Farming with Predators - An agroecological approach to human-wildlife conflict on Namibian farmlands
| dc.contributor.advisor | Leslie, Alison J. | en_ZA |
| dc.contributor.advisor | Hui, Cang | en_ZA |
| dc.contributor.advisor | Marker, Laurie | en_ZA |
| dc.contributor.author | Luyt, Eustatius du Chavoux | en_ZA |
| dc.contributor.other | Stellenbosch University. Faculty of AgriSciences. Dept. of Conservation Ecology and Entomology. | en_ZA |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2020-02-25T09:51:36Z | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2020-04-28T15:14:52Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2020-02-25T09:51:36Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2020-04-28T15:14:52Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2020-03 | |
| dc.description | Thesis (PhDConsEcol)--Stellenbosch University, 2020. | en_ZA |
| dc.description.abstract | ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Human-wildlife conflict is a worldwide and increasingly important problem. In the past most “solutions” to this problem have been either from an agricultural perspective or from a conservation perspective. As the goals of these two perspectives differ, there has been frustratingly little progress in preventing human-wildlife conflict. The “Farming with Predators” project aimed to cross this divide by designing a Decision Support System (DSS) for farmers and land managers aimed at mitigating human-wildlife conflict by combining ecological and agricultural information in a single agroecological model. In Namibia, four predator species are widely considered to be responsible for most livestock losses, namely: leopards (Panthera pardus), cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus), caracals (Caracal caracal) and black-backed jackals (Canis mesomelas). Two of these predator species (A. jubatus and P. pardus) are classified as vulnerable in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of threatened species. Since about 90% of Namibia’s cheetahs are found on farmlands, finding solutions to conflict with farmers is a priority, for both cheetah survival and farming in Namibia. Some relevant aspects of the predators’ ecology are discussed using the literature and field data. The proposed DSS makes use of a cost-benefit analysis of current anti-predation measures used by Namibian farmers (using survey data) as well as ecological data on habitat preferences and the spatial behaviour of the predators, predator prey preferences and predator ecological interactions by using a Bayesian Network approach (Probabilistic Graphical Model). Important gaps in our knowledge that require further research in order to address farmer-predator conflict are highlighted in the process. If implemented and as farmers start using the program, the model can be updated with new data in order to enable greater accuracy. Some practical applications of agroecological principles in real-world farmer-predator conflict are also discussed. | en_ZA |
| dc.description.abstract | AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Mens-wilde-dier-konflik is ’n wêreldwye en al groter probleem. Die meeste "oplossings" vir hierdie konflik in die verlede was óf uit ’n landbou óf uit ’n ekologiese oogpunt. Omdat die twee perspektiewe se doelwitte verskil, was daar frustrerend min vordering in pogings om die konflik te verhoed. Die "Boer saam met Roofdiere" projek wou hierdie skeiding oorbrug deur ’n besluitnemingsondersteuningstelsel te ontwerp vir boere en grondbestuurders wat mens-roofdier konflik verlig deur ekologiese en landboukundige inligting in een agroekologiese model te kombineer. In Namibië word 4 roofdierspesies wyd beskou as verantwoordelik vir die meeste veeverliese: luiperds (Panthera pardus), jagluiperds (Acynonix jubatus), rooikatte (Caracal caracal) en rooijakkalse (Canis mesomelas). Twee van hierdie spesies (A. jubatus en P. pardus) word as kwesbaar geklassifiseer in die IUCN se Rooi Lys van bedreigde spesies. Aangesien omtrent 90% van Namibiese jagluiperds op plase voorkom, is dit ’n prioriteit om oplossings vir konflik met boere te vind, beide vir jagluiperd oorlewing en volhoubare boerdery in Namibië. Relevante aspekte van die roofdiere se ekologie word bespreek vanuit die literatuur en veld data. Die voorgestelde besluitnemingsondersteuningstelsel gebruik bestaande teen-roofdier maatreëls van Namibiese boere se koste-doeltreffendheid (uit vraelys-data), ekologiese data oor habitatvoorkeure en ruimtelike gedrag van roofdiere, prooivoorkeure van roofdiere en roofdier ekologiese interaksies in ’n Baysiese Netwerk benadering (Grafiese Waarskynlikheidsmodel). As die program geskryf is en deur boere gebruik word, kan die model opgedateer word vir beter akkuraatheid. Die praktiese toepassing van agro-ekologiese beginsels in werklike boer-roofdier konflik situasies word ook bespreek. | af_ZA |
| dc.description.version | Doctoral | en_ZA |
| dc.format.extent | xiii, 252 pages : illustrations (some color) | en_ZA |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/108460 | |
| dc.language.iso | en_ZA | en_ZA |
| dc.publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University | en_ZA |
| dc.rights.holder | Stellenbosch University | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | Agroecological model, Decision Support System, farmlands, human-wildlife conflict, Namibia, predators | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | Farming -- Namibia | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | Livestock -- Economic aspects -- Namibia | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | Agricultural ecology | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | Predatory animals -- Namibia | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | Wildlife conservation -- Africa -- Namibia | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | Decision Support System | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | UCTD | en_ZA |
| dc.title | Farming with Predators - An agroecological approach to human-wildlife conflict on Namibian farmlands | en_ZA |
| dc.type | Thesis | en_ZA |