Location
Grahamstown
6140
We are a small department dedicated to advancing inter- and trans-disciplinary science and learning aimed at understanding and managing complex human-environmental/social-ecological systems, with a focus on Africa.
We are interested in human-environment interactions and in the governance and sustainable management of complex social-ecological systems. We recognise that we are living in a globalising and rapidly changing world characterised by numerous interconnected environmental and social challenges. We undertake research on the ecological and socio-economic dimensions of these challenges, with the goal of contributing towards more resilient, equitable and sustainable pathways into the future. The nexus between human well-being, livelihoods, vulnerability, ecosystem services and change is central in all our work. Key areas of research include:
- Livelihoods, vulnerability and biodiversity
- Ecosystem services and societal benefits
- Non-timber forest products use, trade and management
- Landscape change and land degradation
- Co-management and governance of protected areas
- Community based natural resource management
- Social learning for change
- Climate change adaptation
- Urbanisation, urban greening and forestry
- Ecosystem restoration and carbon sequestration
- Invasive plants – uses, impacts and management
- Food security, especially in relation to ecosystem services provision and wild food
Members:
Resources
Displaying 16 - 17 of 17Dryland conservation areas, indigenous people livelihoods and natural resource values in South Africa: The case of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
This thesis is based on research conducted in the southern Kalahari region, South Africa among the San and Mier communities bordering Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. It looks at the importance of natural resources to the San and Mier community groups and ascertains the extent of resource use and its value within broader livelihood portfolios. It also focuses on the cultural values of natural resources and interactions among institutions and actors and how these shape natural resource governance and livelihood outcomes.
A sociological analysis of intermediary non-governmental organizations and land reform in contemporary Zimbabwe
The thesis offers a sociological understanding of intermediary NGOs in the modern world through a study of NGOs and land reform in contemporary Zimbabwe. Since 2000, a radical restructuring of agrarian relations has occurred, based upon the massive redistribution of land. Local empowering initiatives have dramatically asserted themselves against globalizing trajectories. These changes have posed serious challenges to land NGOs involved in land reform either as advocates for reform or as rural development NGOs.