Masters Degrees (Geography and Environmental Studies)
Recent Submissions
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Exploring hemp farming as a sustainable agriculture in South Africa, using a social-ecological systems approach
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Smallholder communities in the rural regions of South Africa are becoming increasingly vulnerable to challenges associated with climate change and socio-economic conditions. This study includes an exploration ... -
Determining spatial and temporal change in household solid waste composition within Stellenbosch local municipality
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The quantities in which solid waste is generated are continuously increasing throughout the world. If waste is not treated or disposed of in an appropriate manner, the consequences for societies and ... -
2-D and 3-D proximal remote sensing for yield estimation in a Shiraz vineyard
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Precision viticulture aims to minimise production input expenses through the efficient management of vineyards, yielding the desired quantity and quality, while reducing the environmental footprint ... -
An integrated approach to grassland productivity modelling using spectral mixture analysis, primary production and Google Earth Engine
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Grassland degradation can have a severe impact on condition, productivity and consequently grazing potential. Current conventional methods for monitoring and managing grasslands are time-consuming, ... -
Efficacy of machine learning and lidar data for crop type mapping
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Accurate crop type maps are important for obtaining agricultural statistics such as water use or harvest estimations. The traditional approach to obtaining maps of cultivated fields is by manually digitising ... -
Agricultural field boundary delineation using earth observation methods and multi-temporal Sentinel-2 imagery
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Accurate and up-to-date agricultural monitoring systems are critical for forecasting crop yield, planning resources and assessing the impact of threats to production (such as droughts or floods). The ... -
Using LiDAR derivatives to estimate sediment grain size on beaches in False Bay
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The coastal zone is a dynamic environment that is regulated and influenced by natural ocean processes and anthropogenic phenomena. Beaches are important elements within the coastal zone and are highly ... -
Remote sensing approach for examining changes in water use in relation to climate variability and land cover change
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-04)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Water use related research in Southern Africa is currently critical; this is not only a result of current and projected impacts of climate change on water resources but the growing tension among different ... -
Analysis of the fire hazard posed by petrol stations in Stellenbosch and the extent to which planning acknowledges risk
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-04)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The study aimed to investigate the extent to which land-use planning in Stellenbosch, South Africa, considers the fire-risk posed by petrol stations, and the implications for public safety, as well as ... -
Determining the changes in the sustainable livelihoods of informal settlements in the city of Cape Town metropolitan from 2001 and 2011
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-04)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The essence of human dignity is constitutionally stipulated as having rights to adequate housing, service delivery and an opportunity to participate in the country’s economy, to mention but a few generational ... -
The 'eco-ness' of eco-estates in South Africa
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-04)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: It is widely acknowledged that a need exists to live in harmony with nature to attain a just balance between the social, economic and environmental needs of present and future generations. The need to ... -
How people affected by disasters use social media: a study of Facebook usage during the 2017 Garden Route fires
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-04)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: On June 7, wildfires began in Knysna and burned along a fire line for 300km, also affecting neighbouring Sedgefield and Plettenberg Bay (Knysna-Plett Herald 2017). The major fires burned between June 7 ... -
Generating automated forestry geoinformation products from remotely sensed imagery
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Private industry, national government departments, and the international community rely on geoinformation to optimise activities, enforce legislation, and assess global markets concerned with the use of ... -
Vulnerability and fertility in the Eastern Cape, South Africa: A households' analysis
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Poverty continues to be a significant challenge for countries of the Global South. However, the antecedent is volatile, hence the persistence of vulnerability. Surveillance of poverty and fertility in ... -
The potential use of wetland plant species within a renosterveld setting for the phytoremediation of glyphosate and fertiliser
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In South Africa, fertiliser and herbicide pollutants resulting from various agricultural practices lead to a degradation of surface freshwater and groundwater quality. Nitrogen and phosphorous, and ... -
A machine learning-remote sensing framework for modelling water stress in Shiraz vineyards
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Water is a limited natural resource and a major environmental constraint for crop production in viticulture. The unpredictability of rainfall patterns, combined with the potentially catastrophic effects ... -
Exploring the level of preparedness to fire risk in schools in South Africa: A case study of four schools in Kayamandi Township, Stellenbosch
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The overall aim of this study was to explore the extent to which under-resourced schools in Kayamandi, South Africa, are equipped to deal with fire risk. In order to achieve this, it was necessary that ... -
Efficacy of machine learning, earth observation and geomorphometry for mapping salt-affected soils in irrigation fields
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: There is a need to monitor salt accumulation throughout agricultural irrigation schemes as it can have a major negative impact on crop yields and subsequently result in a lower food production. Salt ... -
An analysis of the continued resurfacing of illegal backyard dwellings settlements : a case study of Mbare Residential Suburb in Harare
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The spatial growth of irregular settlements in cities of less developed countries reflects increasing disparities in the distribution of wealth and resources. 25-70% of the urban population in African ... -
Living out of the suitcase : is domestic tourism an effective tool for regional convergence : divergence of expenditure patterns in South Africa from 2013 to 2015?
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Domestic tourism not only allows for the interaction of people with diverse social and cultural backgrounds, but also for the redistribution of income and wealth through domestic visitor expenditure ...