A quantitative model to fine-tune tourism as a black rhinoceros (diceros bicornis) conservation tool in North-West Namibia

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2016.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The conservation of valued species is challenging given the complexity, diversity and dynamism of the social-ecological systems (SES) within which conservation problems are situated. The dramatic escalation in poaching and illicit trade in high-value species such as tiger Panthera tigris, elephant Loxodonta africana, and white and black rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum and Diceros bicornis), exemplifies these challenges and solutions largely remain elusive. While the policy response has primarily called for increased investment in enforcement strategies, effective solutions will likely require a context-specific, stakeholder-driven mix of top-down and bottom-up mechanisms grounded in theory that more realistically represents human behaviour. In this context, designing and implementing mechanisms that change how high-value species are valued by developing or strengthening local institutions that embody these values can become the basis for a shift in social norms that portrays poaching as an intolerable act. In this dissertation, I make a case for initiating such behavioral change in rural communities living alongside many highly valued wildlife species in north-west Namibia by developing an economic and socio-political relationship between rhinoceros and local communities that harness human values to deliver greater return-on-investment for rhino conservation initiatives. My primary goal in this study was to describe in both theory and practice tourism’s potential as a rhinoceros conservation tool and to fine-tune a sustainable operational model grounded in quantitative interdisciplinary analysis. I applied a problem-oriented approach that illustrated in theory and practice how such community-based strategies, specifically an evolving rhinoceros-based tourism case in north-west Namibia as a case, that explicitly incorporate local values and institutions, are a foundation for effectively combating rhinoceros poaching. I then described and analyzed key operational challenges associated with both design and delivery that could threaten the long-term sustainability of a rhinoceros conservation tourism enterprise. By employing an information-theoretic approach, I modelled the key factors that drive rhinoceros disturbance directly during encounters with tourists and indirectly from other tourism-related activity and infrastructure. Model outputs yielded an evidence-based encounter protocol that reduced rhinoceros disturbance events from 26% to 5% in just two years and a rotational use policy for the operating area that reduced the total amount of tourism-induced habitat loss from 15.7% to 7.1% and high-value habitat loss from 32.8% to 20.7%. Governance problems were also examined by employing a policy sciences approach to characterize the decision context and appraising the decision process. My appraisal of the decision process identified strengths such as the inclusive nature within each function, comprehensive intelligence gathering, and the participant’s willingness and ability to reconcile different perspectives and objectives by finding common interest solutions based on shared values such as respect for human and rhinoceros well-being. The policy process could be improved by mandating top management conduct more site visits with deeper interactions with site-level managers, guides and trackers and more frequent and independent appraisals are compiled. Lastly, a series of prototypic elements that are transferable include the establishment of a shared decision-making arena, adopting a fully inclusive management-oriented research agenda, employing a strategic messaging approach as a means to motivate compliance and increase philanthropic behavior by tourists, and emphasizing a learning approach through role reversal opportunities that harness values for guides and trackers. In order to facilitate effective replication, I recommend establishing deeper engagements with conservancy(s) who host emerging rhinoceros tourism enterprises and expanding the research agenda to include tourism’s broader role towards influencing pro-rhinoceros behavior change in both tourists and neighboring communities. Overall, this body of novel research demonstrates how an evidence-based, policy-oriented management approach can help improve tourism’s contribution towards the conservation of an endangered species. Furthermore, it establishes a clear, transferable set of prototypical elements that are projected to help ensure any future expansion of rhinoceros tourism ventures are built upon solid foundations.AFRIKAANS OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaa

Effects of dehorning on population productivity in four Namibia sub-populations of black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis bicornis)

The black rhinoceros (rhino) (Diceros bicornis) is critically endangered, with poaching being one of several threats to the species’ survival. Many reserves across several countries, including Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, now dehorn their rhinos in an attempt to reduce poaching. Historical data collected by the Namibian Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism and Save the Rhino Trust were used to investigate whether dehorning has an effect on age at first reproduction (AFR), inter-calving interval (ICI), birth sex ratios, calf survival, cause of death, and lifespan. These were assessed in four Namibian sub-populations (hereafter referred to as ‘populations’) of black rhino (denoted A, B, C, and D) which have undergone varying levels of dehorning. No significant difference was found in any of the variables between dehorned and horned individuals. Population was a significant predictor of AFR (LRT = 7.433, p = 0.024) and ICI (LRT = 13.281, p = 0.004), although pairwise comparisons only found populations A and B to be significantly different (AFR: z = −2.736, p = 0.017, ICI: z = −3.705, p = 0.001). Additionally, a significantly higher number of males than females were born in population D (p = 0.021, CI = 0.544, 0.960). The main cause of death across all individuals was poaching, although there was no significant difference in the proportion of rhinos poached between dehorned and horned individuals (X(2) = 0.638, p = 0.424, n = 265). No evidence was found to suggest that dehorning has any effect on AFR, ICI, birth sex ratios, calf survival, or lifespan in the black rhino, which is reassuring in the continued use of dehorning as an anti-poaching technique in this species

Sexual Partnerships, A Qualitative Study in Tanzania.

Concurrent sexual partnerships (CP) have been identified as a potential driver in the HIV epidemic in southern Africa, making it essential to understand motivating factors for engagement in CP. We aimed to assess community attitudes and beliefs about relationship factors that influence men and women in stable relationships to engage in CP in Tanzania. Social exchange theory was used for interpreting the data. Qualitative study with focus group discussions (FGDs). Semiurban/rural communities in four regions across Tanzania (Dar es Salaam, Shinyanga, Iringa and Mbeya). 120 women aged 17-45 years and 111 men aged 18-49 years from four study areas participated in 32 FGDs. FGD participants were asked the following questions about CP: definitions and types, motivations and justifications for engaging or not engaging, cultural factors, gender and socialisation, and local resources and efforts available for addressing CP. Our analysis focused specifically on beliefs about how relationship factors influence engagement in CP. Dissatisfaction with a stable relationship was believed to be a contributing factor for engagement in CP for both men and women. Participants more commonly reported financial dissatisfaction as a contributing factor for women engaging in CP within stable relationships, whereas emotional and sexual dissatisfaction were reported as contributing factors for men and women. Furthermore, participants described how potential outside partners are often evaluated based on what they are able to offer compared with stable partners. Efforts to reach men and women in stable relationships with HIV prevention messages must consider the various dimensions of motivation for engaging in CP, including relationship dynamics

Production and Characterization of Atomized U-Mo Powder by the Rotating Electrode Process

In order to produce feedstock fuel powder for irradiation testing, the Idaho National Laboratory has produced a rotating electrode type atomizer to fabricate uranium-molybdenum alloy fuel. Operating with the appropriate parameters, this laboratory-scale atomizer produces fuel in the desired size range for the RERTR dispersion experiments. Analysis of the powder shows a homogenous, rapidly solidified microstructure with fine equiaxed grains. This powder has been used to produce irradiation experiments to further test adjusted matrix U-Mo dispersion fuel

Productivity and Nutritive Quality of Johnsongrass ( Sorghum halepense

In the southeastern USA, there is an abundance of broiler litter from commercial poultry production that is available for use as fertilizer, but cropland and pastureland amended with broiler litter often exhibit greatly increased soil-test P. We evaluated productivity and nutritive quality of Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) that was interseeded with or without white clover (Trifolium repens) and which commercial fertilizer (ammonium nitrate and diammonium phosphate) or broiler litter was applied on the basis of soil-test P; broiler litter was supplemented with ammonium nitrate to be isonitrogenous with commercial fertilizer. Forage dry matter yield and foliar concentrations of crude protein, cell wall constituents, P, K, and Cu were not different among fertilizer treatments, and concentration of Zn was only slightly greater for forage amended with broiler litter than commercial fertilizer. Results indicate that broiler litter can be a cost-effective alternative to commercial fertilizer for warm-season forage production when applied on the basis of soil-test P

Africa’s drylands in a changing world: Challenges for wildlife conservation under climate and land-use changes in the Greater Etosha Landscape

Proclaimed in 1907, Etosha National Park in northern Namibia is an iconic dryland system with a rich history of wildlife conservation and research. A recent research symposium on wildlife conservation in the Greater Etosha Landscape (GEL) highlighted increased concern of how intensification of global change will affect wildlife conservation based on participant responses to a questionnaire. The GEL includes Etosha and surrounding areas, the latter divided by a veteri nary fence into large, private farms to the south and communal areas of residential and farming land to the north. Here, we leverage our knowledge of this ecosystem to provide insight into the broader challenges facing wildlife conservation in this vulnerable dryland environment. We first look backward, summarizing the history of wildlife conservation and research trends in the GEL based on a literature review, providing a broad-scale understanding of the socioecological pro cesses that drive dryland system dynamics. We then look forward, focusing on eight key areas of challenge and opportunity for this ecosystem: climate change, water availability and quality, vegetation and fire management, adaptability of wildlife populations, disease risk, human wildlife conflict, wildlife crime, and human dimensions of wildlife conservation. Using this model system, we summarize key lessons and identify critical threats highlighting future research needs to support wildlife management. Research in the GEL has followed a trajectory seen elsewhere reflecting an increase in complexity and integration across biological scales over time. Yet, despite these trends, a gap exists between the scope of recent research efforts and the needs of wildlife conservation to adapt to climate and land-use changes. Given the complex nature of climate change, in addition to locally existing system stressors, a framework of forward-thinking adaptive management to address these challenges, supported by integrative and multidisciplinary research could be beneficial. One critical area for growth is to better integrate research and wildlife management across land-use types. Such efforts have the potential to support wildlife conservation efforts and human development goals, while building resilience against the impacts of climate change. While our conclusions reflect the specifics of the GEL ecosystem, they have direct relevance for other African dryland systems impacted by global change

Africa’s drylands in a changing world : challenges for wildlife conservation under climate and land-use changes in the greater Etosha landscape

Proclaimed in 1907, Etosha National Park in northern Namibia is an iconic dryland system with a rich history of wildlife conservation and research. A recent research symposium on wildlife conservation in the Greater Etosha Landscape (GEL) highlighted increased concern of how intensification of global change will affect wildlife conservation based on participant responses to a questionnaire. The GEL includes Etosha and surrounding areas, the latter divided by a veterinary fence into large, private farms to the south and communal areas of residential and farming land to the north. Here, we leverage our knowledge of this ecosystem to provide insight into the broader challenges facing wildlife conservation in this vulnerable dryland environment. We first look backward, summarizing the history of wildlife conservation and research trends in the GEL based on a literature review, providing a broad-scale understanding of the socioecological processes that drive dryland system dynamics. We then look forward, focusing on eight key areas of challenge and opportunity for this ecosystem: climate change, water availability and quality, vegetation and fire management, adaptability of wildlife populations, disease risk, human-wildlife conflict, wildlife crime, and human dimensions of wildlife conservation. Using this model system, we summarize key lessons and identify critical threats highlighting future research needs to support wildlife management. Research in the GEL has followed a trajectory seen elsewhere reflecting an increase in complexity and integration across biological scales over time. Yet, despite these trends, a gap exists between the scope of recent research efforts and the needs of wildlife conservation to adapt to climate and land-use changes. Given the complex nature of climate change, in addition to locally existing system stressors, a framework of forward-thinking adaptive management to address these challenges, supported by integrative and multidisciplinary research could be beneficial. One critical area for growth is to better integrate research and wildlife management across land-use types. Such efforts have the potential to support wildlife conservation efforts and human development goals, while building resilience against the impacts of climate change. While our conclusions reflect the specifics of the GEL ecosystem, they have direct relevance for other African dryland systems impacted by global change.DATA ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT: Additional information about datasets and reports from the Etosha Ecological Institute can be obtained from Claudine Cloete ([email protected]). Additional information about the literature review can be obtained from Stéphanie Périquet ([email protected]).https://www.elsevier.com/locate/geccoMammal Research InstituteZoology and Entomolog