Bibliography: Land Degradation in South Africa project

advocated and supported by donors. However much of the discussion of PTD has

been at the level of rhetoric, at times venturing into academic debate. Three

dimensions of participation explored here are: farmer participation,

participation by other stakeholders, and participation within a

multidisciplinary team. Strategies and practical tips for improvised project

design and implementation are suggested, and future challenges are identified.

Ref ID : 679

1911. Swanepoel, D.S. Causes of bankruptcy amongst commercial farmers in South

Africa: management and policy implications.University of Natal,

Pietermaritzburg. , 1997. The number of commercial farms declared bankrupt in SA

rose sharply over the period 1948 to 1994. Aggregate farm bankruptcies rose

from 18 farms (0,016 percent of all farms) in 1948 to 389 farms in 1994 (0,632

percent of all farms). The number of bankrupt maize farms increased from 16 to

around 150 farms per year over the period 1970 to 1994, while the number of

bankrupt extensive beef farms increased from 12 to about 50 per year over the

same period. The objective of this study is to analyse factors affecting

bankrupties of aggregate farm bankruptcy during 1948 to 1994 maize and extensive

beef farm bankruptcy from 1970 to 1994. Possible causes of farm bankruptcy

include both business and financial risk factors. Business risk factors

(inherent in a business and its operating environment, regardless of the way the

business is financed) include drought, fluctuations in producer prices and

changes in real government subsidies to agriculture. Financial risk factors

(associated with debt financing) are reflected by variable real interest rates

and the level of the aggregate farm debt/asset ratio. Principal components

regression confirmed a priori theoretical expectations of farm bankruptcy

determinants. The aggregate farm bankruptcy rate was positively related to

lagged aggregate farm debt/asset ratio and lagged real interest rates (financial

risk factors), but negatively related to lagged drought index (lower index

values reflected drought) and lagged real government subsidies to agriculture

(business risk factors). Maize and extensive beef farm bankruptcies were

negatively related to lagged annual rainfall (business risk factor), but

positively related to the lagged aggregate farm debt/asset ratio and lagged real

interest rates (financial risk factors). Lagged real maize and beef producer

prices (business risk factors) were negatively related to bankruptcy among maize

farmers. Beef farm bankruptcies rose with lower lagged real beef producer

prices and higher lagged real stockfeed subsidies and transport rebates

(business risk factors). These results show that farm bankruptcy in SA is a

dynamic process, with time lags between business and financial risk factors and

ultimate farm bancruptcy. The aggregate, maize and extensive beef farm

bankruptcy models also suggest that the rise in farm bankruptcies over time can

partly be attributed to changes in agricultural price and macroeconomic

policies.Master of Science.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : ECONOMIC ASPECTS; SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT; POLICY; SUSTAINABLE

AGRICULTURE; DROUGHT; SUBSIDIES; RAINFALL; MODELS

Notes : Abstract in file.

Ref ID : 661

1912. Swart, D.H., Crowley, J.B., Moller, J.P., and De Wet, A. Nature and

behaviour of the flood at the river mouth. Transactions of the Royal Society of

South Africa 47(3):217-245, 1990.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : SOIL EROSION; SEDIMENTATION; FLOODS; RUNOFF; EROSION

Notes : The March 1988 flood is the best-studied flood that the Orange River has

experienced, as far as both its devastating effects and its unusual character

are concerned. This paper investigates the characteristics of the flood and

compares the findings with those for previous floods. It is shown that the

runoff for March 1988 probably has an exceedance value of the order of 1 in 100

to 200 years, although the annual runoff for the 1987/1988 hydrological year is

equivalent to only about a 1 in 10 to 15-year event. An account is given of

flow characteristics in the mouth of the Orange during the flood, as well as of

associated bank erosion rates and scour under the Ernest Oppenheimer bridge.

Ref ID : 2321

1913. Sweet, J. Livestock - coping with drought: Namibia - a case study. This

paper was presented for the Grassland Group of the Crop and Grassland Service

(AGPC) of the FAO for the FAO/AGAP electronic conference on "Livestock - Coping

with Drought".Anonymous Eastbourne, UK: 1998.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : DROUGHT; NAMIBIA; COMMUNAL AREA; POPULATION; POLICY; GRASSLAND

Notes : In 1992/93 Namibia sufferd its worst drought in living memory. This

paper presents a case study of coping with drought in the communal areas and

freehold (commercial) farms of Namibia, based largely on the experiences,

information gained and lessons learned from that drought. Some emphasis is put

on considering the effects of drought on the rangelands, and the options

available to livestock keepers to contend with drought, but the majority of the

rural population of Namibia are agro-pastoralists, hence the implications for

crop production are also covered. The paper tracks the rather ad hoc pre- 1992

drought relief practice to the impact of, and responses to, the 1992/93 drought,

to the formulation of a National Drought Policy and Strategy in 1997. Finally,

some policy issues and options are considered.

Ref ID : 1732

1914. Sweet, R.J. Bush control with fire in Acacia nigrescens/Combretum

apiculatum savanna in Botswana. Proceedings of the Grassland Society of southern

Africa 17:25-28, 1982.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : FIRE; SAVANNA; BOTSWANA; SOIL PROPERTIES; BUSH ENCROACHMENT;

BOTANICAL SURVEY

Abstract : The results of a trial to study the effects of periodic burning, or

complete resting, on the vegetation and some soil characteristics of semi-arid

Acacia nigrescens/Combretum apiculatum savanna in eastern Botswana are

discussed. Plots of 1.2 ha were burned at intervals of 0 (no burn control), 1,

2, 3, 4 and 5 years from 1958 to 1980. In 1981 these were assessed for bush

density by species and by height classes, for grass basal cover and botanical

composition, and for soil properties. Bush density increased with increasing

burning interval but complete resting suppressed seedling development. All

burned plots were visibly more open than the rested plot and hence fire appears

to offer the possibility of a low cost means of bush control. The changes in

soil properties, grass cover and botanical composition resulting from low

frequency burns were small.

Ref ID : 1724

1915. Tacoli, C. Bridging the divide: rural-urban interactions and livelihood

strategies. Gatekeeper Series no. SA77.Anonymous Anonymous 77:1-17, 1998.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : POPULATION; POLICY; RURAL DEVELOPMENT; POVERTY; POLITICAL ASPECTS;

PLANT-ANIMAL INTERACTIONS; SOCIOECONOMIC ASPECTS; GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES

Notes : Most development theory and practice is implicitly based on the

dichotomy between 'rural' and 'urban' areas, populations and activities. This

is reflected in the division of policies along spatial and sectoral lines, with

urban planners usualy concentrating on urban nodes and giving scant attention to

agricultural or rural-led development, while rural development planners tend to

ignore urban centres and define rural areas as consisting only of villages and

their agricultural land. This, however, does not reflect the reality of

households' livelihoods, which often include both rural and urban elements. For

example, many urban enterprises rely on demand from rural consumers, and access

to urban markets and services is crucial for most agricultural producers. In

both rural and urban areas, a significant proportion of household relies on

income diversification and on the combination of agricultural and non-

agricultural income sources. Even when spatial development policies have

attempted to integrate rural and urban dimensions, they have often failed

because they were based on inaccurate generalisations about the relationship

between the two. This paper reviews the ways in which urban and rural

livelihoods are intertwined, drawing on many examples from around the world. It

highlights how positive rural-urban interactions and equitable development can

be fostered by backward and forward linkages between agricultural production and

industry and services. For these backward and forward linkages to be made and

to work requires some major shifts in the way planners and policy makers think.

Policies encouraging these mutually reinforcing linkages need to overcome the

traditional separation between rural and urban planners. They also need to

avoid generalisations and be grounded in the specifics of the regional context.

One of the most important points to bear in mind is that the potential for

rural-urban linkages to contribute to poverty reduction will only be realised if

measures are taken to address wider social inequalities, such as access to

resources and information. This therefore has numerous implications for

activities such as local government, and rural extension services, as well as

calling for the need to address such issues at national and international

levels.

Ref ID : 1725

1916. Tainton, N. Veld management in southern Africa, Scottsville:University of

Natal Press, 1999.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : VELD MANAGEMENT; SOUTHERN AFRICA; SAVANNA; GRASSLAND; AGRICULTURAL

PRODUCTION; LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION; FAUNA; NATURE RESERVES

Notes : This is a state-of-the-art synthesis of research in production and

management since the inception of the discipline as an agricultural science in

the 1930s. All the ecological regions are covered extensively, but the main

emphasis is on the three biomes (the grassveld, savanna and karoo) which produce

the bulk of the forage supporting both the domestic livestock and the game

farming industries. The book has an audience outside of SA and the grassland

and savanna areas which stretch through southern and central Africa. The text is

aimed at students concerned with the management of natural ecosystems and also

livestock producers and game ranchers who rely on the veld to feed their

animals. The text throughout emphasised the interpretation and application of

research results to the practical situation. All major aspects of veld

production and management are covered in this book. It outlines the

physiological and ecological principles on which management is based and which

underpin the science. The book presents management options based on these

underlying principles before dealing with recommended management procedures in

each of the main ecological regions of the country.

Ref ID : 606

1917. Tainton, N.M. This fragile land. Inaugural lecture delivered at the

University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 28 May 1980. 1980.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : VELD MANAGEMENT; LAND DEGRADATION

Ref ID : 967

1918. Tainton, N.M. Natural grazing lands and their ecology. In: Veld and

pasture management in South Africa, edited by Tainton,

N.M.Pietermaritzburg:Shuter & Shooter, 1981,p. 27-56.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : VELD MANAGEMENT; VELD CONDITION; CARRYING CAPACITY

Notes : The vegetation of SA may usefully be considered in terms of both the

types of communities which occur or in terms of the production characteristics

of the different plant communities, and in particular the grazing season and

carrying capacity of these communities. Both classifications will be discussed

in this chapter because both are relevant to an understanding of the

characteristics of the vegetation and management it requires.

Ref ID : 1779

1919. Tainton, N.M. A consideration of veld condition assessment techniques for

commercial livestock production in South Africa. Journal of the Grasslands

Society of Southern Africa 5(2):76-79, 1988.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : VELD CONDITION; LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION

Abstract : A number of procedures have been developed for the evaluation of veld

condition in a variety of vegetation types in South Africa. These include both

agronomic and ecologically based methods, about which there still remain a great

deal of controversy. However, the urgent need for methods which can be applied

in practice has recently prompted the recommendation of specific methods for the

vegetation types representative of the major livestock producing areas of South

Africa.

Ref ID : 884

1920. Tainton, N.M., Edwards, P.J., and Mentis, M.T. A revised method for

assessing veld condition. Proceedings of the Grassland Society of southern

Africa 15:37-42, 1980.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : VELD CONDITION; GRASSLAND

Abstract : The modified quantitative climax method previously developed for

assessing veld condition in the humid grasslands of Natal has been refined and

expanded as data derived from its use have accumulated. As previously, basal

cover and species composition are determined on a 30 X 30 m plot from 200 points

observed using the wheel-point apparatus. Plants are grouped into ecological

classes which are defined on the basis of how the plants respond to grazing and

burning. These and additional, subjectively assessed parameters of the veld

being evaluated, are compared to those of the benchmark - a site chosen to

represent the agro-ecological ideal for the area. These data are then used to

estimate the current grazing capacity. The method has been adapted to bushveld

sites, where an assessment of the tree component of the community is also

required, and there appears to be no valid reason why it should not be suited to

the arid grassland and Karoo regions as well.

Ref ID : 2353

1921. Talbot, M. The agricultural development potential of the Ciskei must be

assessed in terms of both its physical and human characteristics. Geography III

project, which can be found at Rhodes University, Department of

Geography.Anonymous Grahamstown:Rhodes University, Department of Geography. ,

1987.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT; CISKEI; POPULATION; POLICY; AGRICULTURAL

PRODUCTION; STATISTICS; ECONOMIC ASPECTS; LAND USE; LABOUR

Notes : The purpose was to assess the agricultural potential of Ciskei. Data

utilised for this paper was, with the exception of the population census data,

derived from secondary sources and is of a quantitative and qualitative nature.

The physical, population and income data were all quantitative while the data on

agricultural policy, agricultural schemes and access to land area of a

qualitative nature. The deductive research method is used in the analysis. It

was found out that 54.2% of the Ciskeian population live in the rural area but

only 4.2% of these people have access to land. The vast majority of the

Ciskeian population depend on wages and salaries earned in the urban areas of

Ciskei and White South Africa for their survival. The problem in the Ciskei is

that its natural, human and financial resources are not able to satisfy the

needs of its population. The Ciskei has a very large population and a

vulnerable physical environment. The environmental stress is the result of

excess demand for resources in the Ciskei. There also exists conflict between

export based cash crops to earn foreign exchange and basic food security for the

poor. In conclusion the author argued that once the physical and human factors

have been taken into acocunt the development potential of agriculture in the

Ciskei is very limited. See ref. I.D. no: 2339. See ref. I.D. no: 2339.

Ref ID : 365

1922. Talbot, W.J. Swartland and Sandveld: a survey of land utilization and soil

erosion in the western lowveld of the Cape Province, London:Oxford University

Press, 1947.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : SOIL EROSION; CULTIVATION; LAND USE; WESTERN CAPE

Ref ID : 240

1923. Talbot, W.J. Land utilization in the arid regions of southern Africa.

Part 1: South Africa. In: A history of land use in arid regions, edited by

Stamp, L.D.Paris:UNESCO, 1961,p. 299-338.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : LAND USE; NAMA KAROO; SUCCULENT KAROO; KAROO DESERTIFICATION;

STOCKING RATE; ENVIRONMENTAL HISTORY; LAND TENURE; IRRIGATION; DROUGHT

Notes : This chapter deals with the following issues: (1) the character, extent,

and pre-European occupance of the arid regions; (2) the Karoo and other arid

regions south of the Orange River (the European occupance, 1730-) and includes:

the hinterland of a victualling station (1730 - 1800); advance of the graziers;

land tenure; conditions of settlement and seasonal migrations; (3) a primary

producer in a world of expanding industries (1800-) and includes: rise of the

merino; spread of the Blackhead Persian and the Karakul; the role of the goat

and the rise and decline of the Angora; and the domestication of the ostrich: an

impetus to irrigation; (4) the thornveld and bushveld beyond the Orange and the

Vaal (the European intrusion, (1860-), including impact of diamond mining on a

pastoral frontier; (5) frontiers of settlement in the 20th century, including:

bushmanland - the well-driller opens the Vrybult; the Kalahari and its

borderlands - beef and dairy ranches; the arid bushveld - game reserves and

tropical cattle ranches; perennial irrigation and its natural limitations; (6)

intensification of pastoral land use, including: fencing, 'camping', and the

decline of seasonal 'trekking'; the control of locusts and vermin; and the

campaign against prickly pear and jointed cactus; and (7) droughts, desiccation,

and veld deterioration - the decline of an 'African Eden'. Part II includes:

(1) historical development, including: aboriginal use; German settlement; and

postwar expansion; (2) the present situation, including: role of the

administration; native reserves; and unoccupied areas.

Ref ID : 2316

1924. Tanser, F. and Palmer, A.R. The application of a remotely sensed,

diversity index to monitor degradation patterns in a semi-arid, heterogeneous,

South African landscape. 1999.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : REMOTE SENSING; NDVI

Abstract : We present a remotely-sensed degradation assessment technique based

on the measurement of landscape heterogeneity (a key determinant of degradation

status). The moving standard deviation index (MSDI) is derived by passing a

moving standard deviation filter across the Landsat-TM red band.

Degraded/unstable landscapes exhibit higher MSDI values than their

undisturbed/stable counterparts. Significant differences in MSDI were detected

(p<0.001) across four fence-lines which separated rangeland of contrasting

condition. The relationship of the index to normalised difference vegetation

index (NDVI) was tested in five different ecosystems and significant

correlations obtained in all cases (p<0.001). We propose the MSDI as a powerful

adjunct to vegetation indices.

Ref ID : 963

1925. Tapson, D.R. Proposals for a cattle marketing strategy for

Transkei.Anonymous Agricultural and Rural Development Research Institute

(ARDRI), University of Fort Hare. 1/82:i-46, 1982.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : ECONOMIC ASPECTS; AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION; TRANSKEI; RURAL

DEVELOPMENT; AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT; LEGISLATION; POPULATION; STATISTICS

Notes : The author summarised this report, and reached conclusions as follows.

The objective of this study was to arrive at proposals for improving the

marketing of cattle in the Transkei. Serious criticism of the existing system

has been made, and the current system is held responsible for the lack of

turnover from the Transkei herd. On the evidence available, it seems likely

that the low turnover results from inherent features of the economic system

governing ownership of cattle in Transkei. The complex of auction sales,

informal slaughtering, meat sales, and imports and exports from SA, provides a

system which is remarkably efficient in meeting the requirements of both owner

and consumer at a very low social and administrative cost. There are

nonetheless weaknesses which could be having an inhibiting effect and which

could become critical in the event of institutional changes creating an

increased flow of cattle to market. Accordingly proposals have been made for

reduced but improved sales facilities, a Mobile Sales Unit, feedlots, grading

and weighing. A new abattoir is proposed for Umata, and the closure of

abattoirs in smaller centres is recommended, provided that a substitute meat

distribution system is introduced. Changes to the legislation and the

introduction of a residual buying scheme are not recommended. As with all

studies in underdeveloped areas, this one was carried out under the twin

handicaps of lack of hard data and poor understanding of the motivation and

requirements of the people affected by the study. The standard of literacy in

the rural population, and the bureaucratic cost of gathering statistics, invite

caution in this respect. It is imperative, however, that an aggressive attitude

be adopted to the gathering of information leading to understanding of the needs

and desires of the affected population. Since these personal attitudes will

govern the responses of the people to prescriptive action by Government,

ignorance of them places such actions at hazard. It is strongly recommended

therefore, that a detailed long-term research programme be instituted,

concentrating on the inter-relationship between the people and their land and

cattle.

Ref ID : 976

1926. Tapson, D.R. A socio-economic analysis of small-holder cattle producers in

Kwazulu.Vista University, Pretoria. :i-238, 1990. Doctor of Philosophy.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : COMMUNAL AREA; SOCIOECONOMIC ASPECTS; KWAZULU; LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION;

CARRYING CAPACITY; STOCKING RATE; SOIL EROSION; EROSION; LAND TENURE