Homestead greening is widespread amongst the urban poor in three medium-sized South African towns
- Kaoma, Humphrey, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: Kaoma, Humphrey , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/398291 , vital:69398 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-014-0362-3"
- Description: Trees in urban areas are important sources of ecosystem services and benefits. In most towns the bulk of urban biodiversity, and trees specifically, are found in homestead gardens. But there is only limited understanding of the tree holdings in such gardens, and how they vary within and between towns, especially for developing countries where rapid urbanisation and high poverty influence the use of and reliance on land and local resources. We report on the nature of tree holdings in private gardens of poorer suburbs in three medium-sized towns along a gradient of decreasing mean annual rainfall in northern South Africa. A total of 3 217 trees were enumerated across 450 randomly selected homesteads. Most (90 %) households had at least one tree on their homestead, with an average of 7.7 ± 6.1 trees. Most householders had planted the trees themselves. The density of trees declined along the moisture gradient. Within towns, tree density was positively related to garden size, which in turn was related to relative affluence and age of the suburb. Newer and poorer suburbs had the fewest trees per household. Sixty-two tree species were recorded, which were dominated by alien species, especially fruit trees. There was no relationship between the moisture gradient and tree species richness per household, but within towns there was a difference between suburbs, being lowest in the newest suburbs. Numbers of trees and species per household was positively related to age of the household head.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Kaoma, Humphrey , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/398291 , vital:69398 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-014-0362-3"
- Description: Trees in urban areas are important sources of ecosystem services and benefits. In most towns the bulk of urban biodiversity, and trees specifically, are found in homestead gardens. But there is only limited understanding of the tree holdings in such gardens, and how they vary within and between towns, especially for developing countries where rapid urbanisation and high poverty influence the use of and reliance on land and local resources. We report on the nature of tree holdings in private gardens of poorer suburbs in three medium-sized towns along a gradient of decreasing mean annual rainfall in northern South Africa. A total of 3 217 trees were enumerated across 450 randomly selected homesteads. Most (90 %) households had at least one tree on their homestead, with an average of 7.7 ± 6.1 trees. Most householders had planted the trees themselves. The density of trees declined along the moisture gradient. Within towns, tree density was positively related to garden size, which in turn was related to relative affluence and age of the suburb. Newer and poorer suburbs had the fewest trees per household. Sixty-two tree species were recorded, which were dominated by alien species, especially fruit trees. There was no relationship between the moisture gradient and tree species richness per household, but within towns there was a difference between suburbs, being lowest in the newest suburbs. Numbers of trees and species per household was positively related to age of the household head.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The direct-use value of urban tree non-timber forest products to household income in poorer suburbs in South African towns
- Kaoma, Humphrey, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: Kaoma, Humphrey , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/180778 , vital:43645 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forpol.2015.08.005"
- Description: Valuation of the contribution of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) to household incomes has been well researched in the rural and remote areas of the developing world. In comparison, there has been little investigation of the contribution of NTFPs in urban areas and amongst the urban poor. This paper reports results from a survey of 450 households across three towns on the use and value of tree NTFPs collected by households in the poorer areas from their own homesteads, open spaces within towns and at the urban periphery. Collection (and purchase) of tree NTFPs was widespread, especially of firewood and fruits. The ratio collected from homesteads relative to other urban spaces differed between products and the amount required. Overall, approximately 20% of household income was derived from urban tree NTFPs. The highest contribution (33%) was amongst the poorest sectors represented by mostly recent migrants to towns who were living in informal settlements whilst trying to establish a foothold in the urban economy. In the formal housing areas the contribution was at least 14%, which has been overlooked by standard income surveys in urban areas.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Kaoma, Humphrey , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/180778 , vital:43645 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forpol.2015.08.005"
- Description: Valuation of the contribution of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) to household incomes has been well researched in the rural and remote areas of the developing world. In comparison, there has been little investigation of the contribution of NTFPs in urban areas and amongst the urban poor. This paper reports results from a survey of 450 households across three towns on the use and value of tree NTFPs collected by households in the poorer areas from their own homesteads, open spaces within towns and at the urban periphery. Collection (and purchase) of tree NTFPs was widespread, especially of firewood and fruits. The ratio collected from homesteads relative to other urban spaces differed between products and the amount required. Overall, approximately 20% of household income was derived from urban tree NTFPs. The highest contribution (33%) was amongst the poorest sectors represented by mostly recent migrants to towns who were living in informal settlements whilst trying to establish a foothold in the urban economy. In the formal housing areas the contribution was at least 14%, which has been overlooked by standard income surveys in urban areas.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
How do HIV and AIDS impact the use of natural resources by poor rural populations?: The case of wild animal products
- Kaschula, Sarah, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: Kaschula, Sarah , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/182344 , vital:43822 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC97203"
- Description: As a result of heightened financial and food insecurity, populations adversely affected by HIV and/or AIDS may be more likely to utilise wild natural resources to supplement their diet and livelihoods. Should this effect be pronounced, HIV and AIDS may pose a serious environmental threat. We explored the hypothesis that the presence of factors in the household, such as chronic illness in and recent mortality of individuals in a high HIV-risk age group, as well as the fostering of orphans, are associated with increased utilisation of wild animal products (WAPs) at the household level. We randomly surveyed 519 households from four sites in rural South Africa, recording household socio-economic status, the utilisation of wild animal products and health and demographic factors attributed to HIV or AIDS. Binary logistic regressions were used to test if households with markers of HIV and/or AIDS affliction were more likely to have a higher incidence and frequency of WAP utilisation relative to non-afflicted households, after adjusting for socio-economic and demographic variables. We found that, although households with markers of HIV and/or AIDS were generally poorer and had higher dependency ratios, there was no evidence to support the hypothesis that WAP harvesting was associated with either poverty, or markers of HIV and/or AIDS affliction. Our findings suggest that generalisations about a possible interaction between HIV and/or AIDS and the environment may not uniformly apply to all categories of natural resources or to all user groups.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Kaschula, Sarah , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/182344 , vital:43822 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC97203"
- Description: As a result of heightened financial and food insecurity, populations adversely affected by HIV and/or AIDS may be more likely to utilise wild natural resources to supplement their diet and livelihoods. Should this effect be pronounced, HIV and AIDS may pose a serious environmental threat. We explored the hypothesis that the presence of factors in the household, such as chronic illness in and recent mortality of individuals in a high HIV-risk age group, as well as the fostering of orphans, are associated with increased utilisation of wild animal products (WAPs) at the household level. We randomly surveyed 519 households from four sites in rural South Africa, recording household socio-economic status, the utilisation of wild animal products and health and demographic factors attributed to HIV or AIDS. Binary logistic regressions were used to test if households with markers of HIV and/or AIDS affliction were more likely to have a higher incidence and frequency of WAP utilisation relative to non-afflicted households, after adjusting for socio-economic and demographic variables. We found that, although households with markers of HIV and/or AIDS were generally poorer and had higher dependency ratios, there was no evidence to support the hypothesis that WAP harvesting was associated with either poverty, or markers of HIV and/or AIDS affliction. Our findings suggest that generalisations about a possible interaction between HIV and/or AIDS and the environment may not uniformly apply to all categories of natural resources or to all user groups.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Quantity and significance of wild meat off-take by a rural community in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Kaschula, Sarah A H, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: Kaschula, Sarah A H , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6638 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006864
- Description: When compared to tropical forest zones in west and central Africa, off-take of wild meat from savannah and grassland biomes by local rural communities has not been well assessed. This case study of wild meat collection activities within a rural community in the Mount Frere region of the Eastern Cape (South Africa) uses last-catch records derived from 50 wild meat gatherers to calculate average off-take of taxa, species and fresh mass of wild meat per collection event. When per-event off take is overlaid onto household hunting frequency data, annual off-take would be 268.6 kg km−2 yr−1 or 3 kg person−1 yr−1 presuming constant off-take over an annual period. Monetary value of off-take would be South African R 307 (US$ 39) per household annually. For some species, off-take weight per km2 shows similar values to data from tropical forest zones, but high human population densities tend to dilute off-takes to less nutritionally significant amounts at the per person scale. However, unlike many tropical zones, none of the species harvested can be considered high-priority conservation species. Even densely populated and heavily harvested communal lands appear to offer high wild meat off-takes from low conservation priority species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Kaschula, Sarah A H , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6638 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006864
- Description: When compared to tropical forest zones in west and central Africa, off-take of wild meat from savannah and grassland biomes by local rural communities has not been well assessed. This case study of wild meat collection activities within a rural community in the Mount Frere region of the Eastern Cape (South Africa) uses last-catch records derived from 50 wild meat gatherers to calculate average off-take of taxa, species and fresh mass of wild meat per collection event. When per-event off take is overlaid onto household hunting frequency data, annual off-take would be 268.6 kg km−2 yr−1 or 3 kg person−1 yr−1 presuming constant off-take over an annual period. Monetary value of off-take would be South African R 307 (US$ 39) per household annually. For some species, off-take weight per km2 shows similar values to data from tropical forest zones, but high human population densities tend to dilute off-takes to less nutritionally significant amounts at the per person scale. However, unlike many tropical zones, none of the species harvested can be considered high-priority conservation species. Even densely populated and heavily harvested communal lands appear to offer high wild meat off-takes from low conservation priority species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Working in poverty: Informal employment of household gardeners in Eastern Cape towns, South Africa
- King, A, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: King, A , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/401398 , vital:69731 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/0376835X.2021.1940867"
- Description: In South Africa there has been relatively little consideration of the informal employment offered to domestic household workers and gardeners. Here we report on the number and profile of gardeners employed by private households and the wage and satisfaction rates in 12 towns of the Eastern Cape. Over 98% of the informal gardeners were male, middle-aged and with limited formal schooling. Approximately 58% of middle and upper income households employed a gardener, at a mean daily rate of R112.20 in 2019. This equated to 13 170 gardeners earning a total wage bill of R139 million p.a. across the 12 towns, which scales up to 0.7–1 million informal gardeners nationally earning approximately R10–14 billion per year. However, daily remuneration was insufficient to cover basic needs, and slightly more than half of the gardeners would prefer a different job, indicating the survivalist nature of the sector.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
- Authors: King, A , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/401398 , vital:69731 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/0376835X.2021.1940867"
- Description: In South Africa there has been relatively little consideration of the informal employment offered to domestic household workers and gardeners. Here we report on the number and profile of gardeners employed by private households and the wage and satisfaction rates in 12 towns of the Eastern Cape. Over 98% of the informal gardeners were male, middle-aged and with limited formal schooling. Approximately 58% of middle and upper income households employed a gardener, at a mean daily rate of R112.20 in 2019. This equated to 13 170 gardeners earning a total wage bill of R139 million p.a. across the 12 towns, which scales up to 0.7–1 million informal gardeners nationally earning approximately R10–14 billion per year. However, daily remuneration was insufficient to cover basic needs, and slightly more than half of the gardeners would prefer a different job, indicating the survivalist nature of the sector.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
Maintenance of public and private urban green infrastructure provides significant employment in Eastern Cape towns, South Africa:
- King, A, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: King, A , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/176074 , vital:42657 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2020.126740
- Description: Urban green infrastructure (UGI) provides numerous environmental, social and economic benefits through direct and indirect use of ecosystem services. The maintenance of UGI also provides work opportunities for skilled and unskilled workers in the public and private sectors, so-called green collar jobs. However, the extent and benefit of such employment has rarely been examined, especially in a developing country context where unemployment is often high. We quantified the number of green collar jobs and wage levels across all green collar categories in 12 towns of the Eastern Cape via means of questionnaires and interviews. Overall, we enumerated 17 429 jobs, receiving approximately ZAR503 million (US$37 million) per year. The number of jobs was strongly linked to town size, but the number of jobs per unit area was inversely related to the level of underdevelopment or deprivation per town.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: King, A , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/176074 , vital:42657 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2020.126740
- Description: Urban green infrastructure (UGI) provides numerous environmental, social and economic benefits through direct and indirect use of ecosystem services. The maintenance of UGI also provides work opportunities for skilled and unskilled workers in the public and private sectors, so-called green collar jobs. However, the extent and benefit of such employment has rarely been examined, especially in a developing country context where unemployment is often high. We quantified the number of green collar jobs and wage levels across all green collar categories in 12 towns of the Eastern Cape via means of questionnaires and interviews. Overall, we enumerated 17 429 jobs, receiving approximately ZAR503 million (US$37 million) per year. The number of jobs was strongly linked to town size, but the number of jobs per unit area was inversely related to the level of underdevelopment or deprivation per town.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
The contribution of wild palms to the livelihoods and diversification of rural households in southern Mozambique
- King, Angelina R, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: King, Angelina R , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/399846 , vital:69563 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forpol.2022.102793"
- Description: In most low-income countries, rural households combine a range of economic activities to generate income, achieve food and nutritional security and fulfill other livelihood objectives, including: small-scale farming, fishing, hunting, livestock and timber production, and non-timber forest products gathering, as well as off-farm activities such as wage labour and informal trading. This work examines the role of diversification, including palm products income, on rural livelihoods in the Zitundo area, southern Mozambique. Seven livelihood strategies were identified, with every strategy combining cash income from several sources. Most households adopt a wage-based strategy to some degree, although this strategy shows low potential for reducing poverty in the area. Households adopting a palm-based strategy show between 23% and 60% lower poverty incidence than those adopting alternatives strategies. Yet, a palm-based livelihood strategy was adopted by only 11% of households. Traders of palm products earn approximately double the annual income and per capita income than non-traders. Village of residency and some household socio-economic and demographic characteristics correlate with a households' choice of livelihood strategy and palm income dependency. The adherence of many households to a less remunerative wage strategy indicates other factors also influence the choice of livelihood strategies. The study shows that future development plans and policy interventions to mitigate poverty in the area should go beyond the usual agricultural sector and recognize the role of non-timber forest products, especially palm products, for people's livelihoods and poverty alleviation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
- Authors: King, Angelina R , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/399846 , vital:69563 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forpol.2022.102793"
- Description: In most low-income countries, rural households combine a range of economic activities to generate income, achieve food and nutritional security and fulfill other livelihood objectives, including: small-scale farming, fishing, hunting, livestock and timber production, and non-timber forest products gathering, as well as off-farm activities such as wage labour and informal trading. This work examines the role of diversification, including palm products income, on rural livelihoods in the Zitundo area, southern Mozambique. Seven livelihood strategies were identified, with every strategy combining cash income from several sources. Most households adopt a wage-based strategy to some degree, although this strategy shows low potential for reducing poverty in the area. Households adopting a palm-based strategy show between 23% and 60% lower poverty incidence than those adopting alternatives strategies. Yet, a palm-based livelihood strategy was adopted by only 11% of households. Traders of palm products earn approximately double the annual income and per capita income than non-traders. Village of residency and some household socio-economic and demographic characteristics correlate with a households' choice of livelihood strategy and palm income dependency. The adherence of many households to a less remunerative wage strategy indicates other factors also influence the choice of livelihood strategies. The study shows that future development plans and policy interventions to mitigate poverty in the area should go beyond the usual agricultural sector and recognize the role of non-timber forest products, especially palm products, for people's livelihoods and poverty alleviation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
Adoption, use and perception of Australian acacias around the world
- Kull, Christian A, Shackleton, Charlie M, Cunningham, Peter J, Ducatillon, Catherine, Dufour-Dror, Jean-Mark, Esler, Karen J, Friday, James B, Gouveia, António C, Griffin, A R, Marchante, Elizabete, Midgley, Steven J, Pauchard, Aníbal, Rangan, Haripriya, Richardson, David M, Rinaudo, Tony, Tassin, Jacques, Urgenson, Lauren S, van Maltitz, Graham P, Zenni, Rafael D, Zylstra, Matthew J
- Authors: Kull, Christian A , Shackleton, Charlie M , Cunningham, Peter J , Ducatillon, Catherine , Dufour-Dror, Jean-Mark , Esler, Karen J , Friday, James B , Gouveia, António C , Griffin, A R , Marchante, Elizabete , Midgley, Steven J , Pauchard, Aníbal , Rangan, Haripriya , Richardson, David M , Rinaudo, Tony , Tassin, Jacques , Urgenson, Lauren S , van Maltitz, Graham P , Zenni, Rafael D , Zylstra, Matthew J
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/182149 , vital:43804 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1472-4642.2011.00783.x"
- Description: To examine the different uses and perceptions of introduced Australian acacias (wattles; Acacia subgenus Phyllodineae) by rural households and communities. Eighteen landscape-scale case studies around the world, in Vietnam, India, Réunion, Madagascar, South Africa, Congo, Niger, Ethiopia, Israel, France, Portugal, Brazil, Chile, Dominican Republic and Hawai‘i. Qualitative comparison of case studies, based on questionnaire sent to network of acacia researchers. Information based on individual knowledge of local experts, published and unpublished sources. We propose a conceptual model to explain current uses and perceptions of introduced acacias. It highlights historically and geographically contingent processes, including economic development, environmental discourses, political context, and local or regional needs. Four main groupings of case studies were united by similar patterns: (1) poor communities benefiting from targeted agroforestry projects; (2) places where residents, generally poor, take advantage of a valuable resource already present in their landscape via plantation and/or invasion; (3) regions of small and mid-scale tree farmers participating in the forestry industry; and (4) a number of high-income communities dealing with the legacies of former or niche use of introduced acacia in a context of increased concern over biodiversity and ecosystem services. Economic conditions play a key role shaping acacia use. Poorer communities rely strongly on acacias (often in, or escaped from, formal plantations) for household needs and, sometimes, for income. Middle-income regions more typically host private farm investments in acacia woodlots for commercialization. Efforts at control of invasive acacias must take care to not adversely impact poor dependent communities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Kull, Christian A , Shackleton, Charlie M , Cunningham, Peter J , Ducatillon, Catherine , Dufour-Dror, Jean-Mark , Esler, Karen J , Friday, James B , Gouveia, António C , Griffin, A R , Marchante, Elizabete , Midgley, Steven J , Pauchard, Aníbal , Rangan, Haripriya , Richardson, David M , Rinaudo, Tony , Tassin, Jacques , Urgenson, Lauren S , van Maltitz, Graham P , Zenni, Rafael D , Zylstra, Matthew J
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/182149 , vital:43804 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1472-4642.2011.00783.x"
- Description: To examine the different uses and perceptions of introduced Australian acacias (wattles; Acacia subgenus Phyllodineae) by rural households and communities. Eighteen landscape-scale case studies around the world, in Vietnam, India, Réunion, Madagascar, South Africa, Congo, Niger, Ethiopia, Israel, France, Portugal, Brazil, Chile, Dominican Republic and Hawai‘i. Qualitative comparison of case studies, based on questionnaire sent to network of acacia researchers. Information based on individual knowledge of local experts, published and unpublished sources. We propose a conceptual model to explain current uses and perceptions of introduced acacias. It highlights historically and geographically contingent processes, including economic development, environmental discourses, political context, and local or regional needs. Four main groupings of case studies were united by similar patterns: (1) poor communities benefiting from targeted agroforestry projects; (2) places where residents, generally poor, take advantage of a valuable resource already present in their landscape via plantation and/or invasion; (3) regions of small and mid-scale tree farmers participating in the forestry industry; and (4) a number of high-income communities dealing with the legacies of former or niche use of introduced acacia in a context of increased concern over biodiversity and ecosystem services. Economic conditions play a key role shaping acacia use. Poorer communities rely strongly on acacias (often in, or escaped from, formal plantations) for household needs and, sometimes, for income. Middle-income regions more typically host private farm investments in acacia woodlots for commercialization. Efforts at control of invasive acacias must take care to not adversely impact poor dependent communities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
The distribution, abundance and composition of street trees in selected towns of the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Kuruneri-Chitepo, C, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: Kuruneri-Chitepo, C , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6639 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006865
- Description: Street trees are an important component of the urban forest as they provide critical ecosystem services which contribute to human health and environmental quality. However, little is known about the distribution, diversity and density of street trees, particularly in the developing world where urbanisation is most rapid. Thus, the aim of this paper was to assess the distribution, composition and abundance of street trees across three towns along an environmental gradient in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, and identify the key challenges faced by local officials concerned with the provision of street trees. In each town, streets were randomly sampled in the commercial, affluent residential, township settlement and low cost housing areas under the Reconstruction and Development Program (RDP). Attributes recorded per tree were species, circumference, height and health, while semi-structured interviews were conducted with the municipal officials involved in the establishment and maintenance of street trees. A total of 1,485 trees were encountered, comprising 61 species. The majority (56%) of trees were alien species. Noticeable differences in tree density and species richness were evident across suburbs, being highest in the more affluent suburbs and poorly represented in the low income township and RDP areas. There was a decreasing mean tree height and health score along the environmental gradient from the coastal town to the inland town. Although awareness of the benefits of street trees was high, as was the need to reduce the proportion of alien species, the primary constraint to establishment and maintenance of street trees in the three towns was limited budget and human resources.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Kuruneri-Chitepo, C , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6639 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006865
- Description: Street trees are an important component of the urban forest as they provide critical ecosystem services which contribute to human health and environmental quality. However, little is known about the distribution, diversity and density of street trees, particularly in the developing world where urbanisation is most rapid. Thus, the aim of this paper was to assess the distribution, composition and abundance of street trees across three towns along an environmental gradient in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, and identify the key challenges faced by local officials concerned with the provision of street trees. In each town, streets were randomly sampled in the commercial, affluent residential, township settlement and low cost housing areas under the Reconstruction and Development Program (RDP). Attributes recorded per tree were species, circumference, height and health, while semi-structured interviews were conducted with the municipal officials involved in the establishment and maintenance of street trees. A total of 1,485 trees were encountered, comprising 61 species. The majority (56%) of trees were alien species. Noticeable differences in tree density and species richness were evident across suburbs, being highest in the more affluent suburbs and poorly represented in the low income township and RDP areas. There was a decreasing mean tree height and health score along the environmental gradient from the coastal town to the inland town. Although awareness of the benefits of street trees was high, as was the need to reduce the proportion of alien species, the primary constraint to establishment and maintenance of street trees in the three towns was limited budget and human resources.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Agroforestry tree products (AFTPs): Targeting poverty reduction and enhanced livelihoods
- Leakey, Roger R, Tchoundjeu, Zac, Schreckenberg, Kate, Shackleton, Sheona E, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: Leakey, Roger R , Tchoundjeu, Zac , Schreckenberg, Kate , Shackleton, Sheona E , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/182136 , vital:43803 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/14735903.2005.9684741"
- Description: Agroforestry tree domestication emerged as a farmer-driven, market-led process in the early 1990s and became an international initiative. A participatory approach now supplements the more traditional aspects of tree improvement, and is seen as an important strategy towards the Millennium Development Goals of eradicating poverty and hunger, promoting social equity and environmental sustainability. Considerable progress has been made towards the domestication of indigenous fruits and nuts in many villages in Cameroon and Nigeria. Vegetatively-propagated cultivars based on a sound knowledge of ‘ideotypes’ derived from an understanding of the tree-to-tree variation in many commercially important traits are being developed by farmers. These are being integrated into polycultural farming systems, especially the cocoa agroforests. Markets for Agroforestry Tree Products (AFTPs) are crucial for the adoption of agroforestry on a scale to have meaningful economic, social and environmental impacts. Important lessons have been learned in southern Africa from detailed studies of the commercialization of AFTPs. These provide support for the wider acceptance of the role of domesticating indigenous trees in the promotion of enhanced livelihoods for poor farmers in the tropics. Policy guidelines have been developed in support of this sustainable rural development as an alternative strategy to those proposed in many other major development and conservation fora.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Leakey, Roger R , Tchoundjeu, Zac , Schreckenberg, Kate , Shackleton, Sheona E , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/182136 , vital:43803 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/14735903.2005.9684741"
- Description: Agroforestry tree domestication emerged as a farmer-driven, market-led process in the early 1990s and became an international initiative. A participatory approach now supplements the more traditional aspects of tree improvement, and is seen as an important strategy towards the Millennium Development Goals of eradicating poverty and hunger, promoting social equity and environmental sustainability. Considerable progress has been made towards the domestication of indigenous fruits and nuts in many villages in Cameroon and Nigeria. Vegetatively-propagated cultivars based on a sound knowledge of ‘ideotypes’ derived from an understanding of the tree-to-tree variation in many commercially important traits are being developed by farmers. These are being integrated into polycultural farming systems, especially the cocoa agroforests. Markets for Agroforestry Tree Products (AFTPs) are crucial for the adoption of agroforestry on a scale to have meaningful economic, social and environmental impacts. Important lessons have been learned in southern Africa from detailed studies of the commercialization of AFTPs. These provide support for the wider acceptance of the role of domesticating indigenous trees in the promotion of enhanced livelihoods for poor farmers in the tropics. Policy guidelines have been developed in support of this sustainable rural development as an alternative strategy to those proposed in many other major development and conservation fora.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
Rethinking urban green infrastructure and ecosystem services from the perspective of sub-Saharan African cities
- Lindley, Sarah, Pauleit, Stephan, Yeshitela, Kumelachew, Cilliers, Sarel, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: Lindley, Sarah , Pauleit, Stephan , Yeshitela, Kumelachew , Cilliers, Sarel , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/398357 , vital:69403 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2018.08.016"
- Description: Urban green infrastructure and its ecosystem services are often conceptualised in terms of a predominantly western perspective of cities and their wider social, economic and environmental challenges. However, the benefits which are derived from urban ecosystems are equally – if not more – important in the cities of the developing world. Cities in sub-Saharan Africa are well known to be facing severe pressures. Nevertheless, despite the challenges of rapid population change, high levels of poverty and seemingly chaotic urban development processes, there are also tremendous opportunities. Realising the opportunities around urban green infrastructure and its benefits requires harnessing the inherent local knowledge and community innovation associated with a multitude of inter-connected urban social-ecological systems. Such systems are a powerful driving force shaping urban realities. Associated planning regimes are frequently lambasted as being either absent, weakly enforced, corrupt or wholly inappropriate. Much of this criticism is justified. However, it must also be recognised that decision-makers are frequently working in contexts which lack the scientific foundations through which their decision-making might be made more effective and complementary to bottom-up initiatives. The paucity of research into urban ecosystems in sub-Saharan Africa and the lack of development of context-specific conceptual, theoretical and empirical foundations is a problem which must be addressed. Drawing on papers from a Special Issue centred on urban green infrastructure and urban ecosystem services in sub-Saharan Africa, we consider what concepts and frameworks are in use and what needs to be considered when framing future research. We also synthesise key messages from the Special Issue and draw together themes to help create a new research agenda for the international research community.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Lindley, Sarah , Pauleit, Stephan , Yeshitela, Kumelachew , Cilliers, Sarel , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/398357 , vital:69403 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2018.08.016"
- Description: Urban green infrastructure and its ecosystem services are often conceptualised in terms of a predominantly western perspective of cities and their wider social, economic and environmental challenges. However, the benefits which are derived from urban ecosystems are equally – if not more – important in the cities of the developing world. Cities in sub-Saharan Africa are well known to be facing severe pressures. Nevertheless, despite the challenges of rapid population change, high levels of poverty and seemingly chaotic urban development processes, there are also tremendous opportunities. Realising the opportunities around urban green infrastructure and its benefits requires harnessing the inherent local knowledge and community innovation associated with a multitude of inter-connected urban social-ecological systems. Such systems are a powerful driving force shaping urban realities. Associated planning regimes are frequently lambasted as being either absent, weakly enforced, corrupt or wholly inappropriate. Much of this criticism is justified. However, it must also be recognised that decision-makers are frequently working in contexts which lack the scientific foundations through which their decision-making might be made more effective and complementary to bottom-up initiatives. The paucity of research into urban ecosystems in sub-Saharan Africa and the lack of development of context-specific conceptual, theoretical and empirical foundations is a problem which must be addressed. Drawing on papers from a Special Issue centred on urban green infrastructure and urban ecosystem services in sub-Saharan Africa, we consider what concepts and frameworks are in use and what needs to be considered when framing future research. We also synthesise key messages from the Special Issue and draw together themes to help create a new research agenda for the international research community.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The distribution of selected woody invasive alien species in small towns in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Mabusela, A, Shackleton, Charlie M, Gewdla, Nanamhla
- Authors: Mabusela, A , Shackleton, Charlie M , Gewdla, Nanamhla
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/401289 , vital:69723 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2021.05.019"
- Description: The potential and real negative and positive effects of invasive alien species (IAS) are increasingly recognised by researchers, land managers and decision-makers. However, most of the research and knowledge stems from understandings developed from rural and natural landscapes, with relatively little derived from studies in urban settings. Small towns in particular pose a novel suite of conditions that make the study and mangment of IAS particularly pressing. Here we examined the distribution of seven woody IAS (Acacia mearnsii, Cestrum laevigatum, Eucalyptus spp., Lantana camara, Melia azedarach, Senna didymobotrya and Solanaum mauritianum) within and between five small towns in the Eastern Cape via means of drive-by road surveys of every street in each town. Across the five towns and seven IAS 4,307 individuals were recorded, with the highest densities found in the two more coastal towns. Almost two-thirds (63%) of the IAS were located in residential properties, 24 % in public spaces and 13 % on road verges, closely mirroring the proportional area of these landuses. Within the residential landuse zone specifically, the townships had between 41 % and 61 % of all the recorded IAS plants per town, followed by the affluent neighbourhoods (22 – 41 %) and lastly, the RDP neighbourhoods (6 – 32 %). Cestrum laevigatum was the most abundant woody IAS across the five towns as a whole (1,783 inviduals). The second-most abundant species was M. azedarach (914 stems) and the least recorded was S. mauritianum (44). Additionally, there were differences in the general distribution of the seven species across residential neighbourhoods, with C. laevigatum (71.2 %), M. azedarach (49.3 %) and S. mauritianum (60.0 %) concentrated in township neighbourhoods, whilst A. mearnsii (66.4 %), L. camara (64.1 %) and Eucalyptus spp. (48.6 %) were most common in the affluent neighbourhoods. This study confirms that woody IAS are widespread in small towns of the region, but that they are unevenly distributed between towns and landuses within towns, indicating the need for local-scale inventories and management.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Mabusela, A , Shackleton, Charlie M , Gewdla, Nanamhla
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/401289 , vital:69723 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2021.05.019"
- Description: The potential and real negative and positive effects of invasive alien species (IAS) are increasingly recognised by researchers, land managers and decision-makers. However, most of the research and knowledge stems from understandings developed from rural and natural landscapes, with relatively little derived from studies in urban settings. Small towns in particular pose a novel suite of conditions that make the study and mangment of IAS particularly pressing. Here we examined the distribution of seven woody IAS (Acacia mearnsii, Cestrum laevigatum, Eucalyptus spp., Lantana camara, Melia azedarach, Senna didymobotrya and Solanaum mauritianum) within and between five small towns in the Eastern Cape via means of drive-by road surveys of every street in each town. Across the five towns and seven IAS 4,307 individuals were recorded, with the highest densities found in the two more coastal towns. Almost two-thirds (63%) of the IAS were located in residential properties, 24 % in public spaces and 13 % on road verges, closely mirroring the proportional area of these landuses. Within the residential landuse zone specifically, the townships had between 41 % and 61 % of all the recorded IAS plants per town, followed by the affluent neighbourhoods (22 – 41 %) and lastly, the RDP neighbourhoods (6 – 32 %). Cestrum laevigatum was the most abundant woody IAS across the five towns as a whole (1,783 inviduals). The second-most abundant species was M. azedarach (914 stems) and the least recorded was S. mauritianum (44). Additionally, there were differences in the general distribution of the seven species across residential neighbourhoods, with C. laevigatum (71.2 %), M. azedarach (49.3 %) and S. mauritianum (60.0 %) concentrated in township neighbourhoods, whilst A. mearnsii (66.4 %), L. camara (64.1 %) and Eucalyptus spp. (48.6 %) were most common in the affluent neighbourhoods. This study confirms that woody IAS are widespread in small towns of the region, but that they are unevenly distributed between towns and landuses within towns, indicating the need for local-scale inventories and management.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Changing energy profiles and consumption patterns following electrification in five rural villages, South Africa
- Madubansi, Mainza, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: Madubansi, Mainza , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2006
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6640 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006866
- Description: Following the democratic transition in South Africa in the early 1990s the government has implemented a widespread electrification programme, as well as introduced a free basic electricity allowance as a means of poverty alleviation. Yet there are limited longitudinal studies on the impacts of the introduction of electricity on the patterns of household energy use, and even more so in the neglected rural sector. This study reports on the patterns of household energy use in five rural settlements in 1991 and again in 2002. Results indicate a changing pattern of energy use for lighting and powering entertainment appliances, more specifically from dry-cell batteries and paraffin to electricity. Yet for thermal needs, most notably cooking, fuelwood has remained the most widespread fuel, and the amount used per month has not changed, despite increasing scarcity of wood in the local environment. There has been an increase in the proportion of households purchasing fuelwood as opposed to collecting their own. Overall, the mean total number of fuel types used per household has increased, indicating that electricity is simply viewed as an additional energy, rather than an alternative. Yet, electricity accounted for approximately 60% of expenditure on energy sources in 2002, despite the government's policy of a free basic allowance of 5–6 kWh per month. This has implications for energy supply costing, as well as the poverty alleviation dimensions of the whole programme.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Madubansi, Mainza , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2006
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6640 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006866
- Description: Following the democratic transition in South Africa in the early 1990s the government has implemented a widespread electrification programme, as well as introduced a free basic electricity allowance as a means of poverty alleviation. Yet there are limited longitudinal studies on the impacts of the introduction of electricity on the patterns of household energy use, and even more so in the neglected rural sector. This study reports on the patterns of household energy use in five rural settlements in 1991 and again in 2002. Results indicate a changing pattern of energy use for lighting and powering entertainment appliances, more specifically from dry-cell batteries and paraffin to electricity. Yet for thermal needs, most notably cooking, fuelwood has remained the most widespread fuel, and the amount used per month has not changed, despite increasing scarcity of wood in the local environment. There has been an increase in the proportion of households purchasing fuelwood as opposed to collecting their own. Overall, the mean total number of fuel types used per household has increased, indicating that electricity is simply viewed as an additional energy, rather than an alternative. Yet, electricity accounted for approximately 60% of expenditure on energy sources in 2002, despite the government's policy of a free basic allowance of 5–6 kWh per month. This has implications for energy supply costing, as well as the poverty alleviation dimensions of the whole programme.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
Changes in fuelwood use and selection following electrification in the Bushbuckridge lowveld, South Africa
- Madubansi, Mainza, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: Madubansi, Mainza , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2007
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6641 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006867
- Description: Fuelwood is the primary energy source for domestic purposes throughout the developing world, in both urban and rural environments. Due to the detrimental impacts of biomass use on human and environmental health, many governments have sought to reduce its use through provision of potentially cleaner energies, of which electricity is the dominant form. Yet there are surprisingly few studies of changes in fuelwood use following the introduction of electricity, especially in rural areas of Africa. This paper reports on a longitudinal study of fuelwood use, using identical approaches, in five rural villages in the Bushbuckridge region of South Africa, spanning the period over which electricity became widely available. Almost a decade after the introduction of electricity, over 90% of households still used fuelwood for thermal purposes, especially cooking, and the mean household consumption rates over the 11-year period had not changed, even with a policy of 6 kWh per month of free electricity. The proportion of households purchasing fuelwood had increased, probably in response to a number of factors, including (i) increased fuelwood scarcity in the local environment as reflected by increased fuelwood collection times, changes in fuelwood species preferences, and ranking of scarcity by local collectors, and (ii) increases in the price of fuelwood well below that of other fuels and the prevailing inflation rate. Overall, there was an increase in the number of species harvested over the 11-year period. The implications of these findings for rural energy provision are discussed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Madubansi, Mainza , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2007
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6641 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006867
- Description: Fuelwood is the primary energy source for domestic purposes throughout the developing world, in both urban and rural environments. Due to the detrimental impacts of biomass use on human and environmental health, many governments have sought to reduce its use through provision of potentially cleaner energies, of which electricity is the dominant form. Yet there are surprisingly few studies of changes in fuelwood use following the introduction of electricity, especially in rural areas of Africa. This paper reports on a longitudinal study of fuelwood use, using identical approaches, in five rural villages in the Bushbuckridge region of South Africa, spanning the period over which electricity became widely available. Almost a decade after the introduction of electricity, over 90% of households still used fuelwood for thermal purposes, especially cooking, and the mean household consumption rates over the 11-year period had not changed, even with a policy of 6 kWh per month of free electricity. The proportion of households purchasing fuelwood had increased, probably in response to a number of factors, including (i) increased fuelwood scarcity in the local environment as reflected by increased fuelwood collection times, changes in fuelwood species preferences, and ranking of scarcity by local collectors, and (ii) increases in the price of fuelwood well below that of other fuels and the prevailing inflation rate. Overall, there was an increase in the number of species harvested over the 11-year period. The implications of these findings for rural energy provision are discussed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Has deregulation of non-timber forest product controls and marketing in Orissa state (India) affected local patterns of use and marketing
- Mahapatra, A K, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: Mahapatra, A K , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6643 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006872
- Description: State control of marketing agricultural or forestry products may lead to a trade monopoly and restricted competition, resulting in inequitable returns to producers. Consequently, market deregulation for agriculture and other natural products has been advocated to improve market efficiencies, participation and returns for the producers and local traders. The study examines the impact of deregulation of state marketing controls on collection, sale and returns to extractors and traders from non-timber forest products. It assessed whether deregulation policy resulted in greater benefits to primary extractors and a win–win situation for both producers and traders? Mixed effects were found, with no significant changes in terms of trade, demand, or quantum of consumption; but there was an overall increase in the procurement price for several products following deregulation. The collection and farm gate price of tree based oilseeds and honey increased due to lower transaction costs, and ease of trading with a continued demand for these products. The impact on less valuable products was insignificant. Abolition of monopolistic trading increased competition and had a pull effect on the local market prices of several NTFPs. Although traders paid a higher price to procure products, overall they also benefited being able to sell the purchased products to merchants and manufacturers at a better margin than previously.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Mahapatra, A K , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6643 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006872
- Description: State control of marketing agricultural or forestry products may lead to a trade monopoly and restricted competition, resulting in inequitable returns to producers. Consequently, market deregulation for agriculture and other natural products has been advocated to improve market efficiencies, participation and returns for the producers and local traders. The study examines the impact of deregulation of state marketing controls on collection, sale and returns to extractors and traders from non-timber forest products. It assessed whether deregulation policy resulted in greater benefits to primary extractors and a win–win situation for both producers and traders? Mixed effects were found, with no significant changes in terms of trade, demand, or quantum of consumption; but there was an overall increase in the procurement price for several products following deregulation. The collection and farm gate price of tree based oilseeds and honey increased due to lower transaction costs, and ease of trading with a continued demand for these products. The impact on less valuable products was insignificant. Abolition of monopolistic trading increased competition and had a pull effect on the local market prices of several NTFPs. Although traders paid a higher price to procure products, overall they also benefited being able to sell the purchased products to merchants and manufacturers at a better margin than previously.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Non-timber forest product use and market chains along a deforestation gradient in southwest Malawi
- Mahonya, Sophie, Shackleton, Charlie M, Schreckenberg, Kate
- Authors: Mahonya, Sophie , Shackleton, Charlie M , Schreckenberg, Kate
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/177465 , vital:42824 , https://doi.org/10.3389/ffgc.2019.00071
- Description: The importance of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) to rural livelihoods is widely acknowledged globally, as is the income generated from casual or fulltime trade on village and urban markets. However, there is less understanding of how the condition or status of the neighboring landscapes influence the use of and trade in NTFPs. Here we report on the use and trade in NTFPs in four villages situated along a gradient of decreasing forest cover in southwest Malawi using a mixed-methods approach. Data were sourced via a survey of 286 households, value chain analysis of the four most commonly traded NTFPs (thatch grass, edible orchids, mushrooms, and wild fruits), key informant interviews with NTFP traders and direct observations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Mahonya, Sophie , Shackleton, Charlie M , Schreckenberg, Kate
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/177465 , vital:42824 , https://doi.org/10.3389/ffgc.2019.00071
- Description: The importance of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) to rural livelihoods is widely acknowledged globally, as is the income generated from casual or fulltime trade on village and urban markets. However, there is less understanding of how the condition or status of the neighboring landscapes influence the use of and trade in NTFPs. Here we report on the use and trade in NTFPs in four villages situated along a gradient of decreasing forest cover in southwest Malawi using a mixed-methods approach. Data were sourced via a survey of 286 households, value chain analysis of the four most commonly traded NTFPs (thatch grass, edible orchids, mushrooms, and wild fruits), key informant interviews with NTFP traders and direct observations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Changes in forest cover and carbon stocks of the coastal scarp forests of the Wild Coast, South Africa
- Mangwale, Kagiso, Shackleton, Charlie M, Sigwela, Ayanda
- Authors: Mangwale, Kagiso , Shackleton, Charlie M , Sigwela, Ayanda
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: article , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/60903 , vital:27887 , https://doi.org/10.2989/20702620.2016.1255480
- Description: Land-use intensification and declines in vegetative cover are considered pervasive threats to forests and biodiversity globally. The small extent and high biodiversity of indigenous forests in South Africa make them particularly important. Yet, relatively little is known about their rates of use and change. From analysis of past aerial photos we quantified rates of forest cover change in the Matiwane forests of the Wild Coast, South Africa, between 1942 and 2007, as well as quantified above- and belowground (to 0.5 m depth) carbon stocks based on a composite allometric equation derived for the area. Rates of forest conversion were spatially variable, with some areas showing no change and others more noticeable changes. Overall, the net reduction was 5.2% (0.08% p.a.) over the 65-year period. However, the rate of reduction has accelerated with time. Some of the reduction was balanced by natural reforestation into formerly cleared areas, but basal area, biomass and carbon stocks are still low in the reforested areas. The total carbon stock was highest in intact forests (311.7 ± 23.7 Mg C ha−1), followed by degraded forests (73.5 ± 12.3 Mg C ha−1) and least in regrowth forests (51.2 ± 6.2 Mg C ha−1). The greatest contribution to total carbon stocks was soil carbon, contributing 54% in intact forests, and 78% and 68% in degraded and regrowth forests, respectively. The Matiwane forests store 4.78 Tg C, with 4.7 Tg C in intact forests, 0.06 Tg C in degraded forests and 0.02 Tg C in regrowth forests. The decrease in carbon stocks within the forests as a result of the conversion of the forest area to agricultural fields was 0.19 Tg C and approximately 0.0003 Tg C was released through harvesting of firewood and building timber.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Mangwale, Kagiso , Shackleton, Charlie M , Sigwela, Ayanda
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: article , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/60903 , vital:27887 , https://doi.org/10.2989/20702620.2016.1255480
- Description: Land-use intensification and declines in vegetative cover are considered pervasive threats to forests and biodiversity globally. The small extent and high biodiversity of indigenous forests in South Africa make them particularly important. Yet, relatively little is known about their rates of use and change. From analysis of past aerial photos we quantified rates of forest cover change in the Matiwane forests of the Wild Coast, South Africa, between 1942 and 2007, as well as quantified above- and belowground (to 0.5 m depth) carbon stocks based on a composite allometric equation derived for the area. Rates of forest conversion were spatially variable, with some areas showing no change and others more noticeable changes. Overall, the net reduction was 5.2% (0.08% p.a.) over the 65-year period. However, the rate of reduction has accelerated with time. Some of the reduction was balanced by natural reforestation into formerly cleared areas, but basal area, biomass and carbon stocks are still low in the reforested areas. The total carbon stock was highest in intact forests (311.7 ± 23.7 Mg C ha−1), followed by degraded forests (73.5 ± 12.3 Mg C ha−1) and least in regrowth forests (51.2 ± 6.2 Mg C ha−1). The greatest contribution to total carbon stocks was soil carbon, contributing 54% in intact forests, and 78% and 68% in degraded and regrowth forests, respectively. The Matiwane forests store 4.78 Tg C, with 4.7 Tg C in intact forests, 0.06 Tg C in degraded forests and 0.02 Tg C in regrowth forests. The decrease in carbon stocks within the forests as a result of the conversion of the forest area to agricultural fields was 0.19 Tg C and approximately 0.0003 Tg C was released through harvesting of firewood and building timber.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Attitudes and preferences towards elements of formal and informal public green spaces in two South African towns
- Manyani, Amanda, Shackleton, Charlie M, Cocks, Michelle
- Authors: Manyani, Amanda , Shackleton, Charlie M , Cocks, Michelle
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/402203 , vital:69830 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2021.104147"
- Description: Different types of public urban green spaces (PUGS) contain various natural (such as trees, pools, flowerbeds) and artificial elements (such as benches, play equipment, fountains) which contribute to the enjoyment and experience of users. However, which elements users most require, appreciate or notice has rarely been examined as the basis of their choice for specific PUGS, especially in poorer neighbourhoods and countries, where formal PUGS may be limited. The study was carried out in two towns in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, both characterized by high poverty and unemployment levels, low literacy rates and many people living without basic infrastructure and services. To understand the meanings people, have for specific PUGS elements, formal and informal PUGS and peri-urban municipal commonages were assessed with respect to the natural and artificial elements present. A survey of 360 households was conducted across two towns by targeting PUGS users and households within 100 m from the designated PUGS. Approximately 63% of the respondents visited PUGS, with informal PUGS being the most frequented. However, they were strong negative feelings towards some natural elements because of their unkempt nature. Issues of safety, cultural restrictions and lack of recreational facilities were mentioned as some of the specific deterrents against visiting the closest PUGS among different user and age groups. Most respondents emphasized the need for PUGS that are well laid out with maintained lawns, recreational facilities and open vegetation. Thus, the current design and available features within the studied PUGS do not meet local preferences and needs and thus do not contribute to enjoyment as much as they could. Attention needs to be given to understand and incorporate the elements that invoke positive attitudes among urban residents.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Manyani, Amanda , Shackleton, Charlie M , Cocks, Michelle
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/402203 , vital:69830 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2021.104147"
- Description: Different types of public urban green spaces (PUGS) contain various natural (such as trees, pools, flowerbeds) and artificial elements (such as benches, play equipment, fountains) which contribute to the enjoyment and experience of users. However, which elements users most require, appreciate or notice has rarely been examined as the basis of their choice for specific PUGS, especially in poorer neighbourhoods and countries, where formal PUGS may be limited. The study was carried out in two towns in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, both characterized by high poverty and unemployment levels, low literacy rates and many people living without basic infrastructure and services. To understand the meanings people, have for specific PUGS elements, formal and informal PUGS and peri-urban municipal commonages were assessed with respect to the natural and artificial elements present. A survey of 360 households was conducted across two towns by targeting PUGS users and households within 100 m from the designated PUGS. Approximately 63% of the respondents visited PUGS, with informal PUGS being the most frequented. However, they were strong negative feelings towards some natural elements because of their unkempt nature. Issues of safety, cultural restrictions and lack of recreational facilities were mentioned as some of the specific deterrents against visiting the closest PUGS among different user and age groups. Most respondents emphasized the need for PUGS that are well laid out with maintained lawns, recreational facilities and open vegetation. Thus, the current design and available features within the studied PUGS do not meet local preferences and needs and thus do not contribute to enjoyment as much as they could. Attention needs to be given to understand and incorporate the elements that invoke positive attitudes among urban residents.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
The production and commercialization of palm wine from Hyphaene coriacea and Phoenix reclinata in Zitundo area, southern Mozambique
- Martins, Angelina R O, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: Martins, Angelina R O , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/179802 , vital:43190 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2018.02.389"
- Description: In southern Mozambique a traditional wine is produced using the sap from two palm species, Hyphaene coriacea and Phoenix reclinata. Production of palm wine is one of the main livelihood activities in the Zitundo area. We examined the local production and trade of palm wine in the area. Using structured interviews we investigated the tapping activity, local management practices and the palm wine market, and assessed the incomes derived from palm wine sales and the tappers' perceptions on productivity, abundance and sales fluctuation. Tapping palms was practiced year round in five of the sixteen villages in the area and the mean number of palms tapped per day was 102 ± 52 per tapper. Tappers spent an average of 25 ± 18 h per week on tapping activities resulting in an average return to labour of R39 (± US$3) per hour. The mean, annual, net income from palm wine sales was R24,981 ± R12,094 (US$1878 ± 909) per tapper, which accounted for 85% ± 22% of the tappers' annual household income. Palm wine is a highly commercial commodity in Zitundo area, with an average commercialization index of 63% ± 23%, and is likely to help alleviate poverty in the area. Hyphaene coriacea was tapped more than Phoenix reclinata, although most tappers regard the wine from the latter to be of a better quality. The importance of palm tapping in local livelihoods and poverty alleviation needs greater acknowledgement by government and development agencies in the area, towards inclusion in sectoral development policies and conservation programmes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Martins, Angelina R O , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/179802 , vital:43190 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2018.02.389"
- Description: In southern Mozambique a traditional wine is produced using the sap from two palm species, Hyphaene coriacea and Phoenix reclinata. Production of palm wine is one of the main livelihood activities in the Zitundo area. We examined the local production and trade of palm wine in the area. Using structured interviews we investigated the tapping activity, local management practices and the palm wine market, and assessed the incomes derived from palm wine sales and the tappers' perceptions on productivity, abundance and sales fluctuation. Tapping palms was practiced year round in five of the sixteen villages in the area and the mean number of palms tapped per day was 102 ± 52 per tapper. Tappers spent an average of 25 ± 18 h per week on tapping activities resulting in an average return to labour of R39 (± US$3) per hour. The mean, annual, net income from palm wine sales was R24,981 ± R12,094 (US$1878 ± 909) per tapper, which accounted for 85% ± 22% of the tappers' annual household income. Palm wine is a highly commercial commodity in Zitundo area, with an average commercialization index of 63% ± 23%, and is likely to help alleviate poverty in the area. Hyphaene coriacea was tapped more than Phoenix reclinata, although most tappers regard the wine from the latter to be of a better quality. The importance of palm tapping in local livelihoods and poverty alleviation needs greater acknowledgement by government and development agencies in the area, towards inclusion in sectoral development policies and conservation programmes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Abundance, population structure and harvesting selection of two palm species (Hyphaene coriacea and Phoenix reclinata) in Zitundo area, southern Mozambique
- Martins, Angelina R O, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: Martins, Angelina R O , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/182003 , vital:43789 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2017.05.005"
- Description: In southern Mozambique, the sap and leaves of the palms Hyphaene coriacea and Phoenix reclinata are harvested by local people as sources of traditional beverages, weaving, roofing, fencing and furniture material. The harvesting of these palm products may affect palm population structure, dynamics and viability. This work evaluates the abundance, population structure and harvesting selection of these two heavily harvested palm species. Hyphaene coriacea was more abundant, with a mean density of 601.5 ± 455.9 stems ha−1 against the 251.9 ± 527.3 stems ha−1 of Phoenix reclinata. Both species exhibited steeper negative slopes in the regression analyses of the size class distribution, indicating the presence of more individuals in smaller size classes. Although there was a dominance of shorter over taller size classes, limited recruitment was observed through low densities of seedling and juvenile size classes compared to the size class 1–50 cm. The Simpson index of dominance, the permutation index, and the fluctuating quotients between the consecutive size classes showed a degree of instability in both populations. Hyphaene coriacea appears to be more resilient to tapping than Phoenix reclinata, evident in the higher rate of stem survival after tapping. Hyphaene coriacea is favored for tapping compared to Phoenix reclinata. Tappers exhibited positive selection for five out of the six Hyphaene coriacea size classes, against only one Phoenix reclinata size class. The most preferred size class to tap for both species was between 101 cm and 150 cm tall. The instability detected by the indices of population stability, the coincidence between the size classes with high numbers of dead stems and the most preferred and the low level of the sexual reproduction encountered in both population emphasizes the need for long-term monitoring as well as management measures that integrate the resource users, to ensure the long-term sustainability of these populations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Martins, Angelina R O , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/182003 , vital:43789 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2017.05.005"
- Description: In southern Mozambique, the sap and leaves of the palms Hyphaene coriacea and Phoenix reclinata are harvested by local people as sources of traditional beverages, weaving, roofing, fencing and furniture material. The harvesting of these palm products may affect palm population structure, dynamics and viability. This work evaluates the abundance, population structure and harvesting selection of these two heavily harvested palm species. Hyphaene coriacea was more abundant, with a mean density of 601.5 ± 455.9 stems ha−1 against the 251.9 ± 527.3 stems ha−1 of Phoenix reclinata. Both species exhibited steeper negative slopes in the regression analyses of the size class distribution, indicating the presence of more individuals in smaller size classes. Although there was a dominance of shorter over taller size classes, limited recruitment was observed through low densities of seedling and juvenile size classes compared to the size class 1–50 cm. The Simpson index of dominance, the permutation index, and the fluctuating quotients between the consecutive size classes showed a degree of instability in both populations. Hyphaene coriacea appears to be more resilient to tapping than Phoenix reclinata, evident in the higher rate of stem survival after tapping. Hyphaene coriacea is favored for tapping compared to Phoenix reclinata. Tappers exhibited positive selection for five out of the six Hyphaene coriacea size classes, against only one Phoenix reclinata size class. The most preferred size class to tap for both species was between 101 cm and 150 cm tall. The instability detected by the indices of population stability, the coincidence between the size classes with high numbers of dead stems and the most preferred and the low level of the sexual reproduction encountered in both population emphasizes the need for long-term monitoring as well as management measures that integrate the resource users, to ensure the long-term sustainability of these populations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017