Masters Degrees (Geography)
Recent Submissions
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Integrating remote sensing and geostatistics in mapping Seriphium plumosum (bankrupt bush) invasion.
(2016)The impacts of plant species invasion in natural ecosystems have attracted geo-scientific studies globally. Several studies have demonstrated that the effects of invasive species can permanently alter an ecosystem structure ... -
The use of periphyton and macro-invertebrates and their susceptibility to changes in river flow characteristics and nutrient composition as an indicator of river health.
(2016)Freshwater systems are a valuable resource under increasing threat due to pollution from activities such as agriculture, industry, mining and domestic use which can pose a risk to human and animal health and may lead to ... -
The impact of a change in climate on small-scale farmers : case studies of the Khokhwane, Sizanenjana and Richmond communities in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
(2016)A large percentage of land use in South Africa is used for agricultural purposes, as this sector serves as the economic backbone of the country. A change in climate is likely to result in an increase in the frequency and ... -
A palaeoreconstruction of late holocene fire history and vegetation dynamics from a savanna ecosystem at Mapungubwe National Park, Limpopo Valley, South Africa.
(2016)Palaeoenvironmental studies facilitate the understanding of palaeoclimatic trends that have been difficult to understand within the African context. Multi-proxy climatic reconstructions are spatially and temporally limited ... -
A statistical approach for modelling forest structural attributes using multispectral remote sensing data within a commercial forest plantation.
(2017)Abstract available in PDF file. -
Assessing the effectiveness of a role playing game as a stakeholder engagement tool for integrated natural resource management.
(2015)The European Union funded project Afromaison (Africa at meso-scale: adaptive and integrated tools and strategies for natural resources management) aimed to address current challenges facing South Africa’s environmental ... -
Sustainable agricultural practices in smallholder farming systems : a case study of smallholder farmers in the Ugu District, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
(2016)Agriculture is viewed by both World Bank reports of 2005 and 2008 as a viable activity for rural development for the developing economies. Smallholder farming is the dominant type of agricultural practice especially in the ... -
Investigating livestock dynamics in relation to livestock water productivity in smallholder mixed crop-livestock systems : a case study of Ntshiqo in the Eastern Cape.
(2016)Livestock provide net benefits such as food production (milk, meat), raw materials (wool), draught, manure, cultural practices, income and investment, and can improve the resilience of smallholder mixed crop-livestock ... -
An investigation of the socio-economic impacts of ecotourism in rural areas : a case study of Nompondo, a community bordering the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (HiP), KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
(2015)Community involvement seems to be a key element of both nature conservation and ecotourism and is largely perceived to include public participation in decision-making and communities’ receipt of benefits from ecotourism. ... -
An evaluation of hyperspectral and multispectral data for mapping invasive species in an African Savanna.
(2015)Invasive alien plant (IAP) species affects a range of ecosystem types in various regions of the world. Therefore are now considered one of the main phenomena causing global change. Invasive alien plants (IAP’s) cause ... -
An analysis of the potential erosional changes in the KwaZulu-Natal coastline due to the effects of sea level rise and associated storm surges.
(2015)The coastlines around the world are currently in the process of being eroded by naturally occurring oceanic conditions. The vast majority of people living near or on these coastlines have no idea what they may be in store ... -
Modelling leaf area index in a tropical grassland using multi-temporal hyperspectral data.
(2016)Abstract available in PDF file. -
Exploring post-authorisation follow-up and EIA effectiveness in South Africa : case studies from KwaZulu-Natal.
(2016)Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is recognised internationally as a tool for identifying and addressing the potential adverse impacts of a proposed development on the environment. The effectiveness of an EIA depends ... -
Assessing the level of habitat fragmentation of the KwaZulu-Natal sandstone sourveld.
(2015)Numerous processes, including habitat loss and fragmentation, contribute to ecosystem degradation, resulting in the loss of ecosystem functioning and diversity. The KwaZulu-Natal Sandstone Sourveld (KZN SS) is a grassland ... -
Displacement and adjustment : Ethiopian environmental migrants in Durban, South Africa.
(2016-01-25)Notwithstanding earlier scholarly and scientific disagreements, in the 21st century the evidence for climate-induced environmental change is compelling, with little room for doubt, debate or dissent. There are serious ... -
Segregation, desegregation, and re-segregation and the return to Black Townships : a case study of Chesterville Township, Durban.
(2014)Residential segregation and desegregation continues to be a major theme in South African scholarship. However the study of re-segregation, characterised by people returning to legacy apartheid townships after having moved ... -
Crumbling housing and failed promises : a critical study of corruption in low cost housing in the Phoenix area.
(2015)Since the ending of apartheid the new South African government inherited a country with a critical shortage of low income housing. While great lengths have been made to address the housing challenge, a major obstacle to ... -
Developing key success criteria for rural development initiatives in the context of sustainable land management.
(2013)An assessment of service delivery in rural areas is critical in understanding the impacts and extent of sustainable land management (SLM). It has been South Africa’s main objective to improve and speed-up service delivery ... -
Investigating the contribution of the biodiversity stewardship programme in achieving grassland biome conservation in KZN, South Africa.
(2014)Research into biodiversity stewardship and its potential as a mechanism for conservation implementation in South Africa is limited. Conservation implementation tools aimed at achieving conservation targets are espoused ... -
Relative pollen productivity estimates (PPE) and relevant source area of pollen (RSAP) for key taxa from vegetation communities in Cathedral Peak, KwaZulu-Natal Drakensburg.
(2015-07-13)Pollen analysis has proved to be an effective method for elucidating and reconstructing past vegetation patterns, and can be effective in attempting to understand the possible future implications of environmental change. ...
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