Spatial analysis of the impact of human activities on the marine environment in Algoa Bay, South Africa
- Authors: Maphoto, Tidimalo Mary Anne
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Marine resources conservation Algoa Bay South Africa , Spatial analysis (Statistics) , Human ecology , Nature Effect of human beings on , Marine ecology Algoa Bay South Africa , Integrated coastal zone management Algoa Bay South Africa , Marine spatial planning Algoa Bay South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/192086 , vital:45194
- Description: Background: Humans have a long history of using the marine environment in multiple ways and continued use has led to a decline in the ecosystem services provided by marine systems in many places. In addition, human activities have steadily increased with time and advances in technology, further increasing impacts on marine systems. To understand and manage these impacts, we need to assess the spatial distribution and intensity of human activities in the marine environment, and quantify, where possible, their cumulative impacts on marine ecosystems. The spatial consideration of human activities and their associated impacts is important for conservation planning, Integrated Ocean Management and Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) initiatives. The main deliverable of this research study was to develop a cumulative impacts layer of human activities in Algoa Bay, South Africa, to support the Algoa Bay Marine Spatial Planning Project. Objective and Relevance: This research analyses the spatial impacts of human activities on the Algoa Bay marine environment (excluding the seashore). Algoa Bay is located on the south coast of South Africa in the Eastern Cape. The research explores stakeholders' perceptions of their knowledge of the human activities that take place in the bay. This research is informed by an expert-based geographical information systems (GIS) approach and cumulative impact assessment in order to map the spatial impacts of the activities as part of marine spatial planning. "Experts" were defined as stakeholders that contributed valuable knowledge of the human activities and their impacts; this definition of expert included "professional" and "non-professional" contributors to knowledge. The spatial aspect of the research is a significant contribution to the field as it will help inform decision-making in the Algoa Bay Marine Spatial Planning Project. Design and Methods: A mixed-method approach was used to generate data. A snowball sampling approach was used to identify research participants from key informants. Primary data were collected through questionnaire surveys, interviews and a focus group. Secondary data sources consisted of GIS data and reports from scientific organizations. Findings and Conclusion: The research findings indicate that the top three pressures that cause the greatest impact on the Algoa Bay marine environment are fishing, pollution and shipping. The cumulative impact of these activities was highest near harbours in Algoa Bay. The marine ecosystems that were most impacted by pressures were the Agulhas Island and the Agulhas Mixed Shore. The Warm Temperate marine ecosystems had fairly low cumulative impacts. The research findings indicate that there is a complex mix of human activities that impact the marine environment. This research supports the findings of other researchers that reveal that the highest cumulative impact is in areas closer to the coast and harbours owing to high population densities. Value of Study: This study builds onto the existing data by expanding the knowledge base and including more stakeholders to integrate as many human activities as possible and bring a holistic picture of the ocean's uses to inform MSP in Algoa Bay. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Geography, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10-29
- Authors: Maphoto, Tidimalo Mary Anne
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Marine resources conservation Algoa Bay South Africa , Spatial analysis (Statistics) , Human ecology , Nature Effect of human beings on , Marine ecology Algoa Bay South Africa , Integrated coastal zone management Algoa Bay South Africa , Marine spatial planning Algoa Bay South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/192086 , vital:45194
- Description: Background: Humans have a long history of using the marine environment in multiple ways and continued use has led to a decline in the ecosystem services provided by marine systems in many places. In addition, human activities have steadily increased with time and advances in technology, further increasing impacts on marine systems. To understand and manage these impacts, we need to assess the spatial distribution and intensity of human activities in the marine environment, and quantify, where possible, their cumulative impacts on marine ecosystems. The spatial consideration of human activities and their associated impacts is important for conservation planning, Integrated Ocean Management and Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) initiatives. The main deliverable of this research study was to develop a cumulative impacts layer of human activities in Algoa Bay, South Africa, to support the Algoa Bay Marine Spatial Planning Project. Objective and Relevance: This research analyses the spatial impacts of human activities on the Algoa Bay marine environment (excluding the seashore). Algoa Bay is located on the south coast of South Africa in the Eastern Cape. The research explores stakeholders' perceptions of their knowledge of the human activities that take place in the bay. This research is informed by an expert-based geographical information systems (GIS) approach and cumulative impact assessment in order to map the spatial impacts of the activities as part of marine spatial planning. "Experts" were defined as stakeholders that contributed valuable knowledge of the human activities and their impacts; this definition of expert included "professional" and "non-professional" contributors to knowledge. The spatial aspect of the research is a significant contribution to the field as it will help inform decision-making in the Algoa Bay Marine Spatial Planning Project. Design and Methods: A mixed-method approach was used to generate data. A snowball sampling approach was used to identify research participants from key informants. Primary data were collected through questionnaire surveys, interviews and a focus group. Secondary data sources consisted of GIS data and reports from scientific organizations. Findings and Conclusion: The research findings indicate that the top three pressures that cause the greatest impact on the Algoa Bay marine environment are fishing, pollution and shipping. The cumulative impact of these activities was highest near harbours in Algoa Bay. The marine ecosystems that were most impacted by pressures were the Agulhas Island and the Agulhas Mixed Shore. The Warm Temperate marine ecosystems had fairly low cumulative impacts. The research findings indicate that there is a complex mix of human activities that impact the marine environment. This research supports the findings of other researchers that reveal that the highest cumulative impact is in areas closer to the coast and harbours owing to high population densities. Value of Study: This study builds onto the existing data by expanding the knowledge base and including more stakeholders to integrate as many human activities as possible and bring a holistic picture of the ocean's uses to inform MSP in Algoa Bay. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Geography, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10-29
Exploring "DIGITAL ECOLOGY" as a tool for environmental conservation through : The design of a virtual eco-pack for Port Elizabeth
- Authors: Edmayr, Alexandra Charlotte
- Date: 2020-09
- Subjects: Conservation of natural resources -- Port Elizabeth , Human ecology
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59018 , vital:60256
- Description: This treatise deals with the design of a new Virtual Eco-Park and humankind's relationship to the natural world. The cultural institution of captivity has been positive and negative for the study and conservative approaches of fauna and flora. While this has had benefits, it has resulted in a dominated mindset over the 'other'. This treatise looks at the zoo and aquarium as an outdated educational platform and proposes a new perspective. This treatise explores 'digital ecology' as a tool of theoretical application. The intention is to provide environmental conservation. The design will use the virtual medium for a new immersive experience instead of the 'live exhibit'. The 'digital ecology' is also seen as spatial stacking of layers. Using Timothy Lukes theories on the three natures, this thesis applies this theory in a post-anthropocentric way by its role in generating the Virtual Eco-Park. The layers are terrestrial as an ecosystem, the territorial as the built environment and the digital as the immersive experience. These components form the skeleton of the application to the site. The Port Elizabeth manganese ore and tank farm and the surrounding area has been a dump and polluted landscape for forty years. This treatise, in its entirety, has set up an urban framework that promotes a reconnection to the ecological systems in Port Elizabeth. The 'digital ecology' and the Virtual Eco Park as a 'building' intends to regenerate/ reestablish an old industrial landscape into a new park. The building is designed to become a component of the landscape and not an object on the landscape. The result of this research will result in a final design that hosts immersive experience—bringing the 'true wild' into the urban landscape by replacing the 'tamed natural'—thereby solving the Anthropocene of the Zoo building type by reframing it as the virtual eco-park of nature. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-09
- Authors: Edmayr, Alexandra Charlotte
- Date: 2020-09
- Subjects: Conservation of natural resources -- Port Elizabeth , Human ecology
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59018 , vital:60256
- Description: This treatise deals with the design of a new Virtual Eco-Park and humankind's relationship to the natural world. The cultural institution of captivity has been positive and negative for the study and conservative approaches of fauna and flora. While this has had benefits, it has resulted in a dominated mindset over the 'other'. This treatise looks at the zoo and aquarium as an outdated educational platform and proposes a new perspective. This treatise explores 'digital ecology' as a tool of theoretical application. The intention is to provide environmental conservation. The design will use the virtual medium for a new immersive experience instead of the 'live exhibit'. The 'digital ecology' is also seen as spatial stacking of layers. Using Timothy Lukes theories on the three natures, this thesis applies this theory in a post-anthropocentric way by its role in generating the Virtual Eco-Park. The layers are terrestrial as an ecosystem, the territorial as the built environment and the digital as the immersive experience. These components form the skeleton of the application to the site. The Port Elizabeth manganese ore and tank farm and the surrounding area has been a dump and polluted landscape for forty years. This treatise, in its entirety, has set up an urban framework that promotes a reconnection to the ecological systems in Port Elizabeth. The 'digital ecology' and the Virtual Eco Park as a 'building' intends to regenerate/ reestablish an old industrial landscape into a new park. The building is designed to become a component of the landscape and not an object on the landscape. The result of this research will result in a final design that hosts immersive experience—bringing the 'true wild' into the urban landscape by replacing the 'tamed natural'—thereby solving the Anthropocene of the Zoo building type by reframing it as the virtual eco-park of nature. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-09
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