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Development of a sustainable land and ecosystem services decision support framework for the Mphaphuli Traditional Authority, Limpopo Province, South Africa

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dc.contributor.advisor Nel, W.A.J.
dc.contributor.advisor Chitakira, Munyaradzi
dc.contributor.author Musetsho, Khangwelo Desmond
dc.date.accessioned 2021-07-19T09:08:23Z
dc.date.available 2021-07-19T09:08:23Z
dc.date.issued 2021-05
dc.identifier.uri http://hdl.handle.net/10500/27703
dc.description.abstract This study aimed to investigate the spatial extent of Land-Use Land-Cover (LULC) change and the implications for ecosystem services in order to develop a sustainable land-use management framework for traditional authorities in South Africa. Effectively, this study undertook an insightful examination of the impacts that arise from policy decisions and practices, which unfortunately were found to be ineffective. The methodologies and approaches used in this study included both quantitative and qualitative techniques. The critical quantitative method employed in this research was the use of survey questionnaires to collect primary data. Qualitative approaches, such as one-on-one and key informant interviews, were used to triangulate the findings. Remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) methods were used to investigate changes in LULC from 1990 to 2018 through the use of data obtained from the South African National Land-Cover project. Stochastic models were used to predict future LULC changes from 2018 to 2050. The Co$ting Nature Policy Support System was used to identify and undertake economic valuation of services provided by ecosystems. Statistical analysis using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences was used to identify correlations and the reliability of the data, while graphs and tables were generated to identify patterns and lessons from the research. Between 1990 and 2018, significant changes in land cover were noticed for thickets and dense bush, woodlands, waterbodies, subsistence agriculture, and built-up areas. Woodlands changed by over 1 000 hectares (ha) per year, while thickets decreased by over 900 ha per year. Drivers of these changes include deforestation, among others. Future predictions for LULC revealed that between 2018 and 2050, almost 500 ha of woodlands would be lost to built-up areas. The aggregate value of the services flowing from ecosystems was found to be R9 509 044 608.00. A significant issue was that 90% of the traditional leaders interviewed could not positively respond to whether they knew the extent of the land they presided over, which raised questions regarding the effectiveness of their management systems. Recommendations were made in this study to address the limitations identified in the land-use management practices by adapting elements of the main theoretical frameworks, namely the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services framework; the Drivers, Pressures, States, Impacts and Responses framework; the sustainability theory; and the hierarchy of plans, into a new framework designed specifically for traditional leaders, titled the “Traditional leaders land-use decision support framework”. en
dc.format.extent 1 online resource (xviii, 229 leaves) : illustrations (mostly color)
dc.language.iso en en
dc.subject Ecosystem services en
dc.subject Biodiversity en
dc.subject Rural livelihoods en
dc.subject Economic valuation en
dc.subject Land-cover change en
dc.subject Land-use planning en
dc.subject Traditional authority en
dc.subject.lcsh Environmental aspects -- South Africa -- Limpopo en
dc.subject.lcsh Ecosystem services -- South Africa -- Limpopo en
dc.subject.lcsh Ecosystem management -- South Africa -- Limpopo en
dc.subject.lcsh Rural development -- South Africa -- Limpopo en
dc.subject.lcsh Biodiversity conservation -- South Africa -- Limpopo en
dc.subject.lcsh Land resources -- South Africa -- Limpopo en
dc.subject.lcsh Land use -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa -- Limpopo en
dc.subject.lcsh Tribal government -- South Africa -- Limpopo en
dc.title Development of a sustainable land and ecosystem services decision support framework for the Mphaphuli Traditional Authority, Limpopo Province, South Africa en
dc.type Thesis en
dc.description.department Environmental Sciences en
dc.description.degree D. Phil. (Environmental Management)


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