sustainable basin management
The impact of private game farms on local community development
(SAIMS, 2013) Giampiccoli, Andrea; van der Merwe, P.; Saayman, M.
Nature-based and wildlife tourism is a growing economic sector with associated increases in privately protected areas. The history of South Africa suggests a conflicting relationship between privately-owned game farms (PGFs) and their surrounding communities. There is an increased recognition of the contribution of PGFs to issues such as biodiversity and community development. However, few investigations, if any, on the relation between PGFs and community development can be discovered. The aim of this paper is to investigate and understand the current role and contribution of PGFs to community development, using a South African case study. To investigate the topic, telephonic interviews were conducted. The study suggests that PGFs are active in local community development albeit that their involvement is still in its early stages and could be enhanced. The present scarcity of research on the topic posits this investigation as a channel towards further research. The paper will suggest various strategies and projects that could help to facilitate the intervention of PGFs in community development.
Multi-dynamics of travelling bands and pattern formation in a predator-prey model with cubic growth
(Springer Open, 2016) Djomegni, Patrick Mimphis Tchepmo; Duffy, Kevin Jan
We analyse a predator-prey model with cubic growth in which animal movement are incorporated. We focus on the behaviour of the bands of animals to understand the global dynamic of the system. Travelling waves analyses are used to describe the time evolution of the system and to examine the interplay between the bands. We also highlight the inﬂuence of individuals behaviours on the collective behaviour of the bands. More importantly, we show the multi-dynamics that diﬀusion can cause, and we illustrate the patterns formed in the model as a result of a new phenomenon called transport-driven instability. This study shows how sustainable ecosystems could manipulate their movement characteristics to remain stable and viable.
Strategies for building resilience to hazards in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) systems: The role of public private partnerships
(Elsevier, 2014-07-15) Johannessen, Ase; Rosemarin, Arno; Thomalla, Frank; Gerger Swartling, Åsa; Stenström, Thor-Axel; Vulturius, Gregor
The aim of this paper is to enhance understanding of how the resilience of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) systems to hazards can be improved. In turn, this aims to inform different strategies for public and private partnerships (PPPs). In a new approach, to acknowledge the multi levelled nature of resilience; risk at the relevant levels are taken into account, (regional/river basin, urban area, and individual). For these levels, we first describe the different components of risk, vulnerability and resilience of the WASH system that influence people's exposure to hazards. We illustrate these components using examples from case studies in the literature. Using a social learning lens - a crucial ingredient of resilience - we examine opportunities for reducing risks through improving public–private engagement. These are presented as strategies which could guide invest-ment decisions: As pressures from climate change and development add up, businesses must become aware of the risks involved in operating and investing without considering ecosystem health, both in terms of the services they provide for mitigating floods and droughts, as well as in terms of the development approaches that define how ecosystems are managed (e.g. “making space” for, rather than controlling water). There is a need to develop an institutional culture that strives towards greener and more resilient urban environments with the help of various quality assurance methods. Partnerships must reach the poorer customer base, encourage informal small entrepreneurs, and boost financial mechanisms (e.g. micro-insurance, micro-finance) to support the most vulner-able in society.