South African International Relations (Ir) and the China-Africa relationship: a critical reflection
- Authors: Walker, Timothy Charles
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: South Africa -- Relations -- China , China -- Relations -- South Africa , International relations -- Philosophy , Critical theory
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2885 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015518
- Description: South African International Relations (IR) is a prominent source of China-Africa research and analysis, producing reports, journal articles and books that seek to illuminate the emerging relationship between China and Africa. It plays an important role in the framing of the relationship, as well as how it is perceived outside of the discipline. However, critical concerns have been raised about the context within which South African IR operates. It is therefore important that IR research, including its assumptions, dominant concepts, professed values and aspirations to studying the China-Africa relationship, be critically examined. The aim of this thesis is to contribute to critical thinking in South African IR by opening up for future discussion the new directions and possibilities for China-Africa IR. Utilising a critique located in Critical International Relations Theory (CIRT), this thesis critically reflects upon both the context of South African IR’s China-Africa research and the perspectives it has produced. The thesis argues that in spite of many descriptive and empirical studies, China- Africa research is theoretically underdeveloped in South African IR. Further, it argues that theoretical work is marginalised despite the fact that both historical and contemporary research relies on concepts drawn from IR theory. South African IR’s focus on policy relevance is advanced as a reason for the prevalence of theoretical underdevelopment. This thesis concludes by reviewing arguments for the improved use of IR theory in China-Africa IR, which will lead to a better understanding of this important relationship.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Walker, Timothy Charles
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: South Africa -- Relations -- China , China -- Relations -- South Africa , International relations -- Philosophy , Critical theory
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2885 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015518
- Description: South African International Relations (IR) is a prominent source of China-Africa research and analysis, producing reports, journal articles and books that seek to illuminate the emerging relationship between China and Africa. It plays an important role in the framing of the relationship, as well as how it is perceived outside of the discipline. However, critical concerns have been raised about the context within which South African IR operates. It is therefore important that IR research, including its assumptions, dominant concepts, professed values and aspirations to studying the China-Africa relationship, be critically examined. The aim of this thesis is to contribute to critical thinking in South African IR by opening up for future discussion the new directions and possibilities for China-Africa IR. Utilising a critique located in Critical International Relations Theory (CIRT), this thesis critically reflects upon both the context of South African IR’s China-Africa research and the perspectives it has produced. The thesis argues that in spite of many descriptive and empirical studies, China- Africa research is theoretically underdeveloped in South African IR. Further, it argues that theoretical work is marginalised despite the fact that both historical and contemporary research relies on concepts drawn from IR theory. South African IR’s focus on policy relevance is advanced as a reason for the prevalence of theoretical underdevelopment. This thesis concludes by reviewing arguments for the improved use of IR theory in China-Africa IR, which will lead to a better understanding of this important relationship.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Female education breaks the cycle of poverty : a case study of Chikomba rural district, Zimbabwe
- Authors: Zulu, Lilly Tendai
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Women in development -- Zimbabwe , Women -- Education -- Zimbabwe , Rural women -- Employment -- Zimbabwe , Women in economic development -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9139 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018691
- Description: The research which forms the basis of this thesis describes rural women’s perceptions of how Camfed education and skills development programmes have improved their lives in the Chikomba rural district in Chivhu, Zimbabwe. The researcher was motivated to carry out this study mainly due to the fact that in most rural societies in Zimbabwe, women are found suffering from social, cultural and political biases in the traditional male dominated society of Zimbabwe. Compared to their male counterparts, women have limited access to educational and employment opportunities and also have less social and political power than men. Being heads of households, women have to carry out the full traditional roles with the added responsibility of household and production management. The purpose of this study was to inform those investing and interested in women’s education about whether, how and the conditions under which women’s education directly improves women’s own lives and decreases poverty in the family and society. Camfed is an organization that advocates for female education particularly in the marginalized and poor parts of the country where poverty remains a barrier to girl’s education. It provides financial resources and establishes innovative education and training programs in order to break the poverty cycle in rural communities and empower women. A quantitative approach was employed in this study using a descriptive survey design, with the emphasis on collecting primary data from the research participants as well as consulting secondary data sources such as books, academic journals, completed and unpublished post-graduate research dissertations and theses. Findings of this study revealed that financial constraints, early marriage, proximity to school, death of parents as well as domestic chores were factors identified by the women that prevented them from completing school and pursuing further studies. The women also describe their perceptions of how education has led to better opportunities and an improved standard of living as they can now afford the basic goods and services. Moreover the participants mentioned how education has provided them with the basic skills to pursue a livelihood which will enable them to enjoy a decent standard of living. The research also found that education is an important determinant of women’s decision making in terms of finances and thereby improves their sense of empowerment. The women talked extensively about how education has raised their self-esteem and how it has enhanced their economic and social independence. At the end of the study and using the acquired information, several recommendations are made for the expansion and increase of programmes that offer incentives to keep girls in school, especially at secondary level where returns for girls are substantially greater in-terms of reducing poverty and improving the wellbeing of individuals.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Zulu, Lilly Tendai
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Women in development -- Zimbabwe , Women -- Education -- Zimbabwe , Rural women -- Employment -- Zimbabwe , Women in economic development -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9139 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018691
- Description: The research which forms the basis of this thesis describes rural women’s perceptions of how Camfed education and skills development programmes have improved their lives in the Chikomba rural district in Chivhu, Zimbabwe. The researcher was motivated to carry out this study mainly due to the fact that in most rural societies in Zimbabwe, women are found suffering from social, cultural and political biases in the traditional male dominated society of Zimbabwe. Compared to their male counterparts, women have limited access to educational and employment opportunities and also have less social and political power than men. Being heads of households, women have to carry out the full traditional roles with the added responsibility of household and production management. The purpose of this study was to inform those investing and interested in women’s education about whether, how and the conditions under which women’s education directly improves women’s own lives and decreases poverty in the family and society. Camfed is an organization that advocates for female education particularly in the marginalized and poor parts of the country where poverty remains a barrier to girl’s education. It provides financial resources and establishes innovative education and training programs in order to break the poverty cycle in rural communities and empower women. A quantitative approach was employed in this study using a descriptive survey design, with the emphasis on collecting primary data from the research participants as well as consulting secondary data sources such as books, academic journals, completed and unpublished post-graduate research dissertations and theses. Findings of this study revealed that financial constraints, early marriage, proximity to school, death of parents as well as domestic chores were factors identified by the women that prevented them from completing school and pursuing further studies. The women also describe their perceptions of how education has led to better opportunities and an improved standard of living as they can now afford the basic goods and services. Moreover the participants mentioned how education has provided them with the basic skills to pursue a livelihood which will enable them to enjoy a decent standard of living. The research also found that education is an important determinant of women’s decision making in terms of finances and thereby improves their sense of empowerment. The women talked extensively about how education has raised their self-esteem and how it has enhanced their economic and social independence. At the end of the study and using the acquired information, several recommendations are made for the expansion and increase of programmes that offer incentives to keep girls in school, especially at secondary level where returns for girls are substantially greater in-terms of reducing poverty and improving the wellbeing of individuals.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Investigating the relationship between sustainability and farmer decision-making: a qualitative study of maize farmers in Mpumalanga, South Africa
- Authors: Grewar, Robert
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Sustainable agriculture -- Research -- South Africa Agriculture -- South Africa -- Decision making Corn -- Research -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:785 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003906
- Description: The goal of the research paper was to understand the complex relationship between the issue of sustainability and maize farmers’ decision-making processes. The aim is to shed light on the realities experienced by maize farmers in terms of how sustainability impacts on the decisions they make and how the decisions they make impact on sustainability. The importance of the research lies in the current state of affairs in the world in terms of the current economic recession, overpopulation, dire poverty and hunger, and the poor state of the environment. If humankind is to continue its existence on Earth in a happy, healthy world, something is going to have to give. In order for this to happen, people need to start grappling with the concept of sustainability. Focusing on sustainability as a whole is likely to end in despair. However, breaking the problem down into its component pieces will allow people to influence the particular sector in which they operate. It is therefore imperative for research into sustainability to be undertaken in all sectors of society and the economy. Agriculture presents an excellent research area due to its intrinsic link with the environment, society and the economy. Agriculture and its wellbeing is inextricably tied to environmental health. Healthy plants and animals will not grow in unhealthy conditions. Society is to a large degree dependent on agriculture for food, agriculture therefore has a significant impact on social order and function. Agriculture is one of the primary contributors to GDP, particularly in poor and developing nations. As a result, agriculture has an important role to play in ensuring economic sustainability. In order to engage with sustainability from an agricultural perspective it was decided to engage on the farmer-level. Gaining an understanding of their reality in terms of what motivates their decisions is key to understanding the relationship between agriculture and sustainability. Three maize farmers in Mpumalanga, South Africa, were interviewed with the aim of collecting qualitative data and then analysing the data using thematic analysis. The methodology employed enabled the researcher to uncover patterns in the data that constituted themes across the interviews. The following themes emerged: Theme 1: Economic factors are the primary decision driver. This is primarily due to the extent of the financial risk experienced by farmers as a result of market risk, production risk, finance risk, and rising input costs. This results in economic considerations superseding environmental or social concerns in farmers’ decisions. This has a negative impact on the overall sustainability of the farming operation. Theme 2: There has been a decrease in the number of family-run farms. This is attributable to a number of factors including economic failure, fear of loss of land due to land-reform policies, as well as crime. Family-run farms tend to have a greater focus on sustainability due to the vested interest in the next generation taking over the farm. The corporate farming operations that are taking over the farms tend to be more focussed on short-term gains in order to satisfy shareholders. Theme 3: Mechanisation is preferable to manual labour. There has been an alarming decrease in the number of labourers employed on farms. Farmers say this is due to two factors. Firstly, machines are more efficient than labour. Secondly, restrictive labour laws have made famers less keen to employ people. The net effect of these two factors is that unemployment is rising. This has negative consequences for society, the economy, and the environment. Theme 4: Farmers believe they do very little environmental damage. This results in decisions being made that do not consider environmental wellbeing other than soil health. This is because farmers see healthy soil as an integral input that optimises economic performance. Farmers tend to prioritise economic factors in their decisions more than environmental or social factors. This results in an unsustainable perspective. The only ways in which this is likely to change is if the financial risk associated with agriculture is decreased, or if farmers are given financial incentive to change their ways. In order to deal with this issue it is necessary for further research to be conducted. Research needs to be conducted to confirm the results of this study. It is important to know whether the results pertain only to maize farmers in Mpumalanga or whether most farmers in South Africa, and indeed the world, face similar problems. Research should also be conducted to propose policies or procedures to reduce financial risk in agriculture. Research should focus on reducing market risk and reducing input costs, possibly via subsidisation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Grewar, Robert
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Sustainable agriculture -- Research -- South Africa Agriculture -- South Africa -- Decision making Corn -- Research -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:785 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003906
- Description: The goal of the research paper was to understand the complex relationship between the issue of sustainability and maize farmers’ decision-making processes. The aim is to shed light on the realities experienced by maize farmers in terms of how sustainability impacts on the decisions they make and how the decisions they make impact on sustainability. The importance of the research lies in the current state of affairs in the world in terms of the current economic recession, overpopulation, dire poverty and hunger, and the poor state of the environment. If humankind is to continue its existence on Earth in a happy, healthy world, something is going to have to give. In order for this to happen, people need to start grappling with the concept of sustainability. Focusing on sustainability as a whole is likely to end in despair. However, breaking the problem down into its component pieces will allow people to influence the particular sector in which they operate. It is therefore imperative for research into sustainability to be undertaken in all sectors of society and the economy. Agriculture presents an excellent research area due to its intrinsic link with the environment, society and the economy. Agriculture and its wellbeing is inextricably tied to environmental health. Healthy plants and animals will not grow in unhealthy conditions. Society is to a large degree dependent on agriculture for food, agriculture therefore has a significant impact on social order and function. Agriculture is one of the primary contributors to GDP, particularly in poor and developing nations. As a result, agriculture has an important role to play in ensuring economic sustainability. In order to engage with sustainability from an agricultural perspective it was decided to engage on the farmer-level. Gaining an understanding of their reality in terms of what motivates their decisions is key to understanding the relationship between agriculture and sustainability. Three maize farmers in Mpumalanga, South Africa, were interviewed with the aim of collecting qualitative data and then analysing the data using thematic analysis. The methodology employed enabled the researcher to uncover patterns in the data that constituted themes across the interviews. The following themes emerged: Theme 1: Economic factors are the primary decision driver. This is primarily due to the extent of the financial risk experienced by farmers as a result of market risk, production risk, finance risk, and rising input costs. This results in economic considerations superseding environmental or social concerns in farmers’ decisions. This has a negative impact on the overall sustainability of the farming operation. Theme 2: There has been a decrease in the number of family-run farms. This is attributable to a number of factors including economic failure, fear of loss of land due to land-reform policies, as well as crime. Family-run farms tend to have a greater focus on sustainability due to the vested interest in the next generation taking over the farm. The corporate farming operations that are taking over the farms tend to be more focussed on short-term gains in order to satisfy shareholders. Theme 3: Mechanisation is preferable to manual labour. There has been an alarming decrease in the number of labourers employed on farms. Farmers say this is due to two factors. Firstly, machines are more efficient than labour. Secondly, restrictive labour laws have made famers less keen to employ people. The net effect of these two factors is that unemployment is rising. This has negative consequences for society, the economy, and the environment. Theme 4: Farmers believe they do very little environmental damage. This results in decisions being made that do not consider environmental wellbeing other than soil health. This is because farmers see healthy soil as an integral input that optimises economic performance. Farmers tend to prioritise economic factors in their decisions more than environmental or social factors. This results in an unsustainable perspective. The only ways in which this is likely to change is if the financial risk associated with agriculture is decreased, or if farmers are given financial incentive to change their ways. In order to deal with this issue it is necessary for further research to be conducted. Research needs to be conducted to confirm the results of this study. It is important to know whether the results pertain only to maize farmers in Mpumalanga or whether most farmers in South Africa, and indeed the world, face similar problems. Research should also be conducted to propose policies or procedures to reduce financial risk in agriculture. Research should focus on reducing market risk and reducing input costs, possibly via subsidisation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
The protein and energy requirements of the South African abalone, Haliotis midae
- Authors: Green, Alistair John
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Haliotis midae -- South Africa Abalone culture -- South Africa Abalones -- Nutrition Abalones -- Physiology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5352 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008261
- Description: The abalone (Haliotis midae) culture industry in South Africa is becoming increasingly dependent on the use of formulated feeds, due to limitations in the supply of kelp. The bulk of the feeds that are currently available were developed based on the requirements of juvenile abalone cultured within the optimal temperature range for growth (18 - 20 °C). However, most abalone farming facilities are land-based pump ashore operations and are thus mostly exposed to temperatures outside of this range. In addition, these feeds have been found to be unsuitable for abalone cultured at elevated water temperatures (> 20°C). The aim of the study was to develop size and temperature specific diets for H midoe through optimisation of dietary protein, energy and lipid levels. Abalone were cultured under farm-like conditions in three partially recirculating temperature controlled systems at either 18, 22 or 24°C and fed formulated diets containing graded levels of protein (18,22 and 26 %) and energy (11.6, 13.5 and 16.2 MJ.kg·I ). Abalone were stocked into baskets at 5 % of available of surface area (n=36) and each diet (n=9) was fed to four baskets of abalone at each of the three temperature regimes for ten weeks. Abalone growth was temperature dependent, with growth declining from 4.33 g.month-I for abalone cultured at 18°C to 0.77 g.month-I at 24°C. Dietary protein could be reduced from 26 to 18 % provided dietary energy levels were maintained at 13.5 MJ.kg- l • A dietary energy level of 11.6 MJ.kg-1 was insufficient to meet the energetic requirements of H midae regardless of the protein content of the diet. The effects of water temperature and body size on the protein requirements of H midae were investigated by culturing abalone at temperatures within the optimal range for abalone farming (i.e. 14, 16 and 18°C). Three size classes of abalone (15, 50 and 80 mm) were fed formulated feed containing graded levels of dietary protein (20, 26, 32, 38 and 44 %) under controlled laboratory conditions for 12 weeks, and, in a separate experiment, under commercial farm conditions for 24 weeks. It was not possible to convincingly define the optimal protein levels for abalone of different sizes in this experiment because growth rates fell below average commercial growth rates obtained on farms. Growth was temperature dependent in the laboratory trial, with the rate of weight gain of the 15 mm (ANOV A: p=0.002) and 50 mm abalone (ANOV A: p=0.02) increasing significantly with an increase in temperature from 14 to 18°C. In the farm trial, dietary protein content did not affect the growth rate of the 10-15 or 80 mm abalone (ANOVA: p>0.05), however, the 50 mm abalone displayed significantly higher weight gain on the 32 % (4.72±0.20 g.month-I ) and 38 % (5.01±0.34 g.month-I ) protein diets compared to those fed the 20 % protein diet (3.75±0.13 g.month-I ) (ANOVA: p=O.OI). Although definition of optimal dietary protein levels were not possible, the effects of dietary protein content and water temperature on the growth of H midae were independent signifying that the protein requirements of abalone are temperature independent. In addition, there was no evidence to indicate that abalone of the different sizes tested here had different dietary protein requirements. The size specific dietary lipid and protein requirements of H midae were investigated by feeding two size classes of abalone (30 and 60 mm initial shell length) diets containing graded levels of dietary lipid (4, 7, 10, 13 and 16 %) and protein (34 - 39 %) for 12 weeks. The 30 and 60 mm abalone were stocked at 7 (n=200) and 9 % (n=36) of the available basket surface area respectively and each diet was fed to four baskets of abalone of each size class. The protein requirements of H. midae are influenced by the amount of available dietary energy and thus it is possible that the ability of abalone to utilise lipids as a source of energy differs in the presence of varying levels of dietary protein. High levels of dietary lipid negatively affected the growth, condition factor and soft tissue glycogen content of both size classes of abalone. This negative effect was greater in the 30 mm size class compared to the 60 mm abalone. The corresponding increase in feed consumption and feed conversion ratio in response to increasing levels of dietary protein also provides evidence that abalone are unable to utilise dietary lipids as an energy source and high levels of dietary lipid probably inhibit the uptake of carbohydrates and protein. High dietary lipid levels did however appear to promote gonad maturation. It was possible to reduce dietary protein from 34 to 20 % without negatively affecting growth through the maintenance of dietary energy levels and thus it is recommended that future experiments on the energy content of formulated feeds should focus on the improved use of carbohydrates. Reductions in the protein portion of formulated feeds for H. midae are possible provided the diet contains sufficient levels of energy supplied from carbohydrates. As the ability of abalone to utilise dietary lipid is limited, lipids are unlikely to play a significant role as an energy source in abalone feeds. Further investigations should focus on the utilisation of various carbohydrate sources in abalone feeds.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Green, Alistair John
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Haliotis midae -- South Africa Abalone culture -- South Africa Abalones -- Nutrition Abalones -- Physiology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5352 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008261
- Description: The abalone (Haliotis midae) culture industry in South Africa is becoming increasingly dependent on the use of formulated feeds, due to limitations in the supply of kelp. The bulk of the feeds that are currently available were developed based on the requirements of juvenile abalone cultured within the optimal temperature range for growth (18 - 20 °C). However, most abalone farming facilities are land-based pump ashore operations and are thus mostly exposed to temperatures outside of this range. In addition, these feeds have been found to be unsuitable for abalone cultured at elevated water temperatures (> 20°C). The aim of the study was to develop size and temperature specific diets for H midoe through optimisation of dietary protein, energy and lipid levels. Abalone were cultured under farm-like conditions in three partially recirculating temperature controlled systems at either 18, 22 or 24°C and fed formulated diets containing graded levels of protein (18,22 and 26 %) and energy (11.6, 13.5 and 16.2 MJ.kg·I ). Abalone were stocked into baskets at 5 % of available of surface area (n=36) and each diet (n=9) was fed to four baskets of abalone at each of the three temperature regimes for ten weeks. Abalone growth was temperature dependent, with growth declining from 4.33 g.month-I for abalone cultured at 18°C to 0.77 g.month-I at 24°C. Dietary protein could be reduced from 26 to 18 % provided dietary energy levels were maintained at 13.5 MJ.kg- l • A dietary energy level of 11.6 MJ.kg-1 was insufficient to meet the energetic requirements of H midae regardless of the protein content of the diet. The effects of water temperature and body size on the protein requirements of H midae were investigated by culturing abalone at temperatures within the optimal range for abalone farming (i.e. 14, 16 and 18°C). Three size classes of abalone (15, 50 and 80 mm) were fed formulated feed containing graded levels of dietary protein (20, 26, 32, 38 and 44 %) under controlled laboratory conditions for 12 weeks, and, in a separate experiment, under commercial farm conditions for 24 weeks. It was not possible to convincingly define the optimal protein levels for abalone of different sizes in this experiment because growth rates fell below average commercial growth rates obtained on farms. Growth was temperature dependent in the laboratory trial, with the rate of weight gain of the 15 mm (ANOV A: p=0.002) and 50 mm abalone (ANOV A: p=0.02) increasing significantly with an increase in temperature from 14 to 18°C. In the farm trial, dietary protein content did not affect the growth rate of the 10-15 or 80 mm abalone (ANOVA: p>0.05), however, the 50 mm abalone displayed significantly higher weight gain on the 32 % (4.72±0.20 g.month-I ) and 38 % (5.01±0.34 g.month-I ) protein diets compared to those fed the 20 % protein diet (3.75±0.13 g.month-I ) (ANOVA: p=O.OI). Although definition of optimal dietary protein levels were not possible, the effects of dietary protein content and water temperature on the growth of H midae were independent signifying that the protein requirements of abalone are temperature independent. In addition, there was no evidence to indicate that abalone of the different sizes tested here had different dietary protein requirements. The size specific dietary lipid and protein requirements of H midae were investigated by feeding two size classes of abalone (30 and 60 mm initial shell length) diets containing graded levels of dietary lipid (4, 7, 10, 13 and 16 %) and protein (34 - 39 %) for 12 weeks. The 30 and 60 mm abalone were stocked at 7 (n=200) and 9 % (n=36) of the available basket surface area respectively and each diet was fed to four baskets of abalone of each size class. The protein requirements of H. midae are influenced by the amount of available dietary energy and thus it is possible that the ability of abalone to utilise lipids as a source of energy differs in the presence of varying levels of dietary protein. High levels of dietary lipid negatively affected the growth, condition factor and soft tissue glycogen content of both size classes of abalone. This negative effect was greater in the 30 mm size class compared to the 60 mm abalone. The corresponding increase in feed consumption and feed conversion ratio in response to increasing levels of dietary protein also provides evidence that abalone are unable to utilise dietary lipids as an energy source and high levels of dietary lipid probably inhibit the uptake of carbohydrates and protein. High dietary lipid levels did however appear to promote gonad maturation. It was possible to reduce dietary protein from 34 to 20 % without negatively affecting growth through the maintenance of dietary energy levels and thus it is recommended that future experiments on the energy content of formulated feeds should focus on the improved use of carbohydrates. Reductions in the protein portion of formulated feeds for H. midae are possible provided the diet contains sufficient levels of energy supplied from carbohydrates. As the ability of abalone to utilise dietary lipid is limited, lipids are unlikely to play a significant role as an energy source in abalone feeds. Further investigations should focus on the utilisation of various carbohydrate sources in abalone feeds.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Feeding dynamics and distribution of the hyperiid amphipod, Themisto gaudichaudii (Guérin, 1828) in the polar frontal zone, Southern Ocean
- Authors: Lange, Louise
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Themisto gaudichaudii -- Antarctic Ocean , Hyperiidae -- Antarctic Ocean , Zooplankton -- Antarctic Ocean
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5696 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005382 , Themisto gaudichaudii -- Antarctic Ocean , Hyperiidae -- Antarctic Ocean , Zooplankton -- Antarctic Ocean
- Description: The population structure and feeding dynamics of the hyperiid amphipod, Themisto gaudichaudii, was investigated during two cruises of the South African National Antarctic Programme conducted in the Indian sector of the Polar Frontal Zone during austral autumn (April) 2004 and 2005. During the 2004 cruise the frontal features that delimit the PFZ converged to form a single distinctive feature. In 2005, the research cruise was conducted in the vicinity of a cold-core eddy which was spawned from the Antarctic Polar Front. Total mesozooplankton abundance and biomass during the 2004 study ranged from 55.19 to 860.57 ind. m⁻³, and from 2.60 to 38.42 mg dwt m⁻³, respectively. In 2005 the abundance and biomass ranged from 23.1 to 2160.64 ind. m⁻³, and from 0.76 to 35.16 mg dwt m⁻³, respectively. The mesozooplankton community was numerically dominated by copepods, pteropods, and ostracods during both surveys. The abundance and biomass of Themisto gaudichaudii in the region of investigation was < 0.2 ind. m⁻³ (range 0.01 to 0.15 ind. m⁻³) and < 0.06 mg dwt m⁻³ (range 0.02 to 0.06 mg dwt m⁻³) during 2004, while in 2005 the abundance and biomass of the amphipod ranged from < 0.01 to 0.2 ind. m⁻³ and < 0.01 to 0.04 mg dwt m⁻³, respectively. These values correspond to < 1% of the total mesozooplankton abundance and biomass during both surveys. T. gaudichaudii exhibited no significant spatial patterns in abundance, biomass and total length during both 2004 and 2005 (p > 0.05 in all cases). A key feature of the two investigations was the virtual absence of juveniles (total length < 15 mm) among the amphipod population, supporting the suggestion that they exhibit strong seasonal patterns in reproduction. Gut content analysis during both years indicated that for both the male and female amphipods’, copepods were the most prevalent prey species found in stomachs, followed by chaetognaths and pteropods. Results of electivity studies indicate that T. gaudichaudii is an opportunistic predator, generally feeding on the most abundant mesozooplankton prey. Results of in vitro incubations indicated that the total daily feeding rate of T. gaudichaudii during 2004 ranged from 11.45 to 20.90 ind. m⁻³ d⁻¹, which corresponds to between 0.12 and 1.64% of the total mesozooplankton standing stock. In 2005, the feeding rate ranged between 0.1 and 1.73% of the total mesozooplankton standing stock. The low predation impact of T. gaudichaudii during this study can be related to their low abundances and high interannual variability throughout the region of investigation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Lange, Louise
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Themisto gaudichaudii -- Antarctic Ocean , Hyperiidae -- Antarctic Ocean , Zooplankton -- Antarctic Ocean
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5696 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005382 , Themisto gaudichaudii -- Antarctic Ocean , Hyperiidae -- Antarctic Ocean , Zooplankton -- Antarctic Ocean
- Description: The population structure and feeding dynamics of the hyperiid amphipod, Themisto gaudichaudii, was investigated during two cruises of the South African National Antarctic Programme conducted in the Indian sector of the Polar Frontal Zone during austral autumn (April) 2004 and 2005. During the 2004 cruise the frontal features that delimit the PFZ converged to form a single distinctive feature. In 2005, the research cruise was conducted in the vicinity of a cold-core eddy which was spawned from the Antarctic Polar Front. Total mesozooplankton abundance and biomass during the 2004 study ranged from 55.19 to 860.57 ind. m⁻³, and from 2.60 to 38.42 mg dwt m⁻³, respectively. In 2005 the abundance and biomass ranged from 23.1 to 2160.64 ind. m⁻³, and from 0.76 to 35.16 mg dwt m⁻³, respectively. The mesozooplankton community was numerically dominated by copepods, pteropods, and ostracods during both surveys. The abundance and biomass of Themisto gaudichaudii in the region of investigation was < 0.2 ind. m⁻³ (range 0.01 to 0.15 ind. m⁻³) and < 0.06 mg dwt m⁻³ (range 0.02 to 0.06 mg dwt m⁻³) during 2004, while in 2005 the abundance and biomass of the amphipod ranged from < 0.01 to 0.2 ind. m⁻³ and < 0.01 to 0.04 mg dwt m⁻³, respectively. These values correspond to < 1% of the total mesozooplankton abundance and biomass during both surveys. T. gaudichaudii exhibited no significant spatial patterns in abundance, biomass and total length during both 2004 and 2005 (p > 0.05 in all cases). A key feature of the two investigations was the virtual absence of juveniles (total length < 15 mm) among the amphipod population, supporting the suggestion that they exhibit strong seasonal patterns in reproduction. Gut content analysis during both years indicated that for both the male and female amphipods’, copepods were the most prevalent prey species found in stomachs, followed by chaetognaths and pteropods. Results of electivity studies indicate that T. gaudichaudii is an opportunistic predator, generally feeding on the most abundant mesozooplankton prey. Results of in vitro incubations indicated that the total daily feeding rate of T. gaudichaudii during 2004 ranged from 11.45 to 20.90 ind. m⁻³ d⁻¹, which corresponds to between 0.12 and 1.64% of the total mesozooplankton standing stock. In 2005, the feeding rate ranged between 0.1 and 1.73% of the total mesozooplankton standing stock. The low predation impact of T. gaudichaudii during this study can be related to their low abundances and high interannual variability throughout the region of investigation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
Concept development in aspects of ecology
- Authors: Webb, Paul
- Date: 1988
- Subjects: Ecology -- Study and teaching
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1354 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001420
- Description: In this study food webs and a case study are used to investigate concepts which university students and high school pupils hold about ecology and the degree to which concept development has taken place at particular educational levels. The sample was drawn from first year zoology students and biology pupils in standards eight and ten. Present data indicate that students and pupils could solve problems involving the interactions of populations only if they were simple enough to be answered using strategies based on the food chain concept. Very few subjects could succesfully determine all the interacting pathways along which effects may be transmitted within a food web. The ability to determine all the pathways along which the effects of a change in population numbers within a community are spread, and to analyse the possible net manifestation of sometimes conflicting forces, requires a clear understanding of the concept of food web. An immature understanding of the food web concept by the subjects of this study is suggested as, in most cases, they identified alternate pathways within the food web when explicitly asked to do so, but did not apply this strategy when asked to solve problems based on the same principle. The case study also revealed immature ecological concepts. Responses by standard eight pupils indicate that the opportunity exists at this level to develop a clear and mature understanding of the concept of food web, while comparison of data provided by the three age groups suggests that if clear conceptual development regarding food webs does not take place at school, misconceptions are likely to persist among first year university students.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1988
- Authors: Webb, Paul
- Date: 1988
- Subjects: Ecology -- Study and teaching
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1354 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001420
- Description: In this study food webs and a case study are used to investigate concepts which university students and high school pupils hold about ecology and the degree to which concept development has taken place at particular educational levels. The sample was drawn from first year zoology students and biology pupils in standards eight and ten. Present data indicate that students and pupils could solve problems involving the interactions of populations only if they were simple enough to be answered using strategies based on the food chain concept. Very few subjects could succesfully determine all the interacting pathways along which effects may be transmitted within a food web. The ability to determine all the pathways along which the effects of a change in population numbers within a community are spread, and to analyse the possible net manifestation of sometimes conflicting forces, requires a clear understanding of the concept of food web. An immature understanding of the food web concept by the subjects of this study is suggested as, in most cases, they identified alternate pathways within the food web when explicitly asked to do so, but did not apply this strategy when asked to solve problems based on the same principle. The case study also revealed immature ecological concepts. Responses by standard eight pupils indicate that the opportunity exists at this level to develop a clear and mature understanding of the concept of food web, while comparison of data provided by the three age groups suggests that if clear conceptual development regarding food webs does not take place at school, misconceptions are likely to persist among first year university students.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1988
Some aspects of concept acquisition in history
- Authors: Macrae, Michael John
- Date: 1987
- Subjects: History -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , History -- Study and teaching -- Testing , History -- Study and teaching -- Methodology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1367 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001433
- Description: There is concern that school history is often purposeless, taught by chalk and talk and textbook methods, giving thin and unassimilated information. At a time when subjects are under increasing scrutiny and pressure to justify their existence as relevant in the school curriculum, many of the defects inherent in the 'traditional' approach to history have made it difficult to present a forceful and valid argument for its continued inclusion as a school subject.This has led to the adoption of new approaches which are designed to get pupils more actively involved in their learning. One such approach was adopted by the Schools Council 13-16 project in Britain. It laid emphasis on the methodology of the subject and identified five ways in which history could prove to be a useful and necessary subject for adolescents to study. These were: as a means of acquiring and developing such cognitive skills as those of analysis, synthesis and judgement; as a source of leisure interests; as a vehicle for analysing the contemporary world and pupils' place in it; as a means for developing understanding of the forces underlying social change and evolutioni and, finally, as an avenue to self-knowledge and awareness of what it means to be human (Introduction, p. ii)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1987
- Authors: Macrae, Michael John
- Date: 1987
- Subjects: History -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , History -- Study and teaching -- Testing , History -- Study and teaching -- Methodology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1367 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001433
- Description: There is concern that school history is often purposeless, taught by chalk and talk and textbook methods, giving thin and unassimilated information. At a time when subjects are under increasing scrutiny and pressure to justify their existence as relevant in the school curriculum, many of the defects inherent in the 'traditional' approach to history have made it difficult to present a forceful and valid argument for its continued inclusion as a school subject.This has led to the adoption of new approaches which are designed to get pupils more actively involved in their learning. One such approach was adopted by the Schools Council 13-16 project in Britain. It laid emphasis on the methodology of the subject and identified five ways in which history could prove to be a useful and necessary subject for adolescents to study. These were: as a means of acquiring and developing such cognitive skills as those of analysis, synthesis and judgement; as a source of leisure interests; as a vehicle for analysing the contemporary world and pupils' place in it; as a means for developing understanding of the forces underlying social change and evolutioni and, finally, as an avenue to self-knowledge and awareness of what it means to be human (Introduction, p. ii)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1987
The effect of the feminist movement on painting and sculpture in Europe and America after 1945
- Authors: Brooks, Jennifer
- Date: 1983
- Subjects: Painting, American -- 20th century Painting, European -- 20th century Sculpture, European -- 20th century Sculpture, American -- 20th century Feminism and art -- United States Feminism and art -- Europe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MFA
- Identifier: vital:2459 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007675
- Description: My investigation of women artists and their status in society today as a result of the feminist movement, revealed issues which, I felt, were multifaceted. This necessitated an exploration of many aspects in order to arrive at a fairly satisfactory conclusion as to whether the revolt and the aggression on the part of the feminists had borne any fruit, either generally in everyday life, or artistically. It has proved most stimulating and informative. I think that the need to assess oneself as a woman, working within a male-dominated creative environment is a very necessary process and one which has been most beneficial to me. The subsequent research revealed that a radical, thematic change had occured within the feminist movement at the start of the Eighties; a fact of which, till recently, I was largely unaware. What I discovered was that the militant, feminist approach of the Sixties and Seventies had given way to a more realistic involvement brought on partly by the economic recession and the effects as well of earlier feminist movements, leading to a relaxation on the part of the younger generation. The Violence had faded. Hard times curbed the excesses of the movement and took it along the road to practicality. Dovetailed to this and seeming to run concurrently was the phenomenon of the demise of the Modern Art Movement. These changes described were not only artistic and feminist, but cut right across the board. involving all facets of life. To take one as an example. the political with conservatism reinstating itself in America not merely as an alternative but as a worthwhile direction in itself. Other issues included the sociological, historical, biological, and cultural; all closely interwoven and therefore requiring some generalisations at times. Previous to becoming involved with my topic, I had been reacting to pre-conceived ideas laid on me as a student in the Sixties and Seventies - a militant, aggressive approach acquired as a protective shield, to deal with the masculine environment which denigrated in varying degrees mine and fellow female artists work, sometimes overtly, sometimes subconsciously. This discrimination, is usually denied as ever having existed by the men involved. It shows a lack of awareness of what, we, as female art students, were subjected to. This is one of the main reasons why I undertook this subject; partly out of interest and perhaps partly as some sort of catharsis.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1983
- Authors: Brooks, Jennifer
- Date: 1983
- Subjects: Painting, American -- 20th century Painting, European -- 20th century Sculpture, European -- 20th century Sculpture, American -- 20th century Feminism and art -- United States Feminism and art -- Europe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MFA
- Identifier: vital:2459 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007675
- Description: My investigation of women artists and their status in society today as a result of the feminist movement, revealed issues which, I felt, were multifaceted. This necessitated an exploration of many aspects in order to arrive at a fairly satisfactory conclusion as to whether the revolt and the aggression on the part of the feminists had borne any fruit, either generally in everyday life, or artistically. It has proved most stimulating and informative. I think that the need to assess oneself as a woman, working within a male-dominated creative environment is a very necessary process and one which has been most beneficial to me. The subsequent research revealed that a radical, thematic change had occured within the feminist movement at the start of the Eighties; a fact of which, till recently, I was largely unaware. What I discovered was that the militant, feminist approach of the Sixties and Seventies had given way to a more realistic involvement brought on partly by the economic recession and the effects as well of earlier feminist movements, leading to a relaxation on the part of the younger generation. The Violence had faded. Hard times curbed the excesses of the movement and took it along the road to practicality. Dovetailed to this and seeming to run concurrently was the phenomenon of the demise of the Modern Art Movement. These changes described were not only artistic and feminist, but cut right across the board. involving all facets of life. To take one as an example. the political with conservatism reinstating itself in America not merely as an alternative but as a worthwhile direction in itself. Other issues included the sociological, historical, biological, and cultural; all closely interwoven and therefore requiring some generalisations at times. Previous to becoming involved with my topic, I had been reacting to pre-conceived ideas laid on me as a student in the Sixties and Seventies - a militant, aggressive approach acquired as a protective shield, to deal with the masculine environment which denigrated in varying degrees mine and fellow female artists work, sometimes overtly, sometimes subconsciously. This discrimination, is usually denied as ever having existed by the men involved. It shows a lack of awareness of what, we, as female art students, were subjected to. This is one of the main reasons why I undertook this subject; partly out of interest and perhaps partly as some sort of catharsis.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1983
Photofluorescence decay times of organic phosphors
- Authors: Hamilton, T D S
- Date: 1957
- Subjects: Fluorescence , Phosphorescence
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5525 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012136 , Fluorescence , Phosphorescence
- Description: The absorption and emission of energy is a fundamental property of any atomic system.When the emission occurs in the visible or near visible region the phenomenon is usually referred to as luminescence or fluorescence. This must be distinguished from thermal radiation as it does not follow Kirchoff's law.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1957
- Authors: Hamilton, T D S
- Date: 1957
- Subjects: Fluorescence , Phosphorescence
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5525 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012136 , Fluorescence , Phosphorescence
- Description: The absorption and emission of energy is a fundamental property of any atomic system.When the emission occurs in the visible or near visible region the phenomenon is usually referred to as luminescence or fluorescence. This must be distinguished from thermal radiation as it does not follow Kirchoff's law.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1957