Faculty of Science (ETDs)

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3D Human pose estimation using geometric self-supervision with temporal methods
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024-09) Bau, Nandi; Klein, Richard
This dissertation explores the enhancement of 3D human pose estimation (HPE) through self-supervised learning methods that reduce reliance on heavily annotated datasets. Recognising the limitations of data acquired in controlled lab settings, the research investigates the potential of geometric self-supervision combined with temporal information to improve model performance in real-world scenarios. A Temporal Dilated Convolutional Network (TDCN) model, employing Kalman filter post-processing, is proposed and evaluated on both ground-truth and in-the-wild data from the Human3.6M dataset. The results demonstrate a competitive Mean Per Joint Position Error (MPJPE) of 62.09mm on unseen data, indicating a promising direction for self-supervised learning in 3D HPE and suggesting a viable pathway towards reducing the gap with fully supervised methods. This study underscores the value of self-supervised temporal dynamics in advancing pose estimation techniques, potentially making them more accessible and broadly applicable in real-world applications.
3D seismic constraints on the strato-structural evolution of the deep-water Orange Basin, South Africa
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Maduna, Nombuso Gladys; Jinna, Zubair; Manzi, Musa
This research utilizes seismic attributes and advanced machine learning methodologies to analyse high-resolution 3D reflection seismic data from the deep-water Orange Basin, located offshore western South Africa. The primary goal is to gain valuable insights into the basin's tectonic setting, depositional environment, and hydrocarbon potential. Significant features are delineated within the basin including (1) a gravitational collapse system in the Mesozoic Late Cretaceous, (2) mass flow features in the Cenozoic, (3) natural gas and fluid escape structures, (4) a large slope-perpendicular submarine canyon cutting Oligocene strata, and (5) multiple slope-parallel, sinusoidal channel features in the Miocene. The Late Cretaceous succession exhibits a gravitational collapse system with a translational and compressional domain detaching on seaward-dipping Turonian shales. Gravitational collapse during margin uplift formed fold-and-thrust belts along the slope characterizing the compressional domain. As they are commonly linked to hydrocarbons, the compressional domain of these systems has been extensively studied, while the translational domain has been poorly constrained due to its structural complexity. In this research, the translational domain is shown to contain a mixture of extensional tectonics (normal faults) up-dip and compressional tectonics (thrusts) down-dip, with extensive oblique-slip faults cutting thrusts perpendicularly during the translation of sediment. Variance and chaos, conventional seismic attributes, were used to manually pick and interpret the >500 regional-scale faults arising from the gravitational collapse system. Fault-net, a convolutional neural network (CNN), was compared with these edge-enhancing seismic attributes for extracting faults from the seismic volume. The CNN offers several notable advantages over conventional seismic attributes, such as automation, accelerated analysis, and improved time-efficiency on large datasets. Analysing the distribution, type, and geometry of faults within the basin gave valuable insights into the potential hydrocarbon system at work. Numerous natural gas and fluid escape features are identified in the seismic volume including an elongated mud volcano, pockmarked surfaces, and polygonal faults. The stability of the evolving margin is influenced by the underlying structure of a Late Cretaceous gravitational collapse system, also referred to as a deep-water fold and thrust belt (DWFTB) system. The fault framework within provides primary migration pathways for hydrocarbons. Major seafloor slumping occurs directly above a syncline of the Late Cretaceous DWFTB system. This slumping surrounds a structurally controlled, 4.2 km long elongated mud volcano situated between the translational and compressional domains of the underlying DWFTB system. The late Campanian has the largest accumulation of hydrocarbons evidenced by (1) an anticline with a positive high amplitude anomaly situated at the intersection of the two domains, and (2) >950 pockmarks preserved on the palaeo-surface compared to the 85 pockmarks observed on the seafloor. In addition to tectonics, the onset of stratified oceanographic circulation patterns and climate played a large role in changing depositional trends since the mid-Cenozoic. The Oligocene is characterized by a ~2.3 km wide, >13 km long, slope-perpendicular canyon formed at ~30 Ma during a major sea-level fall by a turbidity current. The Miocene is characterized by a ~14 km wide zone of slope-parallel, sinusoidal channels between water depths of 1 200–1 500 m. The formation and preservation of these features during the Miocene are attributed to the erosive interaction between two distinct water currents: (1) the Antarctic Intermediate Water flowing northwards, and (2) the deep North Atlantic Deep Water bottom currents flowing southwards; and the effects of the Benguela Upwelling System and a dry climate prevailing in southwest Africa all intensifying around 11 Ma. While pre-Miocene hydrocarbons originate from Turonian and Aptian source rocks, the origin of hydrocarbons on the seafloor is likely biogenic, arising from organic-rich sediment in the Miocene
A Clot to Uncover: FOXP3 and SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Interactions and Their Effect on DNA Binding
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Mcinnes, Keiran; Fanucchi, Sylvia
During COVID-19, systemic coagulopathy, which can lead to strokes and embolisms, is often observed in COVID-19 patients and may also contribute to long COVID. This coagulopathy is the result of overactivated platelets in circulation that leads to inappropriate clot formation. FOXP3 is a transcription factor involved in platelet development and loss of FOXP3 function leads to platelets that resemble those seen during COVID-19. Thus, FOXP3 may be dysregulated in COVID-19. The SARS-CoV- 2 nucleocapsid (NC) is a multifunctional protein typically associated with viral genome packaging and virion assembly. However, it is also capable of binding DNA and is potentially able to alter regulation of host protein expression. Here, potential interactions between the DNA-binding forkhead domain (FHD) of FOXP3 and the SARS-CoV-2 NC were investigated. Identification of a novel interaction between FOXP3 and SARS CoV-2 NC may provide new clues as to the pathophysiology of COVID-19. To address this aim, both proteins were overexpressed in T7 E. coli, purified via immobilised metal affinity chromatography, and monitored for potential interactions in the absence and presence of DNA using pull-down assays and fluorescence anisotropy. A direct interaction was identified between the two proteins in the absence of DNA. Additionally, it was found that both proteins are capable of binding to DNA at the same time, but excess NC was found to cause FHD dissociation from the FHD- NC-DNA complex. This result implicates NC in FOXP3 dysfunction which may be associated with the coagulopathy and other symptoms seen during COVID-19. Additionally, NC DNA binding does not appear to be driven by the FOXP3 consensus sequence, indicating that FOXP3 may not be the only transcription factor potentially dysregulated by NC
A comparative analysis of mining environmental management programme reports following a change to the one environmental system
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2022) Mathe, Lebogang; Watson, I.
The mining fraternity has recently seen a shift in terms of environmental requirements under the ambit of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act 28 of 2002 (MPRDA) to the National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998 (NEMA). The objective was to ensure a streamlined environmental compliance and to put emphasis on integrated environmental management. The One Environmental System (OES) was introduced which denotes that all environmental related projects or activities, including mining, are regulated through an ambit of one system. NEMA is recognised as an overarching law which provides for co-operative environmental governance; therefore, all environmental related activities are regulated under its ambit and EIA regulations. In this research report, the Environmental Management Programme (EMP) reports and Environmental Authorisations that were issued under the MPRDA and the 2014 NEMA regulations respectively, were analysed using the respective regulations to compare the environmental management measures outlined in the reports to achieve better environmental results. The aim of the research was to assess whether the Environmental Authorisations granted in terms of NEMA reflect better environmental results as compared to those issued under the MPRDA. Better environmental results mean improved management plans with clearer assessment of impacts, more detailed mitigation measures with specific, achievable, relevant and time bound actions that do not pose harmful effects on the environment and communities. A mixed method of analysis was implemented which included a review and comparison of legislation, evaluation and scoring of 20 EMPs (10 submitted under MPRDA and 10 submitted under NEMA) and interviews with key informants, namely competent authorities and the Environmental Assessment Practitioners (EAPs) were conducted to support the findings of the reports. In conclusion, the reports analysed presented a significant improvement and better environmental results under NEMA. The interviews conducted with authorities and the EAPs have also substantiated the observations made in terms of Environmental Management Programme reports and Environmental Authorisations submitted. The findings indicated that there were similarities in the MPRDA and NEMA regulations as 4 | P a g e regards some environmental requirements. However, the MPRDA lacked to outline a detailed description of environmental requirements needed to manage environmental impacts. Thus, applicants provided limited information in terms of the management of impacts. NEMA has provided additional requirements, including baseline environmental information, specialist reports and public participation amongst others; these contributed to improved environmental results. The study revealed that the reports submitted under NEMA provided better environmental management measures as compared to the reports submitted under MPRDA.
A comprehensive analysis of urban river pollution – the case of the Hennops river in Gauteng Province, South Africa
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Letseka, Thabiso Esaiah; Chimuka, L.; Richards, L.H.
The water quality of rivers is declining at an alarming rate due to pollution from anthropogenic activities associated with urbanization. To ensure ecological restoration and management of rivers, engaging in pollutant source apportionment, evaluation, and monitoring of water quality is of great significance. The study delivers a comprehensive assessment of the state of pollution in the Hennops river catchment facing pollution threats from rapid urbanization. The water quality assessment of the Hennops river was performed through chemical, microbiological, microplastics analysis and ecotoxicological approaches, spanning from upstream region in Tembisa to the downstream Hartbeespoort Dam. Standard methods were employed to assess physiochemical properties of the river’s water. Electrical conductivity and pH fell within the accepted criteria based on the standard water quality guidelines. However dissolved oxygen (DO) levels were below acceptable limits, ranging from 1.53 mg L-1 to 6.47 mg L-1. This signifies a substantial demand for oxygen in the river, likely due to the discharge of sewage from leaking pipes and wastewater treatment plants. This sewage introduces a high volume of organic matter, leading to an increased oxygen demand in the water. Microbiological pollution indicators were employed to assess the microbial water quality of the river. The study's findings revealed elevated bacterial counts, with Escherichia Coli (E. coli) reaching up to 2 250 cfu mL-1 upstream and decreasing to 30 cfu mL-1 downstream. These high counts suggest faecal contamination in the river water. Similar trends were observed with total coliform counts, high coliform counts 170 000 cfu mL-1 in the upstream which remained detectable even downstream and beyond the Hartbeespoort Dam, despite the dilution effects within the dam. The dam was identified as the primary repository for pollution originating upstream. Grab sampling followed by solid phase extraction (SPE) and the passive sampling using a Polar Organic Integrative Sampler (POCIS), were employed as sample preparation methods for preconcentration of methocarbamol, etilefrine, nevirapine, carbamazepine and venlafaxine from river water with subsequent analysis on Liquid Chromatography coupled to quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry. Both methods yielded good figures of merit with limits of quantification in the range of 0.57 to 2.12 ng mL-1 for POCIS and 0.19 to 1.82 ng mL-1 for SPE. The compounds were detected in the water but at low levels (µgL-1 ), with detected concentrations of carbamazepine in the range 0.62 ng mL-1 – 0.32 ng mL-1 , methocarbamol detected in the range 0.11 ng mL-1 - 0.14 ng mL-1 and venlafaxine 0.50 ng mL-1 – 0.44 ng mL-1 using POCIS. The detected concentrations using SPE were in the range 0.13 ng mL-1 – 0.19 ng mL-1 for carbamazepine, while nevirapine and venlafaxine were detected although below limit of quantification. This underscores the advantage of using passive samplers, which enable the detection of fluctuating contaminant concentrations over time, in contrast to the one-time measurements obtained through grab sampling. In the case of microplastics in the water and sediment samples, five polymer types were identified: polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), high density polyethylene, (HDPE), polyester and polystyrene. The predominant polymer type in surface water was PE (48.6 %), and that in sediment was PP (52.7 %). PE and PP were the most abundant polymer types in both phases, and as these also the leading polymers in plastics production. 80% of the identified microplastics were found to be fibre with most dominant sizes of 1-2 mm for sediments and 0.5-1 mm in water samples. The conducted tests deemed the river water not suitable for irrigation, drinking or recreational purposes and not capable to support aquatic life.
A Continuous Reinforcement Learning Approach to Self-Adaptive Particle Swarm Optimisation
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023-08) Tilley, Duncan; Cleghorn, Christopher
Particle Swarm Optimisation (PSO) is a popular black-box optimisation technique due to its simple implementation and surprising ability to perform well on various problems. Unfortunately, PSO is fairly sensitive to the choice of hyper-parameters. For this reason, many self-adaptive techniques have been proposed that attempt to both simplify hyper-parameter selection and improve the performance of PSO. Surveys however show that many self-adaptive techniques are still outperformed by time-varying techniques where the value of coefficients are simply increased or decreased over time. More recent works have shown the successful application of Reinforcement Learning (RL) to learn self-adaptive control policies for optimisers such as differential evolution, genetic algorithms, and PSO. However, many of these applications were limited to only discrete state and action spaces, which severely limits the choices available to a control policy, given that the PSO coefficients are continuous variables. This dissertation therefore investigates the application of continuous RL techniques to learn a self-adaptive control policy that can make full use of the continuous nature of the PSO coefficients. The dissertation first introduces the RL framework used to learn a continuous control policy by defining the environment, action-space, state-space, and a number of possible reward functions. An effective learning environment that is able to overcome the difficulties of continuous RL is then derived through a series of experiments, culminating in a successfully learned continuous control policy. The policy is then shown to perform well on the benchmark problems used during training when compared to other self-adaptive PSO algorithms. Further testing on benchmark problems not seen during training suggest that the learned policy may however not generalise well to other functions, but this is shown to also be a problem in other PSO algorithms. Finally, the dissertation performs a number of experiments to provide insights into the behaviours learned by the continuous control policy.
A fully-decentralised general-sum approach for multi-agent reinforcement learning using minimal modelling
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023-08) Kruger, Marcel Matthew Anthony; Rosman, Benjamin; James, Steven; Shipton, Jarrod
Multi-agent reinforcement learning is a prominent area of research in machine learning, extending reinforcement learning to scenarios where multiple agents concurrently learn and interact within the same environment. Most existing methods rely on centralisation during training, while others employ agent modelling. In contrast, we propose a novel method that adapts the role of entropy to assist in fully-decentralised training without explicitly modelling other agents using additional information to which most centralised methods assume access. We augment entropy to encourage more deterministic agents, and instead, we let the non-stationarity inherent in MARL serve as a mode for exploration. We empirically evaluate the performance of our method across five distinct environments, each representing unique challenges. Our assessment encompasses both cooperative and competitive cases. Our findings indicate that the approach of penalising entropy, rather than rewarding it, enables agents to perform at least as well as the prevailing standard of entropy maximisation. Moreover, our alternative approach achieves several of the original objectives of entropy regularisation in reinforcement learning, such as increased sample efficiency and potentially better final rewards. Whilst entropy has a significant role, our results in the competitive case indicate that position bias is still a considerable challenge.
A geographical analysis of the impacts of construction and demolition waste on wetland functionality in South Africa: a study of Gauteng province
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024-09) Mangoro, Ngonidzashe; Kubanza, Nzalalemba Serge; Mulala, Danny Simatele
The purpose of this study was to investigate construction and demolition waste management processes in sub-Saharan Africa and how they affect wetland ecosystems, using South Africa as a case study. Construction and demolition (CDW) waste has become a massive urban environmental challenge on a global scale, but more so in developing countries found in sub-Saharan Africa. In the context of South Africa, construction and demolition waste is not a waste stream taken seriously by local and national authorities because it is ‘general waste that does not pose an immediate threat to the environment. This position is premised on the idea that construction and demolition waste is generally inert (chemically inactive) and therefore cannot cause an immediate environmental risk. In this study, it is argued that the environmental risk of waste goes beyond the embedded chemical constituencies because some waste streams can cause immediate environmental risk through their physical properties depending on the location of disposal. It is further argued that although CDW is generally inert, disposal in wetlands immediately disrupts the way wetland ecosystem’s function, causing several environmental risks. To mitigate the environmental threats posed by construction and demolition waste, this study proposes a change in the methodological approaches and strategies deployed to manage the waste stream, such as by introducing a hybrid of circular economy and industrial ecology to minimize or eliminate waste production. This study involved several data collection and analysis methods. Using a combination of qualitative and quantitative studies methods, data was collected with the goal to understand the perceptions of experts on how construction and demolition waste management in South Africa affects wetland ecosystems and what can be done to effectively manage the waste stream in the context of a developing country. Data informing this study were collected through semi-structured interviews and surveys in the province of Gauteng, specifically in the City of Johannesburg and City of Ekurhuleni Municipalities, where there is massive illegal dumping in wetlands for various reasons. Furthermore, apart from the use of semi-structured interviews and surveys, a digital elevation model was generated in ArcGIS Pro 10.1 software to measure the effects of construction and demolition waste on wetlands in the study area. The approach to this study using both qualitative and quantitative methods was crucial because it provided human perceptions which were accurately corroborated by GIS software. The study found that construction and demolition waste management in South Africa is affected by several challenges that lead to massive illegal dumping in critical ecological ecosystems such as wetlands. In a broad sense, the major challenge to sustainable construction and demolition waste management in South Africa is institutional failure at both the local and national levels. Local authorities such as municipalities are characterized by massive corruption, poor funding, and lack of strategic technologies among other things, while at the national level, there is massive interference with municipal affairs through bureaucratic delays in the disbursement of municipal funds. A combination of these and other factors leads to illegal dumping of construction and demolition waste across the Gauteng Province, particularly in wetlands in low-income areas. The data informing this study reveals that dumping construction and demolition waste in wetlands causes an immediate threat to the existence of wetlands through massive sedimentation with insoluble materials. It is ultimately found that construction and demolition waste destroy the ability of wetlands to offer ecosystem services such as flood attenuation, carbon sequestration, water filtration, and habitat provision, among other functions, leading to environmental events such as flooding. A combination of circular economy and industrial ecology can be one of the ways that can be deployed to effectively and sustainably manage construction and demolition waste in South Africa. The circular economy and its three principles of ‘reduce’, ‘recycle’, and ‘reuse’ has been successfully deployed in developed countries in the European Union, where recycling has topped 70% of the total construction waste generated. Industrial ecology with its analogy of industrial ecoparks has been deployed in the European Union with immense success, until more attention was directed to circular economy. With an increase in municipal funding and introduction of a construction waste information system, a combination of ‘circular economy’ and ‘industrial ecology’ can significantly help to reduce pressure on wetlands and the environment at large. Even though the methodological improvements suggested above could significantly reduce pressure on wetlands, the implementation could be faced with institutional challenges. Therefore, it is argued that urgent institutional transformation is required to make tangible changes in the field of construction and demolition waste management. It is recommended that there should be increased law enforcement to curb widespread illegal dumping in South Africa’s major cities. It is also recommended that, like in Europe, South Africa must introduce tailor-made legislation of policies for construction and demolition waste alone. Promulgation of dedicated legislation provides clear direction on how the waste stream is managed and who is responsible for specific roles. Furthermore, dedicated legislation can be a crucial tool to deliver sustainable construction and demolition waste management in South Africa because it can be used to encourage the use of recycled aggregates and limit the amount of illegal dumping or extraction of materials from the environment. Finally, dedicated construction and demolition waste legislation can be used to shift from the traditional view of pollution or contamination through toxicity, and so the value of this study is immediately apparent.
A Geospatial Approach to Mapping Jacaranda Tree Distribution in Johannesburg, South Africa
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023-11) Reddy, Rohini Chelsea; Fitchett, Jennifer
Accurate mapping of the spatial distribution of invasive species is vital for the implementation of effective monitoring and management strategies. In countries where resources are scarce and costly, citizen science provides a cost-effective and accurate alternative for large-scale data collection. Citizen’s familiarity with their environment contributes to aspects such as accurate identification of features on the landscape. Advances in a geographic information system (GIS) together with open-sourced photography from Google Street View, provide accurate methods for in-field and remote validation of citizen science data for invasive mapping and assists with the creation and compilation of maps to visualize the spatial distribution of invasive plants upon the landscape. In this study, the first spatial distribution maps for invasive tree species, Jacaranda mimosofolia (common name: Jacaranda), are created for the City of Johannesburg (CoJ). Jacaranda trees are well-known by citizens in the CoJ for their district purple flowers which blanket the landscape during springtime. A combination approach using citizen science, GIS, and Google Street View for data collection, analysis, and creation of the first spatial distribution map of exact location and prevalence of Jacaranda trees within certain suburbs of the CoJ, is produced. A total of 8,931 ground-truthing geopoints together with extensive Google Street View validation for Jacaranda tree presence, formed the basis of accurate spatial distribution maps. The first research question of this study focused on the spatial distribution of Jacaranda trees in the CoJ and was answered as a total of 54 suburbs were confirmed as having a large presence of Jacaranda trees in the CoJ. Citizen science data collected a total of 488 geotags for possible Jacaranda tree presence in the CoJ, over a 75-day online survey collection period. Although citizen science data provided a lower spatial resolution compared to successful fieldwork and Google Street View approaches, citizen science data provided very high accuracy for the identification and geolocation of Jacaranda tree presence in the CoJ which answers the second research question based on the effectiveness of the geospatial approach towards citizen science, ground-truthing and Google Street View as data collection methods. Since the accuracy of citizen science resulted in 66% of collected geotags within the categories of ‘very high’, ‘high’ and ‘moderate’ accuracy ranges of between <7-24m from a confirmed Jacaranda tree, together with the accuracy of 8,931 in-field collected geolocation of Jacaranda trees and Google Street View’s accuracy and capability of collecting street view imagery – it is concluded that the combined approach of ground-truthing, citizen science and Google Street View contribute not only to effective data collection, but also towards the successful mapping of Jacaranda tree presence in the CoJ.
A GIS framework for the integrated conceptualisation, analysis and visualisation of Gauteng's complex historic and contemporary post-mining urban landscape
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Khanyile, Samkelisiwe; Esterhuysen, Amanda; Kelso, Clare
This research study applies assemblage theory as a philosophical lens. It proposes a framework for integrating contemporary and historical landscape characteristics of post-mining and urban landscapes for an integrated conceptualisation, mapping, and analysis of Gauteng, South Africa. The study utilises a mixed methods approach, incorporating spatial and non-spatial (literature and survey) data of varying formats to identify landscape characteristics. Additionally, it applies three multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) and GIS mapping techniques, employing a simplified rationale to keep its complexity low. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the quantitative data, while the qualitative data was analysed using a thematic analysis. The literature and survey analysis findings were used to inform the development of a framework demonstrating the integration of Gauteng's post-mining and urban landscape characteristics using a fuzzy overlay, weighted overlay and random forest classification, along with an accuracy assessment of the mapped results. Based on the proposed framework, the mapped results' performance was evaluated through four methods: confusion error matrix, cross-evaluation, areal coverage comparison, and an image differencing assessment. The literature and survey analysis findings, used to inform the framework, reveal that the two landscapes consist of an assemblage of characteristics and highlight differences in the characterisation of post- mining and urban landscapes. Distinctions were also apparent between literature-derived characteristics and those identified from local experts. The local expert-derived characteristics demonstrate context- specific characteristics of Gauteng's post-mining and urban landscape. At the same time, those based on the literature emphasise a more distinct and separate portrayal of post-mining and urban landscape characteristics (pages 115-116). The characteristics identified from local experts were less conservative (pages 117-118). They included urban-related characteristics in the description of post-mining landscapes and mining-related characteristics in the description of urban landscapes, presenting some similarities in the characterisation of these two landscapes in Gauteng. Moreover, the findings from local experts also revealed that literature and other written or mapped work informed most definitions of post-mining and urban landscapes. The framework for integrating landscape characteristics (pages 121-123) was spatially represented through the three mapping methods, visually demonstrating several findings providing insight into the Gauteng landscape's uniqueness. First, it demonstrates that the differences in the characterisation of these landscapes also impact how they are spatially represented. The maps of post-mining and urban landscape characteristics based on the literature presented a similar pattern to the traditional mapping of mining and urban landscapes in Gauteng. These mapping techniques show the highest values across the mining belt and at the province's core. These findings highlight the influence of literature on the representation of these two landscapes, which is consistent with local experts' reports. In all three mapping methods, the maps generated from local expert characterisations of post-mining and urban landscapes presented a larger spatial footprint than those based on literature-derived characteristics. This distinction was attributed to incorporating additional post-mining and urban landscape characteristics in the maps based on expert input and applying the three mapping techniques - using representation methods not commonly used in mapping these landscapes. Second, the integrated maps of post-mining and urban landscape characteristics suggested a variance in the presence of post-mining and urban landscape characteristics across the province in the maps generated using fuzzy and weighted overlay techniques. This indicates that some parts of the province have a higher or lower presence of post-mining or urban characteristics (pages 125-132). These findings were visible in the maps generated from literature and local experts, indicating the diversity of both landscapes and the co-existence of post-mining and urban landscape characteristics in the local expert maps. This implies an intricate relationship between these landscapes, challenging the idea of them being strictly separate, as indicated in maps presenting characteristics identified from the literature. Furthermore, a closer inspection of the areas showing the intersection between post-mining and urban landscape characteristics also points towards the porosity of boundaries of these two landscapes and alevel of spatial overlap, organisation and arrangement, which are prevalent at varying levels (pages 164- 168). Third, the maps generated using literature-derived characteristics achieved higher accuracy scores, attributed to using reference data traditionally used to map the two landscapes under investigation. This reference data only comprised classes that characterised the physical mining and urban classes, consistent with those identified in the literature. Consequently, it lacked additional factors characterising the post-mining and urban landscape identified from local experts. The fuzzy overlay maps informed by literature demonstrated an accuracy exceeding 70% for post-mining and urban landscape characteristics. In comparison, those reported by local experts scored 64. The weighted overlay and random forest classification resulted in accuracy rates exceeding 50% for post-mining landscape characteristics maps, regardless of whether literature or expert-derived characteristics were used. Additionally, urban landscape characteristics maps achieved an accuracy of over 76%, regardless of the characteristics used to inform the mapping. These findings were attributed to the different mapping techniques employed, with fuzzy and weighted overlay using a gradual range scale, while random forest classification employed a binary scale. This highlights how different mapping methods affect the representation of space. Additionally, it demonstrates the versatility of these mapping techniques in mapping complex spaces such as post-mining and urban landscapes. In this study, the fuzzy overlay accuracies exceeded 60% for all maps and emerged as the most suitable choice for integrating landscape characteristics due to its ability to represent blurred and porous boundaries between Gauteng's post- mining and urban landscapes. In conclusion, the study challenges the notion of post-mining and urban landscapes as distinct landscapes, emphasising the importance of considering the varying levels of spatial intersection between these two landscapes. With the proposed framework and the alternative representation of these landscapes, including contextual information, this research provides insights into new conceptualisations of urban, post-mining landscapes and mineralised urbanisations as assemblages of different landscapes and characteristics with porous boundaries. This enables a better understanding of Gauteng's post-mining and urban landscapes, which could benefit the representation, communication and management of these landscapes. Recognising the potential applications and limitations of frameworks such as the one developed for this study, the high-level recommendation arising from this study suggests a need for ongoing research into the contextual representation of landscapes and their characteristics. This can be achieved by incorporating input from communities, conducting research on quantifying intangible landscape characteristics and developing tools that facilitate the automation and alignment of such data with development plans.
A Phenotype Prediction Framework for Classifying Colorectal Cancer Patients’ Response to FOLFOX Treatment: An Integrated Approach
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Mashatola, Lebohang; Kaur, Mandeep
Colorectal cancer (CRC), characterised by its prevalence and heterogeneity, poses a significant challenge in understanding drug resistance, especially in the context of FOLFOX treatment. This study presents an innovative methodology that integrates diverse data analysis approaches to address the challenge of predicting the phenotype of CRC patients resistant or sensitive to FOLFOX. The initial analysis involved dierential and co-expression analyses, identifying pivotal hub genes crucial to drug resistance in CRC, regulating intricate molecular networks. Subsequent enrichment analysis revealed their significant roles in biological functions, particularly influencing DNA repair and nuclear division. To capture inherent topological characteristics within genetic expression data, a novel technique utilising topological data analysis (TDA) was employed. By applying persistence homology to generate persistence images, the Vietoris-Rips complex was constructed using the signed-topological overlap matrix, comprehensively capturing numerous topological features, including high-dimensional Betti-1 and Betti-2. This provided valuable insights into the structural patterns of gene expression between the hub genes. Furthermore, the integration of whole-slide images enhanced understanding of tissue anatomy, which is crucial for predicting cancer stages. Using a MobileNet architecture, a deep learning model classified cancer stages, contributing to a holistic understanding of colorectal tumor microenvironments. For predictive modelling of drug resistance, a multilayer perceptron applied topological summaries generated by TDA. The developed framework, GeTopology, exhibited remarkable performance metrics, achieving an overall 83% accuracy in predicting the FOLFOX response, demonstrating a 3% improvement over a previously published phenotype prediction framework (NSCLC ) that utilised similar data modes. Robust accuracies were consistently observed in independent datasets, classifying both cancer patients and healthy individuals. The results indicated an approximate 10% increase in model prediction accuracy compared to NSCLC, emphasising the potential clinical impact of this integrative approach. In conclusion, this study advances the understanding of drug resistance in CRC by proposing a novel approach that integrates topology with histopathological images, oering transformative insights into predictive modelling and precision medicine
A Review of Mineral Exploration at the Karingarab Carbonatite, Southern Namibia
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Nehoya, Jennifer Ndapanda; Nex, Paul
This research report reviews the Karingarab Carbonatite, which is one of several alkaline and carbonatite occurrences in Namibia targeted for rare earth element (REE) potential which are used in medical, renewable energy, technology and military applications. Several exploration campaigns have occurred at the Karingarab Carbonatite since 1977 and all indicate positive concentrations of REEs at the deposit. The Karingarab Carbonatite (68 Ma) is one of 41 alkaline and carbonatite occurrences in Namibia which is documented in this report and is very similar in terms of composition, age and emplacement to the Dicker Willem (49 Ma) and the Gross Brukkaros carbonatites (77 Ma) all located along south-west to north-east trending structures on the west coast of southern Namibia. The Karingarab Carbonatite lies in the center of a 2.5 km diameter circular vent raise 300 m above sea level, the edges of the vent are brecciated extrusive phonolites and other alkali silicate rocks with country rock fragments of phyllites and schists of the Oranjemund group, crosscut with late stage dykes of varying compositions in the alkaline and carbonatite series. Four main lithology types are identified through their distinct geochemical signatures with varying degrees of weathering and alteration. The target and main lithology is a layered extrusive carbonatite with lapilli of various shapes and sizes diluted in parts with mostly phonolites, schists and phyllites. The second more common lithology is extrusive phonolites which are mostly brecciated with cross cutting carbonatite dykes. The third lithology type is formed by clay rich autoclastic volcanic breccias which are a mixture of all the proximal and local rock types of the Oranjemund group, lastly the fourth lithology is formed by overburden which includes wind-blown dune sands and calcrete. The extrusive carbonatite lapilli is the dominant ore type, with deeper, fresh and unaltered carbonatites still mineralized and carrying lower grades while the shallower, weathered and altered carbonatite shows supergene enrichment and extremely high grades. This enrichment was upgraded by events in the early Paleogene which included deep erosion and surface weathering events along with a regional surface silcretization event capping and trapping mineralization. Preliminary findings following the first two drilling campaigns indicate a potential to produce from the carbonatite, 181 million tonnes of ore with 3.5 million tonnes of total rare earth oxides (REOs) at an average grade of 1.9% total REEs. The deposit remains partly open at depth, with satellite concealed volcanic occurrences still to be explored. Should the target become an operational mine, responsible sourcing will need to be considered particularly how to extract, refine, transport and process REEs in a manner which satisfies environmental, social and governance requirements (ESG) while ensuring the mineral value chain and potential industry spill-over is managed sustainably. Major risks to the target involve the criticality of supply which may be managed through monitoring geopolitics in supply, and technology improvements in substitution and recycling for the REEs and their products. Apart from these economic interests, the observations and studies on the subsurface lithologies at Karingarab will be invaluable to academia through improved literature on carbonatites, REE deposit genesis and the regional geology where much is covered by sand
A Study of Financial Models and their Symmetry Driven Analytical Solutions
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024-07) Maphanga, Rivoningo; Jamal, Sameerah
The theory of financial models play a crucial role in understanding and predicting the behaviour of various financial instruments. In this thesis, we explore the application of Lie symmetries and boundary conditions in four prominent financial models: the Black-Scholes, a generalized bond-pricing, a CEV type, and an option-pricing model. These models revolutionized the field of mathematical finance by introducing a framework for valuing options or bonds. We investigate the Lie symmetries underlying these equations and explore their implications in financial mathematics. By employing Lie symmetries, we are able to identify invariant solutions, leading to a deeper understanding of the dynamics and behaviour of the equations. Furthermore, the thesis delves into the role of boundary conditions in financial models. Boundary conditions play a vital role in defining the behaviour of financial instruments, and their accurate specification is essential for obtaining meaningful results. We analyze the impact of different boundary or terminal conditions on option and bond pricing models. By examining the effects of boundary conditions, we enhance our understanding of the limitations and nuances of these models in different financial scenarios. Bond pricing models are vital in the valuation and risk management of fixed-income securities and their investigation provides insights into the behaviour of bond prices and yields. By uncovering the underlying symmetries and understanding the implications of boundary conditions, we aim to enhance the accuracy and predictive power of bond and option pricing models.
A study of the support effect of carbon dots-derived graphene-like sheets on the autoreduction of cobalt nanoparticles for Fischer–Tropsch synthesis
(2022) Mokoloko, Lerato Lydia
The aim of this study was to synthesize and characterize carbon dots (CDs) and to use them as a support material for cobalt (Co) based Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) reactions. The CDs were chosen for this study due to their small size (< 10 nm), easy surface functionalization and synthesis. The small size of the CDs was required for the study of inverse catalyst support effects. An inverse supported catalyst (in this case, the Co/CDs catalyst) refers to the dispersion of a support material that has a small size (d < 5 nm) onto the surface of a metal catalyst with a similar small size (d > 8 nm). The synthesis of this proposed catalyst was successful. FTS studies on the Co ‘supported’ CDs were attempted. Extremely poor FT activity was observed. Post analysis of the catalyst revealed that the CDs did not retain their quasi-spherical and small particle size morphology under the FTS reaction conditions (temperature 220 °C, 10 bar P; H2:CO ratio = 2:1). Instead, upon exposure to a heat treatment, the CDs were transformed into layered structures with a unique resemblance to graphene-based nanosheets (GNSs). This transformation impacted on the use of these catalysts in the FTS reaction. However, this result indicated an unusual transformation of the CDs into another carbon shape. In light of the fascinating transformation phenomenon, annealing studies were then conducted to investigate the effect of annealing temperatures on the CDs structural changes. The CDs (average d= ~ 2.5 nm) used in this study were obtained from the microwave-assisted carbonization of L-ascorbic acid and subjected to a heat treatment (i.e. annealing) at temperatures between 200 and 700 ℃ in a horizontal CVD apparatus under an inert nitrogen gas. It was observed that annealing transformed the CDs from 0-D qausi-spherical nanoparticles to 3- D multi-layered carbons (at 300-600 ℃) and finally 2-D layered materials (at 700 ℃). Furthermore, annealing at 700 ℃ yielded a 2-D single-layered material with comparable properties to traditionally reduced graphene oxide (rGO). A wide range of characterization techniques were used to gain an insight into the physicochemical properties of these novel CDs-derived allotropes as well as to rationalize their mechanism of formation. After evaluating the properties of these materials, it was clear that the surface oxygen functional groups, observed from XPS, 13C NMR and other studies, were responsible for the CDs to rGO transformation. It was proposed that the CDs are assembled to form rGO (and other CDs-rGO derivatives) by either the Ostwald ripening (in which the carbons agglomerated via a gas phase) or a solid phase reaction (involving reaction of CD edges). To further investigate the effect of annealing on the evolution of CDs to layered carbon structures, N-doped CDs (or NCDs) were also studied. The method used to make the pristine CDs was modified by incorporating urea as a nitrogen source to make the NCDs. Annealing the NCDs at temperatures between 200 and 700 ℃ also transformed the quasi-spherical NCDs (average d = ~ 4.1 nm) to multi-layered carbon sheets at temperature as low as 200 ℃. The CD transformation was also associated with the loss of surface functional groups, with % O and N contents of ca. 17 and 16 % (pristine NCDs) being reduced to ca. 8 and 7 % for NCDs annealed at 700 ℃. A similar mechanism for the formation of these N-doped layered carbon structures by annealing was also proposed here. For these samples, it was also observed that the N-bonds, especially the sp3 type nitrogen bonds found on the edges of the NCDs, also took part in the coalescence of the NCDs to give the layered materials. XPS data suggested that in the process, these sp3 type nitrogen bonds were transformed into sp2 pyrrolic-N, pyridinic-N and GraphiticN groups. The annealed CDs products were used to support Co (called Co3O4/T250, Co3O4/T400 and Co3O4/T700 where T is the temperature at which the CDs were annealed) for use in FT studies. Studies were conducted to evaluate the effect Co hydrogen reduction temperatures verses autoreduction temperature, catalyst thermal stability and performance in the FTS reaction at 220 °C (10 bar P; H2:CO ratio = 2:1). Upon investigation of the reduction behaviour of the Co/CDs derivative catalysts using in situ PXRD, it was found that these materials can successfully facilitate autoreduction of Co3O4 to Co face-centered-cubic (fcc) at temperatures > 400 ℃ by a reduction pathway similar to that observed using conventional H2 reduction conditions. As expected, the reduction under H2 took place at a lower activation temperature (> 250 ℃) than the autoreduction process. It was also noted that these novel carbon support derived from CDs gave reduced FTS performance compared to the unsupported Co, especially towards C5+ yields (< 30 % for all Co supported catalysts). These novel CDs-derived allotropes were found to have limited use as supports in Co-based FTS, due to Co agglomeration. These NCDs-derived allotropes (annealed at 200 ℃, 400 ℃ and 700 ℃) were incorporated as active layers in the fabrication of chemoresistive sensing device detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These layered showed enhanced chemical vapour sensing properties, especially for methanol and ethanol detection at room temperature. Therefore, although there are great limitations for applications of these CDs-derived layered allotropes in FTS reaction, these materials show a much better potential for applications in facile and cost effective VOC sensors. Further studies on this will be conducted.
A symmetry perspective of third-order polynomial evolution equations
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Gwaxa, Bongumusa; Jamal, Sameerah
In this thesis, we analyse the full class of ten Fujimoto-Watanabe equations. In particular, these are highly nonlinear third-order and two fifth-order equations. With the aid of computer algebra software such as Mathematica, we calculate symmetries for these equations and we construct their commutator tables. The one dimensional system of optimal subalgebras is obtained via adjoint operators. Finally, we reduce these higher-order partial differential equations into ordinary differential equations, derive their solutions via a power series solution method and show how convergence may be tested. Lastly, we determine some conservation laws
A systematic study on the use of the sol-gel synthetic method for lithium manganese oxide-based cathode materials
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024-09) Muntswu, Zwivhuya; Billing, Caren; Ferg, Ernst E.; Billing, David G.
This dissertation investigated the synthesis of two lithium manganese oxide-based cathode materials (Li1.03Mn1.97O4 and LiAl0.4Mn1.6O4) using the sol-gel method and probing the phase transitions during the synthesis. The sol-gel synthetic method involved dissolving stoichiometric amounts of lithium nitrate, manganese nitrate hydrate, and citric acid in distilled water forming an aqueous solution. The starting precursor materials were dried at 140 °C which formed a crystalline phase of -Aqua-S-citrato (2-)-manganese(II) with an orthorhombic crystal system and P222 space group. The thermal behaviour of the precursor was explored to understand the effects of calcination/annealing temperatures. Thermal analysis of precursors prepared using nitrate salts with a 1:1 total metal ion to citric acid ratio displayed thermal stability to temperatures higher than 380 °C with the formation of a final metal oxide after 70% mass loss due to the decomposition of the organic and nitrate materials. However, when increasing the concentration of the complexing agent, an increase in material decomposition due to an increase in organic material is seen. The precursor materials prepared with a lower complexing agent concentration result in materials that have thermal instability when exposed to high temperatures. Thermal analysis of Li1.03Mn1.97O4 and LiAl0.4Mn1.6O4 prepared using acetate salts as starting materials shows material decomposition at high temperature of ~600 °C Calcining both undoped and Al-doped nitrate precursors at moderate temperatures (380 °C to 500 °C) resulted in the formation of Li1.03Mn1.97O4 and LiAl0.4Mn1.6O4 with a pure cubic spinel structure and an Fd-3m space group, however, increasing the calcining temperature to 800 °C for the undoped nitrate-based precursor revealed an impurity phase formation relating to dilithium manganese oxide with a monoclinic crystal system. On the other hand, calcining acetate-based precursors at moderate temperatures (380 °C to 500°C) results in metal oxides with low crystallinity compared to metal oxides prepared with nitrate-based precursors. Calcining acetate-based precursors at 800 °C was more favourable since they form the desired metal oxides without any impurities which might imply structural phase stability at high temperatures. The local and average crystallographic structures (via PDF and XRD respectively) of various nitrate-based metal oxides were investigated, where a good agreement between collected data and a calculated structural model revealed the formation of a cubic spinel structure of space group Fd-3m. Li1.03Mn1.97O4 and LiAl0.4Mn1.6O4 metal oxides were achieved from calcining precursors at moderate temperatures of 380 °C and 450 °C. The PDF high r-value signal displays a good fit which confirms to the average structure data information where the r-value signal which correspond to the local structure refinements have a minor discrepancy when fitted with a cubic spinel of space group Fd-3m.
Accessory REE mineralization of the Nokeng fluorite deposit as distal facies of the adjacent Vergenoeg pipe, Bushveld Complex, South Africa
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024-10) Makhema, Relebohile Edward; Yudovskaya, Marina; Madlakana, Nonkuselo
The Nokeng Plattekop deposit forms part of the Paleoproterozoic Bushveld Complex and it is located near Rust de Winter, approximately 80 km northeast of Pretoria. This deposit belongs to the Vergenoeg Igneous Complex, which is associated with a violent gas-vapour-rich rhyolitic eruption. The complex comprises the Vergenoeg discordant breccia pipe and a pyroclastic rock suite. Within the breccia pipe and associated pyroclastic rocks, rare earth element (REE) mineralization is observed in minerals like allanite, apatite, bastnasite, monazite, and xenotime. The Plattekop fluorite deposit, which lies 1000 m south of the breccia pipe, is postulated to represent spill-over remnants of the Vergenoeg volcanic edifice. This study performed a comprehensive petrographic and geochemical analysis of ore and pyroclastic breccia of the Nokeng Plattekop deposit, utilizing various analytical techniques, including optical microscopy, XRF, ICP-MS, and SEM. The aim is to characterise the style of accessory REE mineralization at Nokeng as a provisional distal facies of the Vergenoeg volcanic field. The findings of this study suggest that the Nokeng Plattekop deposit comprises a hematite-fluorite unit overlying an ignimbrite unit. Hematite-fluorite ores of the upper unit resemble the Vergenoeg ore, exhibiting elevated CaO concentrations and reduced SiO2 content attributed to high fluorite and hematite proportions. Conversely, the ignimbrite unit displays reduced CaO and elevated SiO2 concentrations, corresponding to lower fluorite content and higher rhyolitic lava fragments. The basal ignimbrite is proposed to have formed during the early stages of rhyolitic volcanism, while Nokeng and Vergenoeg ores formed during later stages dominated by Ca- and F-rich ferruginous magma. Petrographic evidence suggests hematite pseudomorphs after magnetite, indicating mineral assemblage evolution. REE mineralization in the Plattekop fluorite deposit is represented by bastnasite, monazite and xenotime, mostly associated with quartz, goethite, aegirine, hematite and fluorite. The highest REE + Y content (~ 5 890 ppm) is associated with Plattekop hematite-fluorite ores. Comparative analysis of REE distribution patterns suggests similar styles of mineralization between Vergenoeg and Nokeng, indicating both deposits as potential sources of REEs as by-product.
An Assessment of Beauty Waste Management Practices: A Case Study of Rustenburg Beauty Salons
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Knight, Jasper; Knight, Jasper
The beauty salon industry is one of the fastest growing industries and is a significant waste generator in South Africa. Waste that results from beauty salons is a thorny environmental issue because it spans from different waste types and sources. Futhermore it requires waste treatment and different disposal methods. In view of this, this study seeks to assess waste management practices of beauty salons in Rustenburg, South Africa, in order to identify the types of waste salons generate and to identify recommendations that can assist beauty salons to be environmentally sustainable by improving their waste management practices. The aim of the research is to understand how beauty salon waste is discarded and to what degree beauty salon personnel understand the impacts of waste on the environment. The objectives of this research are to (1) determine the total amount of waste produced by selected beauty salons in Rustenburg, (2) identify the waste management practices undertaken by the beauty salons, (3) explore the challenges the beauty salons face in relation to waste management, and (4) identify recommendations of how beauty salons in South Africa can further improve their waste management practices. This study employed a mixed methods design through quantifying the amount of waste the selected beauty salons generate over a two month period, and by interviewing salon personell on their views on salon waste and waste management practices. Fifteen salons were surveyed. Results were analyzed using thematic analysis. The results show that the all the beauty salons combined produce a total annual estimated waste of 4732.2 kg. Through interviews, the study identified waste management practices of the beauty salons to be primarily premised on discarding waste in dustbins for municipal collection, burning waste, or dumping waste in unregulated dumping sites when waste service delivery poses challenges. These three practices are the most common modes of waste disposal in the Rustenburg beauty salons. Issues of waste management facing beauty salons includes lack of waste facilities and lack of knowledge about waste management. The major recommendation from beauty salons and civil (professional) organisations was for government to provide beauty salons with better infrastructure for waste sorting, recycling, pick-up and disposal. Promotion of good practice and awareness campaigns were cited as recommendations to improve waste management practices in beauty salons
An Essay on Branching Time Logics
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Marais, Chantel
In this thesis we investigate the Priorian logics of a variety of classes of trees. These classes of trees are divided in to irreflexive and reflexive trees, and each of these has a number of subclasses, for example, dense irreflexive trees, discrete reflexive trees, irreflexive trees with branches isomorphic to the natural numbers, etc. We find finite axiomatisations for the logics of these different classes of trees and show that each logic is sound and strongly / weakly complete with respect to the respective class of trees. The methods use to show completeness vary from adapting some known constructions for specific purposes, including unravelling and bulldozing, building a network step-by-step, filtering through a finite set of formulas, as well as using some new processes, namely refining the filtration and unfolding. Once the logics have been shown to be sound and complete with respect to the different classes of trees, we also show that most of these logics are decidable, using methods that include the finite model property, mosaics and conservative extensions. Lastly, we give a glimpse into the available research on other languages used to study branching time structures, including the Peircean and Ockhamist languages, and languages that include additional modal operators like “since” and “until”
An essential variable approach for integrated social-ecological systems monitoring to determine sustainability in a South African catchment
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024-05) Itzkin, Adela; Clifford-Holmes, Jai Kumar; Coetzer, Kaera; Scholes, Mary
This thesis presents an essential variable (EV) approach tailored for integrated social ecological systems (SES) monitoring within the Tsitsa River Catchment (TRC) in South Africa. The study addresses the conceptual and methodological challenges inherent in SES integration and monitoring to provide insights into sustainable landscape management. The research methodology employed a transdisciplinary social learning process, integrating systems thinking and participatory research methods across three related publications. In the first publication, systems diagramming, qualitative interviews, and participatory data collection provided a systemic snapshot of the interconnected social and biophysical drivers of land degradation in the TRC. The findings underscored the dual benefits of changes in land use and grazing practices for landscape improvement and sustainable livelihoods, informing the identification of monitoring variables crucial for sustainable land management. In the second publication, a social learning process, termed participatory self-observation, explored approaches to enhance integration and monitoring of biophysical and social data for adaptive management. The process identified data integration, overload, scale, learning oriented monitoring, and relationship-building as key challenges in SES monitoring Recommendations included participatory approaches focusing on applied work, identifying essential data for SES monitoring, and improving transdisciplinary collaboration. In the third publication, a transdisciplinary process guided by EV development identified Essential Social-ecological System Variables (ESEVs) for the TRC, emphasising the relational connection between social and ecological aspects of SESs. ESEVs were prioritized based on essentiality scores and participant consensus, facilitating integrated planning and management at the catchment scale. The ESEVs identified for the TRC include 'soil erosion related to human actions on the land,' 'participation in natural resource governance,' 'grazing and rangeland sustainability,' and 'land cover and condition. Participants proposed three additional ESEVs, 'access to water,' 'local natural resource governance system,' and 'human well-being in the landscape'. The study concludes that collaborative learning informed by diverse transdisciplinary perspectives can guide adaptive monitoring approaches, with lessons from the TRC applicable to diverse contexts. The ESEV approach offers wider application value, addressing the question of the minimum variables needed for integrative landscape management in complex SESs. Overall, this thesis pioneers a transdisciplinary mixed-methods approach for efficiently monitoring social-ecological sustainability outcomes. Through advancements in conceptualizations of integrated, contextually grounded monitoring, it offers a novel perspective for understanding the implications of development interventions, bridging critical gaps in SES monitoring.