DECREASE IN NUMBERS OF THE EASTERN ROCKHOPPER PENGUIN EUDYPTES CHRYSOCOME FILHOLI AT MARION ISLAND, 1994/95–2002/03

The number of eastern rockhopper penguins Eudyptes chrysocome filholi breeding at subantarctic Marion Island decreased from about 173 000 pairs in 1994/95 to about 67 000 pairs in 2001/02. During 1994/95–2002/03 pairs fledged on average 0.40 chicks per year, an amount thought insufficient to balance mortality of breeding adults, and there was a decrease in the mass at arrival at breeding colonies of both males and females. Except in 1997/98, the mass of chicks at fledging was less than that recorded at two other localities. These factors suggest an inadequate supply of food for rockhopper penguins at Marion Island. Decreases of rockhopper penguins at several other localities also have been attributed to inadequate food. Rockhopper penguins at Marion Island continued to feed mainly on crustaceans during chick rearing. There was a marked increase in the contribution of fish to the diet in 1999/00 that coincided with an increase in mass at arrival at colonies of both males and females. Trends in numbers of pairs breeding in different sections of Marion Island were not always consistent, indicating the need for island-wide monitoring to establish the overall trend. Afr. J. mar. Sci. 25: 487–49

Sepsis in obstetrics and the role of the anaesthetist

ABSTRACT Sepsis in pregnancy and the puerperium remains a significant cause of maternal mortality and morbidity worldwide. Major morbidity arising as a result of obstetric sepsis includes fetal demise, organ failure, chronic pelvic inflammatory disease, chronic pelvic pain, bilateral tubal occlusion and infertility. Early recognition and timely response are key to ensuring good outcome. This review examines the clinical problem of sepsis in obstetrics and the role of the anaesthetist in the management of this condition

Participatory Governance in the Transformation of the South African Energy Sector: Critical Success Factors for Environmental Leadership

Socio-economic development and economic growth is connected with the intensive use of energy resources, which poses also risks to long-term viability of the biosphere by causing natural resource depletion and environmental degradation. One of the options to reduce Human and environmental risks from extensive energy generation are renewable energy sources. However, there are several barriers for transformation of energy sector towards a greater share of renewable energies. Human factors such as social support or opposition are crucial drivers for this transition.This paper examines the state of infrastructure projects in South Africa and assesses how lessons from these projects can contribute to improve development of energy transformation in the country. It analyses the challenges of applying participatory governance in the energy transition in South Africa, as a critical component of successful infrastructure project implementation, and of insights into fostering environmental leadership. The paper is based on the case studies analysis of ten large infrastructure projects in South Africa and focuses on public participation in these projects, its effects and challenges by applying the ladder of public participation methodology. Findings from the study support the scientific arguments that public participation in decision-making regarding deployment infrastructure projects creates an enabling environment for successful implementation. In conclusion public participation was only in the context of environmental impact assessment which is a mandatory requirement for infrastructure projects in South Africa. Currently public participation is manly regarded as a reactive measure to conflict resolution. It is organized to provide feedback on the results of environmental impact assessment, mainly as a way to address conflict, which has already emerged. Our results show that provision of information and consultation are the two most frequent levels of public participation. Land use issues and questions about benefits and impacts from infrastructure projects on local communities are the most frequent concerns

A proposed classification of invasive alien plant species in South Africa: Towards prioritising species and areas for management action

Many invasive alien plant species in South Africa are already well-established and cause substantial damage, while scores of others are at the early stages of invasion (only recently introduced and/or entering a phase of rapid population growth). Management programmes must target well-established invaders, but must also give appropriate attention to emerging problems. Protocols for objectively prioritizing species in the two groups for management action are lacking. To this end, we describe the objective derivation of two lists of invasive alien plants in South Africa, using available quantitative data and expert knowledge on current patterns of distribution and abundance, life-history traits, and (for emerging invaders) estimates of potential habitat. ‘Major invaders’ are those invasive alien species that are well-established, and which already have a substantial impact on natural and semi-natural ecosystems. ‘Emerging invaders’ currently have less influence, but have attributes and potentially suitable habitat that could result in increased range and consequences in the next few decades. We describe the derivation of lists that contain 117 major invaders (categorized into groups based on geographical range and abundance) and 84 emerging invaders (categorized into groups based on current propagule-pool size and potentially invasible habitat). The main lists, and groupings within them, provide a useful means for prioritizing species for a range of management interventions at national, regional and local scale

Important HIV-associated conditions in HIV-infected infants and children

This article is the last in a series of 6 articles that discussed the management of HIV-infected children in a clinically orientated, practical and concise fashion. The topics covered previously include; 1) Preventing and diagnosing HIV-infection in infants and children, 2) Initiating anti-retroviral therapy in HIV-infected infants and children, 3) Maintaining HIV-infected infants and children on anti-retroviral therapy, 4) Common opportunistic infection in HIV-infected children: Part 1-respiratory infections and 5) Part 2 non-respiratory infections. South African Family Practice Vol. 49 (4) 2007: pp.19-2