An analysis of expert perspectives on groundwater governance arrangements in South Africa is presented, particularly those arrangements that are pertinent to the complex and socially and ecologically ...significant implications of exploiting unconventional oil and gas (UOG). The paper presents a detailed assessment of literature on groundwater governance research, the findings of which are applied as a framework for a series of expert interviews, comprising hydrogeologists, lawyers, engineers, and governance specialists. This methodological approach was adopted as a means to enable an analysis of opinions on the current situation of groundwater governance in South Africa and how fit-for-purpose this is for managing the exploitation of UOG. The analysis was also informed by observation of participants at several relevant decision-making and stakeholder events. Whilst the findings indicated a generally positive evaluation of the initial steps taken to assess UOG impacts and engage relevant communities, recurrent criticisms also are featured across the interviews. Key implications arising from the research include: (1) the need for continued stakeholder engagement, and government follow-through on the outcomes of these processes, (2) the necessity for detailed groundwater-specific regulations to be drafted at the earliest opportunity, to ensure that the energy policy vacuum does not have a negative knock-on effect for effective groundwater management, and (3) the prevalence of significant governance gaps, particularly regarding regulatory and institutional capacity, and the need for continued development of a functional network of institutions to effectively manage UOG exploitation alongside groundwater resources.
•Novel use of a social-ecological framework to analyse recent water crisis.•Demonstrate how missing feedbacks between people and water resources fuel crisis.•Demonstrate that ecosystem and ...non-ecosystem water resource management needed.
The sustainable management of water resources is required to avoid water scarcity becoming widespread. This article explores the potential application of a social-ecological framework, used predominantly in the fields of ecology and conservation, as a tool to improve the sustainability and resilience of water resources. The “red-loop green-loop” (RL-GL) model has previously been used to map both sustainable and unsustainable social-ecological feedbacks between ecosystems and their communities in countries such as Sweden and Jamaica. In this article, we demonstrate the novel application of the RL-GL framework to water resources management using the 2017/18 Cape Town water crisis. We used the framework to analyse the social-ecological dynamics of pre-crisis and planned contingency scenarios.
We found that the water resources management system was almost solely reliant on a single, non-ecosystem form of infrastructure, the provincial dam system. As prolonged drought impacted this key water resource, resilience to resource collapse was shown to be low and a missing feedback between the water resource and the Cape Town community was highlighted. The collapse of water resources (“Day Zero”) was averted through a combination of government and community group led measures, incorporating both local ecosystem (green-loop) and non-local ecosystem (red-loop) forms of water resource management, and increased rainfall returning to the area. Additional disaster management plans proposed by the municipality included the tighter integration of red and green-loop water management approaches, which acted to foster a stronger connection between the Cape Town community and their water resources.
We advocate the wider development and application of the RL-GL model, theoretically and empirically, to investigate missing feedbacks between water resources and their communities.
Abstract An analysis of expert perspectives on groundwater governance arrangements in South Africa is presented, particularly those arrangements that are pertinent to the complex and socially and ...ecologically significant implications of exploiting unconventional oil and gas (UOG). The paper presents a detailed assessment of literature on groundwater governance research, the findings of which are applied as a framework for a series of expert interviews, comprising hydrogeologists, lawyers, engineers, and governance specialists. This methodological approach was adopted as a means to enable an analysis of opinions on the current situation of groundwater governance in South Africa and how fit-for-purpose this is for managing the exploitation of UOG. The analysis was also informed by observation of participants at several relevant decision-making and stakeholder events. Whilst the findings indicated a generally positive evaluation of the initial steps taken to assess UOG impacts and engage relevant communities, recurrent criticisms also are featured across the interviews. Key implications arising from the research include: (1) the need for continued stakeholder engagement, and government follow-through on the outcomes of these processes, (2) the necessity for detailed groundwater-specific regulations to be drafted at the earliest opportunity, to ensure that the energy policy vacuum does not have a negative knock-on effect for effective groundwater management, and (3) the prevalence of significant governance gaps, particularly regarding regulatory and institutional capacity, and the need for continued development of a functional network of institutions to effectively manage UOG exploitation alongside groundwater resources.
Résumé Une analyse des points de vue des experts sur les dispositions relatives à la gouvernance des eaux souterraines en Afrique du Sud est présentée, en particulier les dispositions pertinentes pour les implications complexes tant socialement et qu’écologiquement significatives de l’exploitation du pétrole et du gaz non conventionnels (PGNC). L’article présente une évaluation détaillée de la littérature sur la recherche en matière de gouvernance des eaux souterraines, dont les résultats servent de cadre à une série d’entretiens avec des experts, comprenant des hydrogéologues, des juristes, des ingénieurs et des spécialistes de la gouvernance. Cette approche méthodologique a été adoptée pour permettre l’analyse de l’opinion concernant la situation actuelle de la gouvernance des eaux souterraines en Afrique du Sud et sur son adéquation à la gestion de l’exploitation du PGNC. L’analyse s’est également appuyée sur l’observation des participants à plusieurs événements pertinents liés à la prise de décision et aux parties prenantes. Bien que les résultats indiquent une évaluation généralement positive des mesures initiales prises pour évaluer les impacts du PGNC et impliquer les communautés concernées, des critiques récurrentes ont également été formulées au cours des entretiens. Les principales conséquences de cette recherche sont les suivantes: (1) la nécessité d’un engagement continu des parties prenantes et d’un suivi par le gouvernement des résultats de ces processus, (2) la nécessité de rédiger dès que possible des réglementations détaillées spécifiques aux eaux souterraines, afin de s’assurer que l’absence de politiques en matière d’énergie n’ait pas d’effet négatif sur la gestion efficace des eaux souterraines, et (3) la prévalence de lacunes importantes en matière de gouvernance, en particulier en ce qui concerne les compétences en matières réglementaire et institutionnelle, et la nécessité de poursuivre le développement d’un réseau fonctionnel d’institutions afin de gérer efficacement aussi bien l’exploitation du PGNC que les ressources en eaux souterraines.
Resumen Se presenta un análisis de las perspectivas de los expertos sobre los acuerdos de gobernanza de las aguas subterráneas en Sudáfrica, en particular los pertinentes a las complejas y social y ecológicamente significativas implicaciones de la explotación de petróleo y gas no convencionales (UOG). El documento presenta una evaluación detallada de la bibliografía sobre la investigación de la gobernanza de las aguas subterráneas, cuyas conclusiones se aplican como marco para una serie de entrevistas a expertos, entre los que se encontraban hidrogeólogos, abogados, ingenieros y especialistas en gobernanza. Este enfoque metodológico se adoptó como medio para analizar la opinión sobre la situación actual de la gobernanza de las aguas subterráneas en Sudáfrica y su adecuación a la gestión de la explotación de las UOG. El análisis también se basó en la observación de los participantes en varios acontecimientos relevantes relacionados con la toma de decisiones y las partes interesadas. Si bien los resultados indicaron una evaluación generalmente positiva de los pasos iniciales dados para evaluar los impactos de las UOG e implicar a las comunidades pertinentes, también se produjeron críticas recurrentes en las entrevistas. Las principales conclusiones de la investigación son las siguientes (1) la necesidad de un compromiso continuado de las partes interesadas y de un seguimiento por parte del gobierno de los resultados de estos procesos, (2) la necesidad de que se redacten reglamentos detallados específicos de las aguas subterráneas lo antes posible, para garantizar que el vacío de la política energética no tenga un efecto negativo en la gestión eficaz de las aguas subterráneas, y (3) la prevalencia de importantes deficiencias de gobernanza, en particular en lo que respecta a la capacidad reguladora e institucional, y la necesidad de un desarrollo continuo de una red funcional de instituciones para gestionar eficazmente la explotación de las UOG junto con los recursos de aguas subterráneas.
摘要 本文阐述了对南非地下水治理措施的专家观点分析，特别是非传统石油和天然气（UOG）开采与复杂的社会和生态重要性相关的那些措施。本文陈述了对地下水治理研究文献的详细评估，其中的发现被应用为一系列专家访谈的框架，包括水文地质学家、律师、工程师和治理专家。采用这种方法是为了分析南非地下水治理当前状况的意见以及其是否适合管理UOG的开采。该分析还受到了在几个相关的决策制定和利益相关者活动中观察参与者的启发。尽管研究结果表明对评估UOG影响和与相关社区互动所采取的初步措施普遍评价积极，但也在访谈中反复出现了一些批评意见。从研究中得出的主要影响包括：(1）需要继续进行利益相关者参与，并使政府跟进这些过程的结果，(2）需要在最早的机会制定详细的地下水专用法规，以确保能源政策的空缺不会对有效的地下水管理产生负面影响，(3）存在显著的治理漏洞，特别是在法规和机构能力方面，需要继续发展一个功能性的机构网络，以有效管理UOG开采和地下水资源。
Resumo É apresentada uma análise das perspectivas dos especialistas sobre os acordos de governança das águas subterrâneas na África do Sul, particularmente os acordos pertinentes às implicações complexas e social e ecologicamente significativas da exploração de petróleo e gás não convencionais (PGNC). O artigo apresenta uma avaliação detalhada da literatura sobre pesquisa em governança de águas subterrâneas, cujas conclusões são aplicadas como estrutura para uma série de entrevistas com especialistas, incluindo hidrogeólogos, advogados, engenheiros e especialistas em governança. Esta abordagem metodológica foi adotada como um meio de permitir a análise da opinião sobre a situação atual da governança das águas subterrâneas na África do Sul e até que ponto esta é adequada à finalidade para a gestão da exploração de PGNC. A análise também foi informada pela observação dos participantes em vários eventos relevantes de tomada de decisão e de partes interessadas. Embora as conclusões indicassem uma avaliação geralmente positiva das medidas iniciais tomadas para avaliar os impactos da PGNC e envolver as comunidades relevantes, críticas recorrentes também apareceram nas entrevistas. As principais implicações decorrentes da investigação incluem: (1) a necessidade de envolvimento contínuo das partes interessadas e de acompanhamento do governo sobre os resultados destes processos, (2) a necessidade de regulamentos detalhados específicos para as águas subterrâneas serem elaborados na primeira oportunidade, para garantir que o vácuo da política energética não tem um efeito negativo na gestão eficaz das águas subterrâneas, e (3) a prevalência de lacunas significativas de governança, particularmente no que diz respeito à capacidade regulamentar e institucional, e a necessidade de desenvolvimento contínuo de uma rede funcional de instituições para gerir eficazmente a exploração de PGNC juntamente com recursos hídricos subterrâneos.
Drawing on a wealth of previously unpublished material--including numerous letters and five early stories that appear in their entirety--this compelling biography traces the formative years of one of ...America's most celebrated and influential authors. The first of a projected three-volume life, it examines Hemingway's midwestern childhood, his journalistic apprenticeship, and his experiences as a Red Cross volunteer in Italy during World War I, closing with Hemingway on the brink of the literary career that would bring him worldwide fame.
In models of choice, animals are expected to evaluate options in absolute terms and assign some fitness-related value to different options. These expectations are similar to those of economic ...rationality, and both predict consistent decisions across variable contexts. Evidence from humans and other animals suggests that decision-making mechanisms can lead to context-dependent choices, which are considered economically irrational. While there is widespread evidence that these mechanisms may influence animal decision making, we can now explore how the presence and degree of these biases may arise in different animals based on their taxonomy and ecology. Here, we investigated context-dependent decisions in wild Jamaican fruit bats, Artibeus jamaicensis. We found that bats were sensitive to the context of the choice, showing shifts in preference upon the addition of an irrelevant decoy option. These results contrast previous findings in a close relative, the frog-eating bat, Trachops cirrhosus, indicating that diet may play a critical role in these behaviours. We argue that comparative studies exploring the role of diet on these decision-making biases are critical for understanding how animals make foraging decisions in the wild.
•Animals are generally expected to select the best option in a choice set.•We tested whether fruit bats show context-dependent foraging preferences.•The presence of an inferior choice influenced foraging preferences in fruit bats.•Comparative evaluation may be influenced by an animal's diet.
The resistance topic is timely given current events. The emergence of mysterious new diseases, such as SARS, and the looming threat of bioterrorist attacks remind us of how vulnerable we can be to ...infectious agents. With advances in medical technologies, we have tamed many former microbial foes, yet with few new antimicrobial agents and vaccines in the pipeline, and rapidly increasing drug resistance among infectious microbes, we teeter on the brink of loosing the upperhand in our ongoing struggle against these foes, old and new. The Resistance Phenomenon in Microbes and Infectious Disease Vectors examines our understanding of the relationships among microbes, disease vectors, and human hosts, and explores possible new strategies for meeting the challenge of resistance.
Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to report on a three year research project exploring the impacts of an intervention seeking to reduce social isolation in older people. ...Design/methodology/approach - This study used qualitative research methods and a participative approach to facilitate the generation of the research objectives and process. Participant observation and individual/focus group interviews were used to collect data from 100 participants. Findings - Overall the perceived benefits for attendees of attending the friendship clubs fell into three key areas: improved well being, social relations and mental and physical health. Research limitations/implications - A weakness of the participant observation method includes the possibility that the presence of the researcher influenced the findings. The process of gaining different data sets (observation, interviews and focus groups) and checking findings with another researcher and the research participants as the study progressed reduced the likelihood of this bias occurring. This study only considered individuals who attended the clubs. There are many who may not get this opportunity and the issue of how to engage with them through this type of intervention is not addressed. Originality/value - This study adds to the literature to guide practice and service provision as it introduces the finding that even when living with their families, older people can still feel socially isolated. In addition, this study found that club members and volunteers viewed themselves as assets for each other, offering support, advice and friendship - an important finding for service commissioners and providers.
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