Masters Degrees (Environmental Science)
Recent Submissions
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Modelling susceptibility to Parthenium hysterophorus invasion in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa using physical, climatic and remotely sensed derived variables.
(2018)Invasive alien plants (IAP) are considered as one of the major causes of global change. Parthenium hysterophorus is recognized as one of the world’s most aggressive, harmful and extremely resilient invasive plant species. ... -
The ecological and functional assessment of wetlands : case study of a constructed wetland, Dundee, KwaZulu-Natal.
(2018)This dissertation focused on the constructed wetland at a disused coal mine in Dundee, KwaZulu-Natal. A sequence of 10 wetland cells was constructed by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) to remediate seepage from ... -
Water quality assessment using Landsat 8 and Sentinel-2 : a case study of the Umdloti estuary, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
(2018)Estuaries are amongst the most productive and important ecosystems on the planet but are vulnerable to physico-chemical alterations within their waters. Water quality and health monitoring therefore requires the timely ... -
Spatio-temporal appraisal of water-borne erosion using optical remote sensing and GIS in the Umzintlava catchement (T32E), Eastern Cape, South Africa.
(2018)Globally, soil erosion by water is often reported as the worst form of land degradation owing to its adverse effects, cutting across the ecological and socio-economic spectrum. In general, soil erosion negatively affects ... -
Analysis of rhino poaching incidences and management strategies in South Africa.
(2016)The illegal hunting and global trade in wildlife and wildlife products is a transnational, highly organised crime that threatens the survival of many endangered species. The rhinoceros is a well-known example of this trade ... -
Incorporation of biodiversity conservation into the environmental impact assessments and compliance processes in KwaZulu-Natal.
(2017)Abstract available in PDF file. -
Assessment of the functional health status of the Melville wetland system, KwaDukuza, South Africa.
(2016)Internationally, wetlands are recognised as being valuable, natural ecosystems that provide a spectrum of functions, goods and services. Wetlands are also known to be extensively prone to pollutants. KwaDukuza, which forms ... -
An investigation into the climate change mitigation potential of road transport emissions in eThekwini Municipality.
(2016)The South African transport sector as a whole is the second largest source of green house gas (GHG) emissions, with South Africa’s road transport sector contributing 80-90% of the total transport emissions. As such there ... -
Few climate change adaptation strategies of rural women : a case study of Ndwedwe-Cibane, KwaZulu-Natal.
(2017)Climate change is documented to impact food, energy and water (FEW) resources. Rural women are vulnerable to climate change impacts due to their high dependence on natural resources. Despite numerous studies on climate ... -
Collusion, cadres and corruption : a critical study of the procurement sector and corruption in local government : the case of eThekwini Municipality.
(2016)Corruption is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that takes various forms and functions in different settings. With the transition to a democratic dispensation in South Africa, there has been an escalation in corruption ... -
An investigation into the co-benefits of climate change mitigation and adaptation for the waste sector in the eThekwini Municipality.
(2015)Abstract available in PDF file. -
Assessment of the impact of agriculture and industry on the changing geochemical regimes, macro invertebrate communities and wetland areas : a case study of Sezela estuary and wetland areas, KwaZulu-Natal.
(2017)The Sezela estuary and wetlands make up a vast area of the Sezela in which these environments impacted by anthropogenic activities. The Sezela area is located along the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa ... -
Challenges in resolving and protecting biodiversity in a developing city : the case of the Cato Ridge grasslands, Durban.
(2017)The area of Cato Ridge has been identified as a key node for future industrial and commercial development within the eThekwini Municipal Area, with a Local Area Plan approved to guide it. However, it also includes large ... -
Investigating the process of erosion and sediment yield at different scales in commercial forestry : a case study at Two Streams, KwaZulu-Natal.
(2016)Abstract available in PDF file. -
The role of remote sensing in invasive alien plant species detection and the assessment of removal programs in two selected reserves in the eThekwini Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal Province.
(2016)One of the major current concerns by conservationists is alien invasive plants due to their rapid spread and threat to biodiversity. The detection of Invasive Alien Plant Species (IAPs) can aid in monitoring and managing ... -
Slope stability analyses of rock slopes and a comparison of limit equilibrium and continuum numerical methods.
(2016)Open pit mines are amongst the world’s largest geotechnical structures accounting for a large proportion of the world’s metals and minerals. The pressure of future supply of these resources meeting the demands of a growing ... -
Quantitative comparison of the aerosol optical properties over Durban using ground and satellite based instrumentation.
(2017)Aerosols are ubiquitous constituents in the atmosphere and are important for atmospheric processes. This is due to their ability to scatter and absorb solar radiation and influence cloud microphysics. This study will focus ... -
The impact of land degradation on landscape function in Mount Fletcher, Eastern Cape.
(2016)The severity of natural vegetation degradation has become a serious challenge, causing negative impacts on the vegetation ecosystems, livestock population, and productivity, landscape organization and river systems. The ... -
A remote sensing based delineation of the areal extent of smallholder sugarcane fields of South Africa.
(2016)The areal extent delineation of smallholder sugarcane fields in fragmented landscapes is a challenge due to their complex spatial configuration (i.e. patchy field sizes) and timeless planting and harvesting dates. Nevertheless, ...
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