Electronic Theses and Dissertations (PhDs)

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Assessing livelihood vulnerability and adaptation to climate variability and change among farming households in Plateau State, north-central Nigeria
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Hassan, Buhari; Knight, Jasper
It has been projected that sub-Saharan Africa would be severely affected by climate change in form of persistent and increasing climate variability. Nigeria’s situation as a developing country coupled with the fact that agricultural activities are primarily rainfed, provides a suitable case study in which to assess the vulnerability of farming households to climate variability and change. Lack of data on the nature and extent of vulnerability to climate variability (particularly annual changes in rainfall and temperature patterns) on food production systems and livelihoods in Nigeria hinders the development of effective policies to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change and variability. The study aims to improve understanding of the socio-economic, institutional, biological and physical factors that contribute to vulnerability of farming households to climate change and variability in Nigeria. By combining descriptive, participatory and statistical analysis as well as field observations, this research develops a holistic approach to assess the level of exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity of farming households. Multistage sampling was used to purposely select communities in Bokkos Local Government Area, Plateau State, for the study, while farming households were randomly selected for the household questionnaire survey within four communities. Purposive sampling was used to identify key informants for interviews. Observation and taking photographs of farmers’ activities were used to complement the other data collection methods. Qualitative data was analysed using descriptive and content analysis, while the quantitative data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) (v 27) and Microsoft Excel (v2020). The level of vulnerability of farming households was determined using the Sustainable Livelihood Approach. Results show that farmers are exposed to climate variability in form of changing rainfall patterns which includes late onset of rains, dry spells, and early cessation of rains and crop loss due to pests and disease infestation. Results show that the vulnerability of farming households can be linked to access to household livelihood capital assets and that households are characterised by low levels of financial, social and physical capital. Smallholder farming households adopt a range of on-farm and off-farm adaptation strategies including changing planting time, crop diversification, engaging in irrigation farming, intensifying the use of fertilizers, manure and agro-chemicals to boost crop yield, and planting of disease-resistant and drought-tolerant crop varieties. Farming households experience a number of challenges which include a lack of financial resources which has a strong influence on enhancing other capital assets such as physical and natural capitals; poor access to mechanised agricultural equipment, lack of training on how to deal with climate change and variability, limited access to improved crop varieties as well as a lack of institutional support, which constitute serious barriers to adaptation to climate variability. In applying these results to climate change adaptation it is recommended that policymakers need to institute specific and implementable climate change adaptation policies that will enable farmers to utilize their capital assets on effective adaptation measures and also engage in viable alternative livelihood diversification strategies, enhance agricultural productivity and resilience and improve institutional support including access to information and training
Climate Variability and Asset Adaptation of Small-scale Farmers in Zimbabwe's Gokwe South District:A Search for Knowledge Integration Approach
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023-05) Chatsiwa, Jaison; Simatele, Mulala Danny
Globally, climate change and variability threaten food production and security for an unforeseeable future leaving millions of people vulnerable to hunger and malnutrition related diseases. Climatic models are projecting that Zimbabwe’s climate will be hanging drastically with a high possibility of experiencing extreme weather patterns impacting the livelihoods of small-scale farmers who rely on rain-fed agriculture for their livelihoods. This study aims to investigate the role of asset portfolios in reducing the climate vulnerability of small-scale farmers of Gokwe South in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe’s agricultural production both crop and livestock production has been negatively impacted due to the dwindling rainfall and increase in temperature and climate related risks and disasters. The quality and quantity of asset portfolios determine the adaptive strategies and their success against the challenges of climate variability. Despite these effects, small-scale farmers in the Gokwe South district are using their asset portfolios to increase their adaptive capacity and resilience to fight against the challenges of climate variability. Therefore, this thesis revealed a paradigm shift from asset vulnerability to pro-poor asset adaptation. The paradigm shift crafted the ‘Theory of Change’ which is useful for climate variability adaptation strategies in the Gokwe South district as the small-scale farmers change from asset vulnerability to asset adaptation. The Theory of Change encourages contextual analysis of the area and theme under study. A Theory of Change is a method that explains how a given intervention, or set of interventions, is expected to lead to specific development change, drawing on a causal analysis based on available evidence. This study used the Participatory Climate Change Adaptation Appraisal (PCCAA) as the primary data collection tool and the Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) known as the emancipatory methodology, to collect data in rural areas. A mixed methodological approach involving qualitative and quantitative was applied. We used thematic content analysis to analyse qualitative data collected during the data collection exercise. During the study period, computer-Aided Qualitative Data Software was used to store data in a sorted manner. The parametric variables were coded using the Predictive Analytic Software. This enabled to performance of statistical analysis and obtaining descriptive statistical outcomes were obtained. The assessment of the effect of the factors on climate adaptation strategies was done through the Likert scale. Indigenous knowledge remained widely used as a source of climate knowledge in the Gokwe South district. The research results showed that indigenous knowledge (IK) is unpredictable, productive assets and adaptive assets are inadequate, technoscience and institutional support are poor support to implement viable adaptation strategies is lacking, and poor distribution and dissemination of climate and weather information to small-scale farmers in the Gokwe South district is poor and asset portfolios and asset mix is poor. The available asset portfolios determine the adaptation strategies used in the Gokwe South district. Results show that climate vulnerability varies spatially and temporally across the Gokwe South district. The studied five constituencies for the Gokwe district have a mean vulnerability index of 3.04 with the highest index being 5 as being well adapted. Sengwa and Mapfungabutsi are highly vulnerable to the vagaries of climate variability in the Gokwe South district. The researchers recommend strong institutional support from the government. The fact that small-scale farmers should integrate their IK and modern science climate knowledge small-scale farmers in the Gokwe South district should adopt proactive or anticipatory adaptation, government climate-smart agricultural policies, and a bottom-up approach to climate variability. The quality and quantity of asset portfolios are key resources affecting the level of vulnerability to climate variability. The asset mix was seen to be significant in reducing the vulnerability of small-scale farmers in Sengwa and Mapfungabutsi, constituencies worst affected due to poor asset endowment of farmers in the Gokwe South district. The results have shown that the financial asset is the most important asset affecting vulnerability because it can be converted into other assets through buying. Weak institutional intervention renders many small-scale farmers helpless to climate variability, and the government is not fully supporting small-scale farmers to increase their adaptive capacity and resilience.
Integration of Sustainable Development Principles and Climate Change Adaptation Measures in Energy Optimization in Gold Mining in South Africa
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023-08) Nadunga, Irene; Simatele, Mulala Danny
South Africa located in the sub-Saharan African region and being a mining-intense country, is reported to be affected by extreme weather events which are increasing the country’s vulnerability to climate change impacts and therefore reducing the chances of achieving sustainable development. In light of this, mining companies are being pressured to make strong commitments towards implementation of sustainable development principles for sustainable mining. This study therefore aimed at investigating how sustainable development principles and climate change adaptation measures are interlinked and structured; and embedded in a gold mining company’s policies and strategies, in an effort to build the mining operations’ adaptive capacity and resilience against the impacts of climate change and achieve energy optimization. The challenges that can potentially prevent the effective integration of the sustainability principles and adaptation measures were also explored. Using a case study approach, this study was centered on the gold mining operations located within the Witwatersrand Basin of South Africa. Research data was collected from multiple sources, therefore employing a mixed method approach by applying the concurrent triangulation technique. Different analytical tools of policy, content and inductive data analysis, and descriptive statistical data analysis were applied. The empirical evidence shows that the gold mining operations are faced with increasing operating costs associated with the increased energy consumption and implementation of costly mining practices in an effort to combat the impacts of extreme weather events caused by climate change. This affirms that a relationship exists between climate change and energy use in gold mining. In an effort to address climate related risks and energy security, gold mining operations are implementing energy efficiency measures and using renewable energy in their energy mix; which measures are seen to integrate sustainability principles, therefore adopted as sustainability adaptation measures. In addition, some mining company policies and strategies are also seen to integrate sustainability principles and adaptation measures, in an effort to guide the mining operations in effectively developing and implementing sustainability adaptation measures, designed to holistically address climate related risks and energy security. This affirms that a relationship exists between sustainable development principles, climate change adaptation measures and energy optimization. This therefore, implies that sustainability principles and adaptation measures can be integrated to form sustainability adaptation measures, and that gold mining companies have the potential to achieve sustainable mining and contribute to sustainable development, particularly achieving SDG 7 and SDG 13.
Palynological insights into an 11,700-year sequence of vegetation change in mashishing, Mpumalanga, northeastern South Africa
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Olatoyan, Jerry O.; Schoeman, Alex; Neumann, Frank; Sievers, Christine; Orijemie, Emuobosa; Evans, Mary
In this thesis, the issue of distinguishing anthropogenic and climatic drivers of vegetation change was explored through the analysis of pollen, phytoliths and microcharcoal in core sediment records from Mashishing Fen in the Thaba Chweu Municipality, Mpumalanga province, northeastern South Africa, that date from ca. 11.2 – 11.7 ka BP to the present. In southern Africa, generally, the distinction between the contributions of anthropogenic and climatic factors to vegetation changes poses a complex challenge in palaeoenvironmental research. This difficulty often arises due to limited, well-dated palaeoenvironmental sequences suitable for correlations between archaeological and palaeoecological records. For the last 2000 years, there has been a scarcity of direct evidence for farming, such as grains and other domesticated plants, and pastoralism. A further difficulty is that some plant taxa may be indicators for intense droughts but also signify anthropogenic disturbances. At the centre of the thesis are three papers. The first comprises a synthesis of existing literature of archaeobotanical evidence that was done to evaluate the relationship between climate, anthropogenic activities, and vegetation change during the first millennium CE in southern Africa. I focussed on this context in the paper because it is a time in which the arrival of pastoralism and farming in the region makes it the most likely period during which distinct anthropogenic vegetation change occurred. The published data demonstrates that microfossil assemblages are potential indicators of anthropogenic activities of pre-European pastoralists and farmers of the region, with patterns including a decline in tree pollen and increases in microcharcoal, spores of coprophilous fungi, open land/disturbance indicators, and ruderal species. The second paper addresses some of the limitations of palynology as a method. A modern pollen- and phytolith-vegetation study was conducted on surface sediment samples linked to the botanical survey of five vegetation survey plots at and around Mashishing Fen to investigate the relationships between the modern pollen and phytoliths in the surface samples and the contemporary vegetation within the area. The results support the accepted view that pollen and phytoliths often do not track similar vegetation signals. The modern pollen assemblages clearly track forest and wetland vegetation, and the modern phytolith assemblages reflect grassland vegetation in the area. The study confirmed that differential phytolith and pollen production, dispersal and preservation substantially influence the proxy records and that combining phytolith and pollen data provides a more accurate basis for plant fossil interpretations in palaeoenvironmental studies. The results of this paper constrained my interpretation of the pollen data used in the third paper. Finally, pollen, spores and microcharcoal data from the core sediment records from Mashishing Fen (formerly the Lydenburg Fen) provide palaeoenvironmental records for approximately the last 11,2 to 11,7 ka years–most of the Holocene. The data is interpreted through the patterns identified in the first paper, including potential indicators of anthropogenic activities. The data of the earlier period provide a backdrop to possible anthropogenic change in the first millennium CE; the extended data illustrate paleoenvironmental changes that took place in a region occupied by hunter-gatherers but predate any possible anthropogenic influences by pastoralists or farmers. The core data suggests that the early Holocene began with moist and warm conditions that were followed by fluctuations between wet and dry conditions during the mid-Holocene and the decline of trees with the dominance of open-land indicators during the later Holocene, thereby providing the basis for correlating the palaeoecological records with the archaeological records in the region
Shooting at a Moving Target: The Complexity of Evaluating and Monitoring the Adaptive Capacity to Climate Change of Local Government Institutions in South Africa: A Study of the Eastern Cape Province.
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Gadu, Siyaxola Ernest; Simatele, Mulala Danny
It is no longer a myth that natural catastrophic events associated with varying climate are increasing globally, with severe and devastating consequences in poor countries, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, where many of the world’s poor people reside. Thus, the emphasis on adapting to varying climate is no longer optional, or a deferred problem into the future, but rather an urgent matter of concern which must be considered to be a policy priority. Countering the retrogressive climate variation challenges on economic development and ecological degradation, the South African government has, in the last two and half decades, embarked on the progressive formulation of different policy instruments and strategic frameworks to curb and minimise the effects of climate variation on all economic sectors. Applying research techniques from the qualitative research approach and existing literature, this research explored the complexities of evaluating the institutional adaptive capacity to climate change in municipal institutions of South Africa, with particular focus on the Eastern Cape Province. The research outcomes indicate that, although much remains to be achieved, some level of success has been realised, particularly in the space of policy formulation, albeit with a poor record of implementation. While the policy sounds good and is solution-driven, the implementation of the programme at local levels to achieve the desired goals, however, remains a significant challenge due to institutional and capacity challenges. In addition, the research further highlighted the fragmented climate change governance system which has posed significant systemic challenges, and these have tended to constrain decision-making and implementation processes. The institutional and capacity challenges create an unconducive environment for adequate coping strategies, and an evaluation of institutional adaptive capacity at municipal level across the country. The study findings also stressed the prominence of indigenous knowledge, and the alliance between the opportunities presented by climate variation and Sustainable Development Goals. This study further emphasized the importance of developing a reliable system to assess and monitor the institutional coping capacity at municipal level that can compare adaptive capacity of different institutions and assist in resource allocation
Social vulnerability in the adaptation of rural communities to climate change in Imo State, Nigeria
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Okoro, Franklin Chimaobi; Knight, Jasper
Rural communities in developing countries such as Nigeria are faced with frequent extreme weather/climate events that impact their economy, health, and environment due to the combination of high social vulnerabilities, low social resilience, and low adaptive capacities. The aim of this study is to investigate the root causes of social vulnerability in rural communities in Nigeria and how rural households use their social capital and networks to adapt to the impacts of climate change. The study used ten (10) social vulnerability indicators (factors) to ascertain their influence on social resilience and adaptive capacity during climate related disasters. To achieve this purpose, three communities in Imo State, Southern Nigeria were selected, and distributed 240 structured questionnaires to rural household heads, interviewed 18 local stakeholders and climate change actors (government agencies), and conducted three (3) Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with group of farmers from the three selected communities. The questionnaire survey, interview, and FGD guides contained open-ended questions that allowed participants to report freely. The quantitative data derived from the questionnaire survey were subjected to descriptive analysis using SPSS while the qualitative data were subjected to thematic analysis to derive relevant themes for discussions. The result of the study shows that social vulnerability is a function of age, gender, education, household size, income, sources of livelihood, disability, means of transport, access to healthcare, and alternative accommodation being available during climate emergencies. The study further shows that social vulnerability of rural residents was exacerbated by societal vulnerability influenced by political, economic, cultural, and social factors. Although there are other weather/climate extreme events (disasters), however, the most prominent is floods, constituting 48.3% of the weather/climate events experienced in the study area with its impacts requiring more efficient climate adaptation strategies other than the traditional measures like relocation/migration, use of early maturing crop varieties, early planting and harvesting. However, rural households drew support from government, NGOs, and oil companies but the help from family members, friends, neighbours, social group members (social networks) were more beneficial and helped more rural residents to improve their social resilience. The study recommends that rural residents be encouraged to join social groups since their memberships in such groups will help to improve their social resilience, and that government and its agencies should engage multi-stakeholders in their genuine efforts to develop more effective measures for climate change adaptation.
The Role of Climate Change Governance in Community Adaptation in Kwazulu-Natal: A Study of uMkhanyakude District Municipality
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Sibiya, Nomfundo Patricia; Simatele, Mulala Danny
It can be argued that, although South Africa has developed good climate change initiatives, policies, and strategies, the implementation of these policies seems to present difficulties, as those for whom they have been developed do not seem to have any knowledge of their effectiveness in helping them build resilience against extreme weather events. Additionally, the findings demonstrate the existence of structures tasked with coordinating climate change matters across all government sectors affected, comprising inter-departmental arrangements, departmental arrangements, other institutions, and stakeholders. The inter-departmental arrangements consist of forums whose purpose is to ensure inter-sectoral coordination of climate change matters. The national Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment assumes leadership and coordination responsibilities in developing and implementing responses to climate change adaptation in South Africa. The findings also revealed that government officials employed at the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment unanimously believe that the institutional arrangement of climate change at the national level effectively drives the climate change agenda. Conversely, government officials at the provincial and local levels exhibit diverse perspectives regarding the effectiveness of the institutional arrangements. Consequently, one can posit that there is inadequate coordination of climate change adaptation horizontally among national government departments and sectors affected by climate change impacts, as well as vertically between national, provincial, and municipal governments. This study divulged various barriers to climate change adaptation in South Africa, including insufficient financial resources, inadequate human capacity at provincial and local levels, limited political resolve at the local level, deficient comprehension of climate change adaptation issues among communities, insufficient coordination across government levels and sectors, absence of legal mandate at the local level, absence of climate change units at the district and local levels, lack of knowledge among certain staff members entrusted with environmental responsibilities at the local level, inadequate climate change plans in place at the local level, and utilisation of outdated climate change information in the Integrated Development Plans (IDPs). This study proposes that policies should be jointly designed and implemented with vulnerable groups, based on local knowledge, and tailored to the specific needs of those most affected by climate change (e.g., women, the impoverished). There is a necessity to establish operational institutions that are dedicated to fulfilling their mandate, supporting communities, and fostering robust partnerships among civil society, the public sector, and the private secto
The role of institutional arrangements in post-flood disaster management in South Africa, focusing on Kwa-Zulu Natal Province, Mphela Township and Ncakubana Communities
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023-10) Nyide, Sindisiwe; Grab, Stefan; Simatele, Mulala Danny
South African officials and communities grapple with various matters after flood disasters. This thesis used a combination of qualitative and quantitative data collection approaches to explore possible systematic and structural weaknesses in addressing post-flood disasters in South Africa. The study investigated whether post-disaster management in disaster-vulnerable urban and rural communities contributes towards disaster resilience and adaptive capacity to achieve sustainable development. The need stemmed from the Country's high frequency and magnitude of disasters, including floods, droughts, and fires. The Government implemented different policies and strategies after 1994 to address flood disasters. While acknowledging some success in managing these disasters with the current adaptive measures, the frequency and intensity of disasters have increased, causing significant loss of life, environmental damage, and properties, particularly among the vulnerable population. Since this was a national study, participants came from across South Africa. The random sampling selected 35 Ncakubana Village and Mphela Township community members. Other selected participants were seven and six focus group members, respectively. In contrast, purposive and snowball samples chose 34 disaster management officials. Moreover, the purposive sampling selected two ward councillors and six advisory forum members. There were open-ended and closed-ended questions in the interview schedules and questionnaire surveys. The researcher also used observation to gather information on variables of interest during transect walks in the study areas. The study conducted an intensive documentary analysis to obtain more information. Descriptive statistical techniques, Microsoft Excel, and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences were employed to examine the quantitative data. Thematic analysis was for qualitative data analysis to review data from open-ended questions and literature. The study employed Atlasti software for inductive content analysis to identify research codes and themes and the Word Cloud tool to visualise textual data. For quantitative results, 33 disaster management officials responded that disaster-specific Acts and Policies are in place. According to 21 disaster management officials, or 62% of all participants, their organisations have vulnerable groups' specific policies. Multistakeholder complications were the most frequently mentioned challenge by participants. They mentioned them 23 times, 68% of the total participants. Challenges stated, among others, included funding and administrative matters. Most of the respondents, 75% identified funding as the biggest problem. Qualitatively, the thesis uncovered that disaster management is a multi-sectoral and multidisciplinary field. Although various institutional arrangements exist, they do not seem appropriate for assisting vulnerable groups post-disaster. Floods appeared to be the most frequent natural disaster in South Africa. Floods severely affected vulnerable people, particularly women, the elderly, children, and people with physical disabilities. While officials have made some progress on implementing post-flood disaster projects, they appear inadequate to assist vulnerable groups in dealing with floods. Furthermore, regrettably, despite the level of success in addressing disasters, most measures have failed to achieve the intended results for various reasons. The participants identified multiple tangible and intangible opportunities. They subsequently proposed that Disaster Management Centres develop various noteworthy documents, intensify the dissemination of post-disaster information across numerous platforms, obtain post-disaster funding and adequate personnel, and establish or revitalise structures. The suggested consolidated long-term measures by the participants yielded a proposed South African Post-flood Disaster Checklist or Model, which was non-existent in South Africa. By implementing more effective and efficient post-disaster measures, the proposed tool can help policymakers and strategic partners standardise post-disaster resilience and adaptive capacity in various sectors' sustainability contexts. The aim is to have post-flood disaster resilient communities with adaptive capacity to achieve sustainable development.

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Browsing Electronic Theses and Dissertations (PhDs) by SDG "SDG-13: Climate action"

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