ABSTRACT This study sought to determine the biology and the uses of baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) populations in Outapi and Onesi constituencies in Omusati Region, Namibia. As one of the important Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs)-providing species of ecological and socio-economic significance, there is need to have a better understanding of the biology and local uses of the species before its full potential and sustainable harvesting is realized. A comparison of densities, distribution pat...
Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the relations between the intensity of land use and the characteristics of different habitat types within the grassland ecosystem in the Biosphere Area “Schwäbische Alb” in Germany. Data has been collected based on 50 examination plots (4×4 m) of the Biodiversity Exploratories project. These plots represented different land use types and levels of intensity which are 1) grazed, ungrazed 2) once, twice, three times mowed, 3) fertilised, unf...
Abstract The main objective of this study was to determine sardine age by counting rings on otoliths and to analyse the length, age and growth through regression and Von Bertalanffy Growth models. Otoliths amounting to 826 pairs were collected from the annual sardine research survey of the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources in October 2013. A total of 713 sardine otoliths were mounted on black Perspex plates and aged by means of counting rings using a Zeiss microscope at a magnificati...
Abstract The study's purpose was to delineate seasonal space use variations of the endangered Grevy's zebra (Equus grevyi), and to determine the extent of overlap of these areas with livestock grazing zones in order to identify core areas suitable for conservation efforts. E. grevyi requires protection as their population size severely decreased in the last century and they continue to suffer from habitat loss. Additional importance lies in reconciling interests of wildlife protection and liv...
Abstract Acacia karroo is one of the most widespread and abundant indigenous tree legume species in Southern Africa. The tree possesses positive attributes such as high growth rates, drought tolerance, adaptation to acidic infertile soils and resistance to large temperature variations. In the recent past, A. karroo was deemed to be a severe encroacher, which adversely affected land utilisation and rangeland productivity. Research attention has been diverted from its riddance as a weed to its ...
ABSTRACT The activity concentrations of the naturally occurring radionuclides 238U, 232Th, and 40K in soil samples collected from the Ohorongo Cement plant and the town of Otavi, Namibia have been determined using a High-Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector. In addition, an assessment of the radiological hazards due to these natural radionuclides in the soils of the plant and town was carried out. The plant was divided into three geographical areas, and fifty soil samples were collected across th...
ABSTRACT The genus Moringa comprises of thirteen (13) species of trees and shrubs, widely distributed in the tropical and subtropical regions. For its size, this genus is one of the phenotypically varied group of angiosperms whose members are mostly sought after for nutritional, nutraceutical and industrial uses. The aim of this study was to assess the species boundaries of Moringa ovalifolia in Namibia by using the nuclear Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) sequenced data analysis. A total of...
Abstract The thesis discusses the problem of bush clearing as they affect soil quality, its productivity and environment in the semi-arid areas. In this case, land clearing came as a result of bush encroachment control mechanism. Bush encroachment is a form of land degradation present prominently in semi-arid areas. Namibia is affected by bush encroachment on a massive scale. The phenomenon is currently understood to affect large part of the country, causing severe economic losses for Namibia...
TABLE OF CONTENTS Contents i List of figures vi List of tables viii Acknowledgments ix Abstract x Declaration xi CHAPTER 1 1 1. INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 General introduction 1 1.2 Problem statement 3 1.3 Specific objectives 4 1.4 Key questions 4 1.5 Research predictions 5 CHAPTER 2 8 2. LITERATURE REVIEW 8 ii 2.1 Background on black rhinoceros 8 2.2 Distribution of black rhinoceros: historical and current range 9 2.3 Conservation and management 10 2.4 General ecology and habitat preferences 12 2.5 ...
ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to determine the impact of the smelter waste on plant species diversity and structure in the Tsumeb area. The most important sources of contamination are solid and gaseous emissions from the Tsumeb Smelter, airborne particles from the Tsumeb tailings pond and airborne particles from slag mill waste. Six sites: Inside Smelter Site, Outside Smelter Site, Abattoir Hill Site, Transnamib Site, Nomtsoub Site and Airport Site were selected and ten 10 m x 10 m...
ABSTRACT The study to assess livestock depredation by spotted hyena was conducted in six villages surrounding Ruaha National Park which were systematically selected along the gradient of distance from the park. The closest village was Tungamalenga that is 37 km from the park while other villages were: Makifu village (39km), Mapogolo village (42km), Mahuninga village (49km), kitisi village (50km) and Idodi village 52km. Data collection involved 121 households that were selected through snowbal...
ABSTRACT The purpose of the study was to assess the ergonomic practices of garment producers in Madina, Accra. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 100 registered members of the Madina Branch of the Tailors and Dressmakers Association. The results were hand-coded and presented using frequency and percentage distributions, pie and bar charts. The chi-square statistic was used to test the hypothesis. The respondents were aged between 19 and 44 years. Eighty-one per cent were f...
ABSTRACT Globally, one of the major contributors to diseases burden and mortality are waterborne diseases and sanitation-related infections. The study sought to investigate the implications of climate variability on water availability and its implications for public health. Cross tabulations, Chi-square statistic and a logit model were used to identify determinants of water availability and the determinants of water-borne diseases. Data for the study was collected via a survey of women in ho...
ABSTRACT Hydrocarbon seeps cause chemical and mineralogical alterations at the surface, which can be identified geologically but also detected by remote sensing techniques. This work aimed at detecting mineral alteration induced by hydrocarbon seeps in a sandstone formation in Rufiji basin (Wingayongo), South Coast Tanzania. For this study, rock samples collected during fieldwork were petrographically analysed and the multispectral ASTER data was downloaded and utilized to characterize the i...
ABSTRACT A study was conducted in Nanyala Village, Mbozi District, southwestern Tanzania to determine the effects of small-scale limestone mining on floristic composition and species diversity of shrubs and herbs, and on plant community characteristics. A stratified random sampling technique was adopted. One hundred plots (5 × 5 m) and 500 plots (0.5 × 0.5 m) were established systematically in each stratum at both mined and unmined sites for sampling shrubs and herbs, respectively. The tot...