28 research outputs found
An autecological study of bushbuck and common duiker in relation to forest management.
Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1986.Frequent reports of damage caused by bushbuck and common
duiker browsing on commercially important timber seedlings,
and an interest in the potential and feasibility of hunting
these two species on State land were the primary factors
responsible for the Directorate of Forestry's motivation of
this study. The study area at Weza State Forest comprised
approximately 21 000 ha of plantations, grasslands and
indigenous forests which were considered representative of
timbered areas throughout the Natal midlands.
Several methods of age determination were investigated
and these findings permitted assessments of growth, fecundity
and population structure. The physiological condition of
both antelope species was examined in relation to age, sex,
reproduction and management strategies, and the results
discussed in conjunction with mortality patterns. Principal
foods of both bushbuck and duiker were determined from rumen
analyses while 112 marked animals were regularly monitored to
facilitate assessments of habitat selection and levels of
spatial and social organisation.
of these largely solitary and
Estimates of the abundance
nocturnal antelope were
influenced by local movements in response to the availability
of food and cover which varied seasonally and also fluctuated
dramatically with forest succession and timber management
activities.
Although bushbuck and duiker bred throughout the year
and had almost identical rates of reproductive performance,
different factors were responsible in limiting the sizes of
these two populations. All the available evidence gathered
in this study indicated that food resources during winter and
early spring were inadequate for bushbuck, particularly in
1983 when 33% of the marked population died from starvation
and/or exposure. Notable differences in forage utilization
and habitat selection inferred little interspecific
competition at this time of the year.
In contrast,
territorial duiker appeared to be susceptible to highly
localised habitat modifications (including the availability of food and cover) which occurred throughout the year and
resulted from silvicultural and timber harvesting practices.
Rumen analyses and quantitative damage assessment
surveys revealed that browsing on timber seedlings was
usually confined to localised areas during the winter months
and was much less severe than had been originally suggested.
Conifers were regarded as a starvati~n food and methods of
reducing damage to these young trees were recommended for
potential problem areas.
Both antelope species were considered overabundant at
Weza and recommendations for the future management of these
populations included the limited utilization of surplus
animals, by sport hunting on a sustained yield basis, and
methods of manipulating and improving forest habitats
The social and spatial organisation of the Greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros Pallas 1766) in the Andries Vosloo Kudu Reserve, Eastern Cape
Methods of capture, marking and age determination in the field, were investigated. The density and structure of the population, individual movements and social relationships were determined. Aspects of reproduction examined included age at puberty, agespecific fecundity, calving intervals and seasonality. Temporal changes in the spatial and social organisation are discussed in relation to environmental conditions, reproduction and population structure. Factors influencing the fecundity, dynamics and grouping patterns within the population are considered
Gully cut- and- fill cycles as related to agromanagement : a historical curve number simulation in the Tigray Highlands
Gully cut-and-fill dynamics are often thought to be driven by climate and/or deforestation related to population pressure. However, in this case-study of nine representative catchments in the Northern Ethiopian Highlands, we find that neither climate changes nor deforestation can explain gully morphology changes over the twentieth century. Firstly, by using a Monte Carlo simulation to estimate historical catchment-wide curve numbers, we show that the landscape was already heavily degraded in the nineteenth and early twentieth century – a period with low population density. The mean catchment-wide curve number (> 80) one century ago was, under the regional climatic conditions, already resulting in considerable simulated historical runoff responses. Secondly, twentieth century land-cover and runoff coefficient changes were confronted with twentieth century changing gully morphologies. As the results show, large-scale land-cover changes and deforestation cannot explain the observed processes. The study therefore invokes interactions between authigenic factors, small-scale plot boundary changes, cropland management and sociopolitical forces to explain the gully cut processes. Finally, semi-structured interviews and sedistratigraphic analysis of three filled gullies confirm the dominant impact of (crop)land management (tillage, check dams in gullies and channel diversions) on gully cut-and-fill processes. Since agricultural land management – including land tenure and land distribution – has been commonly neglected in earlier related research, we argue therefore that it can be a very strong driver of twentieth century gully morphodynamics
The effects of integrated care: a systematic review of UK and international evidence
BACKGROUND: Healthcare systems around the world have been responding to the demand for better integrated models of service delivery. However, there is a need for further clarity regarding the effects of these new models of integration, and exploration regarding whether models introduced in other care systems may achieve similar outcomes in a UK national health service context. METHODS: The study aimed to carry out a systematic review of the effects of integration or co-ordination between healthcare services, or between health and social care on service delivery outcomes including effectiveness, efficiency and quality of care. Electronic databases including MEDLINE; Embase; PsycINFO; CINAHL; Science and Social Science Citation Indices; and the Cochrane Library were searched for relevant literature published between 2006 to March 2017. Online sources were searched for UK grey literature, and citation searching, and manual reference list screening were also carried out. Quantitative primary studies and systematic reviews, reporting actual or perceived effects on service delivery following the introduction of models of integration or co-ordination, in healthcare or health and social care settings in developed countries were eligible for inclusion. Strength of evidence for each outcome reported was analysed and synthesised using a four point comparative rating system of stronger, weaker, inconsistent or limited evidence. RESULTS: One hundred sixty seven studies were eligible for inclusion. Analysis indicated evidence of perceived improved quality of care, evidence of increased patient satisfaction, and evidence of improved access to care. Evidence was rated as either inconsistent or limited regarding all other outcomes reported, including system-wide impacts on primary care, secondary care, and health care costs. There were limited differences between outcomes reported by UK and international studies, and overall the literature had a limited consideration of effects on service users. CONCLUSIONS: Models of integrated care may enhance patient satisfaction, increase perceived quality of care, and enable access to services, although the evidence for other outcomes including service costs remains unclear. Indications of improved access may have important implications for services struggling to cope with increasing demand. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Prospero registration number: 42016037725