Bibliography: Land Degradation in South Africa project

studies over the last 30 - 40 years in a wide variety of fields including

palaeobotany, archaeology, ecology and biogeography. (2) The classical view is

that many of SA's grasslands have arisen as a result of the extensive removal of

forest trees by Bantu and European farmers during the last 600 years. The view

in this paper is that the grassland biome as it is presently mapped has been in

existence for at least 1000 years, but probably for much longer. (3) This

makes it necessary to re-examine the determinants of the grassland biome as a

whole, and a number of suggestions are made, including climatic and edaphic

conditions, and naturally occurring and anthropogenic fires initiated by Stone

Age people before the subcontinent was settled by Iron Age people.

Ref ID : 262

834. Ellery, W.N., Mentis, M.T., and Scholes, R.J. Modelling the location of

woody-grassland boundaries. In: Forest-savanna boundaries. edited by Furley,

P.A., Procter, J., and Ratter, J.A.London:Chapman & Hall, 1992,

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : LAND USE; GRASSLAND; SAVANNA; BOTANICAL SURVEY; VEGETATION DYNAMICS;

FOREST; FYNBOS; NAMA KAROO; MODELS; CLIMATE; GLOBAL CHANGE; VEGETATION CHANGE

Notes : (1) A novel modelling approach has been used to synthesize, test and

improve current understanding at the subcontinental scale of the location of

boundaries between the grassland biome and those with woody elements (forest,

fynbos, nama-karoo and savanna) in SA, and also at the landscape scale of the

determinants of the distribution of wooded patches of different affinity within

the grassland biome itself. At the landscape scale the determinants of the

distribution of forest patches in the grassland biome are emphasized. (2) The

development of predictive and therefore testable models has been useful in

identifying weaknesses in current wisdom, has illustrated the importance of

climate in determining the distribution of vegetation at a subcontinental

(biome-wide) scale, and of edaphic conditions and disturbance regimes at a

landscape scale. (3) The hierarchical nature of the modelling approach used

makes it useful in modelling the determinants of vegetation distribution at

different scales of resolution, a prerequisite for predicting the consequences

of global changes in climate and disturbance regimes for vegetation change.

Ref ID : 1078

835. Ellery, W.N., Scholes, R.J., and Mentis, M.T. An initial approach to

predicting the sensitivity of the South African grassland biome to climate

change. South African Journal of Science 87:499-502, 1991.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : CLIMATE CHANGE; MODELS; GRASSLAND; RAINFALL; FOREST; FYNBOS; NAMA

KAROO; SAVANNA; CLIMATE

Notes : The grassland biome in SA can be distinguished from neighbouring biomes

on the basis of three climatic indices which are considered to be biologically

meaningful. The indices are 'days of growth opportunity' based on soil water

availability and calculated using a water budget model, the mean temperature on

days when sufficient water is available for plant growth, and the mean

temperature on days too dry for growth to occur. The difference between the

growth and no-growth temperatures provides an indication of the degree of

rainfall seasonality. These indices have also been used successfully to

differentiate the five other biomes in SA (forest, fynbos, nama-karoo, savanna

and succulent karroo) in a 'biome model' presented as a decision-tree. This

model provides a simple method of predicting possible vegetation reponses to

climatic change. The possible long-term response to a scenario of climatic

change, (a 2oC increase in termperature and a 15% decrease in rainfall), is

illustrated as an example. Such an approach to modelling the impact of climate

change has several advantages, including simplicity, appropriateness of scale

and detail to the predictions of current climate models, identification of

regions and processes that may require more intensive study and identificaton of

the kind of information that will be required if scenarios of climatic change

are to be translated into vegetation response. The model fails, however, to

identify rates or pathways of change, or the species involved. This approach

will therefore have to be complemented by more detailed dynamic models.

Ref ID : 1457

836. Elliot, J.A. The past in the future of soil erosion in Zimbabwe: insights

from Svosve communal area. Geographical Journal of Zimbabwe 21:1-17, 1990.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : SOIL EROSION; EROSION; ZIMBABWE; COMMUNAL AREA

Ref ID : 607

837. Ellis, H. The story of the National Veld Trust in Natal,

Pietermaritzburg:National Veld Trust, 1954.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : ENVIRONMENTAL HISTORY; VELD MANAGEMENT; SOIL EROSION; KWAZULU NATAL

Ref ID : 2330

838. Ellis, J.E. and Swift, D.M. Stability of African pastoral ecosystems:

alternate paradigms and implications for development. Journal of Range

Management 41(6):450-459, 1988.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : POLICY

Abstract : African pastoral ecosystems have been studied with the assumption

that these ecosystems are potentially stable (equilibrial) systems which become

destablized by overstocking and overgrazing. Development policy in these

regions has focused on internal alterations of system structure, with the goals

of restoring equilibrium and increasing productivity. Nine years of ecosystem-

level research in northern Kenya presents a view of pastoral ecosystems that are

non-equilibrial but persistent, with system dynamics affected more by abiotic

than biotic controls. Development practices that fail to recognize these

dynamics may result in increased deprivation and failure. Pastoral ecosystems

may be better supported by development policies that build on and facilitate the

traditional pastoral strategies rather than constrain them.

Ref ID : 2349

839. Ellis-Jones, J. Guidelines for the role of public sector in promoting

agricultural development with particular reference to Transkei. Development of

Southern Africa 4(3), 1987.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT; TRANSKEI; SOIL CONSERVATION; CONSERVATION;

GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES; LAND USE; AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION; RURAL DEVELOPMENT;

COMMUNAL AREA; AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION; POLITICAL ASPECTS

Notes : The purpose of this article is to review past and present agricultural

development initiatives in Transkei, and to examine the reasons why these

initiatives have, on the whole, proved to be a failure. Information for this

study was obtained through discussions with individuals who are directly or

indirectly involved in agricultural development initiatives; from various

reports and from the author's experience as general manager (agricultural

services), Transkei Agricultural Corporation. The study showed that subdivision

of available arable land into non-viable units and over-exploitation of communal

grazing areas hindered agriculture from contributing to rural livelihoods.

Incentives from increased agricultural production were small. The technology

provided was based upon the needs of the commercial sector, which has a very

different set of constraints and resources. Other constraints include the lack

of an effective extension service, credit facilities, a distribution network for

agricultural inputs, facilities for making surplus produce and facilities for

training. Strategies which can make agriculture in the future contribute

towards improved rural livelihoods include: 1. mechanisation services to small

farmers by private enterprises; 2. government and parastatals; 3. improved soil

conservation measures; 4. involvement of local people in schemes; 5. support

from chiefs, political leaders and tribal authorities; 6. effective extension

efforts and more training for extension workers; 7. revitalisation of the co-

operative movement to enable inputs reach the rural areas; and 8. close co-

ordination between the co-operative and extension efforts. This article can be

found at the University of Fort Hare library. See ref. I.D. no: 2339.

Ref ID : 2578

840. Ellis-Jones, J. Agricultural development in a post-apartheid Transkei.

Conference Paper.Anonymous Anonymous , 1991.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT; TRANSKEI; POPULATION; SOIL EROSION;

EROSION; SOUTHERN AFRICA; LABOUR; CISKEI; LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION; LAND

DEGRADATION; COMMUNAL AREA; WATER CONSERVATION

Notes : The purpose of the paper was to outline the agricultural development

initiatives of the various governments of the Transkei prior to independence and

up to the present time. Field visits and interviews were used for the study.

The findings include the fact that the agricultural economy of Transkei was

characterised by: 1. 450 000 rural households (90% of the population) of which

60% now have access to land; 2. 500 000 migrant workers with increasing

unemployment; 3. small arable allotments averaging less than 2 ha, together with

individual homesteads and access to communal grazing; 4. very low yields with

maize yields averaging less than 0.5t/ha; 5. very low livestock productivity; 6.

extremely serious resource degradation and some of the worst soil erosion

certainly in Southern Africa; 7. overgrazed veld and deteriorating water

resources; 8. an inability by most rural households to feed themselves let alone

provide any surplus for sale, hence the dependence on "migrant" labour and

remittances for survival; and 9. less than 10% of the food consumed is produced

in the former Ciskei. This paper can be found at the offices of the Border

Rural Committee, East London. See also ID ref. no. 2339.

Ref ID : 294

841. Elwell, H.A. Modelling soil losses in Southern Africa. J.Agric.Engng Res.

23:117-127, 1978.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : SOIL EROSION; SEDIMENTATION; MODELS

Ref ID : 241

842. Elwell, H.A. Environmental monitoring of land degradation & soil erosion

methods and techniques: Guidelines for the SADC Region. 1996.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : SOIL EROSION; LAND DEGRADATION; SOUTHERN AFRICA; DESERTIFICATION

ASSESSMENT; MONITORING; EROSION; LAND USE

Notes : The overall objectives of this study are: to provide a synoptic view of

the environmental conditions; to assess the present degree of degradation; to

develop methods of predicting future changes; to monitor long term changes and

trends; and to provide a quantified base for evaluation. The chosen methods

should be locally appropriate to skills, finance and technology levels, robust,

sustainable and, wherever possible, the data should be existing. The specific

objectives of the monitoring programme based on the above overall objectives

were stated to be: to provide an inventory of the available relevant resources

in the SADC region; to monitor chanes in indirect and direct indices reflecting

land degradation, soil erosion and desertification; to monitor changes in land

use, management, soil quality and vegetative biomass quality and quantitiy; to

measure classify and predict wind and water-related soil losses; and to evaluate

the above informaiton sources in order to identify environmental trends within

the region. The purpose of these guidelines is to assist in the development of

an organized and co-ordinated system for monitoring land degradation, soil

erosion and desertification at national and regional levels in the SADC Region,

which is sensitive to the need to fully utilise existing data, while not

excluding the possibility of develping additional technologies within the means

of the countries in the region.

Ref ID : 2211

843. Engelbrecht, F.P. An assessment of health aspects of the impact of domestic

and industrial waste disposal activities on groundwater resources - a literature

review.Anonymous Water Research Commission. 371/1/93, 1993.

Reprint : Not in File,

Ref ID : 2517

844. Engelbrecht, M., Nompozolo, S., and Villet, J. The potential benefits of

communication in a new policy for farmer support services. Research report on

communications presented to the Department of Agriculture at Warmbaths,

RSA.Anonymous , 1997.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : POLICY; RURAL DEVELOPMENT; CISKEI; TRANSKEI; MPUMALANGA; AGRICULTURAL

EXTENSION; ECONOMIC ASPECTS

Notes : The purpose of the study was to identify the role of extension officers

as the principal actors of the extension services, and how communication could

assist them to be better facilitators, motivators, trainers and sources of

accurate and appropriate technical advice. The study used personal interviews,

group interviews and a literature review for data collection. The study found

that better communication would assist agricultural extension services to

improve their image, credibility and role in farmers' view. Communication would

also improve their ability to better identify farmers' needs, priorities and

indigenous knowledge. Further, improved communication increases their capacity

for effective participation, empowerment and learning through employing

participatory methods. The study also found that better communication in

extension services could improve the quality of liaison between rural

communities, extension officers and other administrative structures which could

help solve farmers' identified needs such as credit facilities, potential

markets for their produce, financial programmes and better business skills.

This report is available at the Department of Agriculture, Economics, Extension

and Rural Development, University of Fort Hare. See also ID ref. no. 2339.

Ref ID : 1158

845. Engelbrecht, W. Notes on the assignment: alternative forms of rural land in

the Mhala district. 1996.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : LAND USE; NORTHERN PROVINCE; COMMUNAL AREA; MODELS; POLICY

Notes : The set of three preliminary reports represent about ten months of

research. Although substantial work has been done, the project has not yet been

completed and the work is continuing. The main themes requiring further work

(suggestions will be sought from participants at the workshop) will be on the

following: (a) The economic study analysed the land use options of communal and

commercial farming because these are the current land use practices and data is

fairly readily available. The option of utilising the land for one or other

wildlife use have only tentatively been investigated although the study on

Manyeleti provides some information. The wildlife option is a very real one for

these and also many other communities. These areas are all "Big Five" terrain

and border on reserves that retain these immensely sought after animals in

international tourism. It is foreseen that pressure will mount for the

utilisation of communal areas adjacent to "Big Five" reserves for tourism. This

presents a major opportunity for these communities to improve their lifestyles.

However, many different models for the implementation of such developments are

possible with maybe different social and economic implications for the

communities. Further work will analyse these different models. This would lead

to better policy making and implementaiton of projects in socially acceptable

ways. (b) The completed work already made some progress on studying the

ecological functioning of communal grazing systems. The main report points out

that this is a very underresearched topic but one on which much uninformed

opinion exists. The general perception is that these areas are severely

overstocked and about to become wastelands. In many areas this did not happen

and one season of good rain usually restores the veld to good condition. Better

understanding of the functioning of these systems will save a lot of resources

currently wasted on extension work based on incomplete if not incorrect

understanding. With some additional fieldwork and further analysis of already

collected data a more significant contribution could be made to an understanding

of this important activity on which livelihood a large number of rural people

still depends. (c) Initial scrutiny of the results presented in the social and

economic documents revealed very large variation around the averages of the

various observations made. This seems to be indicative of definite socio-

economic strata in the communities studied. There seems to be a small "well-

off" section and also a large poor to very poor section of the populace.

Presentation of averages tends to hide these very important distinctions.

Existing data will be further analysed to bring these distinctions clearer into

focus. Some additional survey work on the Makripene, Million and Thorndale

communities (which seem to be poorer than Seville and Uthla) may also be

undertaken. (d) Integration of the ecological, economic and social aspects of

the study. The project team feels that the three reports are still too much

three loose entities. The ten months of the project was sufficient for the base

work and only some integration to be done. Further work will attempt fuller

integration of results and of interpretations made.

Ref ID : 134

846. Engelbrecht, W.G. and Papenfus, C.T. An ecological study of rural land use

practices in the Mhala district of the Northern Province. 1996.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : LAND USE; DESERTIFICATION ASSESSMENT; NORTHERN PROVINCE; COMMUNAL

AREA; SOUTHERN AFRICA; GAZANKULU; POLICY; STOCKING RATE; POVERTY; RURAL

DEVELOPMENT

Notes : This study was commissioned by the Development Bank of Southern Africa

(DBSA). The project forms a component of a project initiated by the DBSA

entitled: The economic, social and ecological implications of alternative forms

of rural land use in Gazankulu. This assignment falls within the Rural and

Agricultural Policy Program of the DBSA. The study area is located in the

Seville and Uthla tribal areas in the Mhala district of the former Gazankulu,

presently the Northern Province. The aim of the study was to determine the

extent and ecological implications of different management practices.

Understanding of the effect of high stocking rates on communal grazing systems

will improve the quality of management prescriptions for these areas. In

general, the results of the study aims to contribute to the understanding of

sustainable land use in poverty stricken rural areas and will serve as a guide

to the planning and financing of rural development projects.

Ref ID : 2404

847. Environmental and Development Agency, M.a.,East London Development

perspective of the Guba farms: Eastern Cape Province.Anonymous , 1990.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : EASTERN CAPE; TRANSKEI; AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION; LABOUR;

SOCIOECONOMIC ASPECTS; AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT; FARMING SYSTEMS; LAND TENURE

Notes : The purpose was to analyse the existing characteristics of the area and

to draw conclusions. A large proportion of information was found in existing

reports. The investigation team further collected information by interacting

with some residents of the area. It was found that people in the area heavily

depend on pensions, external wages and subsistence farming. There is also high

unemployment. Little assistance in training of agricultural support has

resulted in the farms not being aware of better farming methods, which could

increase production efficiency and income. The authors felt that the farms, if

properly managed, could support more people and provide more agricultural

produce. Proper farm management can be achieved if issues on tenure,

infrastructure, farming skills, high unemployment and low economic activity,

conflict over access to agricultural land, under-utilised land with farming

potential are addressed and resolved. This report is obtainable from the BRC

Resource Centre, East London. See ref. I.D. no: 2339.

Ref ID : 2405

848. Erasmus, J. Economic and social memorandum, Region D. DBSA Journal , 1990.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : TRANSKEI; CISKEI; RURAL DEVELOPMENT; ECONOMIC ASPECTS; SOCIOECONOMIC

ASPECTS; GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES; AID

Notes : The purpose was to contribute towards the knowledge concerning the

relative developmental strengths and weaknesses of Region D, as reflected in its

potential, needs and constraints, and to serve as input towards the formulation

of strategic development proposals for the regions. Interviews, a literature

search and qualitative data collection was used. The largest sections in Region

D's economy are community and social services (with 24,6% of GDP), and

manufacturing (with 23,3%). Although the relative importance of manufacturing

sector has decreased sharply, the economy of the region is still rather

concentrated and is therefore relatively vulnerable. Consequently, concern

emerged that the community and social services sector was the most important

sector in the economy, with agriculture second and construction third. In

diminishing order of importance, the other sectors appear as follows: commerce,

manufacturing, transport, finance and business services, and electricity. This

would seem to indicate structural problems in the economy of Region D as

community and social services are mainly a governmental supported sector. This

article is obtainable from ECATU, Umtata. See ref. I.D. no: 2339.

Ref ID : 1882

849. Erasmus, T. Public responsibility. Veld Trust Conference on the

conservation status of agricultural resources in the RSA. Du Preez,

J.F.Anonymous Pretoria:Unisa. , 1990.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : ENERGY; CONSERVATION

Notes : The author concludes that both the individual and authorities must take

some responsibility for the preservation of natural resources. This

responsibility and accountability cannot be delegated. The extent to which

environmental responsibility is developed, depends largely on the degree to

which energy is available in a system. The individual and authorities are

accountable to each other in respect of the environment in which they live. In