Academic literature on the topic 'Veld fires'

It goes without saying that fire is an important factor in the development of humankind. When humans first discovered fire, it instantly became their best friend. Fire enabled early humans to light up the dark, indulge in cooked meals and provide warmth for their bodies and homes. However, even before they figured out how to manually reproduce fire, it existed in nature. Fire, and specifically “veldfire”, exists naturally and does not need the agency of man.Today, severe drought, specific weather conditions (for example, high temperatures, high wind speed and low rainfall combine to induce favourable veldfire conditions) and an array of other factors (such as topography, land size, fuel type, population density (human influence) and climate change) all increase the possibility of a veldfire occurring. Owing to these contributing factors, fire has become both friend and, in some instances, deadly foe. For example, fire is used as a friendly management tool to prevent or lower the risk of veldfire, while an example of fire as foe are what are now commonly known as the “Knysna Fires” of 2017, which remain a vivid reminder of what uncontrolled fires can do. This type of fire not only damaged social, economic and environmental assets, it also quickly escalated into an emergency incident. An “incident” is defined in s 30(a) of the National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998 to mean “an unexpected sudden occurrence, including a major emission, fire or explosion leading to serious danger to the public or potentially serious pollution of or detriment to the environment, whether immediate or delayed.” The Knysna Fires are a classic example of why managing veldfires in an integrated way is important within a South African context and are one of the main reasons for the promulgation of the National Veld and Forest Fire Act (101 of 1998) (NV&FFA) (s 3).Regrettably, however, the NV&FFA defines neither “veld” nor “veldfire”. Instead, it defines “fire” to “include a veldfire” and goes on inadequately to explain that “veldfire” means “veld, forest and mountain fire”. Taking the above reasoning into consideration, arguably one of the main challenges of the NV&FFA is the strict interpretation and inadequacy of the term “veldfire”. In refreshing contrast, however, the National Veld and Forest Fire Amendment Bill (the Bill) aims to provide more meaning to the term “veldfire”. The purpose of this note is therefore a critical analysis of the proposed amendment to the definition of veldfire by: providing legislative background to the term “veldfire”; investigating the way the courts of the past have interpreted the term legislative background and consequently “veldfire”; explaining why the proposal to amend the term “veldfire” is important; briefly looking at how other countries define their equivalent of South Africa’s “veldfire”; and, lastly, by providing remarks and suggestions.

This paper gives a succinct report on an investigationinto the food security constraints of rural farminghouseholds in the North West Province of South Africa. Datapresented was gathered across the four districts, and was analyzedusing descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Thedescriptive results showed that the mean age of rural farmerswas 55 years and the average household size was 7 members.Logistic regression results on factors influencing foodsecurity in the study showed that variables such as age of thehousehold’s head, household feeding rate, the total cost ofproduction, farm income and health expenditure had significantimpact on the respondents’ food security (at p < 0.05).As shown by Probit regression results, constraints such as theage of household head, food availability, veld fires, marketavailability, predator invasion, health expenditure and veterinarypractices significantly influenced the achievement offood security in the study area. This study concluded that ruralfarming households were witnessing different dimensions offood insecurity which affected different aspects of their socialand economic activities. It is therefore the responsibility of thegovernment to come up with a holistic approach to addressthe present discrepancy in the national and grass-roots foodsecurity status.

Desde el abordaje de la gestión de la política de salud y su interacción con las demandas de un mercado neoliberal, se esquematiza la evolución del Seguro Social de Costa Rica en materia médica al celebrar el 75 aniversario de la promulgación de las garantías sociales, donde se expone a la Caja Costarricense del Seguro Social como una institución sin fines de lucro que vela por los paradigmas de bienestar social de dicha política. En el análisis se pone a discusión la lógica de bienestar social y su transfiguración acorde a los intereses de funcionarios y de usuarios. De igual manera, se da una reflexión respecto a la apropiación discursiva de la sociedad de esta institución médica y las valoraciones económicas que surgen de ello.

Retomando un fragmento de mi tesina de grado presentada en el año 2012 en la Escuela de Trabajo Social de la UNR, bajo la dirección del Mg. José María Alberdi, el presente artículo se plantea el objetivo de reflexionar en torno a la posibilidad del Trabajo Social de ser instrumento en manos de la hegemonía civilizadora. Históricamente el proyecto profesional hegemónico dentro del colectivo de profesionales estuvo ligado al sostenimiento de la lógica capital-trabajo. Aunque también resulta necesario realizar una problematización sobre la razón del surgimiento del Trabajo Social profesionalizado lejos del velo de la historia oficial. El espacio ocupacional del Trabajo Social se encuentra en el centro de la tensión civilización-barbarie, es por ello que nos planteamos tales ejes a fin de repensar nuestras prácticas cotidianas. Las intervenciones pueden sostener el statu quo, así como también tienen el poder de ser utilizadas para la transformación social. Con fines analíticos hemos dividido el escrito en tres corrientes de Trabajo Social: una de tipo conservadora, otra ligada al pensamiento marxista y una tercera sostenida sobre la tradición nacional y popular.

ResumoA produção de lã foi durante muitos anos, em Portugal e em várias regiões do mundo, uma das principais razões da exploração ovina. Esta situação foi alterada com o aparecimento das fibras sintéticas. A produção de carne ou de leite tornaram-se então as principais aptidões económicas destes animais. De qualquer forma, sendo absolutamente necessário tosquiar anualmente os ovinos, a lã pode proporcionar um rendimento extra, principalmente nos ovinos com velo de qualidade superior. Portugal apresenta 16 raças autóctones de ovinos que se enquadram em três grandes grupos étnicos, Merino, Bordaleiro e Churro, de acordo com as suas características morfológicas externas e aptidões. Cada um destes grupos étnicos apresenta tipos de velos com características têxteis diferentes. É assumido que as raças de etnia churra proporcionam lã considerada de má qualidade, caracterizada por ser lisa e de toque áspero. Em contrapartida as raças do grupo étnico Merino são consideradas como produtoras de lã de qualidade, caracterizada por ser macia ao tato e apresentar fibras muito onduladas. As características corporais e têxteis que os ovinos apresentam relacionam-se não só com fatores genéticos, mas também com as condições do meio ambiente onde vivem. Pretende-se com este trabalho contribuir para o conhecimento da origem da lã e perceber a diferenciação das raças ovinas autóctones nos três grupos étnicos existentes em Portugal. Palavras-chave: lã, velo, merino Abstract Wool production has been for many years, in Portugal and in several regions of the world, one of the main reasons for sheep production. This situation changed with the appearance of synthetic fibres. The production of meat or milk has thus become the primary economic aptitude of these animals. In any case, since it is necessary to shear the sheep annually, wool can provide extra yield, especially in sheep with a fleece of superior quality. Portugal presents 16 autochthonous sheep breeds that fall into three large ethnic groups, Merino, Bordaleiro and Churro, according to their external morphological characteristics and aptitudes. Each of these ethnic groups has different types of veils with different textile characteristics. It is assumed that breeds of Churra ethnic group provide wool considered of poor quality, characterised by being smooth and rough touch. In contrast, the breeds of the Merino ethnic group are considered to be producers of quality wool, characterised by being soft to the touch and presenting very undulating fibres. The physical and textile characteristics that sheep present relate not only to genetic factors but also to the conditions of the environment in which they live. This work intends to contribute to the knowledge of the origin of wool and to understand the differentiation of native sheep breeds in the three ethnic groups that exist in Portugal. Keywords: wool, fleece, merino

The The Poti River Canyon State Park (24,772.23 ha), located in the municipality of Buriti dos Montes, is an important Conservation and Environmental Protection Unity in the State of Piauí. Therefore, this research purpose was to identify the angiosperms species which occurr in rocky outcrops in the aforementioned Park. The collection, herborization, identification and classification of specimens was followed the usual specialized literature. The specimens are deposited in the Herbarium Prof. Aylthon Brandão Joly, located on the Center for Superior Studies of Caxias, CESC / UEMA. The park's angiosperm flora is composed by the 96 species, distributed in 82 genera and 34 families. Among these, 85.4% (82 spp.) are eudicotiledonous and 14.6% (14 spp.) are monocotyledonous. The richest families in number of species were Fabaceae (21 spp.), Apocynaceae and Cactaceae (6 spp.); Bignoniaceae and Euphorbiaceae (5spp); Araceae, Anarcadiaceae, Boraginaceae, Cyperaceae and Malvaceae (4 spp.); Bromeliaceae and Rubiaceae (3 spp.), which together had a total of 71.9% of the species, while the others presented between one and two species (28.1%). For this study area, 8.3% (8 spp.) was the firts records for Piauí state, they are Astrocaryum vulgare Mart., Cyperus pohlii (Ness) Steud., Cryptostegia madagascariensis Bojer, Cordia oncocalyx Allemão, Ibatia ganglinosa (Vell.) Morillo, Piptadenia retusa P.G.Ribeiro, Seigler & Ebinger, Vitex gardneriana Schaue e Waltheria operculata Rose as its representants. 14,6% (14 spp.) are endemic to the Caatinga and 5,2% (5 spp.) are new species records for it. This is the first floristic study for the municipality, which contributes with important information to the area of rocky outcrops, increasing the occurrence and the geographic distribution of the species in Brazil.

Resumen La novela, Angosta, de Héctor Abad Faciolince, tiene lugar en una ciudad imaginaria como la Vetusta de Benito Pérez Galdós. En un nivel literario de interpretación, Angosta será un simple espacio ficticio, pero un nivel de análisis sociológico sale a la superficie si se la compara con la Colombia de fines del siglo XX y principios del XXI. Desde una perspectiva de la economía, la política y el orden social, podemos ver puntos de contacto con los efectos de la violencia en la cotidianidad de los ciudadanos de Bogotá, Medellín y Cali y cómo incluso hay alusiones/guiños del Estado mafioso-paramilitar que ha operado durante las dos últimas décadas en el país sudamericano. El autor nació y creció en un espacio rodeado por la violencia y tuvo que ver a su propio padre asesinado frente a su casa antes de huir al exilio en Italia durante años. Esta poderosa historia se filtra en las páginas de Angosta con distintos personajes y en circunstancias acomodadas de forma que no despierten suspicacias, pero están allí. Escribir sobre fuerzas oscuras estando en el mismo espacio geográfico, ciertamente no es recomendable para la salud, y no sólo Abad, sino escritores como Salman Rushdie y Roberto Saviano han corrido peligro de muerte por su osadía de correr el velo detrás del que opera ese Mago de Oz de la mafia o de la religión. En el caso de Héctor Abad, es difícil ignorar su papel como víctima de la violencia en Colombia a la hora de hacer alianzas y conexiones entre la ficción de esta novela y la realidad de la Colombia contemporánea. El uso, además, de nombres reales dentro de la novela —de Mario Jursich y Andrés Hoyos, entre otros—, es un guiño adicional que nos permite tender el puente entre un escenario distópico ficticio y la crítica de una sociedad real sumida en el horror. En este ensayo me propongo identificar los efectos más graves de la violencia que aparecen en Angosta y que podemos conectar, sin temor a equivocarnos, con elementos reales de Colombia en calidad de Estado fallido y sociedad anclada a modelos coloniales. Analizaré, pues, cómo aparece en Angosta la desarticulación de Colombia como estado mafioso, la inequidad social, la violencia contra la mujer, el racismo, la pobreza y los ataques contra las expresiones artísticas y cómo navegan los personajes esta realidad resquebrajada. Indagaré, también, de qué manera Abad se vale de una realidad distópica como recurso literario que le permite abordar de forma crítica una temible realidad como la colombiana. La violencia no sólo ha estado presente en la literatura de este autor sino que aparece en la narrativa de otros como Fernando Vallejo, Gabriel García Márquez y Mario Mendoza. Aquí analizaremos también qué características diferencian a nuestro autor de la tradición de la literatura colombiana en este aspecto particular de la violencia.

This original research confronted challenges to environmental management and sustainability posed by veld fires in the Bulilima and Mangwe Districts of Matabeleland in the South Province in southern Zimbabwe. Veld fires have affected the fauna and flora, polluted air and water, and destroyed livelihoods. The study aimed at establishing challenges to environmental sustainability posed by veld fires, identifying the type of environment upon which veld fires have impacted, analysing legal issues and other interventions surrounding the control of veld fires and suggesting new control measures for veld fires. A qualitative research design and quota sampling were used. The study involved 30 participants. Data was collected through a questionnaire, an interview guide and participant observation. Challenges to environmental management and sustainability posed by veld fires include property damage, reduced soil fertility, destruction of vegetation, air and water pollution and destruction of wildlife. Most veld fires are a result of human actions that emanate from the disposal of cigarettes, the burning of vegetation when preparing fields, the use of fire by hunters, smoking out bees and the making of fires by motorists along highways. The government should consider reviewing the current environmental statues. Fireguards should be wide enough to lessen veld-fire impact. Lastly, veld-fire campaigns and rehearsals should be run on a regular basis. It is hoped that this work would make a significant contribution through improving the current thinking about environmental management and sustainability, thereby benefiting policy makers, practitioners and stakeholders.

This article analysed disaster risk reduction capacity of District Civil Protection Units (DCPUs) in managing veld fires in Mangwe District of Matabeleland South Province, Zimbabwe. Veld fires have resulted in unnecessary material, environmental and economic losses. Communities’ livelihoods and property have been destroyed, and the natural environment depleted. The research sought to improve disaster risk reduction capacity of DCPUs in managing veld fires, through new intervention strategies and a new model. The objectives of the study were to investigate the main causes of veld fires; to analyse their impacts; to examine the effectiveness of the current intervention strategies; and to identify challenges in implementing these interventions. Furthermore, the study sought to recommend new possible intervention strategies. This mainly qualitative study employed self-administered questionnaires, interviews and focus-group discussions. Questionnaires were used to investigate members of the DCPU’s ideas, views and experiences, interviews solicited perceptions of community leaders and their subjects, whilst focus-group discussions assisted with information from members of the District Civil Protection Planning Committee. Veld fires in the district are mainly caused by human activities, and they are prevalent during the months of September and October. They affect livelihoods and the natural environment the most. This study found that DCPUs are not prepared to manage veld fires and therefore recommended new strategies and adoption of the community-based disaster risk reduction model. The new strategies include involving community leaders and members of the communities in DCPUs; regular training and workshops to members of DCPUs on veld fire management; creation of fire protection associations; regular campaigns and rehearsal of emergency drills by the DCPU personnel; the introduction of competitions and incentives in veld fire management; vigorous public education on the erection of proper fireguards around homes, cattle pens, crop fields and vegetable gardens; and the imposition of stiffer penalties for carelessly or deliberately causing veld fires. Policy-makers, governments and stakeholders would benefit from the new intervention strategies. The community-based disaster risk reduction model would benefit researchers and disaster risk reduction practitioners.

Published Article
The central regions of South Africa experienced an abnormally high precipitation during the first quarter of 2009, thus resulting in an unusually high probability of veld fires due to the excessive amounts of fuel / grass available. In South Africa the process of land redistribution was recently drastically accelerated. This implies that many newly settled black farmers are fanning but still need to be trained in various aspects of farm management. Unfortunately, in most cases this training did not include environmental management, which among others, implies managing and preparing for veld fires. The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry also does not have sufficient funding to cover all these aspects and a regional collaborative plan must therefore be developed. In addition to this, in an attempt to alleviate poverty, many other previously disadvantaged people in South Africa must be assisted in establishing small business enterprises. This paper will highlight a process to be followed to train and coordinate all farmers and simultaneously establish business opportunities that will remove some of the fuel (grasses and shrubs) in order to reduce the risk and intensity of winter and spring veld fires.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2003.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Veld fires in the mountain regions of the South Western Cape are an annual occurrence. These veld fires occur as a result of human, natural and unknown causes. The Mediteranean weather conditions of the South Western Cape and its typical vegetation are conducive to these fires. Within the mountain regions of the South Western Cape, the use of fire can be advantageous for conservation and forest managers as a tool for fire management e.g. preparation of fire belts, reduction of veld fire occurrence by burning fuel load, rejuvenation of indigenous vegetation and enhancing the water yield of surrounding areas within their management area. Abnormally high incidences and run away veld fires within the management area of conservation and forest managers leads to. the loss of biodiversity, destruction of properties and loss of human lives, and extensive soil erosion. This study aimed at identifying factors contributing towards the occurrence of veld fires in the mountain regions of the South Western Cape, and using GIS to analyse spatially the contributing variables, and to generate seasonal veld fire hazard maps. Potential veld fire occurrence on a seasonal basis was mapped using spatial analyses of variables that are significant to the distribution of veld fires within the study area. Variables used to assess potential veld fire occurrences were: vegetation, slope, population density (human influence), proximity to roads, mean monthly maximum temperatures and mean monthly rainfall. The veld fire hazard maps generated indicated that potential for veld fire occurrence is high in the summer and autumn months, decreasing to a low in the winter and spring seasons. The exception is the Southern Cape sub-region where the possibility of veld fires can be quite high in winter as a result of Fohn-like berg winds. These winds are characterized by sudden increases in temperature and decreases in humidity that may pose severe fire hazards. Reducing and containing veld fires in the mountain regions of the South Western Cape depends on the effective use of the seasonal veld fire hazard maps. The maps can be used to delineate critical zones of veld fire occurrence which can be used for evaluating costeffective control measures and can be implemented to reduce the level of veld fire danger within the management areas of conservation and forest managers. There is a need for a Catchment Management System (CMS) (Richardson, Van Wilgen, Le Maitre, Higgins & Forsyth, 1994) that can be used to generate daily probabilities of veld fire occurrence and to link these to fire-spread models for predicting or simulating expected fire directions and severities or intensities, and educating people about fires and the damage it can do.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Elke jaar kom daar veldbrande in die berggebiede van die Suidwes-Kaap voor. Die oorsake van hierdie veldbrande is van menslike, natuurlike of onbekende oorsprong. Die Mediterreense weersomstandighede en die tipiese plantegroei van die Suidwes-Kaap is ook bevorderlik vir die ontstaan van veldbrande. In die berggebiede van hierdie streek kan die gebruik van vuur egter ook tot voordeel van natuurbewaring en bosbou aangewend word deurdat dit gebruik kan word as 'n metode om die brande te bestuur, soos in die voorbereiding van brandpaaie, in die vermindering van die voorkoms van veldbrande deur vooraf van die brandbare materiale af te brand, in die vernuwing van die inheemse plantegroei en in die verhoging van wateropbrengs in die omliggende gebiede binne die area wat bestuur moet word. 'n Abnormale hoë voorkoms van veldbrande binne die bestuursgebied van bewarings- en bosboubestuurders lei egter tot 'n verlies aan biodiversiteit, die vernietiging van eiendom, 'n verlies aan menselewens en uitgebreide gronderosie. Die doel van hierdie studie was om die faktore wat bydra tot die voorkoms van veldbrande in die berggebiede van die Suidwes-Kaap te identifiseer, om GIS te gebruik om 'n ruimtelike analise van die bydraende veranderlikes te doen en om dan 'n seisoenale veldbrandgevaarkaart saam te stel. Die potensiële voorkoms van veldbrande op 'n seisoenale basis is gekarteer deur gebruik te maak van ruimtelike analises van die veranderlikes van belang in die verspreiding van veldbrande in die studiegebied. Die volgende veranderlikes is gebruik om die potensiële voorkoms van veldbrande te bepaal: plantegroei, helling, bevolkingsdigtheid (invloed van mense), afstand vanaf paaie, gemiddelde maandelikse maksimum temperature en gemiddelde maandelikse reënval. Die veldbrandgevaarkaarte wat ontwikkel is, het aangetoon dat die potensiële voorkoms van veldbrande hoog is in die somer- en herfsmaande en dan afneem tot 'n laagtepunt in die winter en lente. 'n Uitsondering is die Suid-Kaap-substreek waar die moontlikheid van veldbrande selfs in die winter taamlik hoog is as gevolg van Fëhn-tipe bergwinde. Hierdie winde word gekenmerk deur In skielike toename in temperatuur en In afname in humiditeit wat die brandgevaar skerp kan verhoog. Die vermoë om veldbrande in die berggebiede van die Suidwes-Kaap te verminder en te beperk, sal grootliks afhang van die effektiewe gebruik van die seisoenale veldbrandgevaar-kaarte. Die kaarte kan gebruik word vir die afbakening van kritieke sones vir die voorkoms van veldbrande wat dan gebruik kan word vir die evaluering van koste-effektiewe beheermaatreëls. Hierdie kaarte kan dan geïmplementeer word om die vlakke van veldbrandgevaar binne die gebiede waarvoor bewarings- en bosboubestuurders verantwoordelik is, te verminder. Daar is In behoefte aan In opvanggebiedbestuurstelsel (OGB) (Richardson, Van Wilgen, Le Maitre, Higgins & Forsyth 1994) wat gebruik kan word om daaglikse waarskynlikhede vir die voorkoms van veldbrande te genereer. Dit kan gekoppel word aan brandverspreidingsmodelle wat die verwagte rigting van brandverspreiding, asook die ems of intensiteit daarvan, kan voorspelof simuleer. Die publiek moet ook ingelig word oor veldbrande en die skade wat daardeur aangerig kan word.

Submitted by Automa??o e Estat?stica (sst@bczm.ufrn.br) on 2016-12-29T17:18:53Z No. of bitstreams: 1 LuisaDeMarilacDeCastroSilva_TESE.pdf: 1841698 bytes, checksum: 1cceb8beffac41fda92544444e0dc2d4 (MD5)
Approved for entry into archive by Arlan Eloi Leite Silva (eloihistoriador@yahoo.com.br) on 2017-01-02T19:48:31Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 LuisaDeMarilacDeCastroSilva_TESE.pdf: 1841698 bytes, checksum: 1cceb8beffac41fda92544444e0dc2d4 (MD5)
Made available in DSpace on 2017-01-02T19:48:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 LuisaDeMarilacDeCastroSilva_TESE.pdf: 1841698 bytes, checksum: 1cceb8beffac41fda92544444e0dc2d4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-29
Esta tese prop?e-se investigar a organiza??o da EAA-RN (Escola de Aprendizes Art?fices do Rio Grande do Norte) no per?odo de 1909 a 1937, buscando compreender a sua materialidade, pelas incurs?es aos arquivos, pelas fontes selecionadas, pelo di?logo entre o entendimento de hist?ria das institui??es educativas e seus agentes com a cultura escolar (ou pr?ticas, na acep??o de Roger Chartier). As fontes selecionadas foram: leis, decretos e regulamentos, mensagens dos governadores do Rio Grande do Norte, Relat?rios do Minist?rio da Agricultura, Ind?stria e Com?rcio, correspond?ncias e fotografias. Na an?lise das fontes documentais utilizamos as no??es de agentes e sujeitos, em nossa pesquisa identificados como servidores e aprendizes/estudantes e cultura escolar. Compreendemos que houve um distanciamento entre o desej?vel, explicitado na legisla??o e o poss?vel, revelado na cultura escolar/pr?ticas educativas da institui??o.
In the first decades of the twentieth century, education began to occupy more and more space in the list of the republican government responsibilities. Following the principles of nationalism into force, the effort to educate the people gained more precise contours. In this context, the school plays an extremely important role and Craftsmen Apprentices Schools (EAA), in particular, take on the challenge of educating citizens useful to the nation, among the disadvantaged fortune. This work, entitled Between Desirable and possible: the School for Craftsmen of Rio Grande do Norte: 1909-1937, deals with the organization of these schools, located in Natal, considering the period from 1909, when they were created the EAA through Decree No. 7566 of September 23, until 1937, the year Capanema by Law 378 of 13 January, implemented a reform that, among other things, changed the name of the EAA, which began to call Lyceum Industrial. Our research aimed to investigate the process of organization of the School for Craftsmen of Rio Grande do Norte (EAA-RN), showing the relationship between what was proposed in the legislation and the actions taken in their daily lives. In this perspective, we seek to understand their materiality, the incursions to the files, the sources selected, the dialogue between the understanding of the history of educational institutions and their agents with the school culture. We defend the thesis that in Rio Grande do Norte, the School for Craftsmen contributed to the consolidation of the political-ideological project of construction of Brazilian nationality, to align the republican ideals that had in speech education and work as ingredients for construction of a modern country. However, their practices are aligned to the political and social project favoring elites as practiced strict discipline of disadvantaged fortune. In the analysis of documentary sources we base the thesis on theories of Justino Magalh?es (2004), the use of agents and subject notions in our research identified as servers and learners / students. Along the way, the selected sources were: laws, decrees and regulations, posts of governors of Rio Grande do Norte, Ministry of Agriculture reports, Industry and Commerce, correspondence and photographs. In an attempt to approach the institutional routine, we still use the idea of school culture (Julia, 2014) or educational practices (Chartier, 1990).

What is located on the bottom in the water outside of Birka? Remains of a water palisade or jetties and other constructions.

Birka a Viking Age town that existed between AD 750 and 975 was located on the northwestern part of the small island of Björkö, in the Mälar archipelago of the Baltic Sea in Sweden. The Town was protected onshore by a hill fort and a town rampart. It is a widely spread assumption that Birka had a water palisade as a part of its defense. There are logs and other remnants on the bottom of the lake dating back to the Viking age. Uncertainty remains as to the origin of these remnants. The questions being, are they from a water palisade or the remnants of jetties and other constructions. The amount of fire wood alone needed to support 500 inhabitants for one year is equal to a wall of wood one meter high, one meter wide and two kilometers in length. This calculation does not take into account the wood used for transportation of other materials, people and animals. The conclusion is that future examination of the area is necessary to find out what is located on the bottom in the water.

Research into the psychological consequences of natural disasters in South Africa remains largely unexplored. This is surprising, given the devastating economical and psychological ramifications that result from major catastrophic events. No research has been done relating specifically to the experiences and coping strategies of fanners who have experienced a veld fire disaster in South Africa. Farmers constitute an important sub-group for study as they may be psychologically at risk to the effects of disasters. In the international research arena exploration of the long-term consequences of disasters is lacking. In considering the question of coping following a disaster, few studies have focused on the influence of temporal dynan1ics, which would seem to be crucial to the outcomes of coping strategies. This study aims to address these gaps in the literature by exploring the experiences and coping strategies of farmers who have experienced a veld fire disaster which occurred in the North West Province of South Africa on 23 August 2011. The total financial loss as a result of the fire amounted to R42 276 I 71. The fires were allegedly caused by damaged power lines, which produced sparks and ignited the nearby veld. This study used a qualitative design. This methodological approach was adopted for its ability to capture the complex and time-sensitive dynamics of coping strategies. This was combined with a case study approach, based on the experiences and coping strategies of eight farmers who had experienced a veld fire disaster within the boundaries of one geographical area. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the farmers in their homes and were recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed. The results of the analysis showed that the farmers progressed through three time periods with distinct patterns of experience and corresponding coping strategies. The person environment relationship, as well as transitioning situational demands inherent in this relationship, were found to be crucial in determining the outcomes of the fanners• experiences and coping strategies. The results also suggest that successful coping is reliant on the individual’s ability to continually adapt their coping strategies in a context-appropriate manner. It is recommended that psychological debriefing should be avoided and that crisis intervention teams (CIT) should focus on the long-term consequences of the veld fire. Future coping research needs to take the temporal aspects of coping into account.
MA (Research Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, and Johannesburg in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master o f Science (Geographical Information System and Remote Sensing) Johannesburg, 2017.
The purpose of this analysis was to map the frequency of veld fires using remote sensing data from 2012 to 2016. The analysis successfully answered three objectives which are mapping the spatio-temporal pattern of veld fires in Mazowe district from 2012 to 2016, assessing the strength of association between burnt area and land cover classes and to determine the degree of veld fires in Mazowe district. The analysis of the veld fire frequency was undertaken in ENVI 5.3 and Arc Map software. Landsat imagery and MODIS fire products were collected and processed. For each year two Landsat images were used, one image before the season of fire starts which was used to classify the land cover classes and one image after fire season which was used to classify the burnt and unburnt classes. The MODIS fire products data were used to validate the burnt and the unburnt classification. The evaluations of the classifiers were done through accuracy assessment using confusion matrix and the results ranged from 85 to 95%.The study quantified the relationship between burnt areas land cover classes. The study also calculated the fire frequency. The results revealed that the veld fire frequency was high in A1 farms which measures 5 hectares, A2 farms which measures average of 318 hectares and grasslands compared to other land tenure and land cover classes. Areas with high frequency were observed in south, south west and some central parts of Mazowe district. There was high fire occurrence in 2012 and 2014. The study also noted that the fire occurrence was gradually decreasing, however the levels of fire occurrence remains high. The study concluded that A1, A2 farms and grasslands are prone to veld fires. The study recommends adaption of remote sensing techniques in eradicating veld fires.
MT 2017

Fire, natural or of anthropologic origin is a recurrent phenomenon in South African mesic grasslands. The species composition of these grasslands is sensitive to fire frequency and there exists a permanent fire-species relationship syndrome. The shift follows a general trend where, in the absence of fire for longer periods, the native grass species, possibly the most economically important grass species, give space to relatively less desirable and invasive species accompanied by significant decline in basal cover. Though much is known as to how the floristic composition of the grassland changes in response to fire, the underlying mechanisms responsible for changes in plant vigour and species composition are not fully understood. There exists limited information on germination requirements of the local flora and how recruitment of the species is influenced by fire, fire-related factors and the interaction of these factors among themselves is virtually unknown. Since the discovery by DE LANGE and BOUCHER (1990), plant-derived smoke is being widely studied as an important germination cue and the theme has been the subject of intense experimental research and theoretical work. Germination studies conducted on South African Fynbos, Californian Chaparral, and Australian species have illustrated the widespread ability of plant-derived smoke in promoting germination of species from both fire and non-fire prone habitats. Studies have also showed that plant-derived smoke plays a significant role in vegetative growth of many plants including horticultural and agricultural crops, though mechanisms of smoke action in enhancing germination and promoting plant growth are still under active research. This study sought to gain insight into the role of fire and fire-related cues and other related factors on germination and seedling growth of key grass species from fire-prone grassland in South Africa. In this study, various investigations were conducted on different aspects related to smoke-induced seed germination. Furthermore, in depth examinations were conducted on the effects of fire-related factors such as smoke, heat, soil and nutrients on seed germination and seedling growth of representative key mesic grassland species from South Africa. Laboratory-based germination and vigour experiments were conducted using smoke solutions. The aim was to examine if the strong fire-species relationship syndrome we encounter in post-fire mesic grassland in South Africa is related to the effect of plant-derived smoke on germination and seedling growth. In addition, the interaction of plant-derived smoke solutions with temperature was examined by incubating seeds at a range of temperatures. Treating seeds with smoke-water and butenolide, the germination rate (GR) and final germination percentage (FGP) were greater in 3 of the 6 species. Themeda triandra Forssk. and Tristachya leucothrix Trin. ex Nees showed the greatest response, with final germination increased from 43% to 67% and 35% to 63% respectively. These smoke solutions have also significantly enhanced germination in Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter from 62% to 80%. The degree of responsiveness varied from species to species and across different temperatures. Findings from this study suggested that plant-derived smoke and its interaction with temperature significantly influence the germination and seedling growth of the South African mesic grassland species, which can further impact on the grassland composition. To characterise the role of plant-derived smoke on certain economically important seed traits, the effect of smoke-water and a smoke-isolated butenolide on seed germination and seedling growth of Eragrostis tef (grass species which has moderately good tolerance to east African drought) was investigated at a range of temperatures, light conditions and osmotic potentials. Smoke-water (1:500 v/v) and butenolide (10ˉ⁸ M) treatment of the seeds increased percentage germination, seedling vigour and imbibition from high to low osmotic potential. These results suggested that smoke solutions have characteristics with overriding effects toppling stresses exerted from high temperature and low osmotic potential, thereby widening the temperature and moisture zone over which germination can occur. Furthermore, these findings suggested that the mode of smoke action in promoting seed germination is likely to be linked to the role of smoke in facilitating water uptake by seeds (imbibition). A simple and rapid bioassay was implemented to detect the germination activity of extracts from soils in pre/post-burn status. Soil samples taken from burnt, unburnt and adjacent plots at depths of 0-2, 2-4, 4-6 and 6-8 cm before and after burning mesic grassland in South Africa were analysed for germination activity over an eight-week period. Soil samples were extracted using dichloromethane and bioassayed using Grand Rapids lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) achenes. The Grand Rapids lettuce seeds exhibited several-fold greater germination percentages when treated with extracts from burnt soil compared to the other plots. The magnitude of such an activity declined through time since burn. The Grand Rapids lettuce seeds also showed significantly greater germination percentage when treated with unburnt soil extracts compared to the control (distilled water) which indicates the existence of other factors controlling germination in unburnt soil. Germination percentage was negatively influenced in the adjacent plots which reflected the inhibitory role of smoke on adjacent plots neighbouring the burn. Findings from this study suggested that the germination activity of a burning plant-material (smoke) indeed diffuses into the soil and its persistence declines with time. Furthermore, the findings implied that fire and smoke may significantly influence the germination of the soil seed bank of mesic grassland in South Africa. The effect of smoke solutions of various concentrations and their interaction with soil macronutrients NPK in influencing seedling growth of three selected grass species namely, Eragrostis curvula, Panicum maximum and Themeda triandra was investigated. These grass species were selected on the basis of the contrasting response they previously showed to smoke treatments. Results showed that the interaction between species, treatment and nutrients for seedling vigour index was highly significant (P < 0.001). In the absence of NPK elements, the smoke solutions generally enhanced seedling growth in Themeda triandra, while suppressing seedling vigour indices of Eragrostis curvula and Panicum maximum. It is ecologically significant that not only smoke but also its interaction with soil macronutrients appears to be important in structuring the post-fire regeneration and colonisation processes. To examine the effect of fire-associated cues of smoke and high temperature on germination and seedling emergence from the mesic grassland soil seed bank in South Africa, and disentangle responsible factors, the effect of heat and smoke-water on seedling emergence and the resultant effect on biomass production was examined in a greenhouse tray experiment over 90 days. Soil seed bank samples obtained from 0-5 cm top soil were treated with smoke-water solution (SW 1:500 v/v), heat (H = 100 °C for 15 min) and heat + smoke-water (H = 100 °C for 15 min + SW = 1:500 v/v) combined. Significantly, the highest number of seedlings emerged from soil seed bank samples treated with heat + smoke-water combined followed by smoke-water alone. Heat + smoke-water treatment of soil seed bank samples also significantly enhanced the rate of seedling emergence and total dry biomass production. Heat treatment by itself was not statistically different from the control in many respects. Generally, these results suggest that both heat and smoke are important germination cues and play a curial role on germination and seedling emergence from the mesic grassland soil seed bank. A greater number of fire-loving Themeda triandra seedlings emerged from soils treated with smoke, though this was not statistically significant. Seedling emergence indicators showed that seedling emergence was favoured more by smoke and smoke + heat treatments compared to the control. Seedling growth indicators also showed that soil samples treated with smoke or smoke + heat combined produced significantly higher biomass than untreated samples. In general, findings from this comprehensive study suggest that plant-derived smoke and its interaction with temperature (heat) and soil nutrients significantly influences seed germination and seedling growth of South African mesic grassland species differently, this can further influence the grassland composition. The association of certain fire-climax species with the re-occurrence of fire can partly be explained due to the association of such species with fire-induced changes in the habitat. Post-fire conditions of low nutrient (NPK) availability, presence of high heat and smoke cues in the habitat may favour the competitive ability of native short and smoke-responsive species such as Themeda triandra and Tristachya leucothrix over those characteristic species of fertile habitats such as Eragrostis curvula and other non-smoke-responsive species.
Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2010.

Wildfires destroy large tracts of veld and forest land every year in South Africa. These fires can be devastating, resulting in loss of human lives, the destruction of property and the loss of income, for example the forest fire in the Sabie district in Mpumalanga in 2007 which destroyed about 7% of South Africa’s forested areas. There are frequently legal disputes with respect to the origin of wildfires, the extent of the fire and the land cover destroyed by the fires. The forensic capabilities of remote sensing in detecting and analysing post-wildfire characteristics have become an important contribution towards solving such legal disputes and in understanding wildfire characteristics. These post fire products can be used as evidence in court cases. Most of the time those court cases came up a few years after the fire event. By then, little or no evidence can be found on the terrain where the fire was. Remote sensing archives provide a reliable source of data that can be used to analyse these events after these long intervals. The objective of this project is to highlight the methods used to generate these post-wildfire analysis products.
Environmental Sciences
M. Sc. (Environmental Science)

<p>For the use of popular GFRP composite materials for the construction of considerable-size facilities such as, for instance bridges, it is required to manufacture the finished prefabricated composite units joined together. The various manufactured composite panels are used in bridge decks on the bridges. The panels have system connections and allow them to be quickly assembled. One of the examples are the th-5 panels manufactured by a pultrusion method, used in bridges and helicopter pads. Considering the exceptionally light, fire-resistant and heating bridge deck the composite panel constitutes an attractive alternative for aluminium in helicopter pads and sidewalks for pedestrians and cyclists on bridges. Passenger drones that are expected to be used in the near future will require light-weight landing field structures located on the existing buildings.</p><p>The developed author’s innovative system for extending the existing bridges by adding sidewalks for pedestrians and cyclists (Fig.1) is called the “velo-pont” and is based on the use of composite panels. The individually designed click-clack connection is an innovative author’s solution for longitudinal joining of panels. Such solution can successively be used for bridges with a long sidewalk, even several hundred meters long.</p><p>The proprietary solution has been examined and tested. A prototype has been made to a real scale. The system solution has been already used in practice for several bridges in Poland.</p>