Bibliography: Land Degradation in South Africa project

PRODUCTION POTENTIAL

Ref ID : 723

626. Colvin, P.M. Agro-pastoral systems research: a neglected dimension in

developmental agriculture. Paper presented at the International Conference on

"Meeting Rangeland Challenges in Southern Africa in the 1990s",CSIR Conference

Centre, Pretoria, 6-10 May 1991. Occasional Paper 70.Anonymous Anonymous

Pietermaritzburg:Institute of Natural Resources, University of Natal. :1-20,

1991.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : FARMING SYSTEMS; AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT; COMMUNAL AREA; RURAL

DEVELOPMENT; MODELS; SOUTHERN AFRICA

Notes : There has been a major shift in development approach, away from

interventions conceived and initiated by government agencies and towards a

strategy of community involvement at all stages. In this process, the

government's role becomes one of a facilitator to projects identified by the

community. Major planning decisions and resolutions regarding conflicting

interests are made by local planning groups representing the community. A

constraining factor in this regard is the limited life experience of

participants and their lack of awareness of alternative opportunities. Various

development models and scenarios should be presented to communities (e.g.

through informal discussion groups and visits to other projects) to enable them

to select from a range of possible models and to consider their relevance and

adaptation to local circumstances. The early conceptual stages of project

planning are likely to be drawn out since they must proceed at a pace acceptable

to local underrstanding and they must address fundamental social values and

constraints. There is a tendency for developers to be pro-active and to persuade

communities to adopt a preferred strategy. The inclination for 'top down'

planning at this critical stage must be resisted as this is likely to prove

counter-productive in the longer run. The approach should be to gradually

narrow the focus by committing participants to a particular development path and

making them aware of the costs and benefits involved.

Ref ID : 699

627. Colvin, P.M., De Jager, P., and Zacharias, P. Southern Maputaland Livestock

Development Survey. Volume 1: The report. Investigational Report 40.Anonymous

Pietermaritzburg:Institute of Natural Resources, University of Natal. IR 40:i-

68, 1989. The report represents the findings of a survey commissioned by the

Department of Development Aid (DDA) in the Southern Maputaland study region of

Natal / KwaZulu. The study area encompasses approximately 125 000 hectares of

the Makatini Flats with an "intensive study area" of approximately 33 000

hectares of land in immediate proximity to the Mjindi Irrigation Scheme. The

purpose of the study was to obtain baseline information on: (i) vegetation types

and estimated carrying capacities; (ii) the composition and distribution of

cattle herds and small stock; (iii) the spatial distribution of human

settlement, and (iv) the aspirations and felt needs of the local population with

regard to grazing and livestock production. The collated information is to be

used to formulate appropriate livestock development strategies and policies for

the sub-region. At a conceptual level, it is intended to ensure that the

livestock factor receives equal consideration in any proposed expansion of the

Mjindi Scheme. Principal findings are reviewed briefly below: (A). Vegetation

assessment was carried out by randomised transect sampling of tree/shrub and

grass sward layers. A detailed mosaic of 10 compositionally distinct vegetation

types were represented in the study area and these have been mapped at a 1:10

000 scale of analysis. Sand savanna dominated in the eastern aspects and mixed

bushveld in the more overgrazed areas surrounding Mjindi Farm. Although heavily

utilized, the veld had a reasonable mix of species. Recommended carrying

capacities were conservatively estimated and ranged from a low of 0.08 livestock

units to a high of 0,2 LU per hectare. The browse resource appears under-

utilised and a higher stocking ratio of goats to cattle is recommended. (B)

Cattle population data in the sub-region was ascertained from dipping tank

registers and through a randomised survey of 402 households in the intensive

study area. Small stock ownership, livestock movement patterns and certain

management practices (e.g. sales, milk production and consumption etc.) were

investigated through the questionnaire survey and through the records of the

KwaZulu Department of Agriculture. The importance of auction sales as a means

of commercial offtake was examined from available records and by direct

interview with both agents and sellers. (C) Social attitudes and the

perspectives of stock owners and other community groups (e.g. residents in the

settlement camps, women's groups etc.) were determined by means of structured

group discussions with 12 different interest groups. Discussions centered on

locally relevant issues such as the need for the research study, the perceived

impact that the Mjindi Scheme was having on local economic development, the

sustainable use of natural resources and attitudes towards development and

conservation authorities. The impoprtance of the livestock sector and its

integration with other forms of land use was discussed, and opinions sought on

local area options for grazing management and increased livestock production.

The survey represents an initial appraisal of available resources and key

constraints. The primary value of the survey has been to provide insight into

critical social values and perspectives for further regional development. More

detailed technical studies are required to develop integrated livestock

strategies for the sub-region. Internal conflicts arising between alternative

forms of land use are highlighted in the preliminary findings of this report.

This can largely be attributed to increasing population pressure on available

resources. The report stresses the importance of participative planning and the

need to work closely with local communities in overcoming these problems.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION; KWAZULU; COMMUNAL AREA; AID; IRRIGATION;

POPULATION; POLICY; SAVANNA; CARRYING CAPACITY; CONSERVATION; LAND USE

Ref ID : 978

628. Colvin, P.M., De Jager, P., and Zacharias, P. Southern Maputaland Livestock

Development Survey. Volume 2: Appendices and maps. Investigational Report

40.Anonymous Pietermaritzburg:Institute of Natural Resources, University of

Natal. IR 40:1, 1989.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : COMMUNAL AREA; LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION; KWAZULU NATAL; AID; MAPS

Notes : This report was commissioned by the Department of Development Aid. This

volume contains appendices and maps.

Ref ID : 2124

629. Commission on Sustainable Development South African National Country

Profile Report.Anonymous South African Department of Environmental Affairs and

Tourism. , 1998.

Reprint : Not in File,

Notes : Compiled under the auspices of the Subcommittee on Sustainable

Development and issued by the South African Department of Environmental Affairs

and Tourism.

Ref ID : 1455

630. Comrie-Greig, J. Soil erosion in South Africa. African Wildlife 39(3):94,

1985.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : SOIL EROSION; EROSION

Ref ID : 1666

631. Cook, H.J. The struggle against environmental degradation - Botswana's

experience. Desertification Control Bulletin 8:9-15, 1983.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : BOTSWANA; RAINFALL; DESERTIFICATION ASSESSMENT; SAVANNA; PLANT

PHYSIOLOGY; IRRIGATION

Notes : Botswana lies across the Tropic of Capricorn. It is a semi-arid

country, 80% of which is covered by the Kalahari Desert. This gives a mistaken

impression, however, for the Kalahari is not a true desert. It is in fact

covered by a vegetation mantle that ranges from woodland savannah in the north,

dominated by the mophane tree (Colophospermum mophanei) to low tree and shrub

savannah in the south and west with Terminalia sericea predominant. Almost

everywhere grazing for wild animals and domestic stock is relativley plentiful.

Like the whole of the country, except for the Okavango-Chobe area in the north,

it is better described as an area whose major characteristic is an absence or

paucity of surface water. The availability of water is of crucial importance

and this depends on the amount and incidence of rainfall but also on the water-

holding characteristics of the ground, both on and beneath the surface.

Ref ID : 1490

632. Cooke, H.,J. Kalahari today: a case of conflict over resource use.

Geographica Journal 151(1):75-85, 1985.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : ENERGY; NAMA KAROO; LAND USE

Ref ID : 835

633. Cooper, A. Soil erosion: Investigating the people factors. Farmer's Weekly

13:47-48, 1993.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : SOIL EROSION; SOCIOECONOMIC ASPECTS

Ref ID : 777

634. Cooper, A. Soil conservation policy in South Africa, 1910-1992: The 'Human

Dimension'.University of Natal, Durban. , 1996. The overwhelming focus of

documentary sources indicate that traditional approaches to land degradation and

soil eroison in SA have focused on the physical dimension of the problem and the

development of practical solutions to its reduction. This study was undertaken

from the viewpoint that this emphasis has resulted in the neglect of other (for

example, socio-political) aspects of soil erosion and that such neglect has

exacerbated the soil erosion problem manifest in SA. An examination of the

'human dimension' of soil erosion in SA was therefore undertaken through an

analysis of soil conservation policy and legislation promulgated to effect

policy objectives between 1910 and 1992. Acknowledging that the policy

environment is influenced by factors within the economic, political, historical

and perceptual (all human) environments, as well as the natural environment,

this study attempts to integrate information relating to each of these

parameters within the overall framework of South African soil conservation

policy. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of environmental perception in

the decision-making process, together with the critical influence of intervening

variables found to be operative within the perceptual environment as represented

in the South African context. In the absence of substantive empirical data,

this study posts a number of a priori assumptions regarding the extent and

causes of soil erosion, support for which was initially derived from the

extensive literature sources reviewed for the study. The basic premise of this

study is that soil erosion persists in SA, and despite considerable government

and public inputs and participation, and the existence of a legislative

machinery created specifically to address the problem, progress in promoting

soil conservation through implementation of specific measures has been slow.

Following a review of soil conservation policy and legislation up to 1992, it is

further submitted that factors other than legislative inadequacies could account

for this problem and therefore warrant particular and thorough investigation.

To this end, this work firstly describes the physical context within which South

African soil erosion occurs, followed by a brief appraisal of socio-economic and

political variables which together have shaped contemprorary perceptions

regarding the nature, extent and causes of soil erosion in the country. A

comprehensive review of relevant policy and legislation in the period 1910 -1992

was then undertaken by reference to published and unpublished sources. The

evolution of soil conservation policy in the country was charted through

reference to relevant legislation and parliamentary debate. The temporal

variation in the relative success of the policy and legislative enactments was

measured by reference to relevant indicators. The adequacy of South African

soil conservation (as indicated by four key legislative enactments formulated to

specifically address soil erosion) was evaluated using key elements of the World

Soils Policy as a baseline. Analysis of the Forest and Veld Conservation Act of

1941, the Soil Conservation Act of 1946, the Soil Conservation Act of 1969 and

the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act of 1983, revealed a clear

evolutionary progression in which successive acts sought to build upon successes

and minimise the weaknesses of previous efforts. This analysis reveals marked

temporal variability in the extent to which each element is addressed and

explores the multi-environmental (political, social, historical, economic and

perceptual) constraints on attainment of all goals. This assessment permitted

the compilation of, what the author has termed the South African Policy

Environment Model, which takes the form of a working hypothesis. This

hypothesis was subsequnetly tested utilising the 103 responses obtained from a

postal questionnaire survey directed at 242 scientists, policy developers and

extensionists (representing a 43 percent return), that is, those persons who

either currently or during the study period, were actively involved in the

development of soil erosion research and/or the implementation of conservation

policy objectives. In spite of the apparent effort by the South African

government to address soil conservation, contemporary opinion (according to

documentary evidence) suggests that the policies formulated have failed to

attain soil conservation goals and reduce the manifest extent and rate of land

degradation in the country. This study broadly concludes that such inefficiency

of policy may be ascribed to: (1) lack of importance ascribed to soil; (2)

national level control; (3) non-uniformity in application of law; (4)

inadequacies in the implementation of policy; (5) paucity of information on real

nature and extent of problem; (6) perceptions in an uninformed environment. The

study furthermore submits that images concerning the realities of soil erosion

are shaped by perceptual filters and the value systems of individuals active in

the soil conservation arena, or more specifically, key players' perceptions

regarding the causes, extent and nature of the soil erosion problem, are what

underpin and ultimately give rise to the relative effectiveness of soil

conservation strategies. This study identifies a multiplicity of factors which

operate within five dynamically interactive environments (the political,

economic, historical, perceptual and natural enviironments) considered

influential in shaping the temporal (and spatial) variation in the policy

environment represented in this study. This examination of the

multidimensionality of soil erosion has led to the conclusion that in addition

to the problems broadly outlined above, soil erosion is also a problem of: (1)

accountability; (2) focus; (3) priorities and government commitment; (4)

situational incompatibility; (5) misinformed perceptions; and (6) timing. It is

submitted that lack of recognition of these inter- and intra-environment

dynamics could account for the relative inefficacy of soil conservation policy

to promote the sustained adoption of conservation practices. Such factors will

in the past have been overlooked due to the neglect of the 'human dimension' of

the problem in SA in the period under review. It is believed that the measure

of consensus derived from the results of this study, reflects contemporary

realities concerning the status of soil conservation in the country, at least

amongst those individuals most intimately involved in the development,

formulation and administration of soil conservation policy. As such it provides

an appropriate foundation upon which to base future policy decisions and more

importantly, to derive optimum compliance with conservation norms and standards

of practice amongst land users. Only by recognising the multidimensionality of

the soil conservation policy environment and its components, can the past

inefficacies be overcome. It is submitted therefore that for SA to meet its

challenges of the 21st century concerning the conservation and sustainable

utilisation of soil, the prioity of policy developers must be - the expedient

adoption of multi- and interdisciplinary approach to agricultural resource

management, with particular emphasis on its 'human dimension'.Doctoral

Dissertation.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : SOIL EROSION; SOIL CONSERVATION; POLICY; ENVIRONMENTAL HISTORY;

SOCIOECONOMIC ASPECTS; CONSERVATION; SUBSIDIES; EROSION; LAND USE; LAND TENURE;

EROSION CONTROL; LEGISLATION; POPULATION; FORESTRY; FOREST; MODELS; LAND

DEGRADATION

Notes : This thesis explores the political, economic, historical, perceptual and

physical/natural dimensions of South African policy on environment. The author

states that soil conservation policy environment is shaped by: management of

soil resources (shows the failure of the state to prioritise); approach to

environmental resource management (general lack of commitment to co-ordinated

and holistic management); national level control [(a) microlevel applicability

questionable: remotely relevent to farmers (b) poor co-ordination/co-operation

different ministerial levels: conflicting priorities of government hierarchies

(c) implementation 'top-down' approach - perceived paternalistic/dictatorial

approach e.g. with regard to expropriation of land, allocation of subsidies and

enforcement of legislative controls]; divergent perceptions of soil erosion -

[shaped by lack of scientific consensis/uncertainty, risk perception,

intergenerational criterion; reinforced by classical conditioning and social

learning; inherent legacy of pre-Union land use and agricultural policies;

contemporary - (a) systems of land tenure (b) preferential treatment of white

commercial agriculture (c) inadequacies in support mechanisms, structures,

programmes, infrastructure, personnel, incentives and enforcement provided for

in legislation]; inadequate information baseline to inform policy decisions;

conflicting interests [(a) State (b) agriculture (c) industry]; preferential

legislative provision for soil erosion control; problematic communicability of

legislation - multi-lingual population; legislation focus - [(a) correction

versus prevention (b) forestry versus soil conservation]; institutional

structures - [(a) changing portfolios (b) inadequate representation from farming

community (c) question of conflicting priorities (d) failure to address

individual needs at microlevel]; and inadequate legislative enforcement - [(a)

non-reporting of contraventions and (b) policy of persuasion versus

prosecution].

Ref ID : 1223

635. Cooper, D. Land reformand rural development in the Transvaal. Development

Southern Africa 4(3):420-425, 1987.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Ref ID : 836

636. Cooper, D. Agriculture: its problems and its prospects. In: Critical

choices for South Africa: an agenda for the 1990s, edited by Schrire, R.Cape

Town:Oxford University Press, 1990,p. 341-368.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT; POLICY; POPULATION

Notes : This chapter argues for a change in agricultural policy that will

increase the standard of living of sections of the rural population, as well as

agricultural productivity. It proposes a land distribution programme that

brings about a change of control of the core productive farms, presently

comprising a third of white farming units. It argues that if white dominance of

agriculture is allowed to continue without check, the post-apartheid state faces

continually being held to ransom by this group, and thus unable to fulfil its

reform development objectives for the rural poor.

Ref ID : 837

637. Cooper, D. From soil erosion to sustainability - landuse in South Africa.

In: Going green: People, politics and the environment in South Africa, edited by

Cock, J. and Koch, E.Cape Town:Oxford University Press, 1991,p. 176-190.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : SOIL EROSION; LAND USE; SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

Ref ID : 838

638. Cooper, J.A.G., Mason, T.R., Reddering, J.S.V., and Illenberger, W.K.

Geomorphological effects of catastrophic flooding on a small subtropical

estuary. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 15:25-41, 1990.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : FLOODS; GEOMORPHOLOGY

Ref ID : 805

639. Cousens, D.W.H., Braune, E., and Kruger, F.J. Surface water resources of

South Africa: Research needs.Anonymous Pretoria:Water Research Commission.

AV1/88, 1988.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : WATER CONSERVATION; HYDROLOGY

Ref ID : 982

640. Cousins, B. Room for dancing on: grazing schemes in the communal lands of

Zimbabwe. CASS Occasional Paper - NRM.Anonymous Zimbabwe:Centre for Applied

Social Sciences, University of Zimbabwe. 4/1992:i-151, 1992.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : COMMUNAL AREA; ZIMBABWE; FARMING SYSTEMS; VELD MANAGEMENT

Ref ID : 520

641. Cousins, B. Institutional dynamics in communal grazing regimes in southern

Africa. Proceedings of a workshop held at the University of Zimbabwe, 10 -12

December 1990.Anonymous Anonymous Harare:Centre for Applied Social Sciences. ,

1992.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : INSTITUTIONAL ASPECTS; COMMUNAL AREA; SOUTHERN AFRICA

Ref ID : 1130

642. Cousins, B. Common property institutions and land reform in South Africa.

Development Southern Africa 12(4), 1995.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : LAND REFORM; INSTITUTIONAL ASPECTS; RURAL DEVELOPMENT; LAND TENURE

Notes : This article argues that questions of common property management are

likely to be important within land reform programmes in SA and in relation to

communal rangeland in particular. Given the fundamental transforamtions in

economy and society which have affected customary tenure systems in the region

over the past 150 years, critical issues arise in relation to both the