Community Management of Natural Resources in Africa


Book Description

Provides a pan-African synthesis of community-based natural resource management (CBNRM), drawing on multiple authors and a wide range of documented experiences from Southern, Eastern, Western and Central Africa. This title discusses the degree to which CBNRM has met poverty alleviation, economic development and nature conservation objectives.




Elephant management


Book Description

Elephants are among the most magnificent – but also most problematic –members of South Africa's wildlife population. While they are sought after by South African and foreign tourists alike, they also have a major impact on their environment. As a result, elephant management has become a highly complex and often controversial discipline. The information needed to underpin vital decisions about elephant management has largely been unavailable to decision-makers, contested by experts, or simply unknown. As a result, the South African Minister for Environmental Affairs and Tourism convened a round table to advise him on this issue. The round table recommended that a scientific assessment of elephant management be undertaken to gather, evaluate, and present all the relevant information on this topic. Its main findings and recommendations are contained in this volume. Elephant Management is the first book of its kind, combining the work of more than 60 national and international experts. Extensively reviewed by policy-makers and other stakeholders, it is the most systematic and comprehensive review of savanna elephant populations and factors relevant to managing them to date. As such it is of interest to a broad spectrum of readers in South Africa and elsewhere. Above all, it is aimed at helping conservation policy-makers and practitioners to choose the best possible options for the sustainable preservation of these iconic animals.




South African Place Names


Book Description




Key Methods in Geography


Book Description

"Its range is far broader than the majority of methods texts, being concerned with both human and physical geography... Given the seriousness with which Key Methods in Geography approaches all aspects of research, it will continue to find wide favour among undergraduate geographers." - Times Higher Education Textbook Guide "All geographers, whatever their interest, need to do research. This book will help them get started in the best possible way, with thoughtful advice on everything from project design, through choice of methods, to data analysis and presentation. The editors have assembled an impressive array of authors, all experts in their chosen field." - Tim Burt, University of Durham "Excellent book. Valuable teaching aid. Well written and covers a wide range of methods thoroughly." - Sue Rodway-Dyer, Exeter University "This is an excellent book and deals with a number of topics (which I teach) outside of the tutorial module where it is a recommended text for geographers. A very useful textbook throughout a 3 year Geography programme." - Ian Harris, Bangor University Key Methods in Geography is an introduction to the principal methodological issues involved in the collection, analysis and presentation of geographical information. It is unique in the reference literature for providing an overview of qualitative and quantitative methods for human and physical geography. An accessible primer, it will be used by students as a reference throughout their degree, on all issues from research design to presentation. This second edition has been fully revised and updated and includes new chapters on internet mediated research, diaries as a research method, making observations and measurements in the field, and the analysis of natural systems. Organized into four sections: Getting Started in Geographical Research; Generating and Working with Data in Human Geography; Generating and Working with Data in Physical Geography; Representing and Interpreting Geographical Data; each chapter comprises: A short definition A summary of the principal arguments A substantive 5,000-word discussion Use of real-life examples Annotated notes for further reading. The teaching of research methods is integral to all geography courses: Key Methods in Geography, 2nd Edition explains all of the key methods with which geography undergraduates must be conversant.




Animals in Traditional Folk Medicine


Book Description

People have relied on medicinal products derived from natural sources for millennia, and animals have long been an important part of that repertoire; nearly all cultures, from ancient times to the present, have used animals as a source of medicine. Ingredients derived from wild animals are not only widely used in traditional remedies, but are also increasingly valued as raw materials in the preparation of modern medicines. Regrettably, the unsustainable use of plants and animals in traditional medicine is recognized as a threat to wildlife conservation, as a result of which discussions concerning the links between traditional medicine and biodiversity are becoming increasingly imperative, particularly in view of the fact that folk medicine is the primary source of health care for 80% of the world’s population. This book discusses the role of animals in traditional folk medicine and its meaning for wildlife conservation. We hope to further stimulate further discussions about the use of biodiversity and its implications for wildlife conservation strategies.




Nature Divided


Book Description

In the same way that South Africa's people were divided along racial lines, so too was its landscape - into the predominantly communally farmed lands of the homelands and self-governing territories, and commercial farming areas. These divisions, reflected both in former government policy and local practice, have profoundly affected land degradation in South Africa. This book, the product of extensive research, is based on a landmark report on land degradation arising from South Africa's commitment to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification. It reflects the first complete assessment of South Africa's land degradation problem, taking into account not only agricultural and ecological concerns, but also the socio-political and historical contexts. It places previously unavailable information in the hands of those who need it most - politicians, agricultural extension officers, and communal and commercial farmers. It will also be of interest to students and teachers. At once sobering, challenging and optimistic, this book is a call to action. It shows that we are all affected by the extent of land degradation in South Africa.







The Hornbills


Book Description

Introducing a major new series... Bird Families of the World Editors: Christopher Perrins, Walter J. Bock, Jiro Kikkawa Providing the most comprehensive and up-to-date information available. Bird Families of the World is a new multi-volume series of handbooks, intended to serve the interests of both the professional scientist and the ever-growing body of amateur ornithologists. Each volume will provide acomprehensive and accurate synthesis of our knowledge of one bird family or several related families. Features include:- * Authoritative chapters on the birds' biology, feeding, ecology, breeding behaviour, evolutionary relationships and conservation * Specially commissioned colour plates by leading artists * Black and white drawings illustrating special features and behaviour * Full bibliography and index The Hornbills is a comprehensive account of all 54 species of these fascinating birds known for their interesting social behaviour and nesting habits. Introductory chapters provide a detailed overview of the family. These are followed by the 54 species accounts, each one giving a completedescription of the bird in its natural state. Much of the information is based on the author's own research in Africa and Asia.




Regional State of the Coast Report


Book Description

The Regional State of Coast Report for the western Indian Ocean (WIO) is the first comprehensive regional synthesis to provide insights into the enormous economic potential around the WIO, the consequential demand for marine ecosystem goods and services to match the increasing human population, the pace and scale of environmental changes taking place in the region and the opportunities to avoid serious degradation in one of the world's unique and highly biodiverse oceans.




Soil Erosion, Conservation, and Rehabilitation


Book Description

Discusses the latest information regarding the processes and mechanisms responsible for runoff and erosion by water in arable lands--detailing state-of-the-art water and soil conservation methods. Elucidates the rehabilitation of agricultural lands depleted by human activity.