Suchergebnisse

Intro -- Hunger and Poverty: Causes, Impacts and Eradication -- Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data -- Contents -- Acknowledgments -- Conceptualising the Links between Ecosystems and Poverty -- Abstract -- 1.1. Introduction -- 1.2. Exploring Key Concepts -- 1.2.1. Poverty and Well-Being -- 1.2.2. Risk and Vulnerability -- 1.2.3. Indicators and Measures of Poverty and Well-Being -- 1.2.4. Ecosystem Goods and Services -- 1.2.5. Trade-offs -- 1.2.6. Drivers of Change -- 1.2.7. Thresholds -- 1.3. An Overview of the Dependence of the Poor on Ecosystem Services -- 1.4. Arid and Semi-Arid Lands of Southern Africa -- 1.4.1. Broad Ecoregions of Southern Africa -- 1.4.2. Deserts and Dwarf Shrublands (Arid Ecoregion) -- 1.4.3. Semi-Arid Savannas -- 1.4.4. Rivers and Wetlands -- 1.4.4.1. Rivers -- 1.4.4.2. Dams -- 1.4.4.3. Wetlands -- 1.4.4.4 Ground Water -- 1.4.4.5. Local Point Sources of Water -- 1.5. Approach in Writing this Book -- 1.6. References -- Provisioning Services and Human Well-Being -- Abstract -- 2.1. Introduction -- 2.2. The Roles Provisioning Services Play in Local Livelihoods -- 2.2.1. Subsistence Use -- 2.2.2. Income Generation -- 2.2.3. Safety Nets -- 2.2.4. Harvesting for Cultural and Spiritual Uses -- 2.3. Fuelwood as a Provisioning Service -- 2.3.1. Importance of Fuelwood for Livelihoods of the Poor -- 2.3.2. Drivers of Change in the Supply of Fuelwood -- 2.3.3. Trade-Offs in the Provision of Fuelwood Services -- 2.3.4. Interventions to Promote Continued Provision of Fuelwood -- 2.4. Traditional Medicines as a Provisioning Service -- 2.4.1. Importance of Traditional Medicines for Livelihoods of the Poor -- 2.4.2. Drivers of Change in the Supply of Medicinal Plants -- 2.4.3. Trade-Offs in the Provision of Medicinal Plants -- 2.4.4. Interventions to Promote Continued Provision of Medicinal Plants

BACKGROUND: South Africa is rated a food secure nation, but large numbers of households within the country have inadequate access to nutrient-rich diverse foods. The study sought to investigate households' physical and economic access and availability of food, in relation to local context which influences households' access to and ability to grow food which may affect the dietary quality. We sought to understand self-reported healthy diets, food insecurity from the perspective of people who experienced it, barriers to household food security and perceptions and feelings on food access as well as strategies households use to cope with food shortages and their perceptions on improving household food security. METHODS: Focus group discussions were conducted along a rural–urban continuum in three South African towns situated along an agro-ecological gradient. Participants were asked about their knowledge of healthy diets, factors influencing their food consumption, their perceptions regarding food insecurity, barriers to food security, coping strategies and solutions to improve access to nutrient-rich foods. RESULTS: A total of 91 people participated in 11 focus groups, with 76% females. The majority of participants aged between 31 and 50 years. Participants were knowledgeable about healthy diets but had limited access to it hence consumed monotonous diets. The perceptions provided insights into the pressing issues of inadequate access to food, food insecurity, coping strategies and ideas on improving food security. The majority of participants reported on experiencing food insecurity and female-headed households, unemployed and orphaned children were most vulnerable. Focus group participants highlighted the complexity of the food system in their communities which relies on own production, collecting from open spaces, donations and to a larger extent purchase, in the context of unemployment, low income, water and land shortages as well as theft. CONCLUSION: The results provide a significant contribution from a needs assessment perspective from the communities, identify "hidden" constrains in household food access and provide effective future solutions for improving food security in the communities. Government should assist with capacity building, employment creation and providing resources (especially, land and water) for communities to practise agriculture which they all agreed can improve food security.

The transition to full democracy in South Africa in 1994 saw local government becoming the focal point for dealing with socio-economic development needs of communities. The Integrated Development Plan (IDP) has been used as the tool for guiding local development objectives, balanced against environmental demands within a sustainable development paradigm. Here we examine the extent to which this is being achieved through an analysis of IDPs from 35 different municipalities at three scales. We test the hypothesis that the metropolitan municipalities are better at mainstreaming environmental issues into their IDPs than local and district municipalities. Results indicate that mainstreaming environmental issues in IDPs is still low. The hypothesis that metropoles are better at mainstreaming environmental issues than district and local municipalities was not accepted since there were no significant differences between municipalities. There was low relative budget allocations and inclusion of vision and mission statements that mainstream environmental issues in all municipalities. For mainstreaming of environmental issues to be effective in IDPs, both proactive approaches and multi-faceted bottom-up and top-down approaches are suggested.

Cover -- Half Title -- Series Page -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Dedication -- Table of Contents -- List of figures -- List of tables -- List of contributors -- Preface -- Chapter 1 Urban nature and biocultural realities -- Human wellbeing and nature -- Conceptions of nature -- Urban nature -- Diversifying urban nature for a diversity of needs of nature -- Biocultural diversity -- Rationale for this book -- Core terms and structure of the book -- Acknowledgements -- References -- Chapter 2 The veil, the clearing and the flow: New commons of Japanese traditional gardens in Kanazawa city -- Philosophy -- Design -- Ecology -- Notes -- References -- Chapter 3 Urban biocultural identity of Yorubas: Intersection of philosophy and nature for wellbeing at Osun Sacred Grove UNESCO Site, Osogbo, Nigeria -- Introduction -- Yoruba philosophies and nature -- Yoruba biocultural diversity, cosmology, wellbeing and Osun Sacred Grove -- Socio-cultural ecosystem services -- Provisioning and multiple ecosystem services at Osun Sacred Grove -- Material and metaphysical biocultural identity -- Urban biocultural identity of Yorubas - realities, reasons and reactions -- References -- Chapter 4 Troubled paradise: The Persian garden in Post-Islamic revolution Iran -- I -- II -- III -- IV -- V -- VI -- VII -- VIII -- IX -- X -- XI -- XII -- References -- Chapter 5 Designed and engaged urban nature: Biocultural values in Helsinki, Finland -- Introduction -- Knowledge used in assessing biocultural values in Helsinki -- Describing people and biodiversity of the city -- Bringing nature to the city - or vice versa? Conceptualising and designing nature -- Subjective values of urban nature -- Mapping biocultural values in Helsinki -- Perceived values of urban parks -- Conclusion -- Acknowledgements -- References.

Many biological invasions result in negative impacts on the environment and human livelihoods, but simultaneously some also provide benefits that are valued differently by various stakeholders. To inform policy and management of invasive species it is important to assess landowners' and broader society's knowledge and perceptions of invasive species, something which is lacking in many contexts, especially in urban settings. In this study we interviewed 153 householders living in a medium-sized South African town who had declared invasive alien trees in their gardens. Less than half of the respondents could identify the invasive tree on their property and only one-third knew that it was an invasive alien species. There was a positive association between income and education levels with exposure to media about invasive alien species and respondents' ability to identify the species and name any other invasive alien tree species. Knowledge levels were unequal across species. Amongst those who knew the tree was an invasive alien species, reasons why they retained it in their gardens included that it would be costly or too much effort to remove, they liked the tree, that it was not causing any harm and that the property was rented and so its removal was not their responsibility. However, the majority of people (83 %) were willing to have it removed from their garden if done for free by appropriate agencies, which is promising for compliance with new regulations on invasive species implemented at the end of 2014 in South Africa. The results also highlight the need for targeted and appropriate education and awareness programs amongst urban householders on invasive alien species, relevant legislation and their obligations.