Masters Degrees (Geography and Environmental Studies)

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Browsing Masters Degrees (Geography and Environmental Studies) by browse.metadata.advisor "Bigalke, R. C."

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    Die invloed van sosio-ekologiese veranderlikes op die aard en omvang van die probleemdierkwessie in Suid-Oos Kaapland
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 1994-03) Bekker, S. J.; Bigalke, R. C.; Van Hensbergen, H. J.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Geography and Environmental Studies.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The entire problem animal issue was investigated in the Southwestern Cape over a period of four years. One of the primary objectives of the study was to quantify and qualif.y the problem scientifically and to develop the necessary techniques to pursue this objective. A necropsy procedure was developed to facilitate a distinction between three main categories of mortality (predation, pseudopredation and other causes). This procedure was also integrated in an expert system to facilitate decisionmaking. The natural food availability of perceived problem animals in the study area (on private and state land in winter and summer) was also investigated through extensive small mammal surveys and a number of flood censusing operations. Stomach contents analyses were also carried out to quantify and qualify the diet of perceived problem animals, with specific emphasis on the contribution of small stock. The correlation between predation and natural food availability was also investigated. Farmers in the study area were exposed to a semi-structured interview to determine their attitudes towards perceived problem animals. A personality. factor analysis was also carried out on all the farmers and the correlation between their personalities and attitudes towards perceived problem animals was investigated. Farmer's perceptions of their own efficiency regarding agricultural practices as well as their perception of the extent of predation, was compared with an objective evaluation of the actual situation by the author. Need-stress diagrams were also constructed to illustrate the negative impact of perceived levels of competence and predation on behavioural change. The implications of the findings for extension are also discussed.