Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Agriculture and the environment'

With many of our cities today faced with a number of urban issues, there is an increasing need for cities to development sustainably. Urban Agriculture can play an important role in achieving environmental, social and economic sustainability for urban cities. The prospect of growing food locally will have profound benefits on the urban area. This study is conducted to look at how urban agriculture can be incorporated into the built environment of Hong Kong in order to contribute to its sustainability. Thorough extensive review of literature, overseas practices and interviews with various professionals, scholars, government officials, local bodies, etc., it is found that there are various development constraints inhibiting the development of urban agriculture in Hong Kong. Recommendations are made for enhancing urban agriculture from a planning policy and development framework perspective in hope that this study can spark interested from different members of the community in promoting local food production in urban cities.
published_or_final_version
Urban Planning and Design
Master
Master of Science in Urban Planning

Agriculture plays an important role in the economy of every nation. Most countries depend on agriculture and other industries to survive. Economies around the world experience difficulties. There are many countries that have the potential to stimulate their economic growth through agriculture. The untapped resources have the potential of providing food, jobs and increased financial stability. Many countries utilise their agricultural sector to grow their economy. The growth of unemployment in South Africa has a big impact on our economy. This has caused an increase in poverty and unemployment (Ukpere & Slabbert, 2009). Women’s role in agriculture and food security is critical, but there is still lack of visibility regarding their participation and contribution in agriculture and development in general. This has led to two forms of agriculture in South Africa; so-called subsistence farming in the communal areas and white commercial farming (Kwa, 2001). Most emerging farmers are on communal land where they share decisions and ownership is unsecured, which discourages investment and limits productivity (Farmer's weekly, 2012). The main objective of the research was to determine if the women in the Tsitsikamma (Eastern Cape, South Africa), area have knowledge and strategies to manage their agribusiness in order to create an enabling environment and be competitive in their farming businesses. The qualitative method was used to answer questions in order to understand people’s perceptions, perspectives and understanding of particular situations. It is based on the belief that the researcher’s ability to interpret and make sense of what he or she sees is critical for an understanding of any social phenomenon. In seeking to create an enabling environment, a qualitative analysis investigated this particular situation. The sample consisted of 25 out of a possible 30 women in the agriculture industry. A structured questionnaire was used and interviews were conducted with women involved in agriculture regardless of owning a farm. This study was based in the farming industry, particular farm women who are interested or involved in agribusiness in the Tsitsikamma region. The results of the questionnaire revealed key findings, which enabled the researcher to draw meaningful conclusions and recommendations. The findings have suggested that the women farmers can overcome the identified constraints affecting the opportunities to grow their farming businesses. Further empirical results indicated that they do not have any strategies in running their farming businesses. The study also highlights areas in agribusiness that should be improved.

Cette thèse étudie les conséquences de l'ouverture économique internationale sur la qualité de l’environnement et l’impact des préoccupations environnementales croissantes sur la stabilité des marchés agricoles. Le premier essai étudie l'impact de l'ouverture au niveau agrégé. L'hypothèse de havre de pollution (HHP) est supportée pour les principaux gaz à effet de serre et pour la demande biologique de l’eau en oxygène, mais pas pour les polluants locaux, pour lesquels l'hypothèse de ‘pollution halo’ ne peut pas être rejetée. On montre que la délocalisation des multinationales augmente le niveau de pollution de l’eau des pays en développement (PED) et réduit l’émission des polluants locaux des PED et des pays développés. La ratification des accords environnementaux réduit plus les émissions des pays développés que celles des PED et l'ouverture commerciale réduit l’émission de la plupart des polluants. Le deuxième essai étudie l'impact de l'ouverture au niveau régional. L’HHP est supportée pour le CO2 en Afrique, en Amérique du Sud, au MENA, et aux pays de l'Ex URSS et l’Europe de l'Est. L'hypothèse de ‘pollution halo’ ne peut être rejetée pour l'Asie. L’HHP est également confirmée pour les émissions de SO2 en Amérique du Sud tandis que celle de ‘pollution halo’ est confirmée pour les émissions de SO2 en Afrique. Nous montrons que l'investissement local contribue de manière significative à l'augmentation des émissions de CO2 et SO2 dans la plupart des régions, alors que l'ouverture commerciale n'a d'effet que dans deux régions. Le troisième essai identifie trois changements structurels dans la relation entre le prix du maïs et celui du pétrole. On montre que la relation entre le prix du maïs et celui du pétrole a tendance à être plus forte lors des périodes de haute volatilité de prix du pétrole et lorsque les politiques agricoles créent moins de distorsions. Le développement spectaculaire de l’industrie de l’éthanol a renforcé la relation entre le prix du maïs et celui du pétrole qui sont cointégrés seulement durant le quatrième régime. Les fonctions de réaction aux impulsions confirment que les prix du maïs répondent systématiquement aux chocs des prix du pétrole, mais l'inverse n'est pas vrai.
This thesis focusses on the consequences of international economic (investment and trade) openness on the environment and on the potential impacts of growing environmental concerns on the stability of agricultural markets (corn prices in the international market). The first essay studies the impact of trade and investment openness on the environment at the aggregate level. We find that the pollution haven hypothesis is supported for major greenhouse gases (CO2, HFC, PFC and SF6) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), but not for local pollutants (NO2 and SO2), for which the pollution halo hypothesis could not be rejected. We show that the relocation of multinational corporations has harmful environmental effects in developing countries, while foreign direct investment reduces local pollutants emission in both developed and developing countries. Ratification of environmental agreements is found to have a stronger mitigating impact in developed countries than in developing ones and trade openness has a significantly negative impact on the emission of most pollutants. The second essay studies the impact of openness on the environment at the regional level. We find support for the pollution haven hypothesis for CO2 emissions in Africa, the Middle East and North Africa, the former United Socialist Soviet Republic and Eastern Europe, and South America, but not in Asia, for which the pollution halo hypothesis could not be rejected. The pollution haven hypothesis is also supported for SO2 emissions in South America while the pollution halo holds for SO2 emissions in Africa. We show that local investment is contributing significantly to both CO2 and SO2 emissions increase in most regions while trade openness matters only in two regions. The third essay identifies three structural breaks in the relationship between corn and oil prices. We show that the relationship between corn and oil prices tends to be stronger when oil prices are highly volatile and when agricultural policies create less distortion. The ethanol boom strengthened the relation between corn and oil prices which are cointegrated only in the fourth regime. Impulse response functions confirm that corn prices systematically respond to oil price shocks, but the converse is not observed.

Although current environmental policies may prove successful against narrowly defined criteria of economic, social or environmental sustainability, it is by no means certain that the sustainability of inter-dependent economic and environmental systems will be assured. In fact, policy intervention may result in the displacement of environmental problems to other media, times or places. Farmers are the focus for divergent forces of state, market and social regulation and in consequence their response, or more importantly non-response, to environmental policies cannot be assessed in isolation. This thesis explores these complex issues through analysis of the agriculture-water interface, focusing on the allocation and regulation of abstraction water for use as spray irrigation by farmers in the eastern counties of England. Adopting an interface-network methodology, the analysis traces the network of social relations which directly and indirectly influence the use and management of irrigation water and potential response to demand management policies, encompassing farmers' interaction with the NRA, food processing, manufacturing and retail firms as well as farmer representative groups. Risk and uncertainty play a central role shaping interaction not only between firms, but between firms and farmers as they attempt to reallocate the financial, production, legal and environmental risks associated with production. The analysis demonstrates how farmers' incorporation into the "quality projects" of the downstream food network critically distorts their response to demand management policies. This perpetuates a highly intensive system of agricultural production, contributing to the loss of landscape and wildlife habitat and diffuse pollution of ground and surface water sources. The analysis concludes by outlining an alternative agenda of action for the Environment Agency which focuses on promoting synergy between state and market forces of regulation. Only through addressing these issues will the integration of the environment and economy prove successful at the agriculture-water interface.

Thesis: S.B., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, 2015.
Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 50-51).
The growing demand for food challenges our current farming methods, motivating the search for new paradigms for agricultural production. In this work, the GroBot is presented as an open-source model for the fourth agricultural revolution. This indoor cultivation system was fabricated to provide a replicable supply of produce, using modular parts that are easily to machine, assemble, and manufacture. Off-the shelf, low cost components and publically available designs ensure accessibility for the average person, enabling peer-produced knowledge and community participation. Networked data and software will further support the GroBot system, building off past maker movements like the RepRap 3D printer and Linux operating system. The initial prototypes were optimized, evaluating the materials, structures, manufacturing, and assembly processes. A hardware assembly manual and parts list were created with the goal of mobilizing growers, farmers, and hackers to participate in iterative development and information sharing. Through its technological, biological, and social platform, the GroBot forms the foundation for the future of food at both the consumer and industrial scale.
by Emma Feshbach.
S.B.

The main purpose of this report is to conduct an analysis with a view to determine the potential role and contribution of agriculture in region E. This report emphasises the agricultural impact in determining an economic development strategy for region E. It is therefore the aim of this report to provide a brief situation analysis and an interpretation of existing problems affecting development. The importance of the sector, implications of the spacial distribution, the structure, potential growth and the policy environment will be addressed. From the above, constraints, bottlenecks, the likely future demand, etc will be pointed out. The interpretation of the above and its implications for development is necessary to determine objectives for the aimed strategy. The strategy for region E is necessary in determining policies stressing economic growth and fair distribution of resources to enable the mass of the population to share in increased wealth and economic opportunities.
Region E economic development study

Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on Feb 11. 2010). The entire thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file; a non-technical public abstract appears in the public.pdf file. Dissertation advisor: Dr Patrick Westhoff. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

The assessment of environmental degradation from farming practices has received recent attention due to the concern for sustainable agriculture. The United States Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency have set forth the Unified National Animal Feeding Operation Strategy to protect the nation's water resources from contamination. The Unified Animal Feeding Operation Strategy requires that field application of manure, a common fertilization method and manure disposal practice, may not exceed crop nutrient needs. This requirement necessitates studies to determine how the multiple variables involved interact so that farmers may comply with the regulation. In this research, the effects of the application of manure, both fresh and composted, on a production alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) field was examined. Manure and compost were applied to a production alfalfa field to determine the impact on alfalfa yield, soil nutrient content, and the potential for nitrate leaching. A conventional "no nitrogen added" treatment was also maintained as a control. Manure and compost were applied after each harvest in amounts such that the amount of nitrogen removed in the alfalfa harvest was replaced with the same amount of nitrogen in manure or compost. Application rates varied from 35 to 476 kg nitrogen ha⁻¹ after each harvest. It was found that the finer particles of the compost incorporated into the soil profile better than the chunky form of the manure. Soil analysis down to 150 cm depth showed that the compost treatment plots contained nearly 3000 kg total nitrogen ha⁻¹, the manure plots contained about 1750 kg ha⁻¹, and the no nitrogen plots had approximately 1400 kg ha⁻¹. Final PO₄-P soil analysis revealed that compost plots contained about 125 kg PO₄-P ha⁻¹, manure plots had approximately 115 kg ha⁻¹, and no nitrogen plots had only 20 kg ha⁻¹. Alfalfa yield did not vary between treatments throughout the one and a half year study. Also, no detectable nitrate or phosphate was found in the leachate collected from each of the treatments.

This dissertation consists of three essays studying two aspects of the interactions between agriculture and the environment: agricultural technology adoption and its environmental impacts (in the first essay), and weather shocks and their impacts on rural households in developing countries (in the second and third essays). The first essay proposes a multimarket equilibrium approach to estimating the consumer surplus for environmentally-friendly technologies adopted by farmers. Compared to conventional non-market valuation techniques based on single-market equilibrium, this new method allows for farmers' price feedback effects on consumers' willingness to pay (WTP) for those technologies. Results from an application indicate that consumers are willing to pay a premium for environmentally-friendly technologies adopted by farmers, and that the multimarket equilibrium WTP is smaller in magnitude than its single-market equilibrium counterpart. In the second essay, I develop a unitary agricultural household model to examine the impacts of rainfall variability on migration, off-farm employment and transfers in rural Ethiopia. Empirical results show that the share of out-migrated household members and per capita off-farm labor supply decrease with average rainfall in the main growing seasons, and increase with the standard deviation of average rainfall in the five main growing seasons prior to the survey. The level and standard deviation of rainfall are found to have indeterminate effects on the amount of transfers that households receive from the extended family or informal social safety nets. The third essay evaluates the effectiveness of different diversification strategies in smoothing consumption. Results suggest that adverse rainfall shock (below average rainfall) and temperature shock (above average extreme heat degree days) both negatively impact consumption. Receiving public transfers is effective in smoothing consumption against adverse rainfall shock, and participating in off-farm employment is effective against adverse temperature shock. Sending migrants to urban areas and receiving transfers from former household members or informal social safety nets are not effective against any weather shock.
Ph. D.

This research develops a bio-economic modelling framework for the assessment of agricultural and water policy change implications for irrigated agriculture. It aims to contribute towards the implementation of the Water Framework Directive within the European Union, particularly in regard to the principles of cost recovery of water services and water demand management for irrigation. The bio-economic framework combines local agro-ecological with socio-economic elements, allowing for the introduction of biophysical relationships of irrigated agricultural production into the appraisal of policy instruments. This framework is used to investigate the comparative performance of water management policy instruments for irrigation, including volumetric pricing, flat pricing, a two-part tariff and water allotments. Implications of these water policy instruments are assessed in combination with agricultural market and policy scenarios, which are used to define the economic background in which water policies will operate. This operational framework is designed within a microeconomic context at the farm level that takes into account crop yield-water relationships, the revealed economic behaviour of farmers, as well as structural productive patterns of representative agricultural systems in two case study areas in the south of Portugal. This integrated approach provides a comprehensive understanding of the implications of agricultural and water policies on irrigated agriculture within the European Union, unravels conflicts and identifies synergies between these policies. Simulation of water policy instruments produced substantial differences in performance across farming systems, enforcement levels, and agricultural policy and market settings. Results suggest that water pricing, on its own, is not necessarily the most effective means for achieving the WFD water demand management and cost recovery objectives, and proposes that a policy mix combining economic with regulatory elements may be best designed to pursue these objectives with fewer detrimental consequences. This study highlights that conflicts between CAP and the WFD may result in losses of efficiency, policy efficacy and losses of welfare, that could be minimised by integrating both policy measures and objectives, in a coherent and combined approach, exploring synergies and coordinating efforts to overcome sources of conflict.

The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of soil properties on soil iodine dynamics and uptake to plants. Soil and vegetation samples were collected from across eastern Northern Ireland (NI) to form the basis of most experimental work; samples from the Rothamsted Park Grass archive were used to investigate the role of changing soil chemistry through time and due to selected fertiliser applications; and iodine dynamics in humic acid (HA) were studied to improve understanding of the role of organic matter in soils. Input of iodine in rainfall was considered in the context of samples from both locations, and the additional influences of coastal proximity, soil type and underlying geology were reviewed for the NI samples. Total iodine analysis was carried out using extraction with TMAH and quantification by ICP-MS; aqueous iodine speciation was determined using HPLC and SEC coupled with ICP-MS. The most important iodine inputs to both soil and vegetation were found to be directly from the sea in coastally-exposed locations, and from rainfall in other cases. Soil organic matter (measured as soil organic carbon, SOC) was determined to be involved in both retaining a portion of recalcitrant iodine in soil and HA, and in promoting sorption of both iodide and iodate in highly organic soils. Metal oxides (Fe, Mn and Al) were found to be important in rapid sorption of iodate to soils with SOC ≤ 38 %, and there was an indication that they may be involved in promoting the reaction of iodide with organic matter. Replenishment of a transient phyto-available pool was essential for provision of iodine to vegetation. The availability of recently added iodine (as 129IO3-) in the pot experiment was controlled by its sorption onto the solid phase, and near-constant input from irrigation water was the major source of vegetation iodine in most cases. Rainfall was shown to be important in controlling vegetation iodine concentrations in field situations. In soils collected from very coastally-exposed locations, the soil iodine concentration was extremely high and therefore a greater proportion of labile native iodine was available for uptake; irrigation sources were much less important. This work improves understanding of soil iodine dynamics and the important factors controlling iodine speciation and availability to plants. Results can be used to inform practices regarding provision of iodine to crops for both humans and grazing animals.

I studied a population of Cooper's hawks (Accipiter cooperii) nesting in the metropolitan city of Tucson, Arizona, from 1994 to 1997. I identified 51 Cooper's hawk territories distributed across Tucson with pockets of nesting density as great as 1 pair/64.7 ha. Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp.) (70.8%), aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis ) (25.0%), and cottonwood trees (Populus fremontii) (4.2%) were used as nesting structures more frequently than expected based on availability. Nest trees were primarily located in residential yards (48.3%) and high-use recreational areas (28.3%). Nest sites had a greater basal area, canopy cover, stem density, and number of trees >10 m tall than random sites. I compared the breeding ecology of urban Cooper's hawks with those in exurban areas. Urban pairs tended to have larger clutches (urban x̄ = 3.64: exurban x̄ = 3.20) (P = 0.085) and more nestlings (urban x̄ = 3.11; exurban x̄ = 2.78) (P = 0.145) than exurban pairs. Nestling mortality, however, was greater among urban nests (51%) than exurban nests (5%). The primary cause of death among urban nestlings was trichomoniasis (80%), a disease caused by the parasitic protozoan Trichomonas gallinae ; the disease was not a mortality factor among exurban nests. Raptors develop the disease by eating infected prey. Doves (Columbidae) are hosts for the protozoan and accounted for 83% and 10% of the diet of urban and exurban Cooper's hawks, respectively. Breeding age Cooper's hawks were 99% free of infection independent of nesting area. Infection rates were greater among urban nestlings than exurban nestlings (P < 0.0001). Breeding urban Cooper's hawks have high probabilities of survival (0.792) and recapture (0.947), but the estimated juvenile survivorship is low (0.199). Age-specific fecundity and survival suggests the urban population is declining by 8% annually, but has the capacity to increase by at least 2% annually. Paradoxically, the population appears to be stable or increasing, probably due to immigration of Cooper's hawks from outside the study area. Population sinks in human altered landscapes have been described as "ecological traps" because animals are attracted to them but suffer from low productivity or high mortality once they are there. My results suggest Tucson may be an ecological trap for Cooper's hawks.

The objective of the present thesis is to evaluate economic activities of a medium-sized agricultural farm in a real environment. The theoretical part of the thesis is engaged with the problems of the current scale of use of the landscape by farmers who continue to lay emphasis primarily on the economic function. Subsequently, in pursuance of our research, an alternative method of farming, i.e. organic farming, is described, along with the contemporary situation of this sphere in the Czech Republic. The last chapter of the theoretical part examines the Common Agricultural Policy of the EU and the tools thereof. In the framework of our research, the area of interest in which the farm observed works is described, and processes of the farm´s economic activities and economic evaluation are delineated. Next, environmentally-friendly landscape measures are proposed which take into consideration both the ecologic and social functions. This method of farming is evaluated in terms of economy and this evaluation includes an outline of the problems of the system of subsidies

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2014.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The agricultural sector plays a valuable role in the South African economy. However, agriculture is embedded in the natural environment. The research problem revolves around the lack of an information management system, capable of integrated agricultural and environmental management to promote sustainable agricultural development on farm level. This study aimed to develop a spatial information management system to aid with integrated agricultural and environmental management. The study area consisted of a seven-farm production unit, Howbill Properties, which provided the necessary agricultural and environmental elements for this study. Spatial data requirements were identified by unpacking the relevant imperatives directing integrated agricultural and environmental management. Data was collected with a recreational outdoor GPS device, digitised from remotely sensed images and obtained from various sources. Spatial data consisted of infrastructure data, such as water pumps, power lines, and fruit orchard boundaries, whereas environmental spatial data consisted of natural resource data, and topographic data. The study further details the process of selecting the necessary components for an enterprise GIS and building the system. PostgreSQL with the PostGIS spatial extension was selected as the spatial database and QGIS was selected as the desktop GIS application. It was found that the prototype integrated spatial information system could be effectively applied to assist integrated agricultural and environmental management. The prototype spatial information system was able to serve the needs of novice to advanced users. However, insufficient spatial data were identified as a limitation, and spatial data should be improved and updated regularly.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Landbou speel „n belangrikke rol in die Suid-Afrikaanse ekonomie. Landbou is egter vervat in die natuurlike omgewing. Die probleem wentel om die gebrek aan 'n geografiese inligtingstelsel wat in staat is om geïntegreerde landbou- en omgewingsbestuur op plaasvlak te bevorder. Hierdie studie het ten doel gehad om 'n ruimtelike inligtingsbestuurstelsel te ontwikkel om die voorafgaande probleem aan te spreek. Die studie area bestaan uit 'n sewe-plaas produksie-eenheid, Howbill Properties, wat die nodige landbou- en omgewingselemente vir hierdie studie bevat het. Ruimtelike datavereistes is geïdentifiseer deur die relevante internasionale, nasionale, provinsiale, en mark vereistes wat geïntegreerde landbou en omgewingsbestuur rig, te ondersoek. Data is ingesamel met 'n behulp van „n GPS-toestel, gedigitaliseer van afstandswaarnemingsdata en ingesamel van verskeie bronne. Ruimtelike data het bestaan uit infrastruktuur data, soos water pompe, kraglyne, en vrugte boord grense, terwyl die ruimtelike omgewing data bestaan het uit natuurlike hulpbron data en topografiese data. Verder behandel die studie die proses van hoe die nodige komponente vir 'n ondernemings GIS gekies was en hoe die stelsel ontwikkel was. PostgreSQL met die PostGIS ruimtelike uitbreiding is gekies as die ruimtelike databasis en QGIS is gekies as die GIS program. Daar is gevind dat die prototipe geïntegreerde ruimtelike inligtingstelsel doeltreffend toegepas kan word vir geïntegreerde landbou en omgewingsbestuur. Die prototipe ruimtelike inligtingstelsel was in staat om aan die behoeftes van „n beginner gebruiker sowel as gevorderde gebruikers te voorsien. Daar was ook bevind dat onvoldoende ruimtelike data die stelsel beperk, en dat data sal voordurend verbeter en opgedateer moet word.

Evapotranspiration (ET) of center pivot irrigated alfalfa was studied in the windy, arid, Curlew Valley, Northern Box Elder County, Utah, during the summers of 2009 and 2010. ET was estimated using eddy covariance (EC) and surface renewal (SR) techniques. ET estimates from the EC and SR analyses were compared with estimates using ASCE Standardized Reference ET Equation, with both dual and mean crop coefficients. EC energy balance closure was 0.80, on average, in 2009 and 0.76 in 2010. The SR weighting parameter (α) was calculated through linear regression of EC and SR sensible heat flux estimates. Alpha was found to be 0.70 if EC energy balance closure was forced and 0.55 if closure was not forced. ET from SR analysis with α = 0.70 (ETSRα=0.70) was 409 mm in 2009 and 331 mm in 2010. ET from EC analysis with forced closure (ETECforced) was 390 mm in 2009 and 326 mm in 2010. In contrast, ETSRα=0.55 was 408 and 333 mm in 2009 and 2010, respectively, while ETECunforced was 315 and 251 mm in 2009 and 2010, respectively. Combined ETECforced and ETSRforced were compared with estimated crop ET from the ASCE Std. Eq. with both dual and mean crop coefficients (ETcDual and ETcm, respectively). ETcDual was 689 mm in 2009, as compared to ETcm and ETEC-SRforced, which were 677 and 617 mm, respectively. In 2010 ETcDual was 674 mm, with ETcm and ETEC-SRforced being 629 and 576 mm, respectively. The Kcm approach more closely approximated the estimated wet soil evaporation determined from the ETEC-SRforced for the measurement conditions and stated assumptions. ETEC-SR estimates were compared with irrigation application information to approximate field scale water balances. Effective precipitation plus net irrigation application (less wind drift and evaporation) were nearly equal to ETEC-SRforced for 2nd and 3rd crops of alfalfa in 2009 and 2010. No deep percolation was calculated using ETEC-SRforced; however, soil moisture measurements were not sufficient to verify that this was true. The water balances suggested that the fields were being underirrigated which may have caused salt accumulation in the soil, as evidenced by the low reported yields.

The organic agriculture is a production paradigm that is being currently discussed by the academy and economic agents (companies, governments and consumers) This production model is evolving its theoretical approach. However, several barriers obstruct the consolidation and expansion of this segment. The commercialization is one of them, especially for a productive system that seeks to be sustainable, how can a productive system be considered sustainable if it does not generate social, economical and environmental benefits for its players. In this context, this dissertation seeks to evaluate if the direct commercialization of organic products can be an alternative to generate sustainable income for the family farmers. To do so, this essay analyzed the behavior of the Alagoas organic segment, having as a reference the Feira Agroecológica de Maceió as well as the family farmers with properties until 5 hectares with commercial articulation to the Feira. Thus, the research concluded that the organic agriculture is a feasible alternative to family farmers, because it allows to reach economic, social and environmental sustainability. The commercialization, however, is the main limiting factor for the consolidation and expansion of this segment in Alagoas. Therefore, it depends on the rules to foment this productive segment through specific policies for the organic agriculture and the institutional parameters. Settle down the man in rural areas
Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior
A agricultura orgânica é um paradigma de produção que está sendo muito discutido pela academia e pelos agentes econômicos (empresas, governos e consumidores). Esse modelo de produção ainda está aprimorando seus pilares teóricos e produtivos. Existem diversos gargalos que dificultam a consolidação e expansão desse segmento. A comercialização é um desses gargalos, principalmente para um sistema produtivo que procura ser sustentável, pois como um sistema produtivo poderá ser considerado sustentável se não gerar benefícios sociais, econômicos e ambientais para os seus participantes. Diante desse contexto, esta dissertação buscar avaliar se a comercialização direta de produtos orgânicos pode ser uma alternativa para a geração de sustentabilidade aos agricultores familiares. Para que essa pergunta fosse respondida foi necessária à análise do comportamento do segmento orgânico alagoano, tendo como base de referência a Feira Agroecológica de Maceió e os agricultores familiares, com estabelecimentos menores que 5 hectares, articulados a esse ponto de venda varejista particular. Assim, essa pesquisa chegou à conclusão de que a agricultura orgânica é uma alternativa viável aos agricultores familiares, pois permite se alcançar a desejada sustentabilidade econômica, social e ambiental. A comercialização, todavia, é o principal fator limitante a consolidação e expansão desse segmento, em Alagoas. Sendo assim, cabe aos governantes fomentar esse segmento produtivo por meio de políticas específicas para a organocultura e por meio do fortalecimento do ambiente institucional. A fixação do homem no campo faz parte dessa necessidade e de todo um país, em busca de um modelo de desenvolvimento sustentável.

I surveyed parts of Tucson, Arizona to determine numbers of burrowing owl (Speotyto cunicularia) burrows present, identify characteristics associated with burrow sites, and assess reproductive success. I measured habitat characteristics at 48 winter, 58 breeding, and 48 random burrows. Random burrows were closer to perches (P) and farther from wash banks (P) than were active burrows, and had smaller entrance dimensions (P). Winter burrows were farther from human activity than were breeding burrows (P). Active sites had less total vegetation, and less visual obscurity than did random sites. Owls may have selected open sites to facilitate detection of predators or prey. Urbanization sometimes created conditions which appeared to attract owls, but also destroyed burrows. An average of 2.31 young fledged from 116 active burrows during 1997-1998. While comparable to other studies of burrowing owls occupying urban environments, this was lower than rates typically reported for the species.

Without an increase in cropland, agricultural efficiency must be tripled in the next 50 years to sustain the increased demand for food. Controlled environment agriculture (CEA) systems are likely to play an important role in the increase of agricultural efficiency. CEA systems, however, require constant observation because decisions must be quickly made when plants show signs of stress. A visual inspection system that uses a robotic camera system would permit visual access to inaccessible plants in a large hydroponics operation or allows an observer to remotely inspect plants for multiple small or remote CEA operations, whereas a dedicated CEA specialist would be beneficial but impractical under present conditions. This thesis presents a theoretical design for a plant inspection robot. The design parameters, design process, and the system specification necessary to satisfy the design constraints were examined for this system. The design analysis revealed that the major components of the plant inspection robot must be designed sequentially, starting with the imaging system. The imaging system design revealed that the system parameters were governed by illumination, shape and size of the object, and the desired detail. The motion system design was governed by velocity, acceleration, work area, and accuracy. An example design for a system used for visual inspection of 289 romaine lettuce plants was presented. This design was shown to be feasible from the theoretical perspective and could be built from commercially-available components, reducing development time and cost.

The comunidades agricolas of Chile's Norte Chico are unique entities/systems of indivisible communal land, inherited land use rights, democratic decision-making, and diverse economic strategies that are closely linked to changing environmental conditions. Families reproduce their livelihood in this semi-arid region where drought is chronic and poverty is widespread through a combination of pastoralism, dry land farming, and temporary labor migration. Because this research is based on fieldwork that spanned three years of extreme climate change, the reader is presented with an opportunity to observe a full range of flexible risk management strategies and co-operative mutual assistance that these people make use of at both the family and community level. One particular family's story is given as illustration of the extraordinary resiliency that these communities have shown despite the harsh ecological and, at times, social and political environment in which they are situated. Although government attention to the problems that the comunidades, face has increased during Chile's transition to democracy over the past decade, one of the goals of this dissertation is to bring to light the specifics of their cultural livelihood so that economic development programs that limit their options and conflict with community ideals and practices can be avoided. The material presented here will also address questions concerning the persistence of peasant culture in Latin America in general.

xiii, 161 p. : ill.
This study investigates the motivations, influences, techniques, challenges, and perceived opportunities of 11 food producers who are participating in an evolving localized food system near Eugene, Oregon. These producers are resisting the distanced anonymity and negative externalities of mainstream global food production. Interviews reveal participation in a move towards production and distribution that are not only geographically traceable, economically satisfying and ecologically sustainable but that also emphasize reflexive communication between the producer and consumer. Through initial surveying and in-depth interviews, producers identified that producing food for the local market allows them to pursue a meaningful livelihood, respond appropriately to the local environment, and engage more deeply in community. In short their practices and attitudes closely follow the "Civic Agriculture" model. Particularly their focus on local production for the local market, as opposed to a more distanced quality oriented supply chain audit model.
Committee in charge: Stephen Wooten, Chairperson; Galen Martin, Member; Harper Keeler, Member

The current environmental movement calls for a re-evaluation of many economic-ecologic relationships. The objective of this study is to identify industrial sectors and final demands most responsible for particular types of residual discharge and resource use. An economic-ecologic model was constructed for the Canadian economy from the Statistics Canada I-O as modified by Thomassin et al. (1992). This modified version with its 12 agricultural sectors and 16 food processing sectors is best suited for agricultural policy analysis. The model estimates national erosion, pesticide and fertilizer use as well as air and water pollutants, solid waste, and water use associated with specified economic activities.
Two different scenarios were analyzed. In the first, the impact on both the economy and the environment from changes in the final demand for agricultural and food commodities was simulated. Each commodity's final demand was increased by $1 million and its impact compared to the other simulated results. The ten commodities studied yielded similar economic impacts, while their environmental impacts differed considerably. Changes in the demand for wheat and oilseeds had the largest environmental impacts.
In the second scenario, the effects of a $1 million increase in each final demand category were compared. This scenario focussed on markets rather than products. The construction, exports and personal expenditures categories were the greatest generator of wastes and the largest user of free resources. The exports category yielded twice as much erosion than personal expenditures and twenty times more than the next highest value (construction).

The Dube AgriZone has been described as an agricultural cluster development zone situated at an air logistics platform called the Dube TradePort in La Mercy, KwaZulu-Natal. The Dube AgriZone was launched in 2012 and aims to stimulate the growth of KwaZulu-Natal's perishable goods sector by producing high-value fresh produce all-year round in high quantities for both domestic and international markets. The main objective of this study was to investigate the current performance status of the Dube AgriZone's operation. This research made use of data collected from key informant interviews, document analysis and observational recordings during site visits. The information was used to compile a case study of the Dube AgriZone as an example of agriculture at an airport precinct (aerotropoli agriculture). Findings of this research have shown that the Dube AgriZone has operated with some success and failure during Phase 1. Infrastructural, logistics, financial, market, climate and administrative issues at the farming facility surfaced during this investigation. This study advocates that more research is needed on how to assist the Dube AgriZone project to operate optimally combating the current issues that it faces. It is hoped that this research can offer an interesting contribution to information on agricultural projects situated at airport precincts.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, 2008.
Title from first page of PDF file (viewed July 22, 2008). Available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 203-220).

Consequences of human activity in natural environments can be observed in urban phenomena. Urban Heat Island is one of those consequences, it is characterized by higher temperature levels in surface-cover and air in urban centers compared with its surrounding rural areas. UHIs are present in cities of arid ecosystems such as Phoenix and Tucson. Existing urban development trends contribute to UHI episodes. Urban Agriculture (UA) is an emerging environmental strategy and, contrary to traditional and industrial agricultural methods, UA systems provide the option of not using soil, its geometrical arrangement lets grow crops disregarding of extensive surface of land to be consumed. UA systems can be implemented as building fabric components. Urban Agriculture provides access to healthier and economic food, it is more energy efficient and promotes a more vegetarian diet which can eventually contribute diminishing health problems such as obesity and toxicity. A response for achieving a decrease in temperature levels in an urban arid region scenario can be established by demonstrating the following premise: "Urban Heat Island effect in arid regions can be mitigated if vegetated surface in the form of agriculture is properly integrated in the built environment". Research procedures were applied at building scale. Results involved physical objective data acquisition. Research methods required the use of software and thermodynamic tools to measure thermal behavior of samples. The impact of vegetated cover in temperature levels and thermal comfort in an outdoor scenario was digitally simulated. The selected research case contributed as a source of data for comparison and baseline benchmarking of thermodynamic circumstances. Employment of green infrastructure in cities can contribute to the improvement of energy efficiency in buildings and developing self-sufficient communities. Urban agriculture comprises implications and side beneficial environmental consequences in arid habitats beyond decreasing temperature levels in cities, such effects are energy conservation, reducing air pollution, diminishing food security concerns, improving soil quality and runoff wastewater as well as cutting down fossil fuel use in transportation of food. In that sense, future research fields include water quality and availability, innovative emerging materials, climate analysis, societal and cultural value, Net zero development and energy efficiency as well as solid waste management.

In most African states, arable land and other natural resources play a pivotal role for economic growth and development. Ethiopia is one of those countries where agriculture is the backbone of the economy. Since the time of Emperor Haile Selassie I, Ethiopia has been attempting to advance the transformation of its agricultural sector by moving away from small-scale subsistence farming to large-scale commercial farming. It thus encouraged Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in largescale agriculture. However, the military government that took power in 1974 reversed this. The current government of Ethiopia seized power from the military regime in 1991. Today the government once again advocates FDI in large-scale agriculture. This has led to an influx of foreign investors, especially in Gambella and Benshanguel-Gumuz Regional States. Various scholars, however, criticize the manner in which these investments have been taking place, arguing that the investments are neither pro-poor nor sustainable. Against this backdrop this research seeks to examine current policies, the patterns of investment they promote, and how these affect land-based resources and the wellbeing of communities. The study intends to provide information that may help improve the performance of FDI in terms of their sensitivity to poverty alleviation and sustainability. It also aims to boost current knowledge on FDI in agriculture in Ethiopia. The study was conducted using multiple data collection methods, including documentation, interviews, focus group discussions with the affected communities and direct observations in the case study areas. The results are analysed using pro-poor and sustainability frameworks for FDI in large-scale agriculture, along with findings of empirical studies on national FDI policies and practices in various parts of the globe. The analyses reveal that the Ethiopian investment policy's support to FDI in large-scale agriculture is inadequate. It focuses on giving incentives to attract FDI rather than ensuring the availability of quality institutions and sufficient infrastructure, which are vital for facilitating the operation and productivity of FDIs. Furthermore, the absence of community participation in the decision-making process for the agricultural investment projects in the case study areas portends significant negative implications for the wellbeing of local communities and the sustainability of the natural environment. The study recommends further research to investigate the economic viability of alternative land-based investments, such as eco-tourism, which is shown to be environmentally sustainable and can be shaped to be pro-poor. Also recommended is additional research into good practices for large-scale agricultural investments, that can be adapted to Ethiopian conditions, should the government opt to continue promoting FDI.

Conventional agriculture has impacts on the environment such as soil degradation, biodiversity loss and pollution of ecosystems, which could be enhanced further by climate change. The effects can be more or less extensive depending on whether adaptation is carried out. Agriculture in Sweden is controlled by EU- and national regulations that set the rules and possibilities for adaptation through financial and advisory support. This study aimed to examine what impacts climate change will impose on the agriculture in Sweden, as well as how the theoretical and practical side of the adaptation measures available through policy regulations, is perceived on farm level. The question of research was: ‘How sufficient are the agricultural policy regulations in enabling Swedish farmers to adapt to climate change?’, which was investigated by interviewing Swedish farmers. The results were analyzed through the theoretical framework adaptive capacity, as a criterion for successfully enabling climate change adaptation. The results showed that several barriers exist within the regulations which can obstruct adaptation due to bureaucratic complexity and a gap between theory and practice in regard to the effectiveness of measures. The results also showed that economic, human and social capital included in the adaptation capacity concept can be strengthened for better adaptation. The discussion presented several points of improvement for regulations to adopt a practical farm-perspective in order to enable farmers to adapt to climate change.
Konventionellt jordbruk har negativa effekter på miljön, såsom markförstöring, förlust av biologisk mångfald och förorening av omgivande ekosystem, vilket kan förvärras av klimatförändringar. Effekterna kan bli mer eller mindre omfattande beroende på om anpassning genomförs. Jordbruket i Sverige styrs av Europeiska- och nationella lagar som anger regler och möjligheter för anpassning genom ekonomiska och rådgivande stöd. Studien syftade till att undersöka vilka konsekvenser klimatförändringarna kan innebära för jordbruket i Sverige, samt hur den teoretiska och praktiska sidan av anpassningsåtgärder tillgängliga genom regelverket, uppfattas på gårdsnivå. Frågeställningen för undersökningen var således: ‘Hur tillräckliga är existerande regelverk i att möjliggöra svenska jordbrukares anpassning till klimatförändringar?’. Forskningsfrågan undersöktes genom en intervjustudie med svenska lantbrukare. Resultatet analyserades genom det teoretiska ramverket Anpassnings-kapacitet som är ett kriterium för att möjliggöra klimatanpassning. Resultatet visade att det existerar hinder inom regelverket som begränsar anpassning på grund av byråkratisk komplexitet samt en klyfta mellan teori och praktik gällande utvecklingen och effekten av åtgärder, vilket gav slutsatsen att regelverkets ansträngningar i att möjliggöra anpassning är överlag otillräckliga. Resultatet visade att ekonomiskt, human- och socialt kapital som ingår i konceptet Anpassnings-kapacitet kan stärkas för att bättre anpassning ska ske. Diskussionen presenterar flera förbättringar för att regelverket ska kunna anta ett gårds-perspektiv för att göra det möjligt för lantbrukare att anpassa sig till klimatförändringarna.

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The search for an alternative and more efficient agricultural production model concern ed with the preservation of natural resources leader to agroecology, on opproach that has been developing more and more. In order to bring this new vision of agriculture, in the 90's it was taken to, the community Maracajá in Taquaritinga North-PE Northeast of Brazil. However, until now agroecology is finding difficulty to be implementaed, in this context. This paper aims to identify the main difficulties in implementing agroecological activities in this community, as well as understand why some farmers adopted these practices and others don’t. We used questionnaires and interviews end the analyzes was besed on the model diffusion and analytical decision-making, model proposed by Everett Rogers (2003). We conclude that many farmers abandoned their agroecological practices due to lack of incentives, low economic return, and or different environment. This experience has shown great potential to farmers in semi arid Pernambuco.
Com a busca de um modo alternativo e mais eficiente de produção agrícola tendo preocupação com a preservação dos recursos naturais foi criada a agroecologia que vem se desenvolvendo cada vez mais. Com o intuito de trazer esta nova visão da atividade agrícola, na década de 90 foi levada esta tecnologia para comunidade Maracajá no município de Taquaritinga do Norte-PE. Entretanto, esta atividade até hoje vem encontrando dificuldade em sua implementação. Este trabalho tem como objetivo identificar as principais dificuldades de implantação de atividades agroecológicas nesta localidade, bem como, entender porque uma parcela de agricultores adotou estas práticas e outra não. Para isso foram utilizados questionários e entrevistas, e na análise dos dados usou-se modelo analítico de difusão e tomada de decisão proposto por Everett Rogers (2003). Conclui-se que grande parte dos agricultores abandonaram as práticas agroecologicas por falta de incentivos, baixo retorno econômico e condições climáticas diversas. Essa experiência mostrou grandes possibilidades de implantação da agroecologia para os agricultores do semi árido pernambucano.

I examined movements and habitat use by desert mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus crooki) and collared peccary (Dicotyles tajacu) in the Rincon Mountain District of Saguaro National Monument (SNM) from February 1988 through December 1989. Movements and habitat use by mule deer were closely associated with the distribution of free-standing water during the driest seasons of the year. Deer responded to losses of ephemeral water sources in SNM by leaving the monument to obtain water. Four of 5 peccary herds supplemented their natural diet by visiting houses and/or restaurants on a daily or twice daily basis. The addition of water and supplemental food sources was a deliberate effort by homeowners to attract wildlife onto their property. The current pattern of habitat islands interspersed with low density housing (1 house/2-4 ha) is an effective and highly desirable buffer zone between the monument and the more heavily developed urban areas 3.2 km west of the park.

Orientador: Ademar Ribeiro Romeiro
Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Economia
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Resumo: Esse trabalho apresenta a metodologia de construção do Índice de Sustentabilidade Ambiental Agrícola ISAGRI e realiza aplicação teste do mesmo para as microbacias dos rios Oriçanga e Araras, ambas pertencentes à Bacia dos rios Mogi Guaçu-Pardo ¿ SP. Esta é uma área representativa de diferentes situações encontradas no Estado de São Paulo. A região apresenta praticamente todas as grandes províncias geomorfológicas do Estado, com grande variação de solos, topografia e vegetação. Apresenta também uma diversidade de sistemas agrícolas, com os mais variados usos de solo e diferentes tipos de agricultores. Metodologicamente o ISAGRI foi construído utilizando-se do escopo teórico de indicadores de estado, pressão e resposta (PER) proposto pela OCDE. Trata-se de um índice sintético composto por 8 indicadores divididos em 3 dimensões: estado, pressão e resposta. Esses indicadores foram transformados em índices, e então, agregados as dimensões a que pertencem, gerando assim três novos índices ¿ IEA (Índice de estado do ecossistema agrícola; IDEG (Índice de vetores de degradação) e ICOR (Índice de medidas de prevenção e correção). O ISAGRI é, assim, o resultado da média simples dos índices dessas dimensões. O teste permitiu a comparação dos níveis de sustentabilidade ambiental agrícola entre as duas microbacias, sendo que a microbacia do rio de Araras apresentou os melhores resultados e, portanto, melhor sustentabilidade ambiental. Ao final, propõem-se critérios de categorização de níveis de sustentabilidade
Abstract: This study presents the methodology of construction of the Agricultural Environmental Sustainability Index (ISAGRI). This Index was evaluated in the watersheds of the rivers Oriçanga and Araras, both belonging to the Mogi Guaçu river basin. This is a representative area of different situations found in the State of São Paulo. The region presents practically all the great geomorphic provinces of the State, with great variation of ground, topography and vegetation. It also presents a diversity of agricultural systems, with the most varied uses of the ground and different types of agriculturists. The methodology of the ISAGRI was constructed using the theoretical target of indicators of state, pressure and response (PER) considered by the OCDE. The ISAGRI is synthetic index composed of 8 indicators divided in 3 dimensions: state, pressure and response. These indicators have been transformed into indices, and then, added to the dimensions to which they belong, thus generating three new indices - IEA (Index of state of the agricultural ecosystem; IDEG (Index of degradation vectors) and ICOR (Index of measures of prevention and correction). The ISAGRI is thus, the result of the simple average of the indices of these dimensions. The test allowed the comparison of the levels of agricultural environmental sustainability between the two watersheds, being that the Araras¿s watershed presented the best results and, therefore, better environmental sustainability. At the end, the different levels of sustainability were categorized in criteria of sustainability
Doutorado
Desenvolvimento Economico, Espaço e Meio Ambiente
Doutor em Economia Aplicada

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2013.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The wildlife industry in Namibia continues to grow as the production and consumption of game meat increases. However, the health risks posed by the trade in wildlife and related by-products to livestock and humans have not been fully assessed. The main objective of this study was to investigate the potential health risks related to the increased consumption of game meat and relevant by-products by assessing the quality of game meat, as well as determine the role of game meat species in the transmission of zoonoses. The microbiological quality and safety of export game meat was assessed. No differences in the aerobic plate count (APC) were observed between the years (2009 and 2010), but the mean Enterobacteriaceae count was 1.33±0.69log10 cfu/cm2 compared to 2.93±1.50log10 cfu/cm2 between the years. Insignificant heterotrophic plate count (HPC) levels were detected in 9/23 field water samples, while faecal bacteria (coliforms, Clostridium perfringens and enterococci) were not isolated in all samples. Seven serogroups, with the exception of O26, were detected in exotic species. A white tailed deer sample had a serotype belonging to O45 which confirmed positive for stx1 gene. In springbok, 5/15 pools of faecal samples tested positive for the intimin gene. No Salmonella spp were isolated, and all E. coli isolates from the meat samples were negative for STEC virulence genes (i.e. stx1, stx2, eae and hlyA). A linear regression analysis was conducted on selected variables to identify the main predictors and their interactions affecting pH of meat 4 hours post-slaughter. In an increasing order of magnitude during winter time, the pH reached at 16-36hr post slaughter in springbok heart, liver, spleen, kidney and lungs was significantly higher than pH 6.0, while no significant differences were observed from the regulatory reference (pH 6.0) in the heart. There was a positive association between the pH of game meat 4hr post-slaughter, and liver congestion. The pH of game meat 4hr post slaughter, increased by 0.11 units per mL increase in liver congestion, and decreased by 0.04 units per minute increase in the shooting to bleeding interval, irrespective of the species. Worm eggs of strongylids, Strongyloides papillosus, Toxocara spp, Trichuris spp and coccidia were found in variable numbers in both springbok and gemsbok faeces, indicating a potential risk of transmission to other species in the ecosystem. On examination of carcasses, a novel parasite, Skjabinodera kuelzii, was identified and noted to be associated with inguinal fascia and renal fat, but the public health significance remains unclear. Nevertheless, S. kuelzii should be considered as of potential significance during routine game meat inspection. A total of 12 310 springbok were harvested from 26 commercial farms over a period of two years. Tissue samples (i.e. 60 livers, 41 kidneys and 52 hindquarter muscles) were collected from randomly selected healthy animals. The mean values (i.e. above the detection limit) of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) were 0.10±0.05mg/kg and 1.04±0.21mg/kg in the liver, respectively; and 0.33±0.22mg/kg and 0.905±0.51mg/kg in the kidney of springbok, respectively. The levels of cadmium and lead in the hindquarter muscles were below the detection limit. Serum samples (n=1692) collected from sheep, goats and cattle from four presumably at-risk farms, and 900 springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) serum samples collected from 29 mixed farming units, were screened for Brucella antibodies by using the Rose-Bengal test (RBT). Positive cases were confirmed by complement fixation test (CFT). To assess the prevalence of human brucellosis, 137 abattoir employees were tested for Brucella antibodies using the standard tube agglutination test (STAT), and the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cattle and sheep from all four farms were negative by RBT and CFT, but two of the four farms carried 26/42 and 12/285 seropositive goats, respectively. Post mortem examination of seropositive goats revealed no gross pathological lesions. Culture for brucellae from organs of seropositive animals was negative. None of the wildlife sera tested positive by either RBT or CFT. Occurrence of confirmed brucellosis in humans was linked to the consumption of unpasteurized goat milk, home-made goat cheese and coffee with raw milk and prior contact with goats. All abattoir employees (n=137) tested negative by STAT, but 3 were positive by ELISA. The three abattoir workers were clinically normal, and lacked historical connections with clinical cases. This study illustrates the importance of microbiological, parasitic and residue monitoring as critical components of a hazard analysis and critical control point based system for game meat. The study also provides the basis for increased integrated health research, surveillance and meat safety risk analysis.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Namibiese wildbedryf raak toenemend groter soos die produksie en verbruik van wildsvleis toeneem. Die verwante gesondheidsrisiko’s wat die gebruik van wildsvleis en verwante produkte vir mens en dier inhou, is nog nie volledig geassesseer nie. Die doelwit van die studie was om ondersoek in te stel na die potensiële gesondheidsrisiko's wat wildsvleis en verwante neweprodukte vir mens en dier inhou deur middel van die assessering van vleisgehalte en die bepaling van die rol van die wildsvleis spesies in die oordrag van soönoses. Die mikrobiologiese gehalte en veiligheid van uitvoer wildsvleis was geassesseer. Geen verskille in die aerobiese plaat telling (APC) vir monsters versamel tydens 2009 en 2010 is aangeteken nie. Die gemiddelde Enterobacteriaceae telling was 1.33± 0.69log10 cfu/cm2 in vergelyking met 2.93±1.50log10 cfu/cm2 tussen die jare. Onbeduidende heterotrofe plaattelling (HPC) vlakke is waargeneem in 9/23 water monsters, terwyl fekale bakterieë (d.i. kolivorme, Clostridium perfringens en enterokokke) nie in enige van die monsters geïsoleerd is nie. Sewe serogroepe, met die uitsondering van O26, is aangeteken vir die eksotiese spesies. Monsters verky van ʼn white tailed deer is as positief vir 'n serotipe van O45 getoets, en die teenwoordigheid van die stx1 geen is bevestig. In springbok het 5/15 poele van fekale monsters positief getoets vir die intimien geen. Geen Salmonella spp is geïsoleer nie en alle E. coli geïsoleer in die vleismonsters was negatief vir die Stec virulensie geen (d.i. stx1, stx2, EAE en hlyA). ʼn Liniêre regressie-analise is op geselekteerde veranderlikes wat as die belangrikste indikators kan dien, en enige moontlike interaksie wat die pH van wildsvleis 4 uur na-slag kan beïnvloed, uitgevoer. In 'n toenemende orde van grootte gedurende die winter tyd, die pH teen 16-36hr na slagting in springbok hart, lewer, milt, niere en longe was aansienlik hoër as die pH 6.0, terwyl geen beduidende verskille waargeneem is wanneer dit met die regulasie verwysingswaarde van die hart (pH 6.0) vergelyk is nie. Daar was 'n positiewe assosiasie tussen die pH van wildsvleis 4 uur na-slag en mate van aansameling in die lewer. Die pH van wildsvleis 4 uur na-slag, het toegeneem met 0.11 eenhede per mL toename in lewer aansameling en afgeneem met 0.04 eenhede per minuut toename in die skiet tot uitbloei interval, ongeag die spesie. Wurmeiers van rondewurms, Strongyloides papillosus, Toxocara spp, Trichuris spp en koksidia het in verskillende ladings in die mis van beide springbok en gemsbok ontlasting, voorgekom. Dit dui op 'n potensiële risiko van oordrag na ander spesies in die ekosisteem. Die voorkoms van ʼn nuwe parasiet, Skjabinodera kuelzii, in wildskarkasse is aangeteken en was geassosieer met inguinale fascia en renale vet, maar die openbare gesondheidsrisiko bly onduidelik. Daar word aanbeveel dat dié parasiet as ʼn potensiële risiko faktor tydens roetine vleisinspeksies beskou moet word. ʼn Totaal van 12 310 springbokke is oor 'n tydperk van twee jaar van 26 kommersiële plase geoes. Weefselmonsters (d.i. 60 lewers, 41 niere en 52 agterkwart spiere) is ewekansig versamel van gesonde diere. Die gemiddelde waardes (d.i. hoër as die opsporingslimiet) van kadmium (Cd) en lood (Pb) was 0.10 ± 0.05mg/kg en 1.04 ± 0.21mg/kg in die lewer onderskeidelik en 0.33 ± 0.22mg/kg en 0.905 ± 0.51mg/kg in die niere van springbok, onderskeidelik. Die vlakke van kadmium en lood in die agterkwart spiere was laer as die opsporingslimiet. Serum monsters (n=1692) is van skape, bokke en beeste van vier vermoedelik hoë risiko plase en springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis, n=900) van 29 gemengde boerdery sisteme versamel en getoets vir die teenwoordigheid van Brucella teenliggaampies deur middel van die Rose-Bengal-toets (RBT). Positiewe gevalle is bevestig deur die komplement binding toets (CFT). Die voorkoms van menslike brusellose is bepaal deur 137 abattoir werknemers te toets vir Brucella teenliggaampies deur gebruik te maak van die standaard buis agglutinasie toets (STAT) en die ensiembinding immunosorberende toets (ELISA). Beeste en skape van die vier hoë risiko plase het negatief getoets met die RBT en CFT metodes, maar bokke van twee van die vier plase het seropositief getoets (26/42 en 12/285 onderskeidelik). Nadoodse ondersoek van seropositief bokke het geen patologiese letsels aangedui nie. Die kultuur van orgaanmonsters van seropositief diere vir Brucellae was negatief. Die monsters versamel van wild het negatief getoets deur middel van die RBT en CFT toets metodes. Die voorkoms van brusellose in mense in die studie was geassosieer met die gebruik van ongepasteuriseerde melk, tuisgemaakte bokmelkkaas en koffie met ongepasteuriseerde melk, asook direkte kontak met bokke. Alle abattoir werknemers (n=137) het negatief getoets met die STAT metode, maar drie werknemers het positief getoets met die ELISA metode. Die drie abattoir werkers was klinies normaal en het nie vorige kontak met bevestigde kliniese gevalle gehad nie. Hierdie studie bevestig die belang van mikrobiologiese, parasitiese en residu monitering as kritieke komponente van 'n gevaar-analise en kritiese kontrolepunt gebaseerde stelsel vir die produksie en verbruik van wildsvleis. Die studie verskaf ʼn basis vir toekomstige navorsing gefokus op ʼn geïntegreerde benadering van mens- en diergesondheid, monitering en vleis veiligheid risiko-analises.

Thesis: S.B., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, 2015.
Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 59-62).
A first prototype of a GRObot open source controlled environment agriculture platform was built with air and water temperature control systems. Caesar basil seedlings were grown in the GRObot with a shallow water culture hydroponic system for two-week periods. In the first trial, the root zone temperature (RZT) was allowed to fluctuate with the air temperature resulting in an average RZT of 22.7°C, and in the second trial, the RZT was chilled to an average temperature of 20.5°C. For both trials, the air temperature was controlled to mimic a warm climate, with set temperatures of 300°C during the daytime and 25°C at night. The basil in the chilled RZT condition exhibited poor growth, while the basil in the fluctuating RZT condition exhibited the exponential growth expected of healthy seedlings. Temperature data recorded throughout these trials were used to construct a steady state thermal model of GRObot operation. Using this model, an interactive applet was created as a tool to help GRObot users predict electricity costs for environmental control with different environmental recipes to within two cents. This research demonstrates the first experiment aimed at determination of a crop's environmental recipe using the GRObot open source controlled environment platform.
by Camille Richman.
S.B.