Bibliography: Land Degradation in South Africa project

Notes : In brief, the author concludes the following: much has been achieved in

Natal but severe erosion in many parts remains a serious problem; despite much

publicity and persuasive extension there remains an apathetic attitude among the

public at large - there is an urgent need to create public awareness; an

accurate survey of erosion is needed to be followed by publicity including the

economic consequences of erosion; erosion control research is urgently needed;

soil conservation is part of sound land use planning; education programmes at

school, college and university level, dealing with erosion and conservation

should be reviewed and adjusted to meet our needs; erosion control programmes

based on a catchment basis have much to offer but have not yet gained ground in

Natal; implementation of the Soil conservation Act should be streamlined to

avoid delays and staff should be found to ensure adequate surveillance of the

erosion situation; and Hanks (1976) has warned that the exponential population

growth rate is a threat to all conservation programmes. Despite this, it is

confidently predicted that the people of Natal have the initiative and foresight

to mount an effective anti-erosion campaign. It will require thorough

understanding of the resources and erosion processes, astute planning and, above

all, the whole-hearted co-operation of many people and agencies.

Ref ID : 540

1767. Scotney, D.M. Soil erosion in Natal, Pretoria:Department of Agricultural

Technical Services, 1978.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : SOIL EROSION; KWAZULU NATAL

Ref ID : 1307

1768. Scotney, D.M. An assesment of wind erosion hazard in Natal

region.Anonymous Anonymous Pietermaritzburg:Department of Agricultural Technical

Services. :1-9, 1990. Areas in which wind erosion is a potential threat to

agricultural development are noted. An assessment of susceptible soils is made

on the basis of simple criteria, including particle size distribution. In terms

of the National classification many sandy soils carry a severe rating,

especially members of the Avalon, Estcourt, Fernwood, Glencoe and Hutton forms.

Emphasis is given to the importance of fertility losses resulting from wind

erosion and the need to develop a sound erosion control program.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : WIND EROSION; EROSION; EROSION CONTROL

Notes : (Undated).

Ref ID : 1312

1769. Scotney, D.M. Towards a national policy and strategy for natural resouce

conservation and management in South Africa.Anonymous Pretoria:Deparment of

Agriculture. :1-53, 1994.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : POLICY; CONSERVATION; LEGISLATION

Notes : The author concludes that, despite grave concerns for the state of

environmental degradation in SA, the potential for bringing about a new resource

conservation ethic can be viewed with optimism. However, it will require total

commitment and support from government as well as full participation from rural

communities and the private sector. Bringing about improvements in conservation

and land management will require revised policy and special effort to advance

beyond the point of planning, providing slogans and paying lip service to such

an important national priority. Improved land management can only come about

through the earnest endeavours of all land users and full cummunity

participation. There is no means of totally avoiding the impact of agricultural

and other developments on the environment. However, much can be done to retain

environmental quality through sound ecological planning, the adoption of

"environmentally friendly" practices and astute management on behalf of the land

user. Revised legislation and greater coordination of activities within the

public and private sectors are prerequisites for uplifting resource conservation

standards. No time should be lost in bringing about policy reform, developing

appropriate strategies and providing organizational structures to achieve common

goals. Such goals must be formulated through participative consultation with

all role players. It must be recognized that truly sustainable development can

only be achieved through the efforts of land users themselves at the local

level. In striving to achieve a balance between environmental quality, economic

growth and social upliftment, flexibility of approach will be needed to meet the

needs of a new SA. This document highlights the limitations of past endeavour

but should not detract from the impressive achievements made by dedicated

conservationists in many parts of the country. A critical stage in development

has been reached, and it can be confidently predicted that all natural resources

will come under growing pressure as the Reconstruction and Development Programme

gains momentum. Environmental consciousness is changing and it can be expected

that the agricultural industry in particular will face growing demands to heed

tolerance levels demanded by society and the international community.

Ref ID : 868

1770. Scotney, D.M. and Dijkhuis, F.J. Changes in the fertility status of South

African soils. South African Journal of Science 86:395-402, 1990.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : SOIL NUTRIENTS; LAND DEGRADATION; MONITORING

Abstract : There are major gaps in current knowledge of changes in the fertility

status of South African soils. Trends of greatest concern are the significant

drop in organic matter content; rapidly declining nitrogen levels; increases in

soil acidity; a drop in micro-nutrient status; expanding saline and alkaline

areas and excessive phosphorus levels in certain cultivated soils. An

evaluation of fertilizer usage over time and nutrient uptake and removal by

crops, as well as erosional losses, help explain some of these trends. A strong

plea is made for the upgrading of fertilizer advisory services and a nationally

co-ordinated monitoring system to detect change in fertility status over the

long term.

Ref ID : 869

1771. Scotney, D.M. and McPhee, P.J. The dilemma of our soil resources. In: Save

our soil. Proceedings of the Veld Trust Conference on the conservation status on

agricultural resources in the RSA, Pretoria, edited by National Veld Trust,

1990,

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : SOIL EROSION

Ref ID : 1890

1772. Scotney, D.M. and McPhee, P.J. The dilemma of our soil resources. 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 : POPULATION; EROSION; SEDIMENTATION; CONSERVATION; MODELS; POLLUTION

Notes : The author concludes as follows. There is clear evidence that soil

degradation is a continuing problem. Intensification in agriculture, other

developments and a growing population have placed much pressure on our finite

soil resource base. The loss of scarce high potential land to non-agricultural

uses and soil losses exceeding tolerance levels are matters of major concern.

The preservation of soil resources for future generations is a shared

responsibility for all sectors of the population. More efficient use and

management of such resources and dedicated land stewardship are urgent needs.

Off-site damages caused by erosion and sedimentation have major impacts with

high costs to the nation. It is apparent that current funding of conservation

programmes falls short of the costs resulting from off-site damages. There is

urgent need to intensify research to combat all forms of soil degradation. Soil

loss estimation models, setting T-values, combatting pollution and establishing

sustainable ecosystems are priorities for multi-disciplinary research effort.

The slow response by land users to adopt improved technology and the poor

standard of soil management remain matters of concern. Growing public awareness

of environmental degradation is likely to have considerable impact on the

agricultural sector. However, other sectors should not ignore responsibility

for preventing soil degradation. It is appropriate to echo the words of Scott

who stated that unless attitudes change "our greatest problem will remain a

subject of conversation rather than conservation". Tanner provides a sobering

throught: "Our little spaceship Earth whirls on through the fleeting stars of

night. Except for sunlight, her fuel and supplies are all on board. There is

no going back for more, and there is no getting off to go to some better place.

Spaceship Earth is off the pad and we're the crew. The only crew she's got.".

Ref ID : 689

1773. Scotney, D.M. and McPhee, P.J. Our dwindling soil resources. World

Environment Day Symposium on Soil, Randburg, 5 June 1991.Anonymous Anonymous

Society of Professional Engineers (SPE). :1-16, 1991. 06-05-1991.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : SOIL EROSION; CONSERVATION; POPULATION; WIND EROSION; EROSION

Notes : The value of soil is inestimable in that the entire world depends

ultimately on it for survival. The conservation of our soil resources is a

shared responsibility for all sectors of our diverse population. Degradation of

the soil resources base takes on many forms and the rate of degradation

increases as intensification in agriculture and a growing population lead to

increased pressure on our non-renewable soil resources. Soil losses by water in

arable lands have been assessed by various means and found to be unacceptably

high in relation to soil formation rates and allowable soil losses. Soil

degradation resulting from acidification, acid rain, compaction, salinisation

and nutrient deficiencies give rise to much concern. Onsite damages due to

water and wind erosion are serious but it is acknowledged that off-site damages

have a severe impact on downstream users of water supplies and the storage

capacity of both large and small reservoirs. In spite of the dedicated efforts

of many conservationists, the current status of conservation in the natural veld

and cultivated land is disturbing. There is an urgent need to address many

problems related to the degradation of our soil resources. Growing public

awareness of environmental degradation is likely to have a considerable impact

on the agricultural sector. A new land care ethic is urgently needed so that

effective resource conservation and environmental protection are achieved on a

country-wide basis.

Ref ID : 1556

1774. Scotney, D.M., Taylor, K.P., and Lindermann, H.J. Resource conservation in

the self-governing territories: present situation major problems and needs

action plan.Anonymous Department of Agriculture. :1-38, 1993.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : CONSERVATION; POLICY; LEGISLATION; POLITICAL ASPECTS; SUSTAINABLE

DEVELOPMENT; VELD MANAGEMENT; DESERTIFICATION CONTROL; INSTITUTIONAL ASPECTS

Notes : The rapid political and other changes taking place in SA have led to

proactive steps being taken in the agricultural sector to ensure that the

process of change is appropriately managed and co-ordinated. As a result of

this, a Working Committee was instituted to investigate the conservation of

natural resources. In summary, the terms of reference of the Working Group are

to: provide an appropriate framework for integrating the development and

conservation of natural resources during the interim period to a new

constitutional dispensation; review the present situation concerning policy,

funding, legislation, training, procedures, information systems and research;

identify problems and needs on a priority basis; formulate proposals and

recommendations to facilitate co-ordinated activities and programmes; appoint

task teams to undertake specific investigations; and to report progress to the

Standing Committee on a regular basis. It was decided that a programme of

action should be drawn up, the first activity being to identify major

needs/problems. This was followed by a workshop aimed to prioritise needs and

problems and to find acceptable solutions to these. This document places on

record the main findings and recommendations of the Working Group. The action

plan is intended to give impetus to the implementation phase and ensure that

priority needs are met.

Ref ID : 2075

1775. Scott, D.F. The hydrological effects of fire in South African mountain

catchments. Journal of Hydrology 150:409-432, 1993.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : FIRE

Ref ID : 870

1776. Scott, D.F. The hydrological effects of fire in South African mountain

catchments. South African Forestry Journal (86):395-403, 1993.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : FIRE; HYDROLOGY

Ref ID : 2314

1777. Scott, D.F. and Le Maitre, D.C. The interaction between vegetation and

groundwater: research priorities for South Africa. Report to the Water Research

Commission by the Division of Water Environment and Forestry Technology

CSIR.Anonymous Stellenbosch:CSIR Division of Water, Environment and Forestry

Technology. 730/1/98, 1998.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : FORESTRY

Notes : The objectives of the project were as follows: 1. to explore the

substance of the interaction between vegetation and groundwater by gathering

evidence from the published literature and gathering evidence from South African

experience; and 2. the emphasis would be on understanding and estimating the

impacts of vegetation on groundwater recharge, and groundwater depletion and

potential impacts of groundwater extraction on vegetation health, at the

landscape to regional scale.

Ref ID : 2177

1778. Scott, D.F., Le Maitre, D.C., and Fairbanks, D.H.K. Forestry and

streamflow reductions in South Africa: a reference system for assessing extent

and distribution. Water SA 24(3):187-199, 1998.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : FORESTRY

Ref ID : 487

1779. Scott, D.F. and Schulze, R. The hydrological effects of a wildfire in a

eucalypt afforested catchment. South African Forestry Journal (160):67-74, 1991.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : SOIL EROSION; HYDROLOGY; FIRE; ALIEN PLANTS; SEDIMENTATION; EROSION;

FOREST

Notes : A high-intensity wildfire through a humid, upland catchment which was

partially afforested to Eucalyptus fastigata, markedly increased stormflows and

caused high soil losses off the afforested slopes. Total streamflow yield was

unchanged but baseflow was reduced after the fire. The change in stormflow

generation was caused by increased overland flow which resulted in shorter times

of concentration and higher peak discharges during storms. Increased overland

flows are linked to the widespread presence of water repellency in plantation

soils. The fire also increased the erodibility of the surface soils which were

readily entrained by the overland flow, hence the accelerated soil erosion.

Measured soil losses on the afforested slopes (55 t/ha) were roughly five times

higher than those estimated from sediment in the stream (10 t/ha). The

difference is attributed in large part to a healthy riparian buffer zone which

was observed to have trapped large amounts of eroded soil and ash. The

potential loss of site fertility and the threat of downstream flooding and

sedimentation after such wildfires, lead us to advise forest managers to adopt a

more positive approach to forest fuel management.

Ref ID : 488

1780. Scott, D.F. and Van Wyk, D. The effects of fire on soil water repellency,

catchment sediment yields and streamflow. In: Fire in South African Mountain

Fynbos, edited by Van Wilgen, B., Richardson, D., Kruger, F., and Van

Hensbergen, H.Berlin:Springer, 1992,p. 217-239.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : SOIL EROSION; FIRE; SEDIMENTATION; HYDROLOGY

Notes : This chapter examines the hypothesis that fire would induce the

development of water repellency in the soil, which would increase the

probability of overland flow, causing increased stormflows and water yield, and

would be associated with increased sediment yields. Investigations were

conducted at three different scales: (1) streamflow, stormflow and sediment

yields were analyzed to assess the response of the whole catchment to fire; (2)

rain-generated overland flow was measured on small plots as a realistic measure

of infiltration rate; and (3) at the finest scale, soils were tested for water

repellency before and after the fire.

Ref ID : 2077

1781. Scott, D.F., Versveld, D.B., and Lesch, W. Erosion and sediment yield in

relation to afforestation and fire in the mountains of the western Cape

Province, South Africa. South African Geographical Journal 80:52-59, 1998.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : EROSION; FIRE; WESTERN CAPE

Ref ID : 2393

1782. Scott, F. The decision-making role of women in two villages in Ciskei.

1989.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : CISKEI; GENDER ASPECTS; RURAL DEVELOPMENT; AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION;

SOCIOECONOMIC ASPECTS

Notes : A growing awareness of the role of women in the support and management

of households, and an ever-increasing need for gender issues to be conducted by

women themselves, led to this study of the decision-making role of women in

Ciskei. The objectives of the study were: 1. to delineate the area of

decision-making in rural families in two villages in Ciskei; 2. to find out what

role rural women play in specific areas of decision-making; 3. to assess

attitudes towards decision-making; and 4. to identify female-headed households

on a target group which could be included in extension and rural programmes in

their capacity as decision-makers. The study made use of a descriptive survey

method with the hypothesis that women play a significant role in decision-making

in rural households. The findings suggest that women, as decision-makers,

comprise a significant group in development. However, women tend to have mixed

feelings when confronted with the issue of total decision-making power.

Although women may not have had total decision-making power, results indicate

that they are involved in all major household decisions. Proper training and

access to information was identified as a need to eliminate their isolation from

the development process. This would contribute significantly to transforming

rural areas into self-sufficient and thriving communities. This thesis is

obtainable from the Document Centre, Agriculture, UFH. See ref. I.D. No: 2339.

Ref ID : 1959

1783. Scott, J.D. A contribution to the study of problems in the Drakensberg

conservation area. Science Bulletin, no 224, Dept. Agriculture,

Pretoria.Anonymous Pretoria:Department of Agriculture. 224, 1951.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : CONSERVATION

Ref ID : 353

1784. Scott, J.D. Soil erosion, its causes and its prevention. In: Veld and

pasture management in South Africa, edited by Tainton, N.M.Pietermaritzburg,

South Africa:Schuter and Shooter, 1981,p. 277-287.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : SOIL EROSION; DESERTIFICATION CONTROL; VELD MANAGEMENT; VELD

CONDITION; EROSION CONTROL; LAND USE; RUNOFF; EROSION; GRASSLAND

Notes : The effect of defoliation practices on infiltration and runoff is

described. An account is then given of soil erosion and its control in SA.

Methods are described whereby it becomes possible to establish vegetation on the

floor and sides of gullies and prevent them from growing deeper, longer or

wider. In early stages, until the gully has been stabilised and grassed, it is

advisable to keep livestock away, except from the dam at the top. There are

other methods used for gully reclamation but the methods described appear to be

the cheapest and most effective in grassland. Recovery is, however, slow and

much patience and maintenance work is needed to see such programmes through to a

successful conclusion.

Ref ID : 608

1785. Scott, J.D. Dougie Horton: the story of a conservation farmer,

Pietermaritzburg:Shuter & Shooter, 1983.-73.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : VELD MANAGEMENT; CONSERVATION; SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE; FARMING

SYSTEMS

Ref ID : 919

1786. Scott, L. Late quaternary forest history in Venda, southern Africa. Review

of Palaeobotany and Palynology 53:1-10, 1987.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : VENDA; PALAEOENVIRONMENTS; ENVIRONMENTAL HISTORY; GRASSLAND; FYNBOS;

FOREST; SAVANNA

Abstract : Pollen spectra in a peat deposit from a mountainous area near Tate

Vondo in Venda have been grouped into three zones. The oldest zone of c. 12,000

- 10,000 yr BP contains mainly grassland and fynbos elements, as well as forest

pollen consisting mainly of Podocarpus. These spectra suggest that the

vegetation on slopes was open, but that forests were well developed in mountain

ravines. This scenery is suggestive of relatively cool, sub-humid conditions.

The second zone, which dates between c. 10,000 and 6500 yr BP, contains

increased savanna elements and local Psoralea pollen, while forest and fynbos

pollen types are reduced. The pollen spectra in this zone are suggestive of

gradually increasing temperatures and dryness. On the basis of prominent warm

savanna and reduced fynbos pollen a temperature optimum is indicated that the

boundary between this and the next pollen zone, representing the last c. 6500

years. More swamp and mesic woodland elements in this youngest zone are

suggestive of relatively moist conditions. The upper part of the zone, which

represents the last c 1 500 years, shows a sharp decline in tree pollen which

may be attributable to burning and clearing of woody vegetation by Iron Age

people moving into the area. The general palaeoenvironmental changes indicated

by the Tate Vondo pollen sequence is consistent with pollen evidence found along

a transect from north to south through the Transvaal, suggesting that these

changes were of regional significance for the province.

Ref ID : 792

1787. Scott, L. Palynological evidence for Late Quaternary environmental change

in southern Africa. Palaeoecology of Africa 21:259-268, 1990.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : PALAEOENVIRONMENTS; CLIMATE CHANGE; VEGETATION CHANGE; ENVIRONMENTAL