Thèses sur le sujet « Agriculture – Environmental aspects – Kenya »

This research was undertaken to study the effect of education on small farm revenues and profits in Kenya. Schooling (defined as the number of school standards completed by the farm operator) was used as the most important source of education. It was hypothesized that schooling has a positive effect on farm revenues and profits. The effect of other sources of information viz; extension contact, demonstration attendance and baraza attendance on farm revenues and profits were also investigated. The research was done using regression analysis where these variables and other farm activity relevant variables were fitted in regression equations. The choice of these variables were based on economic theory, Kenya small farm characteristics and the objective of the study. Several factors would qualify as supporting evidence for the argument that educated farmers are more productive. We expect educated farmers to be more informed in terms of use of new production technologies. Education as a source of human capital also enhances the productive abilities of human beings and also enables those who have invested in education to use their resources more efficiently as well as adjusting to new "ways of producing more efficiently". In the current study we find that schooling of the farm operator is positively related to level of expenditure on farm purchased variable inputs. This indicates that education enhances adoption of new technologies and innovativeness. Further it was shown that farmers with more education earned more value added per acre from their farm business compared to their less educated counterparts. On the overall farm activity, farmers with eight or more standards of schooling earned upto 80.2% in value added per acre compared to those who had no schooling. The regression estimates were done on a stepwise procedure where farm specific enterprises were estimated separately and then aggregated and estimated as one farm sector. Thus a crop equation, a livestock equation and a total farm output equation were estimated. This model was then developed into a variable profit function. A simple linear function procedure was used in the regression analysis. In all the estimated value added equations the schooling coefficient was positive and significant at 5% level two tail t-test. As we move from farm specific activities to a farm aggregate output model and lastly to value added model the schooling coefficient increased in size confirming the positive role of education in allocative effect. These results show that schooling plays an important role in allocation of other purchased inputs and also choice of crop mix and input selection. The estimated marginal return to schooling of farm operator in the profit function was Kshs.281. In an earlier function where schooling of the farm operator was fitted into a total farm income equation the estimated marginal return to schooling was Kshs.778.89. When schooling of the farm operator is allowed to interact with extension service the estimated interaction variable coefficient is negative showing the two act as substitute sources of knowledge, and the schooling coefficient increased in size showing that those who had both schooling and extension service earned comparatively more farm revenues. The role of other educative factors like extension service, demonstration attendance, and baraza attendance in influencing agricultural production was investigated. Regression results showed that extension contact had a negative and significant effect on farm revenues and profits. Demonstration and baraza attendance had similar effects on farm revenues and profits. In the value added function hired labour variable was fitted as the cost of hired labour per day. The estimated coefficient for this variable was positive and significant at 5%. The estimated coefficient for this variable shows hired labour is not optimally used, and farmers can increase their farm profits by hiring more labour. When this variable was fitted as the wage rate paid to hired labour per day the estimated coefficient was positive and significant. These results indicate that cost of hired labour depends on its quality. In the sales function hired labour was specified as mandays of hired labour per year and the estimated coefficient which reflects the shadow price of labour was higher than average hired labour wage rate implying that this factor is underemployed. In the sales function the estimated coefficient for the value of purchased inputs variable indicates that there is an element of underutilization of these inputs. This variable is fitted in value terms and in profit maximizing conditions the estimated coefficient is expected to be no different from unit. However, the estimated coefficient for this variable is approximately 2.5 showing a shilling spent on purchased inputs will bring forth 2.5 shillings. Thus an increase in the use of purchased inputs will increase farm revenues. Results show evidence of regional differences in farmer productivity and utilization of purchased inputs in favour of Central province. The study is based on the 1982 CBS-IDS-World Bank Household Survey of Rural Kenya data set.
Land and Food Systems, Faculty of
Graduate

Kenya has one of the oldest and most developed national park and reserve systems among developing nations in Africa. Kenya's ecosystems have felt the impact of tourists, from big game hunters to photographic safaris, for over a century. This project contains the research on which the author intends to base a future book about Kenyan ecoturism for the general public.

The effect of global warming on methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from agriculture was investigated and simulated from a soil warming experiment. Experiments were designed and installed in a temperature controlled greenhouse. The relationships between elevated temperatures and CH₄ and N₂O emissions were determined and calculated as the Q₁₀s of production, emission and oxidation. A study of the populations of methanogens and methanotrophs at a range of soil temperatures was performed based on soil molecular DNA analysis. This study showed that global warming would increase CH₄ emissions from rice agriculture and that the resultant emissions will be potentially large enough to cause changes in the present atmospheric concentrations. This research also showed that this increase was most evident for soil temperatures below 30⁰C, above which emissions decreased with increasing temperature. The seasonal average Q₁₀s of CH₄ emission, production, oxidation, methanogen and methanotroph populations were found to be 1.7, 2.6 and 2.2, 2.6 and 3.8, respectively, over a temperature of 20-32⁰C. Considering that the processes of CH₄ production and emission are similar to those in natural wetlands, which is the largest source of atmospheric CH₄, the contribution of this feedback is likely to cause a significant increase to the present CH₄ atmospheric budget if the current global warming trend persists over the next century. The Q₁₀s of N₂O emissions and production were 0.5-3.3 and 0.4-2.9, respectively. The low Q₁₀ values found for N₂O suggest that although global warming will have a direct impact on the production and emission rates. Nevertheless, the magnitude of the impact of global on both CH₄ and N₂O emissions from agriculture is likely to vary from one region to another due to the spatial variations in agricultural soil temperatures and the likely changes in the global regional distribution of water resources (water tables, rainfall patterns), water management practices and the responses of terrestrial CH₄ and N₂O sources such as natural wetlands and plants.

The study examines the development of wildlife conservation policy and practice in Kenya from 1895 to 1975. Started by the colonial state as part of its resource control programme, wildlife conservation in Kenya gradually became an important aspect of the country's economy chiefly because of its significance as the basis of a vibrant tourist industry. The conservation programme was also important to conservationists who viewed Kenya's wildlife as a heritage to humanity. Similarly, local communities, which were affected in various ways by wildlife conservation policies, had their own perceptions of the programme. All this led to the proliferation of groups whose interests were potentially conflicting. Wildlife conservation in Kenya during the period under examination was thus characterised by various struggles between interest groups such as conservationists, the state, and local communities. The struggles centred around such issues as the costs and benefits of conservation and were manifested through anti-conservation activities like the poaching of wild animals by dissatisfied groups. These struggles changed over time in line with social, economic, political, and ecological developments. International events/processes (such as the two world wars, economic booms/depressions, and decolonisation) triggered local processes which influenced conservationism either positively or negatively. Wildlife conservation in Kenya during the period under study was dynamic. The thesis challenges the myth of a monolithic 'colonial' wildlife policy often implied in many studies on the subject. The thesis also lays emphasis on the ecological basis of wildlife conservation while recognising the impact of social, political, and economic developments on the evolution of wildlife conservation policy and practice in Kenya. The country's 'geography' not only provided the foundation for conservation but also influenced the programme over time. Droughts, floods, army worm infestations, and other 'natural' occurrences interacted with social and economic changes, such as population growth and the development of capitalism, to shape conservation policy. The conservation programme was thus influenced by a complex interaction of a variety of factors.

The aim of this study was to explore how land degradation influences the living conditions of a farming community in Kenya. Investigation method used was qualitative research and data collection through semi -structured interviews with chosen farmers, interview with a professional in the relevant profession, and field observation within a farming community in central province of Kenya. In developing countries many families live in rural areas and depend on small scale farming for livelihood. These communities are however faced with poverty from degraded lands as is indicated by the interviews conducted in this rural community where farming activities has resulted in degradation of land. Unhealthy agricultural practices threaten human survival by not only eating innutritious food, but reduction in economic capability, as well as causing loss of biodiversity which is indispensable for environmental sustainability.

The basic theme of this study is that determination of the economic value of water resources is a necessary condition for rational decision-making and management of these environmental assets, and their associated public goods, in developing countries. The research particularly evaluates the contingent valuation (CV) method as a technique for evaluating increments and decrements in environmental and natural resource service flows, and estimates households' evaluations for improvements in river water quality and connections to piped water supply for domestic uses. The study objectives were to (a) estimate the economic value of piped water supply and improved water quality in the Nzoia River Basin, Kenya, (b) evaluate the feasibility of using the CV technique to value an environmental amenity and its related quasi-public service in rural settings where respondents have limited education and monetary resources, (c) examine the role of temporal dimensions of bid payments (i e, frequency of payments) in contingent values for environmental commodities, (d) empirically investigate embedding effect bias in contingent valuation of improvements in river water quality improvement in a less developed economy, and (e) evaluate the role of water connection charges in households' willingness to hook onto piped water supply in Webuye Division, Kenya. Empirical analysis and estimates of the non-market value which local people assign to water quality in the Nzoia River and a private household water connection is based on a detailed survey of a representative sample of 311 households in Webuye Division of Bungoma District, Kenya. In an on-site survey carried out in May through September 1995, contingent markets were developed for the two goods, (1) improved river water quality, and, (2) provision of a private connection to water supply. The corresponding willingness to pay (WTP) values are explained using Ordinary Least Square regression models. Whatever the good, the WTP is seen to increase with income. However, the effects of other factors are more specific to the contingent good. In order of strength, the other determinants of WTP "quality" are sex, age, household ranking of status of domestic water source, distance from river to household residence, the other factors affecting WTP "connections" are existing source of water supply, household size, ranking of river water quality, and age of household head. On the whole, residents accepted the exercise of contingent valuation and were willing to pay important amounts (Ksh 459 and Ksh 386 on average per household per year, respectively, for goods 1 and 2). Discussion issues include policy significance of the resulting WTPs in terms of the demand for river pollution control and individual household water connections, the effect of the goods upon the CV evaluation process, the "Third World" impacts of frequency of payments in contingent valuation, including perceived-frequency and income-smoothing routes, the embedding effect in WTP values for water pollution abatement in the Nzoia River basin, the importance of pricing influences, specially payment profiles for initial connection charges, on household decisions to connect to piped water systems, and limitations of the study.

The sustainable use of the environment for agriculture has become a global priority, requiring urgent solutions in view of intensifying competition. The South African government and the agricultural sector drafted a strategic plan for South African Agriculture. In this plan it was argued that the potential for the horizontal expansion of agricultural production is limited with one of the limitations being that unused high and medium potential land is scarce. This implies that the challenge for higher agricultural production is immense because primarily it would have to come from increased efficiency. All businesses are confronted by change at some time in their history in which agribusiness in South Africa has been subjected to changes in its past. In this era of hyper competition, agribusinesses are faced with constant change. It is how businesses deal with that change that will determine how successful they will remain in the future. The main problem of this research was to determine if farmers in the Great-Kei Region have the appropriate strategies in place to manage environmental constraints effectively. Therefore, the identification and isolation of prominent environmental constraints, through literature review and survey data gathered and analysed, would assist agribusinesses in the planning and prioritising of investments. The investment would be aimed at facilitating the development and sustainable growth in the Great-Kei Region. In this study, a quantitative, descriptive and non-experimental research design was followed. The target population of the study was farmers with farming businesses operating in the Great-Kei Region. There was data obtained from the Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture provincial office in Komga servicing the Great-Kei Region. The data obtained were lists of registered commercial farmers from the Komga iv Agricultural Association and emerging farmers operation in the region. The data obtained did not include all the farmers operating in the Great-Kei Region. The combined sum of farmers from both lists was 38 farmers (N = 38). The population N = 38 was used as a sampling frame representing the population of farmers in the Great-Kei Region. The population of this study consisted of owners or farm managers running the farming businesses and excludes other farm employees employed at the farms. Farmers with agribusinesses in the area who produced either livestock farming or crop farming or both were included for the study. The results of the survey revealed key findings, which enabled the researcher to draw meaningful conclusions and recommendations. The recommendations suggested how farmers can overcome the identified macro, micro and internal environmental constraints affecting them in the Great-Kei Region. Further identification of strategies currently employed by farmers in managing environmental constraints and the competency levels, indicated where gaps resided with strategies currently employed by farmers and where possible change would be required.

The MANIMEA $ rm ( underline{MA}nurial underline{NI}trogen underline{M}anagement{:} underline{E}nvironmental underline{A}spects)$ model is a one-dimensional dynamic model that simultaneously simulates nitrogen transformations (volatilization, net mineralization-immobilization, and denitrification), nitrogen transport (runoff and leaching), plant uptake, and adsorption in homogeneous, unsaturated soils. The simulated system is divided into two components: the applied manure layer and the soil. The model describes the transformation processes occurring in both components separately. It is also capable of accounting for both micro and macroporous flows. In addition, the simulation can be done for time steps shorter than 1 day.
The model was developed to be interactive and user-friendly and was constructed on a modular basis using Microsoft FORTRAN PowerStation$ sp circler$ as a compiler. It can be run on an IBM$ sp circler$ or IBM compatible microcomputer with a minimum requirement of a 386 microprocessor with 4 MB RAM. This model was developed as a nitrogen management-oriented model. However, it can also be used to gain further understanding of nitrogen processes for research and teaching purposes.
The accuracy of the stimulation was enhanced by taking into account moisture and temperature variation and distribution in the soil. The SWACROP and the HEAT programs were integrated into the MANIMEA model to generate transient moisture and temperature profiles, respectively. The Numerical Method Of Lines (NMOL) technique, which implements finite difference method, was used to numerically solve the partial differential equations in the model.
Generally, the results generated by the MANIMEA model using the parameters from literature agreed with the results obtained by analytical solutions and from experiments. It was found that the model is highly sensitive to the volatilization and net mineralization rate constants $(K sb{v}$ and $K sb{m}).$ The study showed that the MANIMEA model can be implemented to evaluate nitrogen transformations, transport, and plant uptake for a wide range of climatic and soil conditions and organic type of wastes. Such a tool can contribute to the protection of our environment through a better management of organic nitrogen fertilizer and a better understanding of the nitrogen processes.

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.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2013.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The ostrich industry is a predominantly quantitative industry; focused mainly on the production of large numbers of slaughter birds for maximum meat and leather yield. Competing in the international market in the current economic environment necessitates a more qualitative approach. Productivity and product quality are aspects that need to be improved in order to stay competitive and economically viable. Genetic parameters for ostrich slaughter traits are lacking, however, and breeding programs are yet to be developed. Data on quantitative and qualitative production and slaughter traits from a commercial ostrich breeding flock was consequently analysed to establish the relative importance of genetic and non-genetic influences on these traits. Genetic and environmental (co)variances as well as estimates of heritability, genetic and phenotypic correlations were estimated for and among the various traits using standard software for multi-trait genetic analyses. Substantial variation, high and favourable genetic correlations as well as moderate to high heritability estimates were found among, and for distinguished body weight traits of growing ostriches. Heritability estimates of 0.14, 0.22, 0.33, 0.43 and 0.43 for 1-month, 4-month, 7-month, 10-month and 13-month-old ostrich weights were estimated in a five-trait animal model analysis. All carcass component weight traits, with the exception of the weight of the liver, showed significant genetic variation. No significant maternal permanent environmental variance was evident for these traits. Heritability estimates ranged from 0.21 (for subcutaneous fat weight) to 0.45 (for neck weight) in multi-trait analyses. The only potentially unfavourable correlation was a high genetic correlation between live weight and subcutaneous fat weight, as fat is considered as a waste product in the present system. The heritability estimates for individual muscle weights ranged from 0.14 to 0.43, while the genetic correlation between these weights and pre-slaughter live weight were all positive, ranging from 0.59 to 0.82. When meat quality traits were analysed it was evident that lightness (L*) and ultimate pH (pHu) showed significant genetic variation, with heritability estimates of 0.37 and 0.42, respectively. L* and pHu were negatively correlated (-0.65 ± 0.19). Since pH is an indicator of various meat quality parameters, it could be considered as an appropriate selection criterion for enhanced meat quality. With the exception of skin grading and crown length, all quantitative and qualitative skin traits showed significant genetic variation. Nodule traits were accordingly moderate to highly heritable. A negative, but favourable, correlation between weight and hair follicle score was ascertained, as hair follicles is a defect that should be selected against. This study demonstrated that sufficient genetic variation exists for most slaughter traits to allow sustained genetic progress for these traits, should it be desired as part of the overall selection objective. Combining some of the current economically important slaughter traits in a provisional selection index, it was clear that weight and crust skin size contributed most to monetary gain (approximately 54 and 38%, respectively). It was also demonstrated with this simple index that monetary gains in slaughter bird production should be easy to achieve at all levels of production performance and data recording.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die volstruisbedryf is hoofsaaklik ‘n kwantitatiewe bedryf wat meerendeels fokus op die produksie van groot getalle slagvolstruise vir die produksie van vleis en leer. Siende dat die bedryf hoofsaaklik op uitvoere fokus, word aanvaar dat ‘n verandering in strategie na ‘n meer kwalitatiewe benadering nodig is, in ag geneem die huidige ekonomiese situasie en marktoestande. Produktiwiteit sowel as produkgehalte moet in ag geneem word vir die bedryf om lewensvatbaar te bly. Daar is egter ‘n gebrek aan genetiese parameters vir volstruisslageienskappe, terwyl doeltreffende teeltstelsels nog ontwikkel moet word. Data van kwantitatiewe en kwalitatiewe produksie- en slageienskappe is gevolglik van ‘n kommersiële volstruis teeltkudde verkry en ontleed om die relatiewe belang van genetiese en nie-genetiese effekte op die eienskappe te kwantifiseer. Genetiese- en omgewings (ko)variansies, asook beramings van oorerflikheid sowel as genetiese en fenotipiese korrelasies, is vervolgens vir en tussen die onderskeie eienskappe beraam deur van standaard sagteware vir veelvuldige-eienskap genetiese ontledings gebruik te maak. Aansienlike variasie, hoë en meestal gunstige korrelasies, sowel as matige tot hoë oorerflikhede, is tussen en vir die onderskeie ligaamsgewigte van groeiende volstruise gevind. Oorerflikheidsberamings van 0.14, 0.22, 0.33, 0.43 en 0.43 is vir 1-maand, 4-maande, 7-maande, 10-maande en 13-maande-oue volstruise in ‘n vyf-eienskap dieremodel ontleding gekry. Alle karkaskomponentgewigte, met die uitsondering van die gewig van die lewer, het betekenisvolle genetiese variasie getoon. Oorerflikheidsberamings het tussen 0.21 (vir onderhuidse vetgewig) en 0.45 (vir nekgewig) gevarieer in veelvuldige-eienskapontledings. Die enigste moontlike ongunstige korrelasie was tussen liggaamsgewig en onderhuidse vetgewig, siende dat vet as ‘n afvalproduk gereken word in die huidige stelsel. Die oorerflikhede van die gewigte van indiwiduele spiere het van 0.14 tot 0.43 gevarieer, terwyl die genetiese korrelsies tussen hierdie gewigte en voorslaggewig deurgaans positief was, met waardes wat van 0.59 tot 0.82 gewissel het. Tydens die ontleding van vleisgehalte eienskappe was dit duidelik dat ligtheid (L*) en uiteindelike pH (pHu) genetiese variasie getoon het, met oorerflikheidsberamings van onderskeidelik 0.37 en 0.42. L* en pHu was negatief gekorreleerd op die genetiese vlak (-0.65 ± 0.19). Aangesien pH ‘n aanduiding is van verskeie vleisgehalteparameters, kan dit moontlik as ‘n indirekte seleksie-kriterium vir verbeterde vleisgehalte gesien word. Alle kwantitatiewe en kwalitatiewe veleienskappe het genetiese variasie getoon, met die uitsondering van velgradering en kroonlengte. Knoppie-eienskappe van die veerfollikels op die vel was ooreenstemmend matig tot hoog oorerflik. ‘n Negatiewe, maar gunstige, genetiese korrelasie is tussen liggaamsgewig en haarfollikelpunt beraam, siende dat haarfollikels ‘n defek is waarteen daar geselekteer moet word. Hierdie studie dui op voldoende genetiese variasie vir die meeste slageienskappe om voldoende genetiese vordering te verseker indien dit verlang sou word. Somminge van hierdie eienskappe wat tans van ekonomiese belang is, is vervolgens in ‘n voorlopige seleksie-indeks gekombineer. Dit was duidelik dat liggaamsgewig en velgrootte die meeste tot monetêre vordering bygedra het (onderskeidelik ongeveer 54 en 38%). Dit is vervolgens aangetoon dat monetêre vordering maklik haalbaar behoort te wees op alle vlakke van produksieprestasie en data-aantekening.

This study examines whether recycled water (specifically grey water) is used in peri-urban agriculture in greater Port Elizabeth. It also investigates the socio-economic as well as environmental benefits of using recycled water in peri-urban agriculture. Community perceptions and narratives about the use of recycled water for farming purposes were also investigated. Study respondents were purposively selected from Motherwell and Uitenhage in Port Elizabeth. A qualitative research methodology and methods were used. This involved using purposive sampling to sample, select and interview 22 respondents and eight key informants. All the respondents were interviewed using in-depth semi-structured interviews. The study found that while many respondents have heard about water recycling, they are however not using recycled grey water for their peri-urban farming activities. Instead, peri-urban farmers continue to use water supplied by the municipality. Recycled water is mostly used for watering sport fields around Port Elizabeth. This continued usage of municipal water (instead of recycled water) is not only costly to the municipality but the individual farmers as well. The respondents were however aware of the benefits of using recycled water. These include economic (money saved from not paying irrigation water bills), environmental (nutrient contents found in recycled water) and socio-economic (conserving fresh available for use in other community purposes). The study recommends that the Nelson Mandela Metro Municipality should do more (through educational and environmental campaigns) to encourage peri-urban farmers to use recycled water in their farming activities.

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).

Orientador: Ademar Ribeiro Romeiro
Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Economia
Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-08T08:32:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Silva_LucianaFerreirada_D.pdf: 1821160 bytes, checksum: 7f30e728bf1f4ce65d49b21421459662 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007
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

FundaÃÃo Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Cientifico e TecnolÃgico
A busca de novas alternativas de energia renovÃvel à de grande relevÃncia, pois a problemÃtica do aquecimento global tem causado consequÃncias adversas para a populaÃÃo. Fontes advindas dos Ãleos vegetais para a produÃÃo do biodiesel tÃm sido adotadas no Brasil e constituem uma boa opÃÃo para que os produtores rurais possam se inserir na cadeia produtiva dos biocombustÃveis. No contexto do semiÃrido nordestino, a mamona tem sido usada, pois à uma cultura adequada Ãs condiÃÃes de semiaridez. A partir desta compreensÃo, este trabalho teve o objetivo geral de analisar e comparar os aspectos econÃmicos, sociais e ambientais dos grupos de produtores e nÃo produtores de mamona nos assentamentos Recreio e Nova Canaà e, os objetivos especÃficos foram: (i) analisar os indicadores de qualidade de vida, capital social, ambiental, econÃmico e de sustentabilidade entre os nÃo produtores e produtores de mamona, (ii) mensurar os custos e renda da produÃÃo dos produtores de mamona com o plantio e venda no ano de 2009 e (iii) avaliar a situaÃÃo ambiental atravÃs da anÃlise da variaÃÃo dos atributos quÃmicos do solo em funÃÃo dos plantios . A metodologia se baseou em trÃs aspectos visando abranger uma interdisciplinaridade. Primeiramente adotou-se o mÃtodo estatÃstico usando uma amostragem nos dois assentamentos em estudo e a partir dessas amostras foram calculados os Ãndices de qualidade de vida, capital social, ambiental, econÃmico e a partir destes o Ãndice de sustentabilidade. No segundo aspecto foi calculada a renda dos agricultores atravÃs do calculo dos custos, receita e lucro com o plantio da mamona tomando como base o ano de 2009. No terceiro aspecto, o solo foi avaliado nas Ãreas cultivadas e nas Ãreas preservadas coletando-se amostras compostas e realizando-se anÃlises fÃsicas e quÃmicas do material em laboratÃrio. Entre os resultados verificados concluiu-se que nÃo houve diferenÃa significativa entre os grupos de produtores e nÃo produtores de mamona em relaÃÃo aos Ãndices de capital social e ambiental, porÃm houve diferenÃa nos Ãndices de qualidade de vida, econÃmico e de sustentabilidade. NÃo se comprovou incremento de renda entre os produtores de mamona. No aspecto pedolÃgico foi comprovado que as Ãreas preservadas se mostraram com teores mais elevados de matÃria orgÃnica e de nutrientes, representando indÃcios de degradaÃÃo na Ãrea cultivada.
The search for new alternatives of renewable energy is of great importance, since the issue of global warming has caused adverse consequences for the population. Resulting sources of vegetable oils for biodiesel production have been adopted in Brazil and are a good option so that farmers may be inserted in the production chain of biofuels. Within the semiarid Northeast, castor bean has been used because it is an appropriate culture semiarid condition. From this understanding, this work was the general purpose of analyzing and comparing the economic, social and environmental groups of producers rather than producers of castor in the settlements Recreio and Nova CanaÃ, and the specific objectives were: (i) review the indicators quality of life, social equity, environmental and economic sustainability among non-producers and producers of castor, (ii) measure the costs of production and income of producers of castor oil with the planting and sale in 2009 and (iii) assess the environmental situation by analyzing the variation of soil chemical properties depending on the plantations. The methodology was based on three aspects in order to cover an interdisciplinary approach. First, we adopted the method using statistical sampling in a study in two settlements and from these samples were calculated for quality of life, social equity, environmental, economic and from these sustainability index. The second aspect was calculated farmers' income through the calculation of costs, revenue and profit with the planting of castor beans using as a base year of 2009. In the third aspect, the soil was evaluated in cultivated areas and preserved areas by collecting composite samples and performing chemical and physical analysis of the material in the laboratory. Among the results obtained it was concluded that there was no significant difference between groups of producers rather than producers of castor oil o growth of capital and environmental, but there was difference in the indices of quality of life and economic sustainability. No consistent increase in income between the producers of castor oil. In pedological point was proven that the preserved areas are shown with a higher content of organic matter and nutrients, suggesting a degradation in the cultivated area

Hong Kong’s agricultural sector has been declining since the 1980s with the reduction in area of arable lands and number of farmers. The trend of over-reliance on imported produce is likely to continue with population growth in the upcoming decades. The climbing imported to locally grown food ratio might aggravate climate change. Vertical farming, which is promoted in recent years as a more sustainable mode of farming than conventional cultivation, is investigated mainly in terms of life cycle Greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions of its produce. Assessment was carried out following the guidelines in two relevant sets of Publicly Available Specification (PAS). Lettuce variety “Heading European”, which is among the most popular leafy vegetables in Hong Kong, is chosen because of its significant share imported from Guangdong Province. Three sets of surveys have been conducted to find out if locally grown produce generates less GHG than imported one. The sustainability of vertical farming is also evaluated. It performs in a cradle-to-gate basis in which life cycle of the lettuce is assessed from the stage of farmland preparation to delivery of them to Vegetable Marketing Organization (VMO). The results of life cycle GHG evaluation show that produce of local farm generates fewer amounts of GHGs than the imported one. For lettuces imported from the conventional farm in Songyuancun, Guangdong Province, it generates approximately 1.57E+00kg of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-e). It is about 132% higher than the one grown in local conventional farm at Tai Kong Po Tsuen, which is around 6.77E-01kg of CO2-e It seems the idea of replacing local conventional farming with vertical farming is not sustainable at this stage. Evaluation reveals the latter generates more amount of GHG which is 8.72E+00kg CO2-e/cup of Oak Leaf Lettuce. It is about 13 times higher than the locally grown in the conventional farm. The energy-hungry lighting system and the lack of renewable energy are among the major reasons for high GHG emission in vertical farming. Although the GHG emissions are higher than conventional farming in the designated lifecycle, vertical farming does contribute to sustainable development in terms of food stability and job opportunity. Uncertainties of this study could well be improved by developing a specific set of GHG emission factors for components in preparation stage and on-farm stage. More information could be collected for use and end-of-life stages, which is omitted in the study. Further comparison of wider variety of vegetables cultivated in different forms of farming should also be carried out. Carbon labelling scheme for agricultural products would brush up environmental awareness of both producers and consumers. With the trend of green consumption, it would provide an incentive for producers to adopt this scheme. It is especially important for local vertical farms to impose this scheme to increase its market competiveness. Moreover, government should play a significant role in promoting a more sustainable form of agriculture. Supportive policy like increasing investment in R&D for energy efficient technologies or even erecting a modern building for vertical farms would help achieve this goal. The lowered life cycle GHG emission would enhance sustainability of vertical farming.
published_or_final_version
Environmental Management
Master
Master of Science in Environmental Management

The Schools and Colleges Permaculture (SCOPE) Programme in Zimbabwe has developed a process for use by schools in planning for the sustainable management of their land. The process is called Integrated Land-Use Design (ILUD) and is based on Permaculture principles. The ILUD process has so far been implemented in 54 pilot schools where it has been used to facilitate the re-design of the school grounds through the active participation of the students, staff and parents. The aim of this research was to investigate what environmental learning takes place during the implementation of the ILUD process and related activities, with a view to informing the improvement of the process. The research was conducted within the interpretive paradigm with particular use being made of the Symbolic Interactionist theoretical framework to explore the social situations in which the ILUD process has been applied. A purposive sample of two schools and five form 4 (grade 11) pupils from each school was selected for the study. The main data collection method was the structured interview. Other data were collected from nonparticipant observations and the analysis of documents, particularly photographs. The data was analysed using the constant comparative method. The findings point towards a significant contribution from the Permaculture activities to the environmental knowledge, environmental management skills and the positive environmental attitudes of the pupils. The work done at the two schools indicates the usefulness of the ILUD process as a tool for environmental action in the schools but its application in the communities was found to be limited by constraints such as lack of resources and the limited capacity of teachers to work in the field of adult education and training. It is recommended that Permaculture should be integrated into the secondary school curriculum if the momentum of the progress made so far is to be maintained. The SCOPE Programme itself needs to be strengthened for its work with communities. There is, for example, a need for adult education and training methods if the introduction of ILUD to the communities is to be successful.

Consumer concerns in food purchasing contain a number of elements, including food safety, environment, animal welfare, and other socially related issues. The purpose of this study was to examine consumer perceptions of the potential benefits of products that are produced using an environmental management system (EMS) in agriculture, and identify those factors that influence choice. The choice modeling technique uses consumer preferences to estimate Montrealers' willingness to pay (WTP) for production practices that decrease the impacts on the environment, as well as for other potential benefits of EMS production. Results indicate that consumers are willing to pay a price premium for these environmental benefits. This could provide a justification for government to support certification and labeling programs.

Flooding has been identified as the predominant, environmental generator of food emergencies. Climate change and climate variability have been blamed for these extreme weather events, which are envisioned to affect the future food security and nutritional status of populations across the African continent. It is thus expected that these weather phenomena will continue to increase in frequency and intensity as climate change progresses. Already, climate change has had a dramatic effect on the natural world with increased desertification, warming oceans, rising temperatures and changing weather patterns. In turn, this has affected agriculture and fishing, which subsequently determines the availability of food. On the contrary, weather alone, is not the sole contributing factor to problems that are associated with food security/insecurity. Elements embedded within a political, social, economical, and/or other, context also serve to contribute to how a population or individual experiences food security. It is therefore imperative that these aspects from the social or developmental arena are considered in conjunction with aspects from the natural or environmental sciences. Such a holistic approach to subjects relating to climate change and development will eventually lead to the realisation of sustainable development, which in turn serves to protect human security in the long-term. The research was primarily directed at examining how flooding affects food security and what can be done to avoid, or cope with, a potential food crisis. The above-mentioned social and developmental features shaped the scope of this research, giving rise to an investigation which transcended the confines of flooding as an independent cause and consequence of food insecurity. With East Africa as a focal point, Mozambique and Zambia emerged as the most affected countries with millions of people affected by these devastating waters in 2000 and 2007, respectively. Due to the past nature of the events, it was most appropriate to utilise statistics from sources such as existing databases, reports and articles. Some of the topics that were included in the investigation examined the causes and consequences of the flooding and the management of these disasters. These topics were scrutinised using both qualitative and quantitative dimensions of research, so that an interesting and viable study could be undertaken. ii The research found that frequent and severe flood disasters increase a population‟s vulnerability to food insecurity, as a wide variety of assets, structures and infrastructures are destroyed. However, with careful management, planning and adaptation, many of these unwanted consequences can be avoided or swiftly overcome. Both Mozambique and Zambia were found to be countries that were determined to overcome the barriers associated with climate change and its subsequent extreme weather events. This positively indicated that they were committed to the development process and the wellbeing of their populations. Apart from introducing the topic surrounding the influence of flooding on food security in East Africa, one of the main goals of this research was to gather recommendations and suggestions for avoiding or managing issues that could hamper food security. This ultimately forms an important source of reference for governmental and non-governmental institutions dealing with flooding and food security. Even though Mozambique and Zambia were chosen as the cases for investigation, many of the recommendations can be adapted and applied to countries world-wide.

Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The concentrations of copper (Cu) in vineyard soils of the Western Cape range from 0.1 to 20 ppm. However, more than 160 tons of the fungicide copper oxychloride are annually being sprayed on these vineyards. This has raised concerns that Cu may accumulate in these soils, resulting in a negative impact on the soil biological processes, especially since the soils in the Western Cape are slightly acidic, making Cu more mobile and available for soil organisms than would have been the case in alkaline soils. The goal of the initial part of this study was therefore to identify those soil microbial communities indigenous to the Western Cape, which are most susceptible to Cu-induced stress as a result of the addition of copper oxychloride. These potential bioindicators of Cu-induced stress were first searched for in uncultivated agricultural soil from Nietvoorbij experimental farm. Consequently, a series of soil microcosms was prepared by adding various concentrations of Cu as a component of copper oxychloride, to each of eight aliquots of soil: 0 (control), 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 ppm. The resulting concentrations of exchangeable Cu in these microcosms were found to be 2 (control), 12,23,34,42,59, 126,516 and 1112 ppm. Selected microbial communities in each microcosm were subsequently monitored over a period of 245 days. It was found that the culturable microbial numbers did not provide a reliable indication of the effect of Cu on community integrity. However, analyses of terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) community fingerprints and especially analyses of the whole community metabolic profiles, revealed that shifts in the soil microbial communities took place as the Cu concentration increased. Direct counts of soil protozoa also revealed that the addition of Cu to the soil impacted negatively on the numbers of these eukaryotes. To confirm these findings in other soil ecosystems, the impact of copper oxychloride on whole community metabolic profiles and protozoan numbers were investigated in soils from Koopmanskloof commercial farm and Nietvoorbij experimental farm. These potential bioindicators were subsequently monitored in a series of soil microcosms prepared for each soil type by adding the estimated amounts of 0 (control), 30, 100 and 1000 ppm Cu as a component of copper oxychloride to the soil. The results confirmed the fmdings that elevated levels of copper impact negatively on the metabolic potential and protozoan numbers of soil. Consequently, it was decided to investigate a combination of protozoan counts and metabolic profiling as a potential bioindicator for Cu-induced stress in soil. Data collected from all the microcosms containing exchangeable Cu concentrations ranging from 1 ppm to 1112 ppm was used to construct a dendrogram using carbon source utilization profiles in combination with protozoan counts. It was found that the microcosms grouped into clusters, which correlated with the concentration of exchangeable Cu in the soil. Under the experimental conditions used in this study, the combination of protozoan counts and metabolic profiling seemed to be a reliable indicator of Cu-induced stress. However, this bioindicator must be further investigated in other soil types using other types of stress inducing pollutants. In addition to the above fmdings it was also found that the numbers of soil protozoa was particularly susceptible to Cu-induced stress in soils with a low soil pH. This is in agreement with the fmdings of others on the bio-availability of heavy metals in low pH soils. In these soils, nutrient cycling as a result of protozoan activity, may therefore be particularly susceptible to the negative impact of copper to the soil.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die konsentrasies van koper (Cu) in wingerdgronde van die Wes-Kaap wissel tussen 0.1 en 20 dpm. Meer as 160 ton van die fungisied koper-oksichloried word egter jaarliks op dié wingerde gespuit, wat kommer laat ontstaan het oor die moontlike akkumulasie van Cu in dié grond en die gevaar van 'n negatiewe impak op die biologiese prosesse in die grond. Die gevaar word vererger deur die feit dat die Wes-Kaapse grond effens suur is, wat Cu meer mobiel en beskikbaar maak vir grondorganismes as wat die geval sou wees in alkaliese grond. Die eerste doelstelling van hierdie studie was dus om die mikrobiese gemeenskappe in die grond, wat inheems is aan die Wes-Kaap, te identifiseer wat die meeste vatbaar is vir Cu-geïnduseerde stres as gevolg van die toevoeging van koper-oksichloried. Hierdie potensiële bioindikatore van Cu-geïnduseerde stres is eerstens gesoek in onbewerkte landbougrond van die Nietvoorbij-proefplaas. 'n Reeks grondmikrokosmosse is gevolglik berei deur verskillende konsentrasies Cu, as 'n komponent van koperoksichloried, by elk van agt hoeveelhede grond te voeg naamlik 0 (kontrole), 10,20, 30, 40, 50, 100, 500 en 1000 dpm. Die gevolglike konsentrasies van uitruilbare Cu in hierdie mikrokosmosse was 2 (kontrole), 12, 23, 34, 42, 59, 126, 516 en 1112 dpm. Geselekteerde mikrobiese gemeenskappe in elke mikrokosmos is vervolgens oor 'n tydperk van 245 dae bestudeer. Daar is gevind dat die kweekbare mikrobiese tellings nie 'n betroubare aanduiding kon gee van die uitwerking van Cu op gemeenskapsintegriteit nie. Die ontledings van terminale-restriksie fragment lengte polymorfisme (T-RFLP) gemeenskapsvingerafdrukke en veral van die metaboliese profiele van die totale gemeenskap, het getoon dat verskuiwings in die grondmikrobiese gemeenskappe plaasgevind het met 'n toename in Cu-konsentrasies. Direkte tellings van grondprotosoë het ook aangedui dat die toevoeging van Cu tot die grond 'n negatiewe uitwerking op die getalle van hierdie eukariote gehad het. Om dié resultate te bevestig, is die impak van koper-oksichloried op die metaboliese profiele van totale gemeenskappe en protosoë-getalle in ander grond-ekosisteme vervolgens bestudeer deur grond van die kommersiële plaas Koopmanskloof en die Nietvoorbij-proefplaas te gebruik. Dié potensiële bioindikatore is vervolgens bestudeer in 'n reeks grondmikrokosmosse, wat vir elke grondtipe voorberei is deur die toevoeging van beraamde hoeveelhede van 0 (kontrole), 30, 100 en 1000 dpm Cu as 'n komponent van koper-oksichloried. Die resultate het die bevindings bevestig dat verhoogde vlakke van Cu 'n negatiewe uitwerking het op die metaboliese potensiaal en op die protosoëgetalle in die grond. Daar is gevolglik besluit om 'n kombinasie van protosoë-tellings en metaboliese profiele te ondersoek as 'n potensiële bioindikator van Cu-geïnduseerde stres in grond. Data van al die mikrokosmosse wat uitruilbare Cu bevat, wisselend van 1 dpm tot 1112 dpm, is gebruik om 'n dendrogram te konstrueer wat koolstofbronbenuttingsprofiele in kombinasie met protosoë tellings gebruik. Daar is gevind dat die mikrokosmosse groepe vorm wat korrelleer met die konsentrasie uitruilbare Cu in die grond. Onder die eksperimentele kondisies wat in dié studie gebruik is, wil dit voorkom of die kombinasie van protosoë-tellings en metaboliese profiele 'n betroubare indikator van Cugeïnduseerde stres is. Hierdie bioindikator moet egter verder in ander grondtipes en met ander tipes stres-induserende besoedeling ondersoek word. By bogenoemde bevindings is daar ook gevind dat die getalle grondprotosoë besonder gevoelig is vir Cu-geïnduseerde stres in grond met In lae pH. Dit is in ooreenstemming met die bevindings van andere met betrekking tot die bio-beskikbaarheid van swaar metale in grond met 'n lae pH. In dié tipe grond mag nutriëntsiklering as gevolg van protosoë aktiwiteit besonder gevoelig wees vir die negatiewe uitwerking van koper in die grond.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2014.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis explores the importance of an appropriate understanding of ethics in sustainability transitions. Through a conceptual analysis, it finds that the dominant understanding of modernist ethics is unsuitable to the contexts of contingency in sustainability transitions, and that the participatory understanding of ethics as a complex system presents a far more adequate approach to the ethical complexity of socioecological systems. In particular, the strategy of 'practising provisionality' is suggested, which understands the process of ethical decision-making as a process of social learning. This argument is further supported by a critical reflection on the food system context. The present dangers and future uncertainties of sustainability transitions are issues of incredible complexity. Socioecological interactions can have unpredictable impacts on our ability to the needs of both current and future generations, like realising a sustainable food system. Moreover, there are difficult decisions that we also to make in such dilemmas, like the extent of natural resource exploitation, where normativity plays a large role. This means that these complex issues are also ethical issues. The importance of understanding ethics in sustainability transitions is, therefore, of great importance, since we will want to believe we are making the 'right' choices in these changing contexts. However, the understanding of ethics that dominates traditional scientific thinking and academic inquiries represents a paradigm of thought that is insensitive to complexity of socioecological systems, and is therefore, inadequate in addressing the ethical complexity of sustainability transitions. In the context of food systems, this is demonstrated in the linear emphasis on food production that dominates the ethics of realising sustainable food systems. This thesis argues that a more appropriate way of thinking about ethics in times of contingent contexts and socioecological change would have to account for complexity. In an acknowledgement of the complexity of ethics, it is argued that every decision has elements of moral consideration, and that there is also no way to know objectively whether the respective decision was morally 'right' or 'wrong'. Such an understanding of complex ethics would, therefore, emphasise the importance of recursively reasoning through every ethical decision to address any reductionisms of complexity; adopting an attitude of modesty and openness towards dialogue, and adopting a student mentality of social learning that would improve upon one's complex ethical reasoning. Subsequently, the paradigmatic shift of a complex approach to ethics is more adequate in understanding ethics in sustainability transitions.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis ondersoek die belangrikheid van 'n toepaslike begrip van etiek in volhoubaarheidsoorgange. Die bevinding van hierdie konseptuele analise is dat die oorheersende begrip van modernistiese etiek ongeskik is in die volhoubaarheidsoorgang konteks van gebeurlikheid en dat die deelnemende begrip van etiek as 'n komplekse sisteem 'n baie meer toepaslike benadering is tot die etiese kompleksiteit van sosioekologiese sisteme. Die strategie van 'praktiese voorlopigheid' word in die besonder voorgestel. Dit sien die proses van etiese besluitneming as 'n proses van sosiale leerwyse. Die argument word verder ondersteun deur die kritiese refleksie op die voedselsisteem konteks. Die huidige gevare en toekomstige onsekerheid van volhoubaarheidsoorgange is geweldige ingewikkelde strydvrae. Sosioekologiese interaksies kan onvoorsiene impakte hê op ons vermoeëns om die behoeftes van beide huidige en toekomstige generasies aan te spreek, soos om volhoubare voedselsisteme te laat realiseer. Verder is daar moelike besluite wat geneem moet word tydens sulke dilemmas, soos die mate waartoe ons natuurlike bronne geeksploiteer word, waar normativiteit 'n groot rol speel. Dit beteken dat hierdie komplekse strydvrae ook etiese strydvrae is. Die belangrikheid van die begrip van etiek in volhoubare oorgange is derhalwe van groot belang, aangesien ons wil glo ons neem die regte besluite in hierdie veranderende kontekste. Die begrip van etiek wat die traditionele wetenskaplike denkwyse en akademiese navrae domineer, kom egter voor as 'n paradigmiese denkwyse wat onsensitief is ten opsigte van die kompleksitiet van die sosioekologiese sisteme, en dus tekortskiet in die hantering van die etiese kompleksitiet van volhoubare oorgange. In die voedselsisteem konteks word dit gedemonstreer in die liniêre klem wat op voedselproduksie geplaas word, wat die etiek van die realisasie van voedselsisteme domineer. Hierdie tesis redeneer dat 'n meer paslike denkwyse omtrent etiek in tye van gebeurlike kontekste en sosioekologiese veranderinge sal moet rekenskap gee van kompleksitieit. In die erkenning van die kompleksiteit van etiek, word dit geredeneer dat elke besluit 'n element van morele oorweging het, en dat daar ook geen manier is om objektief te weet of die respektiewe besluit moreel 'korrek' of verkeerd' is nie. So 'n begrip van komplekse etiek sal, dus die belangrikheid van konstante redenering in elke etiese besluitneming beklemtoon, om enige reduksionisme van kompleksiteit aan te spreek. Dit geskied deurmiddel van 'n houding van beskeidenheid en oopheid tot dialoog, en die aanneming van 'n studente mentaliteit van sosiale leerwyse wat 'n komplekse etiese redenering kan verbeter. Gevolglik, is die paradigmatiese verskuiwing van 'n komplekse benadering tot etiek meer paslik in die begrip van etiek in volhoubaarheidsoorgange.

Orientador: Luiz Lonardoni Foloni
Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Agricola
Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-04T06:05:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Plese_LuisPedrodeMelo_D.pdf: 1119151 bytes, checksum: 71b0dc99bac0c1f913f9f77bc3014bc4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005
Resumo: A utilização de produtos fitossanitários para o controle de plantas daninhas, pragas ou doenças têm sido muito difundido em função da necessidade crescente da oferta de alimentos, limitação de áreas agricultáveis e disponibilidade de mão-de-obra. Os problemas gerados com a aplicação de produtos fitossanitários, sem o devido conhecimento, podem causar riscos ao meio ambiente e à saúde humana. A tendencia é órgão fiscalizador é exigir que antes do lançamento de um novo produto no mercado e antes de sua aplicação em áreas agricultáveis seja feito estudo rigoroso de seu comportamento no meio ambiente. Quando existe um bom banco de dados, modelos matemáticos são desenvolvidos objetivando prever comportamento ambiental do produto fitossanitário. O conceito de fugacidade, embora não seja novo, praticamente não tem sido estudado no Brasil na áreadas ciencias agrárias. A fugacidade pode ser um novo caminho para quantificar o transporte, a biocumulação e transferência entre os compartimentos ambientais. Este trabalho teve por objetivos: (a) desenvolver uma metodologia preliminar de previsão de destino ambiental dos inseticidas carbosulfan e carbofuran no cultivo de arroz irrigado, através de modelo matemático baseado no conceito de fugacidade, para delimitar os compartimentos mais vulneráveis; (b) prever o comportamento e o destino ambiental das moléculas do carbosulfan e carbofuran no cultivo de arroz irrigado, aplicando o conceito de fugacidade; (c) verificar, em condições de campo, o comportamento e o destino ambiental do carbosulfan e do carbofuran, comparando-os com a previsão feita. A fase experimental foi desenvolvida na Fazenda Varjão, município de Bariri-SP, coordenadas (21º59'47¿S e 48º36'41¿LGr) em solo Gleissolos. A cultura foi implantada no dia 22/11/02, utilizando-se a cultivar IRGA-420. Para evitar possíveis contaminações, a área experimental foi locada em um tabuleiro de 2 ha a montante da propriedade. A propriedade foi dividida em tabuleiro com dimensões variáveis de 1,5 a 2,5 ha, totalizando 200 tabuleiros, separados por canais de irrigação e drenagem. Tradicionalmente, para o controle da larva da bicheira-da-raiz é recomendado o uso do inseticida carbosulfan, na dose de 400 g i.a. ha-1, no sistema de benzedura. Foram determinados 8 pontos ao acaso no tabuleiro estudado, para coleta de amostras. Os compartimentos amostrados foram água laminar, solução do solo e do próprio solo. As seqüências de tempo escolhidas para as coletas de amostras de água laminar e solução do solo foram de 0, 24, 48, 96, 192, 378 e 678 horas após a aplicação. As amostras de solo foram realizadas em 0, 24, 48, 96, 192, 378, 678, 1536 e 1656 horas após a aplicação. As cinéticas de degradação do carbofuran e do carbosulfan foram avaliadas em condições de campo através da análise dos resíduos das amostras coletadas. Utilizou-se da identificação e quantificação dos resíduos foi realizada através de um detector seletivo de massas, acoplado ao cromatógrafo. Este foi operado no modo de monitoramento de íons (SIM), sendo utilizados os fragmentos 160 e 164 para a quantificação de carbofuran e carbosulfan, respectivamente. Os dados experimentais e as equações diferenciais que descrevem a cinética do carbosulfan e do carbofuran permitiram estimar a meia-vida dos inseticidas na água e na solução do solo e no próprio solo. Os valores estimados das meias-vidas para o carbosulfan na água laminar, no solo e na solução do solo foram 1, 25 e 21 dias, respectivamente. Para o carbofuran as meias-vidas na água laminar e na solução do solo foram 3 e 10 dias, respectivamente. Os resultados indicam os compartimentos preferenciais do carbofuran, facilitando a tarefa de amostragens em programas do monitoramento da qualidade ambiental, e permite antecipar o destino ambiental do inseticida carbofuran. Experimentos de campo foram conduzidos para verificar a proximidade entre os valores simulados e os valores observados de concentrações do carbofuran na água e no solo
Abstract: Pesticide use to control pests, diseases and weeds is steadily increasing due to a general food demand increase, cropping area limitation, and manpower availability. Pesticide application without a sound knowledge may hazard environment and human health. Regulatory agencies enforces that, before a new product releasing to the market for agricultural use, intensive studies on its environment impacts ought to be developed. When a large and useful database is available, mathematical models are developed to estimate or predict product environmental behavior. In Brazil, although the available knowledge, practically there are no studies on fugacity concept applied to agricultural subjects. Fugacity in the proposed form might be a new tool in quantifying the movement, bioaccumulation and transfer of pesticides betweeen environment compartments. The objectives of this research work were: (a) to develop a preliminary method for predicting the environmental destination of carbosulfan and carbofuran insecticides applied to field irrigated rice, using a model based on the fugacity concept to delimit most vulnerable compartments; (b) to predict the behavior and environmental destination of carbosulfan and carbofuran molecules applied on field irrigated rice, using the fugacity concept; (c) to validate the prediction model by comparison with experimental data obtained under field conditions. The experimental data was obtained from a field irrigated rice experiment carried out at 'Varjão¿ Farm, district of Bariri, State of São Paulo, Brazil (21º59'47¿S and 48º36'41¿LGr) in a Gleissol type soil. Rice cv IRGA-420 was seeded in 11.22.2004, using the uppermost rice field area to avoid eventual contaminations. The property is divided in 1.5-2.5 ha-field areas, separated by rrigation or drainage channels. Traditionally, rice root weevil is controlled through carbosulfan application at the rate of 400 g a.i. ha-1. Eight sampling points were randomly located in the rice fields. The sampled compartments were: laminar water, soil solution and soil. The time sequence for water and soil solution samplings were 0, 24, 48, 96, 192, 378 and 678 hours after pesticide application, and for soil, 0, 24, 48, 96, 192, 378, 678, 1536 and 1656 hours after pesticide application. The carbofuran and carbosulfan degradation kinetics were evaluated through residue sample analysis. Residue identification and quantification were made through a mass selective detector (MSD) device coupled to a chromatograph. This equipment was operated in the system of ion monitoring mode (SIM), utilizing 160 and 164 fragments for the carbofuran and carbosulfan quantification, respectively. The experimental data and differential equations that describe the carbofuran and carbosulfan kinetics in the field rice water, allowed the insecticide half-life estimation in the three compartments: water, soil solution and soil. The estimated values for carbosulfan half-lives were: 1, 25 and 21 for water, soil and soil solution, respectively, and 3 and 10 days for carbofuran half-lives for the water and soil solution, respectively. The proposed model showed to be viable for the evaluation of insecticide behavior inthe irrigated field rice. High correlation was observed between data obtained by simulation and that from field experimentation, through residue analyses in the water and soil compartments. In an evaluation of environmental risks, the fugacity model level IV was adequate to estimate or predict the insecticide product destination
Doutorado
Agua e Solo
Doutor em Engenharia Agrícola

Orientador: João Carlos de Andrade
Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Quimica
Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-05T03:10:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Falcao_AudreydeArruda_M.pdf: 452766 bytes, checksum: 4fd8a7b939f13bb928e461a7113b0135 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005
Mestrado
Quimica Analitica
Mestre em Química

Orientador: João Fernando Marques
Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Economia
Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-12T16:37:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Cunha_FlavioLuizSilvaJorgeda_D.pdf: 2237333 bytes, checksum: dc053a7f7e28160941411e0d61ca0e51 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008
Resumo: Este trabalho objetiva apresentar e discutir a valoração de serviços ecossistêmicos, a partir do conceito de funções e serviços ecossistêmicos e da aplicação dos métodos de valoração econômica em uma bacia hidrográfica devido a ocupação pela agricultura. Mostra que a valoração é um dentre outros importantes instrumentos a serem mobilizados para a preservação ambiental e para o reconhecimento e aceitação social da necessidade da gestão dos ambientes naturais, tendo como orientação a utilização sustentável dos recursos. Assim, o trabalho pautou-se por apresentar as possibilidades teóricas a partir das visões tradicionais e da economia ecológica, apresentou-se um ambiente antropizado e suas características sempre procurando destacar as questões da ocupação e dos impactos ambientais. Além da caracterização da ocupação do espaço e das determinantes sócio-econômicas foi realizado um estudo na bacia hidrográfica dos rios Mogi-Guaçu, Pardo e Baixo Grande, doravante denominada bacia do Mogi - Pardo, no Estado de São Paulo, com o objetivo de determinar a Disposição a Pagar por água limpa junto à população dos municípios que fazem parte da bacia. A partir das recomendações do Relatório da National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations (NOAA), o estudo mostra que mesmo com suas limitações, o método de valoração contingente (MVC) pode contribuir com uma medida de valor para auxiliar no processo de tomada de decisão.
Abstract: This study aims to present and discuss the valuation of ecosystem services, from the concept of ecosystem functions and services and the application of methods of economic valuation in a watershed because the occupation by agriculture. To show that the valuation is one among other important tools being mobilized for environmental preservation and recognition and social acceptance of the need for management of natural environments, with a guide to sustainable resource use. Thus, the work is guided by presenting the theoretical possibilities from the visions of traditional and ecological economy, proved to be an anthropic environment and its features always looking to highlight the issues of occupation and environmental impacts. In addition to the characterization of the occupation of space and determinants of socio-economic study was conducted in the watershed of rivers Mogi-Guaçu, Pardo and Grande, in the state of Sao Paulo, aiming to determine Willingness to pay for the clean water from the population of municipalities that are part of the basin. Based on the recommendations of the Report of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations (NOAA), the study shows that even with its limitations, the contingent valuation method (MVC) can provide a measure of value to assist in the decision-making process.
Doutorado
Desenvolvimento Economico, Espaço e Meio Ambiente
Doutor em Desenvolvimento Economico

Orientador: Luiz Lonardoni Foloni
Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Agricola
Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-05T18:46:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Silva_CelsoLuizda_M.pdf: 2466251 bytes, checksum: ec6d5d80bece33b33227f9238012b5f8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2004
Resumo: A utilização de pesticidas na agricultura é uma prática necessária no controle de pragas, doenças ou de plantas daninhas para se atingir altos índices de produtividade e conseguir desta forma atender a demanda crescente de alimentos. Alguns destes pesticidas aplicados podem apresentar propriedades físico-químicas perigosas, seja ao ambiente e aos próprios seres vivos, podendo causar danos ambientais e problemas de saúde ao homem. Muitas vezes isto ocorre devido à falta de estudos sobre o comportamento e destino destes produtos no ambiente e estudos toxicológicos. Uma ferramenta importante para procurar evitar estes tipos de danos são os modelos matemáticos que permitem antecipar para o qual ou quais compartimentos esta molécula tende a caminhar e também, auxiliar no desenvolvimento de pesquisa no campo, diminuindo os gastos e esforços. O objetivo deste projeto foi utilizar um modelo matemático de fugacidade (nível) I na análise de risco do comportamento, como auxílio na avaliação preliminar da distribuição ambiental, dos principais pesticidas registrados junto ao Ministério da Agricultura, usados e aplicados de acordo com as recomendações de seus fabricantes, nos sistemas de produção convencional e plantio direto, nas principais culturas brasileiras: algodão, arroz, café, cana-de-açúcar, citros, milho e soja. A metodologia utilizada foi baseada nas fórmulas matemáticas descritas por Mackay (1991). Como resultados, foram selecionados os 10 produtos que mais se distribuíram nos compartimentos ambientais (ar, água, solo, sedimento, biota, folhas das plantas, caule e raiz) aqui apresentados em ordem decrescente de preferência. Estes pesticidas foram para o compartimento ar: acetochlor> disulfuton> acephate> thiodicarb> quinclorac> thiram> tolifluanid> pendimenthalin> trifluralin> endosulfan; para a água: nicosulfuron> metsulfuron methyl> monocrotofós> bispyribac sodium> metamidofós> thiamethoxam> halosuluron methyl> chlorimuron etílico> imazapic> imidacloprid; para o solo: diquat> paraquat> hexythiazox> parathion metil> benomyl> tiofanato metílico> msma> iprodione> epoxiconazole> propargite; para o sedimento: diquat> paraquat> hexythiazox> parathion metil> benomyl> tiofanato metílico> msma> iprodione> epoxiconazole> propargite; para a biota: propanil> acetochlor> disulfoton> pendimenthalin> bifenthrin> carboxin> endosulfan> clorpirifós> tolyfluanid> thiram; para a folha: aldicarb> fluazifop-p-butil> metconazole> diflubenzuron> tolyfluanid> disulfuton> fludioxonil> difenoconazole> acetochlor> tebuconazole; para a raiz e caule: lambdacyhalothrin> zetacypermethrin> cypermethrin> alfacipermetrina> bifenthrin> acrinathrin> permethrin> lactofen> betacyflutrin> chlorfluazuron. Os pesticidas estudados também foram comparados pelo critério de GUS (índice de vulnerabilidade de águas subterrâneas). Os produtos que apresentaram potencial de lixiviação em ordem alfabética foram: acetochlor, aldicarb, atrazina, bispyribac-sodium, carbendazim, carbofuran, clorimuron, etílico, cyproconazole, difenoconazole, fipronil, flumioxazin, fomezafen, hexazinone, imazapic, imazaquim, imazetapir, metalacloro, metomyl, metribuzin, metsulfuron-methyl, monocrotofós, nicosulfuron, quinclorac, simazine, tebuthiuron, thiamethoxam e triclorfon. As conclusões deste trabalho permitiram verificar que o compartimento ambiental que apresentou maior vulnerabilidade na preferência da distribuição dos pesticidas foi o compartimento água. A avaliação preliminar do risco de contaminação por pesticidas de uma área agrícola pode ser feita a partir das características físico-químicas dos pesticidas utilizando o modelo de fugacidade Mackay nível I (1991). Este modelo pela simplicidade e rapidez nas respostas mostra ser uma excelente ferramenta, como fator de decisão na utilização do pesticida. O critério de GUS também se apresentou como mais um mecanismo para ser utilizado quando não se dispõe de todas as informações, como tomada de decisão na escolha da utilização de um pesticida visando monitorar ou até mesmo impedir a contaminação de águas subterrâneas
Abstract: The utilization of pesticides in agriculture is a necessary practice to control pests, diseases or weeds to reach an excellent index of productivity and get attend the increasing necessity of food. Some of this pesticides applied, show dangerous physical-chemical proprieties to the environmental and health human. Many times it happen because we haven¿t enough studies of the toxicity and behavior or destination of pesticides in the environmental. One of important tool to try avoid this type of damage are the mathematics models, which permit anticipated for which behavior of this molecule tend walk and also help in the development of field research reduce expense and effort. The goal of this project was use a mathematics calculus based on mathematics models of fugacity level 1, which help in the analysis of risk the main environmental behavior of all pesticides, registered in the Ministry of Agriculture, used and applied according to the recommendation of manufactures pesticides industry (WIN FIT; 2000), at the system of conventional production, and no till system of cotton, rice, coffee, sugar-cane, citrus, corn and soybean cultivation. The utilized methodology was mathematics formula describe by Mackay (1991) to figure out of fugacity (¿, Pa), capacity of fugacity (Z, mol m-3 Pa-1) , concentration (C, g mol-1) in the compartment air, water, soil, sediment, biota, leaves, root, stem of plant. It was used the physical-chemical parameters to each pesticides applied to each culture studied (cotton, rice, sugar-cane, coffee, citrus, corn and soybean) with data of each compartment: volume (m³), fraction organic (%) and density (?, g m-3) got from the Mackay (1991). As the results of mathematics calculus it were chose the 10 products which were more distributed in the compartment environmental present such as following the preference, where from the air compartment: acetochlor> disulfuton> acephate> thiodicarb> quinclorac> thiram> tolifluanid> pendimenthalin> trifluralin> endosulfan; from the water compartment: nicosulfuron> metsulfuron-methyl> monocrotofos> bispyribac-sodium> metamidofos> thiamethoxam> halosuluron methyl> chlorimuron etílico> imazapic> imidacloprid; from the soil compartment: diquat> paraquat> hexythiazox> parathion metil> benomyl> tiofanato metílico>msma>iprodione> epoxiconazole> propargite; from the sediment compartment: diquat> paraquat> hexythiazox> parathion metil> benomyl> tiofanato metílico> msma> iprodione> epoxiconazole> propargite; from the biota compartment: propanil> acetochlor> disulfoton> pendimenthalin> bifenthrin> carboxin> endosulfan> clorpirifós> tolyfluanid> thiram; from the leave compartment: aldicarb> fluazifop-p-butil> metconazole> diflubenzuron> tolyfluanid> disulfuton> fludioxonil> difenoconazole> acetochlor> tebuconazole; from the trunk and root compartments: lambdacyhalothrin> zetacypermethrin> cypermethrin> alfacipermetrina> bifentrhin> acrinathrin> permethrin> lactofen> betacyflutrin> chlorfluazuron. The pesticides studied too were also by the GUS (Groundwater Ubiquity Score) where the index is calculated through the half-life value of the compose on the soil and coefficient of adsorption and organic tissue of the soil. The products that showed lixiviation potential by GUS alphabetical order were: acetochlor, aldicarb, atrazina, bispyribac sodium, carbendazim, carbofuran, clorimuron, etilico, cyproconazole, difenoconazole, fipronil, flumioxazin, fomezafen, hexazinone, imazapic, imazaquim, imazetapir, metalacloro, metomyl, metribuzin, metsulfuron-methyl, monocrotofos, nicosulfuron, quinclorac, simazine, tebuthiuron, thiamethoxam and triclorfon. In conclusion, the environmental compartment showed more vulnerability in the preference of pesticide distribution in the compartment water. The preliminary evaluation of risk contamination in agriculture area by pesticides can be made based on physical-chemical pesticide characteristic used in the fugacity model Mackay level 1 (1991). This fugacity model Mackay level 1 (1991) is an excellent tool to be used as a factor of decision in the pesticides use. The GUS criteria showed itself as one more mechanism to be used dire the lack of information, as decision make skill in choice of a pesticide utilization aiming monitoring or even though avoiding groundwater contamination
Mestrado
Agua e Solo
Mestre em Engenharia Agrícola

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:35:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2014-05-31Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T21:08:05Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000759516.pdf: 2615990 bytes, checksum: 0262fedf6e55b58d6e2d0fc16d99075a (MD5)
Os distintos e diversos acontecimentos sociais, econômicos, ambientais políticos e culturais havidos em tempos recentes, tanto em ambiente público quanto privado, referendados inclusive por publicações científicas, reforçam que a sustentabilidade do nosso planeta é um dos maiores desafios deste século. A proteção do ambiente é tema cada vez mais presente no dia a dia das empresas, tanto de grande quanto, mais contemporaneamente, de médio e pequeno porte, com implicações na viabilidade econômica e competitividade empresarial. Um Sistema de Gestão Ambiental (SGA) é uma forma de inserir as preocupações e diretrizes ambientais na gestão empresarial das organizações. Um SGA de uma empresa está implicitamente associado a toda uma estrutura organizacional, a atividades de planejamento, a definição de responsabilidade, a práticas e procedimentos, bem como a processos e recursos para desenvolver, implantar, alcançar, rever e manter a política ambiental estabelecida pela empresa. Considerando, portanto, esta problematização ambiental, entende-se que é possível elaborar e implantar, dentro da perspectiva dos proprietários rurais ou de seus representantes, um Sistema de Gestão Ambiental que venha a atender uma determinada região agropecuária visando mercados com requisitos cada vez mais sustentáveis. Dentro deste contexto, o objetivo principal deste estudo é propor um Sistema de Certificação Ambiental aos produtores de cana-de-açúcar da região de Monte Aprazível visando atender mercados com requisitos de sustentabilidade cada vez mais exigentes. Pretendeu-se utilizar o método Dedutivo, uma vez que, partindo-se de premissas gerais de alguns dos principais requisitos de sustentabilidade do presente estudo de caso, sobretudo em termos da legislação ambiental...
Recently the several and distinct social, economic, environmental, political and cultural events, either in public or private organizations, countersigned by scientific publications have reinforced that the sustainability of our planet is one of the biggest challenges of this century.The environmental protection is a topic that has been increasingly present in the routine of companies whether they are large, or more contemporaneously, medium or small, with implications in economic viability and competitiveness. An Environmental Management System (EMS) is a way to introduce the concerns and environmental guidelines into the management of the business organizations.The EMS of a company is implicitly associated with an entire organizational structure, planning activities, definition of responsibility, practices and procedures, as well as the processes and resources for developing, implementing, achieving, reviewing and maintaining the environmental policy 5 established by the company. Considering, therefore, this environmental issue, it is possible to elaborate and implement, within the rural landowners perspective or their representatives, an Environmental Management System which can suit a particular agricultural region aiming markets with increasingly sustainable requirements for the markets. In this context, the main objective of this study is to propose an Environmental Certification System for sugarcaneproducers from the region of Monte Aprazível, aiming to attend markets with more demanding sustainability requirements. It was used the deductive methodology, since the general premises of some major sustainability requirements of this present case study were the starting point, above all in terms of state environmental applicable legislation, based on a chain of reasoning, in decreasing order of analysis, from the general to the specific, to achieve some points that can confirm or not the hypothes ...

Thesis (MTech (Nursing))--Cape Technikon, 2003.
The developed countries of the world utilise 80% of the agricultural chemicals that are used in the agricultural sector. A total of 99% of all agricultural chemical poisoning occurs in developing countries. South Africa is classified as a developing country. During the five-year period from 1996 - 2000, 36.2% (50 cases) of the average number of cases of agricultural chemical poisoning that were reported in South Africa were in the Western Cape. Three out of four (75%) deaths as a result of agricultural chemicals during the same period were in the Western Cape. The agricultural activities that are undertaken in the Western Cape are labour intensive and various agricultural chemicals are applied continuously to meet the quality requirements of the export market. The purposes of this study were: i) to determine which factors contributed to the reported cases of agricultural chemical poisoning in the Winelands, Overberg and Breede River District Councils during the five-year period from 1January 1996 until31 December 2000, ii) to determine what procedure was followed to report these cases of poisoning, iii) to determine whether a biological monitoring programme was in place at the time of the reported poisonings, and iv) to group and to analyse the recommendations that were made during the investigation. The research methodology included a literature study to establish a theoretical framework. A descriptive retrospective quantitative research design was applied.

Orientador: Iraê Amaral Guerrini
Coorientador: Luiz César Ribas
Banca : Osmar de Carvalho Bueno
Banca: Maura Seiko Tsutsui Esperancini
Banca: Aloisio Costa Sampaio
Banca: Clarice Backes
Resumo: Os distintos e diversos acontecimentos sociais, econômicos, ambientais políticos e culturais havidos em tempos recentes, tanto em ambiente público quanto privado, referendados inclusive por publicações científicas, reforçam que a sustentabilidade do nosso planeta é um dos maiores desafios deste século. A proteção do ambiente é tema cada vez mais presente no dia a dia das empresas, tanto de grande quanto, mais contemporaneamente, de médio e pequeno porte, com implicações na viabilidade econômica e competitividade empresarial. Um Sistema de Gestão Ambiental (SGA) é uma forma de inserir as preocupações e diretrizes ambientais na gestão empresarial das organizações. Um SGA de uma empresa está implicitamente associado a toda uma estrutura organizacional, a atividades de planejamento, a definição de responsabilidade, a práticas e procedimentos, bem como a processos e recursos para desenvolver, implantar, alcançar, rever e manter a política ambiental estabelecida pela empresa. Considerando, portanto, esta problematização ambiental, entende-se que é possível elaborar e implantar, dentro da perspectiva dos proprietários rurais ou de seus representantes, um Sistema de Gestão Ambiental que venha a atender uma determinada região agropecuária visando mercados com requisitos cada vez mais sustentáveis. Dentro deste contexto, o objetivo principal deste estudo é propor um Sistema de Certificação Ambiental aos produtores de cana-de-açúcar da região de Monte Aprazível visando atender mercados com requisitos de sustentabilidade cada vez mais exigentes. Pretendeu-se utilizar o método Dedutivo, uma vez que, partindo-se de premissas gerais de alguns dos principais requisitos de sustentabilidade do presente estudo de caso, sobretudo em termos da legislação ambiental ...
Abstract: Recently the several and distinct social, economic, environmental, political and cultural events, either in public or private organizations, countersigned by scientific publications have reinforced that the sustainability of our planet is one of the biggest challenges of this century.The environmental protection is a topic that has been increasingly present in the routine of companies whether they are large, or more contemporaneously, medium or small, with implications in economic viability and competitiveness. An Environmental Management System (EMS) is a way to introduce the concerns and environmental guidelines into the management of the business organizations.The EMS of a company is implicitly associated with an entire organizational structure, planning activities, definition of responsibility, practices and procedures, as well as the processes and resources for developing, implementing, achieving, reviewing and maintaining the environmental policy 5 established by the company. Considering, therefore, this environmental issue, it is possible to elaborate and implement, within the rural landowners perspective or their representatives, an Environmental Management System which can suit a particular agricultural region aiming markets with increasingly sustainable requirements for the markets. In this context, the main objective of this study is to propose an Environmental Certification System for sugarcaneproducers from the region of Monte Aprazível, aiming to attend markets with more demanding sustainability requirements. It was used the deductive methodology, since the general premises of some major sustainability requirements of this present case study were the starting point, above all in terms of state environmental applicable legislation, based on a chain of reasoning, in decreasing order of analysis, from the general to the specific, to achieve some points that can confirm or not the hypothes ...
Doutor

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2014.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Aquaculture has proven to be a viable operation in multi-used irrigation reservoirs (also referred to as farm dams) in the Western Cape province (WCP) of South Africa. Many studies found that the fitness-for-use of these reservoirs for both net cage culture of fish and irrigation of crops is feasible. However, practising intensive fish farming in existing open water bodies can increase the nutrient levels of the water through organic loading, originating from uneaten feeds and fish metabolic wastes. Under such conditions the primary (irrigation) and secondary (drinking water and recreation) usage of the dam could be compromised by deteriorating water quality. Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) farming is done in Mediterranean climatic conditions of the WCP. This type of climate presents short production seasons with fluctuating water quality and quantity. The study investigated the dynamics of water physico-chemical parameters and assessed the long term impact of rainbow trout farming on irrigation reservoirs. Furthermore, associated land-use in the catchment of such integrated aqua-agriculture systems is described, and mitigation to minimise the impact of fish farming evaluated. The investigation concluded with assessing the contribution of aquaculture to rural and peri-urban communities. The aim is to present an integrated, socio-ecologically balanced farming system for irrigation reservoirs with associated aquaculture activities. A total of 35 reservoirs, including both fish farming and non-fish farming ones, were selected as research sites. They were located in three geographical regions namely, Overberg (Grabouw/Caledon), Boland (Stellenbosch/Franschhoek) and Breede River (Ceres/Worcester). Reservoirs were <20 ha in surface area and the volume ranges from 300 000 to 1 500 000 m3. Water samples were collected monthly and seasonally for the different investigations and analysed for a range of water quality parameters, including: transparency (Secchi disc), temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), chloride (Cl), carbonate (CO3), bicarbonate (HCO3), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), boron (B), total phosphorous (TP), orthophosphate (PO4), total ammonia nitrogen (TAN), nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N), nitrite-nitrogen (NO2-N), aluminium (Al), total suspended solids (TSS), total dissolved solids (TDS), alkalinity, hardness and sulphate. Phytoplankton samples were also collected, genera identified and biomass calculated. The water quality data were analysed in terms of surface and bottom strata in both fish farming and non-fish farming reservoirs based on repeated measurements at the same site location at different times using the procedure General Linear Models of Stastical Analysis System (SAS, 2012). Values p<0.05 were considered as statistically significant. A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) biplot was used to graphically depict all the sites and measured water quality variables with the purpose of trying to see whether the fish farming and non-fish farming ones showed any groupings and how the sites were related to the measured variables. Structured questionnaires and informal discussions were used to collect additional information on the water use, production data and socio-economic effects on fish farmers. Categorical data gathered from the interviews (21 aquaculture projects) were analysed for frequency of occurrence using the Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) computer programme (SPSS Systems for Windows, Version 12.0). Results are presented in publication form with research chapters focusing on the subject areas of water quality impact, catchment land-use, potential mitigation measures and aquaculture contribution. Results for the water quality analyses indicated that as a collective, the farm reservoirs’ overall minimum, mean and maximum values for the physico-chemical parameters were fit-for-use for trout farming. The depth of the reservoirs ranged from 1.2 - 21.6 m with the low value taken during the summer season. Values lower than 5.0 m can cause management problems for floating cages that require a minimum of 4.0 m for net suspension and 1.0 m of free space below for adequate lateral flow. The Secchi disc reading of the reservoirs ranged from 10 – 510 cm. Higher transparencies were recorded after the winter rains when sand, silt and clay settled. Trout feeding is dependent on visibility and transparencies of more than 50 cm are required for good feeding conditions. The dissolved oxygen (DO) ranged from 0.3 – 16.4 mg/L with values below 5.00 mg/L recorded during summer when extraction and temperatures were high and provided conditions unable to sustain trout farming. The situation reverses with the onset of winter when the dams fill and DO rises above 5.00 mg/L as required for trout farming. The phosphorous (P) levels ranged from 0.001 – 0.735 mg/L. Higher concentrations were recorded during the winter turnover phase when bottom and surface waters mixed. Concentration above 0.01 mg/L can cause eutrophication of the water bodies. Total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) ranged from 0.015 - 6.480 mg/L. Higher concentrations were recorded during summer when temperatures were high and depths were low. TAN can be toxic to fish when the pH and temperature are high. The generally low least square means (LSM) for TAN were indicative of minor environmental impact of trout farming operations conducted during the colder, winter rainfall months. Trout farming coincided with conditions where the water temperatures were low, dam levels were high and dams were overflowing. The difference in bottom and surface water quality of reservoirs and the site location were found to be more important than the absence or presence of fish farming. The difference in bottom and surface water is directly linked to the ecological status of the sediment, which serve as nutrient sinks. In monomictic dams found in Mediterranean areas, mixing occurs during the winter turnover phase. Nutrients are released due to surface and bottom water mixing, brought about by torrential rains and wind turbulence. The concentration of organic material in the sediment and bottom waters is a function of the nutrient loading over time, irrespective whether the non-point sources were fish farming or agricultural activities and therefore it is difficult to partition causes and effects. In cases where reservoirs were already eutrophic due to past agricultural practices, implementing aquaculture could exacerbate the poor water quality status of the reservoir. There was a statistically significant difference between fish farming and non-fish farming for phosphorous, Secchi disc, total suspended solids and nitrite-nitrogen (p<0.05) and no statistically significant difference between fish farming and non-fish farming for dissolved oxygen, total ammonia nitrogen and nitrate-nitrogen (p>0.05). There was a statistically significant difference between surface and bottom waters for P and TAN (p<0.05). One reason for higher P and TAN concentrations in bottom waters is the accumulation of both in the sediment and subsequent release in the water column when the water mixes. A two-dimensional scatter plot was generated using the score for the first two principal components. The first two principal components accounts for 40 and 17 % of the total variance respectively, and the two groups of fish farming and non-fish farming did not separate well based on the first two principal components. The occurrence and distribution of phytoplankton biomass fluctuated with dam water levels and nutrient concentrations. The prevailing phytoplankton communities are important to fish farmers for two reasons: 1. It leads to fluctuations in dissolved oxygen concentrations via users (respiration and decomposition) and producers (photosynthesis). 2. It could lead to algal taint of fish flesh when geosmin-producing phytoplankton species are present. The frequency of occurrence indicated that the Group Chlorophyta (including genera, Chlamydomonas, Closterium, Oocystis, Scenedesmus, Staurastrum, Tetraedron, etc) had the most occurrences (n=371) with Chrysophyta (including genera, Dinobryon, Mallomonas, Synura, etc) the least (n=34). There was a statistically significant difference between genera occurrence and season (p<0.05). The geographical location of sites had no significance influence on the frequency of phytoplankton occurrence. There was no direct link between water quality and production yield (p>0.05). The fish yield of farms were linked mainly to the quality of fingerlings and the feed conversion ratio (FCR) achieved (p<0.05). Land-use patterns in the catchment where fish farming dams were located have shown that the dams are multiple-used systems. The ecological integrity of the farm dam ecosystem is dependent on the base volume. The dam is primarily for irrigation and fish farming can be compromised when higher demand for water is required during the dry season. The dams receive about 20 % of its water from rainfall and the rest from runoffs. Farmers could not provide accurate extraction rates making it difficult to predict water levels for future fish production. Four potential mitigation measures to reduce nutrient loading were described namely, feed management (quantity, frequency, type, etc.), feeding method (demand feeders, hand feeding), feed ingredients (formulation) and floating gardens. Both feed management procedures and demand feeders were evaluated as to the efficiency of reducing feed wastage and optimising FCR’s. The small-scale fish farmers were producing approximately 6 tons and had an average FCR of 1.96:1 ± 1.15. If farmers could improve their FCR’s by 0.1 (i.e. from 1.96 to 1.86), it would translate into a reduction of 100 kg feed for every ton of fish produced and result in 5% decrease in nutrient loading. The results of the water analysis and visual assessment of faecal length and colour showed no statistically significant difference between treatments for the guar-gum based binder (p>0.05). In addition, the level of binder did not influence digestibility of the experimental diets. The floating garden study indicated that it was feasible to construct a low cost raft system that is easy to manage and can produce plant crops as a hydroponic system in conjunction with fish farming cages. The lettuces grown on farm dam water provided support for the premise that the water quality can be improved via extraction of nutrients for crop production. For the production of 3.5 kg/m2 lettuce, a ratio of 1.09 plants/fish equal to 1.84 g feed/day/plant would reduce the accumulation of soluble nutrients around floating net cage farming system. The socio-economic evaluation of the contribution of fish farming to the welfare of rural and peri-urban farming communities supported the notion that aquaculture can lead to the upliftment of participating communities. Seventy-one percent (71%) of the respondents indicated that their motivation for exploring aquaculture is to supply fish to the wholesale market in order to generate income. Sixty-one percent (61%) of the respondents conducted the sales themselves or co-opted family members to assist them. The contribution of aquaculture provided direct benefits through improvement in household income, subsistence food supply and skills development. Indirect benefits included providing an information hub for other emerging farmers, elevation of the fish farmer’s status in the community through greater wealth and knowledge creation and promoting sector diversification through new products and technology. The three main constraints to the promotion and growth of aquaculture were listed as lack of government support, insufficient market intelligence and access, and limited choice in the availability of suitable candidate aquaculture species. Irrigation reservoirs in the WCP have a history of enrichment through external sources supplying water via agricultural runoff (fertilisers and pesticides), catchment runoff (leaf litter and organic debris) and stormwater effluent (grey and black water). The incorporation of aquaculture into such dams adds extra nutrients to the water column and management is crucial to limit the nutrient loading and ensure environmental sustainability. Such an approach will ensure that commercial land-based crop farmers’ irrigation regime and water distribution operations would not be negatively affected. Therefore future research needs should focus on; firstly the prevention and minimisation of pollution deriving from aquaculture through improved production management and technology transfer, secondly the monitoring and evaluation of the catchment ecosystem as a continuum with all the external factors affecting the ecology of farm dams and thirdly, evaluating the sediment processes and dynamics as sinks for nutrient accumulation.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Akwakultuur het getoon dat dit ‘n lewensvatbare inisiatief is vir meerdoelige-gebruik van besproeiingsdamme (ook genoem plaasdamme) in die Wes-Kaap provinsie (WKP) van Suid-Afrika. Vele studies het bewys dat die geskiktheid-vir-gebruik van die reservoirs haalbaar is vir beide visproduksie sowel as besproeiing van landbougewasse. Nieteenstaande, die beoefening van intensiewe visboerdery in bestaande buitelug watersisteme kan lei tot ‘n toename in nutriëntvlakke van die water as gevolg van organiese belading afkomstig van ongevrete voere en metaboliese afvalstowwe van die vis. Onder sulke omstandigthede kan die primêre- (besproeiing) en die sekondêre (drinkwater en rekreasie) gebruik van die dam in gedrang kom weens ‘n afname in waterkwaliteit. Reënboogforel (Oncorhynchus mykiss) boerdery word beoefen in die omliggende Mediterreense klimaat van die WKP. Die tipe klimaat verskaf kort produksie-seisoene met wisselvallige water kwaliteit en kwantiteit. Die studie het die dinamika van water se fisies-chemiese parameters ondersoek en het die impak van forelboerdery op besproeiingdamme oor die langtermyn beskryf. Verder het die studie die geassosieerde landgebruik in die opvangsgebied met geïntegreerde akwa-landbou sisteme beskryf, asook moontlike toetrede (mitigasie maatreëls) geëvalueer wat die impak moontlik kan verlaag. Die ondersoek is afgesluit deur die bydrae wat akwakultuur lewer aan landelike en semi-stedelike gebiede, te beskryf. Die hoofdoel is die daarstelling van ‘n geïntegreerde, sosio-ekologiese gebalanseerde sisteem vir besproeiingdamme met gesamentlike akwakultuuraktiwiteite. ‘n Totaal van 35 besproeiingsdamme, insluitend die met visboerdery en nie-visboerdery, is gekies as navorsingspersele. Dit is hoofsaaklik geleë in drie geografiese gebiede naamlik, Overberg (Grabouw/Caledon), Boland (Stellenbosch/Franschhoek) en Breederivier (Ceres/Worcester). Die reservoirs is almal < 20 ha in oppervlakarea en die volumes het gewissel van 300 000 – 1 500 000 m3. Watermonsters is maandeliks sowel as seisoenaal versamel vir die onderskeie ondersoeke en ontleed vir ‘n reeks van parameters, insluitend: sigbaarheid (Secchi disc), temperatuur, opgeloste suurstof (OS), pH, natrium (Na), kalium (K), kalsium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), yster (Fe), chloor (Cl), karbonaat (CO3), bikarbonaat (HCO3), mangaan (Mn), koper (Cu), sink (Zn), boor (B), totale fosfor (TP), ortofosfaat (PO4), totale ammoniak stikstof (TAN), nitraat-stikstof (NO3-N), nitriet-stikstof (NO2-N), aluminium (Al), totale gesuspendeerde vaste stowwe (TGV), totale opgeloste vaste stowwe (TOV), alkaliniteit, hardheid en sulfate. Phytoplanktonmonsters is ook versamel, genera geïdentifiseer en die biomassa bepaal. Die waterkwaliteitsdata is ontleed in terme van oppervlak- en bodemstrata vir beide visboerdery en nie-visboerdery reservoirs en was gebaseer op herhaalde metings by dieselfde perseel op verskillende tye deur gebruik te maak van die Algemene Liniêre Model van Statistiese Analitiese Sisteem (SAS, 2012). Waardes p<0.05 is oorweeg as statisties beduidend. ‘n Hoofkomponentanalise bi-stipping (HKA) is toegepas om die persele en veranderlikes grafies voor te stel en te bepaal of die visboerdery en nie-visboerdery s’n enige groeperinge vorm asook hoe die persele assosieer met die veranderlikes. Gestruktureerde vraelyste en informele besprekings is onderneem om inligting in te samel op watergebruik, produksie-data, en die sosio-ekonomiese invloed wat akwakultuur bied aan visboere. Kategoriese data wat deur die onderhoude (21 akwakultuurprojekte) ingesamel is, is ontleed vir die frekwensie van aanwesigheid deur die gebruik van Statistiese Produk en Dienste-oplossings (SPDO) rekenaarprogram (SPSS Systems for Windows, Version 12.0). Die resultate vir die verskeie ondersoeke is beskryf en saamgestel in publikasie-vorm met die navorsingshoofstukke wat gefokus het op die areas van waterkwaliteitsimpak, opvangsgebied landgebruik, toetrede-meganismes en die bydrae van akwakultuur. Die resultate vir die waterkwaliteitsanalises het getoon dat gesamentlik die reservoirs se oorhoofse minimum, gemiddelde en maksimum waardes vir die verskillende fisies-chemiese parameters geskik is vir forelboerdery. Die diepte van die reservoirs het gewissel van 1.2 - 21.6 m, met die laagste waarde aangeteken gedurende die somermaande. Waardes laer as 5.0 m kan bestuursprobleme vir drywende hokstelsels versoorsaak want ‘n minimum van tenminste 4.0 m vrye spasie onder die hokke word benodig vir voldoende laterale vloei. Die Secchi-skyf lesing (sigbaarheid) van die reservoirs het gewissel van 10 – 510 cm. Hoër sigbaarheidswaardes is aangeteken na winterreëns wanneer sand-, slik- en klei deeltjies uitgesak het. Forel voer op sig en sigbaarheid van > 50 cm word benodig om goeie voeding te handhaaf. Die OS het gewissel van 0.3 – 16.4 mg/L met waardes onder 5 mg/L aangeteken gedurende somer wanneer wateronttrekking en temperature hoog was. Dit het gelei tot ongunstige toestande vir forelboerdery. Die situasie swaai om met die begin van winter wanneer die damme vol reën en die OS bo 5 mg/L styg soos benodig vir forelboerdery. Die P-vlakke het gewissel van 0.001 – 0.735 mg/L. Hoër waardes is aangeteken gedurende die winteromkeerfase wanneer die bodem en oppervlak se water meng. Konsentrasies bo 0.01 mg/L kan tot eutrofikasie van watersisteme lei. TAS het gewissel van 0-015 – 6.480 mg/L. Hoër konsentrasies is aangeteken gedurende die somer wanneer temperature hoog is en damvlakke laag. By hoë pH’s en temperature kan TAS toksies wees vir vis. The algemene lae kleinste kwadaat gemiddelde (KKG) waarde vir TAS het getoon dat daar ‘n klein impak op die omgewing was wanneer forelboerdery bedryf word gedurende die koue, winter reënvalmaande. Forelboerdery val saam met omstandigthede wanneer die watertemperature laag is, damvlakke hoog en die reservoirs oorloop. Die verskil in die bodem- en oppervlak water in die besproeiingsdamme en die ligging van die perseel is vasgestel om meer belangrik te wees as die teenwoordigheid of afwesigheid van visboerdery. Die verskil in die bodem en oppervlak is toe te skryf aan die toestand van die sediment waar nutriënte kan opgaar. In monomiktiese damme soos gevind in Mediterreende areas, vind vermenging plaas gedurende die winteromkeerfase. Nutriënte word vrygestel a.g.v. die vermenging van die oppervlak en bodem se water wat dan veroorsaak word deur harde reën en windturbulensie. Die konsentrasie van organiese materiaal in die sediment en bodem water is ‘n funksie van die nutriëntlading met tyd, ongeag of dit afkomstig was vanaf visboerdery of landbou-aktiwiteite. Dit is dus moelik om die spesifieke oorsaak van besoedeling af te baken. In gevalle waar die reservoirs alreeds eutrofies is a.g.v. aangewese landbouaktiwiteite, kan die toestand van die waterbron vererger indien akwakultuur toegepas word. Daar is ‘n statistiese noemenswaardige verskil tussen visboerdery en nie-visboerdery vir P, Secchi-skyf, totale gesuspendeerde vaste stowwe en nitrite-stikstof (p<0.05), en geen statistiese noemenswaardige verskil tussen visboerdery en nie-visboerdery vir OS, TAS en nitraat-stikstof (p>0.05). Daar is ‘n statistiese noemenswaardige verskil tussen oppervlak- en bodem water vir P en TAS (p<0.05). Een moontlike rede vir hoër P en TAS konsentrasies in die bodemwater, is die akkumulasie van beide parameters in die sediment en gevolglike vrystelling in die waterkolom wanneer die water gemeng word. ‘n Twee dimensionele spreidingstipping is geprodueer deur die waardes te gebruik van die eerste twee hoofkomponente. Die eerste twee hoofkomponente dra by 40 % en 17 % van die totale variansie onderskeidelik, en die twee groepering van visboerdery en nie-visboerdery het nie duidelik getoon nie. Die voorkoms en verspreiding van phytoplankton biomassa het gewissel met die verandering in damvlakke en nutriëntkonsentrasies. Die aanwesige phytoplanktongemeenskappe is belangrik vir die visboer vir twee redes: 1. Dit kan wisselende OS-vlakke versoorsaak deur die verbruik (respirasie en dekomposisie) en produksie (fotosintese) daarvan. 2. Dit kan lei tot alge na-smake van vis wanneer geosmin-produserende phytoplankton spesies aanwesig is. The frekwensie van voorkoms het getoon dat die Groep Chlorophyta (insluitend die genera, Chlamydomonas, Closterium, Oocystis, Scenedesmus, Staurastrum, Tetraedron, ens.) die meeste voorkom (n=371), met Chrysophyta (insluitend die genera, Dinobryon, Mallomonas, Synura, ens.) die minste (n=34). Daar is ‘n statistiese noemenswaardige verskil tussen genera voorkoms en seisoen (p<0.05) vir phytoplankton. Die geografiese ligging van die perseel het geen noemenswaardige invloed op die frekwensie van phytoplankton voorkoms nie. Daar is geen statistiese noemenswaardige verbintenis tussen waterkwaliteit en visproduksieopbrengste nie (p>0.05). Die visopbrengste by plase is hofsaaklik afhangende van die kwaliteit van die vingerlinge en die voeromsettingsverhouding (VOV) wat bereik is (p<0.05). Die landgebruikspatrone in die opvangsgebied waar visboere gesetel is, het aangedui dat die besproeiingsdamme meeldoelige sisteme is. Die ekologiese integriteit van die plaasdam-ekosisteem is afhanklik van die basisvolume. Die dam is hoofsaaklik daar vir die besproeiing en visboerdery kan in gedrang kom wanneer daar ‘n hoër aanvraag vir water gedurende die droë seisoen is. Die damme het omtrent 20 % van die water vanaf reënval ontvang en die res van aflope. Boere kon nie akkurate inligting verskaf van waterontrekking nie wat dit moeilik gemaak het om te voorspel wat die beskikbare watervlakke in die toekoms sou wees vir visproduksie. Vier potensiële toetrede meganismes om die nutriëntlading te verminder, is beskryf naamlik voedingsbestuur, (kwantiteit, frekwensie, tipe, ens.) voermetodes (aanvraagvoeder, handvoeding), voerbestandele (formulasies) en drywende tuine. Beide voedingsbestuur prosedure en aanvraagvoeders is geëvalueer as ‘n metode om die voervermorsing te verminder en die VOV te verbeter. Die kleinskaalse visboere het ongeveer 6 ton produseer met ‘n gemiddelde VOV van 1.96:1 ± 1.15. Indien die visboere hul VOV’s met 0.1 kan verbeter (bv. van 1.96 tot 1.86), sal dit beteken dat daar ‘n vermindering van 100 kg voer bewerkstellig word vir elke ton vis geproduseer. Dit kan ook lei tot ‘n vermindering van 5 % in die nutriëntlading. Die resultate van die wateranalises en die visuele waarneming van faeceslengte en kleur het geen statistiese noemenswaardige verskil tussen die behandelinge vir die guar-gom binder getoon nie (p>0.05). Verder, die hoeveelheid van die binder het nie die vertering van die eksperimentele diëte beïnvloed nie. Die studie op die drywende tuine het getoon dat dit haalbaar is om ‘n lae-koste sisteem te bou wat maklik is om te bestuur en gewasse kan produseer soos in ‘n hidroponiese sisteem tesame met visproduserende hokstelsels. Die kropslaaie se groei het getoon dat die waterkwaliteit van besproeiingsdamme kan verbeter word deur die opname van nutriënte wanneer plante verbou word. Vir die produksie van 3.5 kg/m2 kropslaaie, sal ‘n verhouding van 1.09 plante/vis of 1.84 g voer/dag/plant die akkumulasie van opgeloste nutriënte rondom die hokstelsels verminder. Die sosio-ekonomiese evaluasie van die bydrae van visboerdery tot die welvaart van die landelike en semistedelike plaasgemeenskappe ondersteun die feit dat akwakultuur verbetering kan bewerkstellig, veral onder deelnemende gemeenskappe. Een-en sewentig persent (71 %) van die respondente het getoon dat hul oorweging vir die bedryf van akwakultuur is om vis te voorsien aan die grootmark en daarvolgens geld te maak. Een-en-sestig persent (61 %) van die respondente het aangedui dat hulself die vis verkoop of vir familie-lede vra om met die verkope te help. Die bydrae van akwakultuur het direkte voordele aan die deelmers voorsien deur ‘n verbetering in huishoudelike inkomste, voedselvoorsiening vir selfgebruik en die ontwikkeling van vaardigthede. Indirekte voordele sluit in dat die deelmers ‘n bron van inligting geword het vir opkomende boere, hul status in die gemeenskap het verbeter omdat hul kennis verbreed het en dit het verder gelei tot diversifisering in die sektor a.g.v. die skepping van nuwe produkte en tegnologie. Die drie hoof struikelblokke wat die groei en bevordering van akwakultuur belemmer is o.a., ‘n tekort aan staatsondersteuning, onvoldoende markinligting en toegang en ‘n beperkte keuse in spesies vir boerdery. Besproeiingsdamme in die WKP het ‘n geskiedenis van verryking deur eksterne bronne wat water voorsien vanaf landbou-afloop (bemestingstowwe en pesbestrydingsmiddels), opvangsgebied-afloop (blare en ander organiese debris) en stormwateruitlaat (gruis- en swart water). Die implementering van akwakultuur in sulke damme voeg addisionele nutriënte tot die waterkolom en bestuur is krities om die lading te verminder en te verseker dat omgewingsvolhoubaarheid behou word. Indien die regte praktyke en bestuur toegepas word, sal dit beteken dat die kommersiële boer se besproeiing en waterverspreiding nie negatief beïnvloed word nie. Vervolgens moet toekomstige navosingsbehoeftes fokus op eerstens, die voorkoming en vemindering van besoedeling afkomstig van akwakultuur deur verbeterde produksie-bestuur en tegnologie-oordrag, tweedens, die monitoring en evaluering van die opvangs-ekosisteem as ‘n kontinuum met al die eksterne faktore wat die ekologie van die plaasdam kan beïnvloed en laastens, die ondersoek en evaluering van die sediment se prosesse en dinamika as ‘n sisteem wat nutriënte ophoop.

American agriculture in the twentieth century underwent immense transformations. The triumphs in agriculture are emblematic of post-war American progress and expansion but do not accurately depict the evolution of American agriculture throughout an entire century of agricultural depression and economic failure. Some characteristics of this evolution are unprecedented efficiency in terms of output per capita, rapid industrialization and mechanization, the gradual slip of agriculture's portion of GNP, and an exodus of millions of farmers from agriculture leading to fewer and larger farms. The purpose of this thesis is to provide an environmental history and political ecology of overproduction, which has lead to constant surpluses, federal price and subsidy intervention, and environmental concerns about sustainability and food safety. This project explores the political economy of output maximization during these years, roughly from WWI through the present, studying various environmental, economic, and social effects of overproduction and output maximization. The complex eco system of modern agriculture is heavily impacted by the political and economic systems in which it is intrinsically embedded, obfuscating hopes of food and agricultural reforms on many different levels. Overproduction and surplus are central to modern agriculture and to the food that has fueled American bodies for decades. Studying overproduction, or operating at rapidly expanding levels of output maximization, will provide a unique lens through which to look at the profound impact that the previous century of technological advance and farm legislation has had on agriculture in America.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2013.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In recent years, a great deal of attention has been paid towards the notion of corporate sustainability, which has variously been defined as meaning the incorporation of social, environmental, economic, and cultural concerns into corporate strategy and bottom line. The preliminary investigation suggests that Multi-National Corporations (MNCs) are mainly worried about securing permission for commencing operations and not about the wellbeing of locals and their livelihoods. Further to this, one of the main reasons why efforts aimed at improving sustainability are not yielding significant and lasting results, is that solution seekers in business, science, government and the research community are still operating in the same old paradigm of using basically the same tools and adopting the same world view that threaten sustainability in the first. The key and clear research objectives of this study are:- to ascertain if there is a link between British American Tobacco Zimbabwe (BATZ) top management philosophy, corporate strategy and the company`s corporate sustainability programmes, initiatives and other efforts, and the various stakeholders, and, if so, how these are communicated to them; to establish the degree of integrating sustainable development practice and initiatives into the BATZ business model in order to have long term benefits for both the company and its various stakeholders - these are an integral part of the socio-ecological system, and will help the business understand the resilience of the system and where in the system they should operate; to establish the depth, scope and culture of sustainability in terms of the extent to which they inserted inside (embedded) the BATZ operations; and to ascertain the level of economic, social and environmental effects of BATZ`s corporate sustainability programmes and initiatives in the locality in which it operates. The research used focus group and key informant discussions, one-on-one interviews, and to a limited extent a semi-structured research questionnaire. Information was also accessed from company internal information management portals, and BATZ’s group sustainability and other reports. The conclusion was that renewable energy programmes at BATZ were driven by energy insecurity and scarcity. Currently BATZ is not recycling water used in cigarette manufacturing operations, waste recycling of cut-rag tobacco has been occurring, and BATZ will continue to provide agronomic support to small scale farmers under its Social Responsibility in Tobacco Programmes (SRTP) towards leaf sustainability. The Rocket Barn concept is one of the most innovative intermediate technological breakthroughs meant for improving wood fuel efficiency in tobacco curing. Socially BATZ has done some good works in addressing some of society’s key challenges. There have been benefits for key corporate stakeholders in having BATZ operating in Zimbabwe. The research will assist BATZ to fully understand the socio-ecological system in which it operates; a fundamental understanding to improve corporate sustainability, which will then require a shift in sustainability-oriented efforts.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die idee van korporatiewe volhoubaarheid het die afgelope klompie jare baie aandag geniet. Wyd gesien, kom definisies neer op die insluiting van maatskaplike, omgewings-, ekonomiese en kulturele ondernemings in basiese korporatiewe strategieë. Die voorlopige ondersoek stel voor dat MNK’s wel gemoeid is met die verkryging van toestemming om bedrywe te stig, maar nie juis die welsyn en dag-tot-dag-belange van die plaaslike gemeenskap op die hart dra nie. Volgens (Fiksel 2003) en Du Plessis (2008) is een van die hoofredes waarom pogings om volhoubaarheid te verbeter nog nie betekenisvolle en blywende resultate gelewer het nie, die feit dat die mense betrokke by sake-ondernemings, wetenskap, die regering en navorsing wat na oplossings soek, nog geen paradigmaskuif gemaak het wat hul denkpatrone betref nie. Hulle gebruik steeds dieselfde uitgediende gereedskap en huldig nog dieselfde wêreldsienings wat volhoubaarheid in die eerste plek bedreig het. (Fiksel, 2003, Du Plessis, 2008, Hayward et al 2010). Die doelwitte van die navorsing is: om uit te vind of daar ’n skakel is tussen die filosofie en korporatiewe strategie van BATZ-hoofbestuur en die maatskappy se volhoubaarheidsprogramme, inisiatiewe ens; om te bepaal in watter mate volhoubare ontwikkeling en volhoubaarheidspraktyke en inisiatiewe geïntegreer word in die BATZ-korporatiewe model, om impak vas te stel en die kultuur van volhoubaarheid binne BATZ-bedrywe te bepaal. Die navorsing het gebruik gemaak van fokusgroepe, van sleutelbesprekings deur ingeligte persone, een-tot-een-onderhoude en in enkele gevalle selfs van gestruktureerde vraelyste. Toegang tot inligting is ook verkry deur middel van ‘n maatskappy se interne inligtingsbestuursbronne, BAT-groep-volhoubaarheids- en ander verslae. Die gevolgtrekking is dat hernubare energieprogramme afgedwing is op Batz deur die onsekerheid oor en die gebrek aan energie. Tans word water wat in sigaretbedrywe gebruik word nie deur BATZ herwin nie, maar afval van “cut-rag” tabak word wel herwin, en BAT Zimbabwe sal voortgaan met agronomiese ondersteuning aan kleinskaalboere kragtens sy Maatskaplike Verantwoordelikheid t.o.v. Tabak Programme (MVTP) vir blaarvolhoubaarheid. Die “Rocket Barn-”konsep is een van die innoverendste intermediêre tegnologiese deurbrake om die effektiwiteit van houtbrandstof by die droogmaak van tabak te verbeter. Op maatskaplike vlak het BATZ Zimbabwe goeie werk gedoen deur enkele uitdagings van die gemeenskap die hoof te bied. Die feit dat BAT in Zimbabwe werksaam is, was tot voordeel van korporatiewe belangstellendes. Die navorsing sal BATZ help om die sosio-ekologiese stelsel waarvolgens dit bedryf word, ten volle te verstaan, en om korporatiewe volhoubaarheid te bevorder, wat dan ‘n kopskuif ten opsigte van volhoubaarheidsgeöriënteerde pogings sal vereis.

This thesis looks at the role of wild pollinators in providing services to crops. Two data chapters (2 and 3) are accompanied by a modelling chapter (4) which build on the findings of the field studies. The thesis ends with an overview of the trends in pollinator populations and how these relate to the needs of farmers in the UK (chap-ter 5). It is often assumed that commercial pollinators are appropriate substitutes of wild pollinators on farms; however this view neglects the differing roles that particular pollinator taxa might play in providing pollination services. For example, crops with a long growing system may require multiple pollinators to ensure pollination throughout the season. Strawberries in Scotland have an extremely long growing season, flowering from April to August. Chapter 2 presents a study showing season-al complementarity between different pollinating taxa across strawberry farms in Scotland. Pollinators of strawberries also differed in their responses to weather pa-rameters indicating that preserving multiple pollinator taxa could ensure yields un-der different weather scenarios. The requirements of a long-growing season and ad-verse weather may be specific to strawberry production in Scotland, but the valua-tion of multiple taxa can be generalised to systems with differing needs, and also to different ecosystem services. Wild bees are not only valuable for providing complementary services to commercial pollinators, but are also valuable in the longer term as it is unknown whether com-mercial pollinators will be available in the future. There are threats to the supply of honeybees which have already triggered price rises; such supply shocks could force farmers to leave production or to seek other ways of providing pollination, including supporting wild pollinators. However farm management pressures, in particular pes-ticide use, could threaten the ability of wild pollinators to continue to support crop production. The interplay of pesticides and pollination is discussed in chapter 3 and 4. Chapter 3 presents an experiment undertaken on soft-fruit farms which had and had not used the neonicotinoid, thiacloprid, and shows that nests exposed to thia-cloprid had higher worker mortality, and lower male production than those at con-trol farms. This has implications both for pollination services now, as worker mor-tality will reduce the number of bees visiting farms, and also for the maintenance of future pollination services through decreased reproductive capacity of exposed nests. Chapter 4 uses a theoretical model to link pesticide use and habitat use to pollina-tion services, and shows that the use of commercial pollinators could mask the de-cline in wild populations, making local extinctions more likely. Chapter 5 sets out the status and extent of pollinators in the UK, along with popu-lation trends, trends in habitat and trends in pesticide use to provide an overview of how well pollination services are likely to meet the ongoing needs of crop farmers.

Climate change is a human development challenge. Its negative impacts have the potential to reverse the human development gains made in Africa. South Africa, just like many other countries in the Global South, is being negatively affected by climate change. The country`s economy is largely dependent on agriculture, extractive industries and manufacturing, all of which are vulnerable to climate change in different ways. This vulnerability means different public and private stakeholders must institute sustainable climate change mitigation and adaptation measures so as to ameliorate climate change impacts. Gradually transforming to an environmentally friendly ‘green economy’ and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions are some of South Africa’s climate change mitigation priorities. Just like the public sector, the private sector has a major role to play in this transition to a low carbon economy through minimising its carbon emissions in their operations. Against this background, this qualitative research examines the role played by four major supermarkets (Shoprite, Spar, Pick n Pay and Woolworths), in climate change mitigation and resilience building. It does so through an appraisal of their mitigation and resilience programs. The four supermarkets were purposively selected in East London, Eastern Cape. Data collection combined heavy reliance on desktop discourse analysis with field interviews in the form of purposively sampled key informant interviews. The results show that the four major supermarkets are implementing a variety of climate change mitigation and resilience strategies. These include reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, prioritisation of renewable energy, recycling and environmentally friendly packaging, promotion of sustainable ways of farming and improved fuel efficiency in their transport systems. In terms of policy improvement, the study recommends that there is need for supermarkets to learn from each other’s’ climate change mitigation initiatives so as to advance South Africa’s ‘green economy’ agenda.

Over the past decade '"Sustainable Development" (SD) has emerged as the latest development catchphrase. A wide range of nongovernmental as well as governmental organizations have embraced it as the new paradigm of development. A review of the literature that has sprung up around the concept of SD indicates, however, a lack of consistency in its interpretation. More important, while the all-encompassing nature of the concept gives it political strength, its current formulation by the mainstream of SD thinking contains significant weaknesses. These include an incomplete perception of the problems of poverty and environmental degradation, and confusion about the role of economic growth and about the concept of sustainability. The purpose of this study was to identify common elements in a political economy of the environment, relating environmental change to the dynamics of ideology and policy, and at different levels of political complexity. The intention was to provide a structural analysis of the environment in which the development process illuminates environmental change at both a philosophical and material level. The problem in achieving SD was related to the overriding structures of the international economic system, which have arisen out of the exploitation of environmental resources, and which frequently operate as constraints on the achievement of long-term sustainable practices. Insufficient accounting of ecological aspects of economic growth and development has resulted from intellectual traditions, where solutions are formulated, point in different directions. Conclusions are drawn that SD involves trade-offs between biological, economic and social systems and is found in the interactive zone between these systems. There are a number of international factors that may be necessary, but insufficient, conditions for SD on a national level, including peace, debt reduction, and more propitious terms of trade. There was seen dilemmas relating to SD, including the role of growth as the unquestioned objective of economic policy.

Afforestation projects in China have substantially contributed to national CO2 sequestration and play an important role in international climate change mitigation. However, these nation-wide afforestation projects are usually funded by the national government, with very large and unsustainable investments. It is important to find alternative sources of funding to finance afforestation, and convince poor farmers to become involved in afforestation projects. Carbon-subsidized afforestation could be the solution. The current study aims to find i) whether farmers need additional subsidies to reforest their marginal farmland; if so, ii) whether the value of carbon sequestration of afforestation can offset farmers' net costs. To do this, first I determine the amount of carbon sequestration though afforestation. Second, I assess the value of carbon sequestration, the costs and benefits of afforestation projects, and the costs and benefits of crop production. Third, I investigate the optimal rotation period of the plantations considering a joint production of timber and carbon, for different species. Results show that total carbon sequestration through tree biomass and soil carbon following afforestation differs among tree species and stand age as well as across regions. Economic trees sequester less carbon than ecological trees and bamboo. Among economic trees, nut trees with an inedible hard shell sequester more carbon than fruit trees. The regional context significantly influences the carbon sequestration potential, with more carbon sequestered in southern and eastern regions than in northern regions. Bamboo also shows a remarkable carbon sequestration potential, which is even greater than Chinese fir and Poplar in northern regions. Although afforestation programs have huge potential to store carbon, the voluntary acceptance by landowners crucially depends on their economic outcome. I found that usually carbon credits can compensate for the opportunity costs of alternative land uses, except i) when highly profitable croplands are afforested, in which case carbon credits are not sufficient, and ii) when croplands that generates low incomes are afforested, in which case carbon credits are not needed. Fruit trees are the most cost-effective option for afforestation. Bamboo afforestation is economically attractive if carbon revenues is included. The minimum price of carbon credit decreases with increasing project duration because more carbon is stored when time increases. This does not hold for fast-growing trees like Eucalyptus, for which the minimum price increases with extended project duration. Given the temporal variations of joint production of timber and carbon sequestration, the carbon accounting regimes (tCER, temporary Certified Emission Reductions and lCER, long-term Certified Emission Reductions) have a significant impact on the optimal rotation as well as on the revenue. Forest managers have an incentive to use tCER accounting to finance slow-growing plantations, and lCER for fast-growing ones. I perform a sensitivity analysis detects the changes of rotation period with different carbon prices and discount rates. While the optimal decision for slow-growing species (e.g. Chinese fir) is highly sensitive to changes in both variables under tCER accounting, the results concerning fast-growing species (e.g. Eucalyptus) are most sensitive under the lCER accounting regime. In contrast, carbon revenues have a minimal impact on the optimal rotation of Poplar plantations, no matter which regime is applied. I conclude that carbon-subsidized afforestation is a feasible way to offset the opportunity costs of retired farmland and support the livelihood of farmers. The findings can contribute to the efficient and sustainable management of forestry projects using carbon sequestration, while the methodology can also be applied to other regions in the world.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2001.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Runoff is generally regarded as one of the most important routes of nonpoint source pesticide pollution in agricultural surface waters. Of major concern is the fact that low, sub-lethal levels of pesticide exposure are responsible for negative ecotoxicological effects, stressing the need for methods capable of identifying problem areas where populations could be at risk. Predicted average losses of three pesticides in tributaries of nine sub-catchments of the Lourens River were calculated through use of a GIS-based runoff model. There was a significant (p < 0.005) positive correlation between the predicted average loss and mean measured concentrations of the insecticides both in water and suspended sediments (R2 between 0.75 and 0.9), indicating that the model could serve as a powerful tool for the risk assessment and management of surface waters in South African orchard areas. Based on field relevant exposure scenanos, the potential effects of azinphos-methyl on macroinvertebrate communities were evaluated in a combined microcosm and field approach. Microcosms were contaminated for 1 h with AZP (control, 0.2; 1,5and 20 ug/L; three replicates each) and acute effects on survival were evaluated 6 days after exposure. The sensitivity or tolerance of 12 core taxa was determined based on their response to the exposure scenarios and compared to field tolerance/sensitivity as was established by a field investigation at a control and contaminated site of the Lourens River. The sensitivity/tolerance of ten of the 12 taxa corresponded to that which was found in the field. Thus microcosm studies employing a field relevant design can be successfully linked to field studies and indicate that transient pesticide contamination affects the aquatic communities of the Lourens River.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING Afloop word oor die algemeen beskou as een van die belangrikste roetes van niepuntbron pestisiedbesoedeling in landbou oppervlakwaters. Die feit dat lae, sub-letale vlakke van pestisiedblootstelling negatiewe ektoksikologiese gevolge kan hê, is van groot belang. Dit beklemtoon die behoefte aan metodes om probleemgebiede te kan identifiseer waar bevolkings aan risiko onderhewig is. 'n GIS-gebaseerde afloopmodel is gebruik om die gemidddelde verlies van drie pestisiede in die sytakke van nege sub-opvangsgebiede van die Lourensrivier te voorspel. Daar was 'n beduidende (p < 0.005) positiewe korrelasie tussen die voorspelde gemiddelde verlies en gemete konsentrasies van insektisiede in beide die water en sediment (R2 between 0.75 and 0.9) fases, wat aandui dat die model as 'n kragtige hulpmiddel vir risikobestuur van oppervlakwaters in Suid Afrikaanse boord-gebiede kan dien. Die potensiële gevolge van azinfos-rnetiel (AZP) op makroinvertebraat gemeenskappe is deur middel van 'n gekombineerde mikrokosmos (wat op veldrelevante blootstellings gebaseer is) en veldbenadering bepaal. Mikrokosmosse is vir 1 h met AZP gekontamineer (kontrole; 1; 0.2; 1; 5 en 20 ~g1L; drie replikate elk), en die akute gevolge op oorlewing is ge-evalueer na ses dae van blootstelling. Die sensitiwiteit of toleransie van 12 sleutel taksa is deur middel van hulle respons op die blootstellingsreeks bepaal, en met hulle veldtoleransie/sensitiwiteit vergelyk wat in 'n veldstudie by 'n kontrole- en gekontamineerde gebied in die Lourensrivier bepaal is. Die sensitiwiteit/toleransie van 10 van die 12 taksa in die mikrokosmos eksperimente het ooreengestem met die wat in die veld gevind is. Mikrokosmosstudies wat op 'n veldrelevante ontwerp gebaseer is, kan dus suksesvol aan veldstudies gekoppel word, en dui aan dat oorgedraagde pestisiedkontaminasie die akwatiese gemeenskap van die Lourensrivier beinvloed.

Thesis (MA (Geography and Environmental Studies))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009.
The acceleration of biodiversity loss is understood to threaten the ecosystems upon which life on earth depends. Existing conservation approaches have proved insufficient to stem global biodiversity losses. Mounting evidence indicates that responsible biodiversity conservation requires an integration of ecology with economics. Accordingly, contemporary conservation interventions incorporate a concept that ecosystems and biodiversity can be used and also conserved. In South Africa, such interventions can be appropriately applied in the Cape Floristic Region (CFR), an area containing severely endangered biodiversity where land use and conservation goals rarely mesh. More than 80% of land in the CFR is privately owned, with large tracts transformed for viticulture. Conservation challenges thus include the reconciliation of wine production needs with biodiversity protection necessities. This thesis comprises a case study of the Biodiversity and Wine Initiative, an organisation that simultaneously promotes biodiversity conservation in the South African wine sector, by a process of mainstreaming within an viticultural context. The overall study aim was to improve understanding of the BWI as a mainstreaming initiative. Specifically, the area of inquiry is an investigation into how effectively the BWI has protected biodiversity in the CFR between 2005 and 2008. Individual aims were to investigate reductions in threat to biodiversity in the CFR; to assess farmer adoption levels of BWI strategy; and to formulate a sustainability appraisal of the Biodiversity and Wine Initiative. A strategic triangulation of methods was employed. Stakeholder interviews were conducted to probe adoption levels and opinions of BWI strategy. Case studies of two BWI champion estates provided data on best practice. Towards a critical appraisal of sustainability, an assessment was made of the BWI as a functioning mainstreaming model, which included case studies of two model farms.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2001.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Agriculture occupies 86 percent of land that is being utilised for the needs of a growing population in the Western Cape. This implies that there has to be certain impacts on the environment regarding the practices associated with different agricultural activities. Negative impacts pertain to soil degradation, water quality problems, loss of biodiversity and vegetation deterioration. It must also be taken into consideration that each land use within agriculture has a different interaction with the environment. The nature of land use and environment will therefore determine the most important issues influencing the extent of impact on the environment. Certain problem areas in the Western Cape have been identified as the result of conflict between agriculture and the environment. However, if agriculture is practiced and managed in a sustainable manner, it can be productive, while at the same time assuring a healthy environment. To achieve such a situation a protocol has to exist whereby sensitive areas, with regard to potential impact on the environment by agriculture, can be identified. Considering this, the most important concept of the study was to develop methodology appropriate for evaluating and identifying farming areas where current practices threaten the sustainable use of natural resources. The result is a model that aims to identify the different land uses and then evaluate each agricultural activity through a holistic approach with regard to impact on the environment. The Piketberg magisterial district was chosen as study region to put the methodology into practice. Datasets regarding soil types, climate, water quality, vegetation and agricultural practices, specific to the study area, were gathered. By using Geographical Information Systems, the datasets could be manipulated to derive the necessary information needed for running the model. This produced maps showing areas of low to high impact on the environment and indicating the specific landuse responsible for each impact.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Landbou beslaan 86 persent van die grond in die Wes-Kaap wat aangewend word om te voorsien in die behoeftes van 'n groeiende bevolking. Praktyke verbonde aan die onderskeie landbouaktiwiteite het egter sekere impakte op die omgewing. Negatiewe impak hou verband met gronddegradasie, waterkwaliteitprobleme, verlies aan biodiversiteit en plantegroei agteruitgang. Elke landbougrondgebruik het ook 'n spesifieke interaksie met die omgewing. Die belangrikste bydraende faktore tot impak op die omgewing sal dus deur die aard van die grondgebruik en omgewingsensitiwiteit bepaal word. Sekere probleemareas is reeds in die Wes-Kaap geïdentifiseer weens negatiewe interaksie tussen landbou en die omgewing. Indien landbou egter volhoubaar beoefen en bestuur word, kan dit produktief wees en terselfdertyd 'n gesonde omgewing verseker. Die behoefte het ontstaan om 'n protokol binne landbou te vestig, waardeur daar gefokus word op die uitwysing van risikoareas met betrekking tot degradasie van omgewingskwaliteit as gevolg van landbouaktiwiteite. Alles inaggenome, was die belangrikste doel van die studie om 'n metodiek te ontwikkel vir die evaluering en identifisering van boerderygebiede waarin die volhoubare benutting van die natuurlike hulpbronne bedreig word deur huidige produksiepraktyke. Die resultaat was 'n model wat landboupraktyke deur 'n holistiese benadering ten opsigte van die impak op die omgewing evalueer. Vir toepassing van die metodologie is die Piketbergse landdrosdistrik as studiearea geïdentifiseer. Verskeie datastelle, onder andere klimaat, grondtipes, waterkwaliteit, plantegroei en landboupraktyke, spesifiek aan hierdie area is verkry. Deur Geografiese Inligtingstelsels is die datastelle gemanipuleer en die toepaslike inligting afgelei vir gebruik in die model. Die eindresultaat was verskeie kaarte waarop die potensiële impak van landbou op die omgewing van hoog na laag geklassifiseer is. Spesifieke landboupraktyke verantwoordelik vir die impak, hetsy hoog of laag word ook aangedui.

Thermal desorption (TD), a remediation method used to remove hydrocarbons from contaminated soils, may cause changes in soil properties that threaten soil function and plant productivity. The goal of this research is to better understand the effect that TD treatment has on soils intended for agricultural use. A series of soil phosphorus (P) sorption and desorption experiments were conducted on soils before and after TD treatment to determine P availability for plant uptake and risk for run-off. TD-treated soils retained more P, likely due to mineral transformations of Fe- and Al-oxides. In addition, a three-year field study using mixtures of topsoil (A), crude-contaminated soil (SP), and TD-treated soils (TDU) was conducted. Yields were significantly greater in plots that included A in the mixture compared to SP and TDU soils alone. TD-treated soils can be a replacement for topsoil, but the addition of topsoil will reduce the time to successful reclamation.

A agricultura brasileira desenvolve um papel muito importante na economia nacional e melhorar os processos de produção é algo que se busca continuamente. Métodos que auxiliem o manejo adequado das culturas visando uma maior produtividade e redução de custos é algo imprescindível para uma agricultura mais competitiva. O controle de plantas invasoras está entre os fatores que mais influenciam na lucratividade de uma cultura, pois se realizada de modo ineficiente, pode inviabilizar a atividade. O uso de sensores que automatizam alguns dos diversos processos realizados no campo vem tomando força na agricultura moderna e contribuindo para as produções recordes registradas atualmente, mas que na maioria dos casos são inacessíveis a grande maioria dos produtores. Neste trabalho foi desenvolvido um protótipo que automatiza o processo de aplicação controlada de herbicida, com um custo 13,53% em relação aos principais equipamentos comerciais que realizam tal função. Trata-se de um equipamento desenvolvido com hardware e software livre, que realiza a captura e processamento digital de imagens, promovendo a identificação de plantas invasoras e aplicação localizada de herbicidas não seletivos. A coleta das imagens é realizada por uma webcam controlada pela placa Raspberry, que também realiza o processamento digital destas imagens com o auxílio do software Opencv. O equipamento possui também uma válvula solenoide que controla o fluxo de herbicida. Toda a construção e testes foram realizados no município de Vera Cruz do Oeste, no Paraná. A velocidade máxima obtida nos testes foi de 4 km/h, pouco se comparado aos 25 km/h dos equipamentos comerciais, detectando plantas com área folhar com no mínimo 3 cm², um resultado muito semelhante aos principais equipamentos comerciais presentes no mercado. Apresar da baixa velocidade de operação, o equipamento se mostrou viável em sua utilização, pois pode gerar lucro com a economia de herbicida em aproximadamente dois anos, dependendo da área e grau em que se dá a utilização do equipamento.
Brazilian agriculture plays a very important role in the national economy and improving the production processes is something that is continuously sought. Methods that help the proper management of crops for greater productivity and cost reduction are essential for a more competitive agriculture. The control of invasive plants is among the factors that most influence the profitability of a crop, because if it is carried out in an inefficient way, it can make the activity unfeasible. The use of sensors that automate some of the various processes carried out in the field has been taking hold in modern agriculture and contributing to the record productions currently recorded, but in most cases are inaccessible to the great majority of producers. In this work a prototype was developed that automates the process of controlled application of herbicide, with a cost of 13.53% in relation to the main commercial equipment that perform such function. It is an equipment developed with hardware and free software, which performs the digital capture and processing of images, promoting the identification of invasive plants and localized application of non-selective herbicides. The images are collected by a webcam controlled by the Raspberry card, which also performs the digital processing of these images with the help of Opencv software. The equipment also has a solenoid valve that controls the flow of herbicide. All the construction and tests were carried out in the municipality of Vera Cruz do Oeste, Paraná. The maximum speed obtained in the tests was of 4 km / h, little compared to the 25 km / h of commercial equipment, detecting plants with leaf area with at least 3 cm², a result very similar to the main commercial equipment present in the market. In order to achieve a low operating speed, the equipment proved to be viable in its use, since it can generate profit from the herbicide economy in approximately two years, depending on the area and degree of use of the equipment.

Agriculture is key to New Zealand�s economy with land-use conversions in response to market forces occurring regularly. Recently, high-intensity dairy farming has replaced low-density livestock farming, often degrading surrounding waterways. Of particular concern is that dairy cattle can be a source of the parasite Giardia, which in humans is a common cause of gastrointestinal infection. Thus, this thesis evaluated whether dairy farm conversions posed significant consequences for public health. First I examined the prevalence of Giardia in calves in a rapidly intensifying dairying region of New Zealand. A total of 1190 faecal samples were collected from calves one to seven weeks old during two spring calving seasons and screened by direct immunofluorescent microscopy. Giardia cysts were detected in 31% of samples. To evaluate the potential risk that this environmental source of Giardia posed to the human population, molecular genotyping was used to compare forty Giardia strains isolated from calves with thirty isolates from humans collected in the same region and period. Sequencing the β-giardin gene, Giardia duodenalis assemblages A and B were identified from both hosts, with genotype comparisons revealing substantial overlap of identical genotypes for both assemblages, implying zoonotic transmission. Environmental agencies routinely promote the planting of streamside edges to decrease nonpoint pollution from dairy farms entering waterways. However, current methods for tracking pathogens across farmland and into waterways via surface runoff are limited and typically have been developed using artificially created landscapes. Furthermore, no studies have investigated how Giardia moves across the landscape in farm surface runoff. I developed a field-based tracking method specific for Giardia and used this technique to compare the ability of recently planted vegetation strips with bare soil strips cleared of vegetation at decreasing pathogen concentrations; a typical scenario when planting barriers to reduce waterway contamination. A spike containing a bromide tracer and inactivated Giardia cysts was applied in drip-irrigated surface runoff, with one-minute samples collected from the bottom of the plot. A significant treatment effect was identified for Giardia, with 26% fewer detected in runoff from the planted strip, highlighting the immediate benefit of vegetation planting in removing pathogens. Next I evaluated the effects of four riparian treatments on Giardia runoff: exotic pasture grass and weeds growing in the absence of cattle grazing due to fencing, in comparison to monocultural plantings of three New Zealand native grassland species. Runoff experiments were performed after planting, both prior to and following the main summer growing season. Bromide recovery was high from all four treatments (54 - 99%), with no significant treatment effects. By comparison, Giardia recovery was low (1 - 13%). Prior to summer, two native species reduced Giardia in runoff more than the pasture grass/weed treatment which was almost vegetation-free at this time. After summer, Giardia recoveries were uniformly lower in all treatments. These results demonstrate that after one growing season, fencing waterways produces riparian buffers, via the growth of exotic pasture plants released from grazing, that decrease pathogen concentrations in surface runoff to concentrations indistinguishable from native plantings. Given infectious organisms are known to be in the environment, it is important to assess the risk these pose to human populations. Findings from this research can be used to improve currently available risk-assessment models for Giardia transmission from infected dairy animals via water to humans.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-14T16:53:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2014-12-15Bitstream added on 2015-05-14T17:00:20Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000820136.pdf: 4886629 bytes, checksum: a36c8a5f291e15e78ab65dc371dd3bd4 (MD5)
Com a crescente demanda por combustíveis, alimentos e fibras que acompanha o crescimento populacional, o esforço para oferecer água suficiente para a agricultura e prover insumos provoca pressão adicional sobre o meio ambiente. Neste cenário, recursos hídricos subterrâneos têm ganho destaque, sendo uma opção de qualidade de água e pela facilidade de captação próxima às áreas de produção. Interesses conflitantes entre o uso da água e a proteção de mananciais estratégicos reforçam a necessidade de adequação da legislação para que se busque um melhor ordenamento do território e um manejo sustentável dos recursos hídricos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi mapear o uso da terra em área de afloramento do Sistema Aquífero Guarani (SAG) e gerar informações para o melhor planejamento e discussão de políticas públicas de conservação dos recursos hídricos subterrâneos em áreas de alta produção agrícola irrigada. A área de estudo foi a Bacia do Ribeirão do Jacú, no município de Tejupá - SP, localizada integralmente em área de afloramento do SAG, portanto, região considerada vulnerável. Com a classificação supervisionada do uso da terra, através de um Sistema de Informações Geográficas (SIG), pode-se identificar e quantificar as principais atividades desenvolvidas e os conflitos de uso da terra na bacia entre os períodos de 2002 e 2011. Os resultados demonstram a apropriação de sistemas agrícolas e pecuária em Área de Preservação Permanente (APP) e um avanço da agricultura irrigada nas áreas próximas ao exutório da bacia, apontando uma tendência de ...
With the increasing demand for fuel, food and fiber that follows population growth, the effort to provide sufficient water for agriculture causes additional pressure on the environment. In this scenario, a groundwater resources has been highlighted as a good choice of water quality, due to the possibility of exploration in places near the production areas. The conflicting interests between the use of the water and the protection of strategic sources reinforce the needs for a legislation adaptation looking for a better territorial organization and a sustainable water resources management. This study aimed to map land use in an outcrop area of the Guarani Aquifer System (SAG) and generate information for a better planning and discussion of public policies for groundwater resources conservation in areas with irrigated agricultural production. The study area was the Ribeirão do Jacú watershed, in the municipality of Tejupá - SP, Brazil, located entirely in the outcrop area of SAG, therefore, a high vulnerability region. From supervised satellite image classification of land use and occupation using Geographic Information System (GIS), it was possible to identify and to quantify the major activities developed and the conflicts of the actual land use in the watershed in the period between 2002 and 2011. The results showed the presence of agricultural and livestock systems in Permanent Preservation Areas (PPA) and an improvement of irrigated agriculture in areas closed to the outflow of the basin, indicating a trend of local production intensification. With this information, it was...

Orientador: Rodrigo Lilla Manzione
Banca: Sérgio Campos
Banca: Edson Luís Piroli
Resumo: Com a crescente demanda por combustíveis, alimentos e fibras que acompanha o crescimento populacional, o esforço para oferecer água suficiente para a agricultura e prover insumos provoca pressão adicional sobre o meio ambiente. Neste cenário, recursos hídricos subterrâneos têm ganho destaque, sendo uma opção de qualidade de água e pela facilidade de captação próxima às áreas de produção. Interesses conflitantes entre o uso da água e a proteção de mananciais estratégicos reforçam a necessidade de adequação da legislação para que se busque um melhor ordenamento do território e um manejo sustentável dos recursos hídricos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi mapear o uso da terra em área de afloramento do Sistema Aquífero Guarani (SAG) e gerar informações para o melhor planejamento e discussão de políticas públicas de conservação dos recursos hídricos subterrâneos em áreas de alta produção agrícola irrigada. A área de estudo foi a Bacia do Ribeirão do Jacú, no município de Tejupá - SP, localizada integralmente em área de afloramento do SAG, portanto, região considerada vulnerável. Com a classificação supervisionada do uso da terra, através de um Sistema de Informações Geográficas (SIG), pode-se identificar e quantificar as principais atividades desenvolvidas e os conflitos de uso da terra na bacia entre os períodos de 2002 e 2011. Os resultados demonstram a apropriação de sistemas agrícolas e pecuária em Área de Preservação Permanente (APP) e um avanço da agricultura irrigada nas áreas próximas ao exutório da bacia, apontando uma tendência de ...
Abstract: With the increasing demand for fuel, food and fiber that follows population growth, the effort to provide sufficient water for agriculture causes additional pressure on the environment. In this scenario, a groundwater resources has been highlighted as a good choice of water quality, due to the possibility of exploration in places near the production areas. The conflicting interests between the use of the water and the protection of strategic sources reinforce the needs for a legislation adaptation looking for a better territorial organization and a sustainable water resources management. This study aimed to map land use in an outcrop area of the Guarani Aquifer System (SAG) and generate information for a better planning and discussion of public policies for groundwater resources conservation in areas with irrigated agricultural production. The study area was the Ribeirão do Jacú watershed, in the municipality of Tejupá - SP, Brazil, located entirely in the outcrop area of SAG, therefore, a high vulnerability region. From supervised satellite image classification of land use and occupation using Geographic Information System (GIS), it was possible to identify and to quantify the major activities developed and the conflicts of the actual land use in the watershed in the period between 2002 and 2011. The results showed the presence of agricultural and livestock systems in Permanent Preservation Areas (PPA) and an improvement of irrigated agriculture in areas closed to the outflow of the basin, indicating a trend of local production intensification. With this information, it was...
Mestre