Bibliography: Land Degradation in South Africa project

and forgotten. They were never budgeted for, and they have been poor for so

long. Given the lack of human and financial resources, Isinamva was able to

initiate a candle-making project, which enabled the poor not to rely on shops

for candles. The project further initiated sewing, bread-making and poultry-

rearing enterprises. There was an aspect of multi-purpose co-operatives, where

intensive training over a period of four months was made available to community

members. The project further concentrated on basic co-operative principles such

as book-keeping and marketing. Soft loans were made available to the poor to

initiate their own projects. This article may be obtained from the Faculty of

Agriculture, University of Fort Hare. See ref. I.D. noL 2339.

Ref ID : 2424

1523. Nomlala, G.Z. Revitalizing agriculture in Transkei. TATU Development Forum

1(5), 1991.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : TRANSKEI; AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION; STATISTICS; AGRICULTURAL

DEVELOPMENT; RURAL DEVELOPMENT; SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE; ECONOMIC ASPECTS

Notes : The purpose of the paper was to prove the hypothesis, that consistency

in agricultural production goes hand in hand with self-sufficiency. The paper

was prepared with information based on the experience of the author as a member

of the Transkei Farmers' Association. In Transkei agriculture was the

cornerstone of the economy. The author concluded from statistics (1961 to 1990)

that there was a steady decline in agriculture in the Transkei. This was

attributable to the ambiguity of land ownership in the Transkei, which left one

with no productive farmers in the area. One other major problem to the decline

in agriculture in the Transkei was absentee farmers. The author therefore

concluded that, in order for agriculture to be revitalized in the Transkei,

farmers had to spend a minimum of 80% of their time on the farm. Revitalizing

agriculture in the Transkei could not be realized without capital investment in

the agricultural industry. Agriculture in the Transkei could be revitalized

through the provision of adequate support and input. The small-scale farmer

therefore, with adequate backup and support, could play a major role in

revitalizing not only agriculture(...?). This article can be found in the

Faculty of Agriculture, University of Fort Hare. See also ref. I.D. no: 2339.

Ref ID : 2468

1524. Nompozolo, S. Tanga Rural Development. Paper presented at the Agricultural

Extension conference held in Port Elizabeth in October 1995.Anonymous Anonymous

, 1994.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : RURAL DEVELOPMENT; POVERTY; AID; AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION; TRANSKEI;

SOCIOECONOMIC ASPECTS

Notes : The purpose of the paper was to reveal the rural development process in

Tanga and to explore the community development needs and activities.

Questionnaires and personal interviews were used for the study. The findings

revealed that amongst some of the development objectives, is the creation of

jobs in the village, fighting poverty, ignorance and diseases, generation of

income to be used in furthering the development of the community's needs and

creation of infrastructure in general. It also mentions that for any process to

be called development, it must lead to an improvement in the quality of life of

local residents and a greater personal and community control over the process of

change. The paper has also noted with concern that the way funding is happening

at this project could promote dependency. On the other hand the community is

not depending on external aid. This paper is available from the Agricultural

Extension and Rural Development Department, Fort Hare University. See ID ref.

no. 2339.

Ref ID : 2562

1525. Nompozolo, S. Food security constraints from the smallholder farmer's

perspective. Paper presented at the conference on food security held in East

London.Anonymous Anonymous Alice:Agricultural Economic Extension and Rural

Development Department, Fort Hare University. , 1999.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT; CLIMATE; RURAL DEVELOPMENT; EASTERN CAPE;

PRODUCTION POTENTIAL; SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT; SOCIOECONOMIC ASPECTS; ECONOMIC

ASPECTS

Notes : The aim of the paper was to reveal some constraints to food security as

perceived by the smallholder farming community. The study depended heavily on

literature review. The findings reveal that agriculture is the most important

and crucial industry in most rural areas of South Africa, and can be expected to

remain so for many years to come. The paper states that for agricultural

development to take place there must be a favourable socio-economic climate

which supports agricultural activities such as access to credit, production

loans, favourable tenure system, availability to markets, farmer resource

centres etc. It also highlights the necessity for the availability of these

factors to be determined if they are to play an important role in the

agricultural development of black farmers in the rural sector. This paper can

be found at the Agricultural Economic Extension and Rural Development

Department, Fort Hare University. See also ID ref. no. 2339.

Ref ID : 2508

1526. Nompozolo, S., Mei, P., and Van Averbeke, W. Towards integrated and

equitable water supply in the Kat River Basin. ARDRI News , 1996.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : POPULATION; CISKEI; RURAL DEVELOPMENT; WATER CONSERVATION

Notes : The purpose of the study was to analyze the water supply and demand for

domestic and agricultural purposes. Participatory methods and literature review

were used for the study. An increase in population at the rate of 7% per annum

within the study area causes the demand for water to increase. Water for

cooking and washing is at the top of the priority list of rural households,

followed by water for home gardens. The price of water in the rural areas of

the Basin is determined by the cost of hired cartage, and ranges between R20 and

R140 per cubic metre. This document is obtainable from the ARDRI Document

Centre, Agriculture, University of Fort Hare. See also ID ref. no. 2339.

Ref ID : 1500

1527. Norton, P.M. Historical changes in the distribution of leopards in the

Cape Province, South Africa. Bontebok 5:1-9, 1986.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : MONITORING; ENVIRONMENTAL HISTORY

Ref ID : 79

1528. Norval, R. Word Suid-Afrika 'n woestyn?/(Is South Africa becoming a

desert?). Landbouweekblad 30(1535):33, 1948.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : KAROO DESERTIFICATION; DESERTIFICATION ASSESSMENT; DESSICATION;

DROUGHT; POPULATION

Notes : The author notes that, in his opinion, the institution of the Commission

investigating the encroachment of the Kalahari desert is justified and he is

awaiting the outcome of its findings with bated breath. He states that he found

working with Dr. Tidmarsh (a member of the Commission) for a short period of

time, an honour. He believes the reality of soil degradation is a harsh reality

which is underestimated by the general population - he warns that SA is fast

approaching a tragedy in terms of soil degradation and the desert is about to

engulf us completely.

Ref ID : 173

1529. Novellie, P. Chapter 10. The Karoo region. Long-term data series relating

to southern Africa's renewable natural resources. Macdonald, I.A.W. and

Crawford, R.J.M. Pretoria:South African National Scientific Programmes Report.

157:280-289, 1988.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : STOCKING RATE; KAROO DESERTIFICATION; VEGETATION CHANGE; NAMA KAROO;

MONITORING; LAND USE; HYDROLOGY; SEDIMENTATION; RAINFALL; SOIL EROSION; EROSION

Notes : In this chapter, attention has been drawn to the fact that our current

understanding of relationships between land use and hydrology is inadequate.

The processes of sedimentation and mineralization will increasingly determine

how effectively surface water can be utilized, and controlled experiments are

required to determine the way in which these processes are influenced by

patterns of land use. The most renewable resource in the Karoo is the natural

vegetation, which provides the basis for extensive small stock production. The

threat of degradation of this resource through overgrazing has highlighted the

need to determine the factors influencing vegetation trends. This need has

provided the impetus for most of the long-term studies conducted in the Karoo.

These studies have concentrated on: interrelationships between rainfall and the

abundance of different components of the vegetation, relationships between soil

erosion and vegetation composition, and the influence of different grazing

systems, stocking rates and stock breeds on veld composition. Of equal

importance are water resources, and several long-term data series relate to

these, including trends in precipitation, monitoring of river flows and

reservoir levels, mineralization of natural waters, sediment deposition in

reservoirs, and ground levels.

Ref ID : 1848

1530. Novellie, P. Habitat use by indigenous grazing ungulates in relation to

sward structure and veld condition. Journal of the Grasslands Society of

Southern Africa 7(1):16-23, 1990.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : VELD CONDITION

Abstract : The objective of the study was to examine the relationships between

the habitat requirements of different wild ungulate species, sward structure and

veld condition. Veld condition score was correlated with sward height: habitats

with high condition scores were dominated by tall grass species, whereas

habitats with low scores were dominated by short grasses. This was because

grass species that decrease as a result of heavy grazing ('decreaseer' species)

are typically tall, whereas those that are promoted by grazing ('increaser'

species) are typically short. Grazers that require tall grasses (mountain zebra

and red hartebeest) favoured habitat with high condition scores, whereas short

grass grazers (black wildebeest) favoured range with low condition scores. The

patch-selective grazing habits of the short grass grazers tended to create short

grass lawns dominated by increaser grasses. The relevance of veld condition

assessment for areas managed to support wild grazing ungulates is discussed.

Ref ID : 1071

1531. Novellie, P. and Strydom, G. Monitoring the response of vegetation to use

by large herbivores: an assessment of some techniques. South African Journal of

Wildlife Research 17(4):109-117, 1987.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : GRAZING EFFECTS; METHODOLOGIES; RAINFALL

Abstract : The suitability of two vegetation survey techniques (point surveys of

canopy spread cover, and counts of individual plants in quadrats) was assessed.

The cover estimates were subject to between-observer differences which could not

be eliminated despite clearly defined rules governing the scoring of strikes.

The magnitude of these differences was slight, but nevertheless operator bias

would need to be checked if trends in cover were being monitored. Variation

between replicate point surveys conducted by one observer was also assessed.

The point surveys contacted no more than 60-70% of plant species known to be

present in the survey plots. This technique is therefore likely to

underestimate plant species richness. As a result of improved rainfall grass

tuft density showed a five-fold increase from November 1984 to December 1985.

Grass canopy spread cover also showed a pronounced increase over this period.

The implications of climate-induced changes for the design of vegetation-

monitoring programmes are discussed.

Ref ID : 81

1532. Novellie, P.A. and Bezuidenhout, H. The influence of rainfall and grazing

on vegetation changes in the Mountain Zebra National Park. South African Journal

of Wildlife Research 24(3):60-71, 1994.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : VEGETATION CHANGE; NAMA KAROO; CONSERVATION; MONITORING; VEGETATION

DYNAMICS; CLIMATE

Abstract : The vegetation in permanently marked plots was monitored by means of

point surveys for canopy spread cover over a six-year period. This period

spanned the drought of the early 1980s and the wetter phase of the late 1980s.

In some respects the observed changes in the abundance of the different plant

species conformed to the successional model which forms the basis of veld

condition assessment in the Karoo. Annual grasses, as well as the creeping grass

Tragus koelerioides, spread rapidly during the first two wet seasons after the

end of the drought. They later declined in abundance, presumably as a result of

competition with taller, tufted perrenial grasses, which showed a slower but

more sustained increase in abundance. However, the nature of the rainfall-

induced changes differed between the two main plant communities in the study

area: the Themeda triandra -Cymbopogon plurinodis community on stony areas and

the Cynodon incompletu - Pentzia species community which occurred on less stony

areas. Themeda triandra and Cymbopogon plurinodis never became abundant in the

latter community, despite the improved rainfall and despite five years of

protection against large herbivores in fenced exclosures. The two communities

thus retained their distinctness throughout the observation period. The results

are examined in relation to published hypotheses of the effect of winter and

summer rain on the cover of grass and dwarf shrubs. [References: 23] Reprint

available from: Novellie PA NATL PK BOARD POB 110040 HADISON PK 8306 SOUTH

AFRICA.

Ref ID : 1463

1533. Nowicki, J. People's perceptions of soil erosion in the Jane Furse

area.UCT Department of Environmental and Geographical Science, Leboa 1992. ,

1992.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : SOIL EROSION; EROSION; EASTERN CAPE

Notes : UCT ENGEO Library Accession No. EGS/HONS/NOWI (Looks to be an Honours

thesis).

Ref ID : 2451

1534. Ntonga, S.N. The role of farmers' wives at the Keiskamma irrigation

scheme, Ciskei.University of Fort Hare. , 1993.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : IRRIGATION; CISKEI; AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION; GENDER ASPECTS;

AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION

Notes : The objectives of this study were to establish the role of farmer wives

at Keiskamma Irrigation Scheme with regard to farm management, decision-making

on the farm, management of the home and maintenance of the vegetable gardens. A

descriptive survey method was used to describe the role of farmers' wives with

respect to the objectives. Three hypotheses were tested. In general the

findings supported the hypotheses. Women on the scheme frequently had to assume

the role of farm decision-maker due to the fact that men were often away from

the farms. Women were involved in many diverse activities. These activities

include farm and domestic activities. Women were found to be grossly neglected

in terms of extension services. A general conclusion reached was that women,

with proper guidance, could improve agricultural production and eradicate the

belief that agriculture is only for people who cannot survive other professions

or occupations. Traditionally, women were responsible for meeting the basic food

needs of their families. With the migration of men to the cities and towns,

women assumed an even greater burden of work involved in subsistence production.

This thesis is available at the Document Centre, Agriculture, University of Fort

Hare. See also ID ref. no. 2339.

Ref ID : 400

1535. Nyako-Lartey, Q. and Baxter, R.M. The effects of different grazing regimes

on the population dynamics of small mammals in the eastern Cape. Transactions of

the Royal Society of South Africa 50(2):143-152, 1995.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : GRAZING EFFECTS; POPULATION; DROUGHT

Abstract : Four permanent trapping grids on predominantly sweet grass-bush study

plots and subjected to different grazing regimes, were monitored from June 1991

to July 1992. The diversity and population density of small mammals on these

grids were affected by the pattern of animal stocking and grazing types. Only

two species, Rhabdomys pumilio and Mastomys natalensis were trapped. Sites

undergoing rotational resting, and those grazed by cattle, supported more

rodents than constantly grazed ones and those grazed by sheep. Other

environmental factors, excepting drought, had lesser impacts on the small mammal

populations. The seasonal recruitment and breeding of the small mammals was

affected by grazing whereas sex ratios appeared unaffected. The drought of

1991-92 was obviously a contributory factor to low small mammal numbers.

Ref ID : 1764

1536. O'Connor, T.G. A synthesis of field experiments concerning the grass layer

in the savanna regions of southern Africa.Anonymous Pretoria:Council for

Scientific and Industrial Research. 114, 1985. The purpose of this synthesis of

long term experiments was to develop an account of how the principal

determinants (rainfall, soil type, woody/grass ratio, herbivory, fire) influence

the dynamics of the grass layer of southern African savannas. The review covers

bush clearing, fertilization, grazing, fire, reclamation and exclusion

experiments, and appropriate monitoring sets. The 126 experiments included

provide a poor data base because of defects in experimental design, a low

intensity of sampling, inappropriate indices for assessing change, and

inadequate presentation of data. Fluctuations in species abundances are the norm

in savannas, and are related to the degree of rainfall variability. Available

soil moisture, determined by rainfall, soil type and the woody/grass ratio, is

the primary determinant of compositional fluctuations across all climatic

regimes, but its effect is more pronounced in semi-arid than in mesic savannas,

and on heavier textured than sandy soils. Correspondingly, the influence of

fluctuations in the availability of nutrients, principally nitrogen and

phosphorus, is greatest in the sandy soils of mesic savannas which are nutrient

rather than moisture limited. The processes underlying compositional

fluctuations are the differential patterns between species of mortality of

established tufts, germination and establishment, and growth in response to

fluctuating environmental conditions, principally soil moisture. Grazing and

fire exercise an indirect effect on the above processes through their influence

on the abiotic environment. The direct relationship between grazing or fire and

population processes is contingent upon the abiotic environment, and possibly

non-linear. Grassland composition does not display the classical pattern of

static stability, but the same compositional state is recurrent for a given set

of abiotic conditions. Changes in the abiotic environment rapidly effect a

change in composition, as evidenced in fertilization experiments. An

irreversible change in composition cannot take place without an associated

irreversible change in abiotic state structure. The major recorded changes of

savannas which are potentially irreversible in the short term are increases in

the woody/grass ratio of heavy textured soils subjected to consistent

overgrazing, effected through a change in the soil moisture regime. The

variability of herbaceous yield at a site is related to the variability of

available soil moisture, as determined by rainfall and soil type. The woody

component has a consistent depressive effect on yield through its utilisation of

soil moisture. Therefore sandy soils of mesic savannas, particularly when

debushed, exhibit more stable trends of herbaceous yield than heavy textured

soils on mesic savannas or semi-arid savannas. There is little evidence to

evaluate the long term effect of grazing or fire on yield. Irreversible changes

in the yield potential of a site are associated with long term changes in

available soil moisture and nutrients. There is insufficient empirical data to

derive predictive relationships between determinants and abiotic variables.

Grazing and fire, which can significantly influence soil physical and chemical

properties, need to be evaluated in the context of other interacting processes

affecting nutrient cycling. Long term ecological experiments in southern

African savannas will continue to be an impoverished source of insight into the

functioning of savannas until experiments are conducted within the framework of

formalized models from which explicit tests of key processes can be made, rather

than as exercises which generate empirical data bases.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : SAVANNA; SOUTHERN AFRICA; RAINFALL; FIRE; MONITORING; POPULATION;

GRASSLAND; MODELS; GRAZING EFFECTS; SOIL NUTRIENTS; SOIL PROPERTIES; CLIMATE;

VEGETATION CHANGE

Ref ID : 1340

1537. O'Connor, T.G. Remote sensing approaches to vegetation changes and species

distributions. 1990.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : REMOTE SENSING; EASTERN CAPE; GRASSLAND; MAPS; CULTIVATION

Notes : The author states that there is substantial circumstantial evidence that

considerable vegetation change has taken place in the eastern Cape this century,

particularly the encroachment of formerly open grasslands by Acacia karoo and

the closing up of woodlands. It would be valuable to know the extent and rate

of this change and to identify the environmental features of areas prone to

change. The advent of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) allows for overlays

of vegetation maps from different times and for a multitude of variables to be

concurrently analysed on a spatial basis. In addition, other land

transformations (e.g. cultivation, urbanization, dams) can be catalogued. The

high quality aerial photographs which have been taken over the last 50 years

would provide the appropriate data base. The author notes in conclusion that

the value of the present study is that the sampling universe would extend into

variable space not occupied by the species, and hence the limits of distribution

for one side of the response curve should be identified for some of the