http://hdl.handle.net/10204/940 2013-05-25T21:04:58Z http://hdl.handle.net/10204/6742 Title: Environmental change in Bushbuckridge Authors: Erasmus, BFN; Coetzer, K; Mambo, J; Archer, E; Fisher, JT; Asner, GP Abstract: Bushbuck Ridge is a typical cultural landscape where the interdependency of people and the environment shape the savanna ecosystem goods and services upon which many people are dependent. The forced resettlement of people in the apartheid era, together with Mozambican refugees, have resulted in high human densities. The majority of people rely heavily on the rural rangelands for a variety of natural products, and the ability of these ecosystems to continue delivering these products under conditions of climate change and land cover change is in doubt. Historical trends show that settlements are expanding, with an increasing corresponding footprint around each village, where woodland resources are depleted. People can and do adapt to environmental change, but projecting current trends in the changes that we observe, combined with increased unpredictability of rainfall, threatens to decouple the age-old interdependencies in the this cultural landscape, and present inhabitants with conditions beyond their adaptation capacity. Description: Copyiright: Sun Media Publishing,Stellenbosch, South Africa 2011-05-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10204/6741 Title: Sustainable water for rural security - A transdisciplinary approach Authors: Maherry, A; Genthe, B; Steyn, M; Clarke, S; Beukman, E; Audouin, M; Van Wyk, I; Wall, K Abstract: This abstract presents the work conductive by the CSIR project entitled Sustainable Water for Rural Security with the following aims: to link research disciplines within the CSIR which together can provide an appropriate science base to enable the provision of clean water to rural communities; to bridge the knowing-doing gap by carrying out research on integrated implementation in partnership with communities and implementing Agencies; to ensure the sustained and expanded impact of this action-research through effective transfer of knowledge and technologies; and to identify the critical design criteria that ensure sustainability of rural water supply systems in South Africa. Description: WISA 2012 Biennial Conference and Exhibition. Conference Proceedings, Cape Town International Convention Centre, 6-10 May 2012 2012-05-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10204/6694 Title: Africa's technology options for renewable energy production and distribution Authors: Amigun, B; Kaggwa, M; Musango, J; Mutanga, S; Simelane, T; Stafford, W Abstract: This chapter presents a critical appraisal of Africa's modern energy technologies for renewable energy. It highlights issues of scale and location-specific attributes. A critical review of different renewable energies is presented, the state of renewable energy technologies in Africa is discussed and country-specific examples and classifications are listed. Description: Copyright: Africa Institute of South Africa Publishing: Johannesburg, South Africa 2011-12-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10204/6692 Title: Energy from wastewater - a feasibility study and guide for: Technology developers and researchers, industry and wastewater generators and policy makers Authors: Burton, S; Cohen, B; Harrison, S; Pather-Elias, S; Stafford, W; Van Hille, R; Von Blottnitz, H Abstract: This guide is based on a study funded by the Water Research Commission with the purpose of determining the feasibility of developing technologies for energy recovery from wastewater. A full technical report is available for further reference (WRC report no 1732/1/09). The availability of clean, renewable fuels is well recognised to be core to sustainable economic growth. The use of wastewater as a renewable energy resource has been poorly exploited to date particularly in developing countries such as South Africa. Wastewaters as renewable sources of energy are valuable to supplement and/or replace non-renewable sources, reduce the environmental burden of conventional power generation and provide the added benefit of enhanced waste processing. The study reviewed the available literature and surveyed international and national practice in energy recovery from wastewater in order to identify the most significant potential for new research and innovation. A survey of potentials for energy from wastewater in South Africa served to identify which types of substrates are available in significant amounts. The project also included a set of case studies that show what factors to consider in developing energy from wastewater projects. Workshops were held to provide opportunities for consultation with stakeholders in the fields of wastewater treatment and technology development, in order to determine areas where technical and application problems might exist (WRC report no1732/1/09). This guide makes recommendations relevant to the R&D sector regarding recovery of energy from wastewater. It also seeks to provide information about directions which would be useful to South Africa’s research community by identifying areas where R&D are needed, and by highlighting areas to which the WRC might direct funding in future. Description: Copyright: 2009 South African Water Resource Commission. This is an ABSTRACT ONLY. The definitive version is published in WRC, Report No. TT 400/09. 2012-07-01T00:00:00Z