South African National Parks Research Articles

Maximising the value of visual data in South African National Parks

No abstract available.

To move or not? Tourists’ perceptions and management considerations of a beached whale carcass in a South African national park and marine protected area

The handling of beached cetacean carcasses requires social, legal, financial, ecological and logistical considerations. However, limited research on the topic hinders informed decision-making. A large humpback whale carcass that washed ashore at a South African marine protected area (MPA) provided an opportunity to gain insight into tourists’ perspectives on carcass management within a national park and MPA setting. Eighty tourists were interviewed, and a thematic analysis approach was adopted to identify key themes and quantify the responses. Chi-square tests of independence were used to determine (i) whether the respondents’ views on cetacean carcass management were dependent on their knowledge of the site’s MPA designation, and (ii) whether the provision of contextual information would influence the respondents’ perceptions. Tourists had mixed responses to whale carcass management, with half the respondents indicating that the carcass should be left to decompose naturally. Viewpoints were significantly influenced when context and information on the decision-making process were provided, with more respondents stating that no management intervention should be necessary. We propose a simple flow-diagram as a decision-support tool, which, in combination with spatial zonation maps to identify applicable management options, will help guide decision-making for management authorities. Inclusivity, transparency and consultation with experienced role-players from multiple agencies will provide legitimacy to the final management decisions.

Global astrotourism initiatives and the applicability of their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to astrotourism in South African National Parks

South African National Parks (SANParks) must generate operational income through innovative resource development. Astrotourism was identified as a potentially suitable income-generating activity. Various astrotourism initiatives are operational globally. However, their applicability within the South African context is unknown. The research evaluated successful global astrotourism initiatives to determine how these examples can be applicable to SANParks. Sixty-two global astrotourism initiatives were evaluated and 42 in-depth stakeholder interviews were conducted. Thematical data analysis was followed by a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis. The research makes a meaningful contribution by highlighting important concepts for consideration in support of viable astrotourism development in SANParks. Elements requiring consideration to provide tourists with quality experiences include appropriate locations for astrotourism activities, mitigation of light pollution, climate, seasonality, need for community engagement, well-trained presenters, carefully planned programmes and development of suitable management policies to protect dark skies, allowing for variation within each park's unique situation.

Hybridization in an isolated population of blesbok and red hartebeest.

Hybridization in antelope species has been widely reported in South African national parks and provincial reserves as well as on private land due to anthropogenic effects. In a closed management setting, hybridization may occur due to the crossbreeding of closely related species with unequal sex ratios, resulting in either sterile or fertile offspring. In this study, we used molecular techniques to evaluate the risk of anthropogenic hybridization between blesbok (Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi) and red hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus caama) in an isolated group that purposely included the two species with unequal sex ratios (one red hartebeest male and 19 male and female blesbok). Genetic analysis based on microsatellites confirmed the presence of seven hybrid individuals. Mitochondrial analysis verified that hybridization occurred between blesbok females and the red hartebeest male. STRUCTURE and NEWHYBRIDS classified the hybrids as F1. It is suspected that the hybrid individuals were sterile as the males had undeveloped testes and only F1 hybrids were detected. Thus, the risk of hybridization between these two species may be limited in the wild. In captive settings, genetic monitoring should be included in management plans for blesbok and red hartebeest to ensure that the long-term consequences of wasted reproductive effort are limited.

Development of Open Education Resources to Teach Oral History: Perspectives of a Sports Heritage-Engaged Scholarship Initiative in Gauteng, South Africa

Gaps exist in archival practices, and developments are in progress to decolonise and transform archives by supplementing existing archival collections with oral history accounts. This is a recent development in the archival field, requiring archivists and records managers to become aware of how oral history collections should be undertaken to preserve testimonies related to socio-economic, sociopolitical, and cultural events not yet captured by South African public archivists. An open educational resource (OER) was developed in 2022 as part of an engaged scholarship initiative to instruct archivists on oral history research techniques and how to apply research ethics when undertaking such projects. The research paradigm for this study was a postmodernist qualitative study. Action-based research was used in the research design. Action research is a flexible methodology uniquely suited to research and support change. It integrates social research with exploratory actions to promote development. Action research outcomes are both practical and theoretical. The knowledge it generates directly and continuously impacts the changing practices of the participants. Data from participants were collected through recorded project workshops and meetings. The content for the OER was developed from observing online videos showcasing oral history interviews, consulting literature on OER development, and discussions with archivists and heritage collectors at the South African National Film, Video and Sound Archives, the South African National Parks Board, and the Gauteng Provincial Archives. The OER was developed to enable collaboration to ensure that the oral narratives of postcolonial Africa, particularly post-apartheid South Africa, are not lost but captured by the public archives’ services for the benefit of South Africans and other interested stakeholders.

Trends and impacts of temperature and fire regimes in South Africa’s coastal national parks: implications for tourism

Climate change poses significant risks on coastal national park-based tourism through its effect on accessibility, comfort levels, and spatiotemporal changes of attractions. Wildfires and extreme temperatures have become issues of concern. Due to the widespread occurrence of fires in national parks along coastal areas and the noticeable changes in temperature regimes, more needs to be done to deepen understanding of their trends and impacts and devise appropriate management regimes. This study analyses the trends and impacts of fires and temperature-related variables in six coastal South African national parks, namely Agulhas, Garden Route, West Coast, Table Mountain, Namaqua, and Addo Elephant National Park. The triangulation and convergence model of the mixed-methods research design was adopted as the inquiry strategy. Data on statistical weather variables from the South African Weather Services and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration were used to calculate temperature trends using Mann–Kendall trend tests and homogeneity analysis. Data collection included questionnaire surveys, key informant interviews, field observations, and document analysis. The study observed statistically significant (p < 0.05) changes in temperature-related variables in all coastal national parks. There is also an increase in the intensity and spatial spread of fires, resulting in increased fire damage over time. Despite the current efforts of the coastal parks to manage wildfires and the changing climatic patterns, the fire and temperature regimes are threatening the biophysical environment with resultant effects on tourism and the economic viability of the national parks. The need to reengineer the fire suppression mechanisms and temperature-resilient tourism facilities has been observed.

Mapping and evaluating the impact of flood hazards on tourism in South African national parks

Mapping and evaluating the impact of flood hazards on tourism in South African national parks

A Delphi Approach to Explore the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem of Gabonese and South African National Park Tourism

A Delphi Approach to Explore the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem of Gabonese and South African National Park Tourism

Quest for NetZero emissions in South African national parks: A tourism perspective

Globally, national parks contribute to tourism and conservation. Several iconic national parks in Africa attract millions of tourists. These include Table Mountain, Kruger, the Serengeti, Chobe, Hwange, and Gorongosa National Park. Tourism contributes substantially to global warming and climate change through carbon emissions from tourism activities. Regardless of this understanding, minimal effort has been put into understanding and documenting the national park's carbon risk. The current debate on sustainability transitions calls for a relook of various economic sector strategies to reduce their carbon footprint. This aligns with SDG 13 on climate change action and the sector's calls for carbon neutrality. To that effect, this study examines how South African National Parks (SANParks) seeks to transition to net zero in its park operations to ensure responsiveness to the climate change agenda. This study included 150 interviews with national park and hospitality professionals in 19 national parks to address the research objective. In addition, the study draws upon extensive field observation, document analysis, and 871 tourist questionnaire surveys. Data analysis from the survey was conducted using QuestionPro Analytics, while interview data were analysed through systematic content and thematic analysis. The study found that South Africa's national parks have primarily carbon-intensive tourism facilities from an energy perspective. South African national parks, however, have taken steps to respond to the four essential pillars of NetZero emissions by 2050. These pillars are outlined in the Glasgow Declaration on climate change and the revised Nationally Determined Contributions. Within SANParks estates, these pillars include planning, measuring, reporting, and advocating for accelerated climate change action. NetZero initiatives should be funded in a variety of ways, including by tourists, the private sector, and other stakeholders.

Geoheritage Threats in South African National Parks

The uniqueness and potential of South African geoheritage to contribute to sustainable development is undoubtedly unmatched. However, little is known about the geoheritage threats in South Africa because geoheritage research is geographically skewed to the global North, while little focus is given to the global South. This study characterises the geoheritage threats in South Africa through a qualitative method design. This involved qualitative semi-structured interviews with 16 key informants (from the South African National Parks, national government, local communities as well tour operators, and tourism agencies). Consequently, qualitative content analysis was performed to outline geoheritage threats in South African national parks. The study concludes that the construct of geoheritage threats consists of human- and nature-induced threats. The identified human-induced geoheritage threats include mining, damage to heritage, and loss of biodiversity due to overcrowding. Furthermore, results showed that incorrect management of geoheritage has the potential to cause community conflicts, which can lead to a decrease in tourists visiting the destination. The identified nature-induced geoheritage threats are climate change, floods, and fires. These results suggest the need for the immediate protection of geoheritage sites within and outside protected area in South Africa. Thus, it is necessary to develop protection strategies to conserve South African geoheritage for current and future generations that involve protection areas managers, local communities, government departments and agencies, and academia.

Collating biodiversity occurrence data for conservation

Plant and animal checklists, with conservation status information, are fundamental for conservation management. Historical field data, more recent data of digital origin and data-sharing platforms provide useful sources for collating species locality data. However, different biodiversity datasets have different formats and inconsistent naming systems. Additionally, most digital data sources do not provide an easy option for download by protected area. Further, data-entry-ready software is not readily available for conservation organization staff with limited technical skills to collate these heterogeneous data and create distribution maps and checklists for protected areas. The insights presented here are the outcome of conceptualizing a biodiversity information system for South African National Parks. We recognize that a fundamental requirement for achieving better standardization, sharing and use of biodiversity data for conservation is capacity building, internet connectivity, national institutional data management support and collaboration. We focus on some of the issues that need to be considered for capacity building, data standardization and data support. We outline the need for using taxonomic backbones and standardizing biodiversity data and the utility of data from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility and other available sources in this process. Additionally, we make recommendations for the fields needed in relational databases for collating species data that can be used to inform conservation decisions and outline steps that can be taken to enable easier collation of biodiversity data, using South Africa as a case study.

Investigating Machine Learning Applications in the Prediction of Occupational Injuries in South African National Parks

There is a need to predict occupational injuries in South African National Parks for the purpose of implementing targeted interventions or preventive measures. Machine-learning models have the capability of predicting injuries such that the employees that are at risk of experiencing occupational injuries can be identified. Support Vector Machines (SVMs), k Nearest Neighbours (k-NN), XGB classifier and Deep Neural Networks were applied and overall performance was compared to the accuracy of baseline models that always predict low extremity injuries. Data extracted from the Department of Employment and Labour’s Compensation Fund was used for training the models. SVMs had the best performance in predicting between low extremity injuries and injuries in the torso and hands regions. However, the overall accuracy was 56%, which was slightly above the baseline and below findings from similar previous research that reported a minimum of 62%. Gender was the only feature with an importance score significantly greater than zero. There is a need to use more features related to work conditions and which acknowledge the importance of environment in order to improve the accuracy of the predictions of the models. Furthermore, more types of injuries, and employees that have not experienced any injuries, should be included in future studies.

Climate change risk assessment of heritage tourism sites within South African national parks

Climate change and variability are among the most critical threats facing heritage sites across the world. However, despite the threats posed by climate change and variability on heritage tourism sites, there are limited research and management interventions to help build the resilience of threatened sites. South African national parks are home to numerous heritage sites, including unique ecosystems, prehistoric ruins and rock art, which are still undocumented. This research assesses the risks imposed by climate change and variability on heritage sites within selected South African national parks. Assessing and prioritising risk is important to designing effective conservation and preservation strategies. The participatory Climate Vulnerability Index was used to assess climate vulnerability on three heritage sites within Kruger, Mapungubwe and Table Mountain national parks. The research developed and used a seven scale semi-quantitative risk analysis tool to rank and prioritise the identified climate related threats. Survey questionnaires were administered to park visitors to assess their perceptions of climate change impacts on heritage sites. Discussions with key informants were also done using in-depth interviews and focus groups. The results show that the vulnerability of heritage sites to climate change was high at all sites. Warming temperatures, drought and flooding intense rainfall are the main climatic stressors. A SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely) action list for the identified critical climate related risks was developed. To build future resilience, the paper recommends changes in how threatened tourism heritage sites are presented to visitors, improved funding for the documentation of the impacts of climate change on the heritage sites and developing anticipatory action to manage potential impacts.

The potential of frogging as an ecotourism product for South African National Parks

Amid global biodiversity loss, it is important to find practical tools and solutions in order to protect biodiversity. Ecotourism is the fastest-growing sector of the international travel industry and can be a powerful conservation tool that encourages people to protect the natural environment. Traditionally, frogs have not generated much attention among ecotourists, partly because they are easily overshadowed by other more charismatic species or habitat attractions. With almost a third of the nearly 7000 known amphibian species listed as threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), their protection is crucial. Frogging is a well-known term within the frog conservation society, describing the activity of searching for frogs in the wild. This can be combined with other ecotourism activities to attract tourists and create an interest in the conservation of frogs while having fun at the same time. The aim was to determine the ecotourism potential of frogs in South Africa, primarily by distributing questionnaires to tourists to retrieve information on whether they would be interested in participating in frog-related ecotourism activities within the South African National Parks. For this research, a quantitative research approach was followed, namely non-probability sampling, to which convenience sampling was applied. An online survey (questionnaire) was designed to collect the data for the research. The survey outcome was satisfactory, as potential tourists indicated that they would like to participate in frog-related activities. The project offers the opportunity to conserve frogs, educate tourists, and create job opportunities within the local communities. It will also create a new tourism product for the South African National Parks.Conservation implications: The contribution of this research to conservation lies in the opportunity to benefit frog conservation through ecotourism.

Assessing protected area vulnerability to climate change in a case study of South African national parks.

Climate change is challenging the ability of protected areas (PAs) to meet their objectives. To improve PA planning, we developed a framework for assessing PA vulnerability to climate change based on consideration of potential climate change impacts on species and their habitats and resource use. Furthermore, the capacity of PAs to adapt to these climate threats was determined through assessment of PA management effectiveness, adjacent land use, and financial resilience. Users reach a PA-specific vulnerability score and rank based on scoring of these categories. We applied the framework to South Africa's 19 national parks. Because the 19 parks are managed as a national network, we explored how resources might be best allocated to address climate change. Each park's importance to the network's biodiversity conservation and revenue generation was estimated and used to weight overall vulnerability scores and ranks. Park vulnerability profiles showed distinct combinations of potential impacts of climate change and adaptive capacities; the former had a greater influence on vulnerability. Mapungubwe National Park emerged as the most vulnerable to climate change, despite its relatively high adaptive capacity, largely owing to large projected changes in species and resource use. Table Mountain National Park scored the lowest in overall vulnerability. Climate change vulnerability rankings differed markedly once importance weightings were applied; Kruger National Park was the most vulnerable under both importance scenarios. Climate change vulnerability assessment is fundamental to effective adaptation planning. Our PA assessment tool is the only tool that quantifies PA vulnerability to climate change in a comparative index. It may be used in data-rich and data-poor contexts to prioritize resource allocation across PA networks and can be applied from local to global scales.

Evidence that residues of tebuthiuron arboricide present in soil of Mokala National Park can be phytotoxic to woody and grass species

Mokala National Park (MoNP) has a history of arboricide use through South African National Parks (SANPs) having bought commercial game farmland for its establishment in 2007. Tebuthiuron arboricide is known to have been applied for controlling bush densification during the period 1996 to 2004. Persistent negative impacts on MoNP vegetation, which are ascribed to the historical arboricide use, have prompted this investigation from 2016 to 2017. Bioassay experiments employing as test plants the tree species Vachellia erioloba and Vachellia tortilis, the shrub species Senegalia mellifera and the grass Tragus berteronianus were conducted in a glasshouse. Growth responses of these species were assessed upon their exposure to a tebuthiuron concentration range that simulated expected levels in MoNP soil soon and long after application. Chemical analysis as well as bioassay with the test species Lycopersicon esculentum (tomato) were performed on soil samples collected from three depths (0−30, 30−60 and 60−90 cm) of the soil profile at two sites in MoNP where tebuthiuron was applied in the past. The three woody test species showed differential, negative growth response to tebuthiuron, and even growth of the grass species (T. berteronianus) was affected at the higher concentrations. Evidence provided by the tomato bioassay and analysis performed on soil samples collected in situ points to the putative presence of tebuthiuron, more than a decade after the last use of arboricides for controlling bush densification.Conservation implications: If the reported evidence of the presence of phytotoxic residue of tebuthiuron in soil of MoNP would be substantiated through further research, such findings could at least partly explain the failure of natural recruitment of vegetation in those areas where the woody component was degraded because of arboricide application more than a decade ago.

Climate vulnerability and risks to an indigenous community in the arid zone of South Africa

Arid rangelands have been greatly affected by climate change and the people occupying these landscapes have become increasingly at risk by this phenomenon. This study explored the climate vulnerability and risks to an indigenous Nama community n South Africa. A household survey was conducted to understand the diversity and extent of the climate risks faced by the pastoral community and overall their vulnerability. Responses were coded numerically for statistical analysis and a climate impact chain was also developed. The main climate hazards faced by the community included drought, hot temperatures and strong winds. These hazards were more concerning to pastoralists who do not have access to some of the key natural resources located inside the adjacent national park. Outcomes of this study showed moderate levels of vulnerability to climate change due to low sensitivity and moderate adaptive capacity. Some households had high levels of physical and human capital assets whereas financial and natural capital were the lowest. With increased adverse climate conditions and a degrading natural environment, the community's vulnerability is expected to increase. We recommend using the South African National Park's existing co-management model as a platform to support the Nama people to reduce climate change risks.

Climate Change Vulnerability and Risk Assessment of Heritage Tourism Sites within South African National Parks

Climate Change Vulnerability and Risk Assessment of Heritage Tourism Sites within South African National Parks

Carbon Footprint Assessment in Nature-Based Conservation Management Estates Using South African National Parks as a Case Study

Nature-based conservation management (NBCMs) estates are seen as natural solutions to climate change and hence immune to harmful greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, NBCMs, in their daily operations to protect and conserve biodiversity, may result in GHG emissions. These may come as a significant carbon burden. This is the first study based on a literature review to look at the carbon footprint of an entire conservation estate operation and management. South African National Parks (SANParks) aimed to contribute to national targets by reducing their fossil-fuel-generated energy consumption by 2% per year until achieving carbon neutrality. The objectives of this paper were (1) to quantify the SANParks C emissions profile at the organization and individual park level and develop recommendations to sustainably reduce carbon emissions and (2) to suggest alternative scenarios that SANParks could follow to achieve zero energy emissions. The study presented an audit analysis of the emission sources linked to SANParks’ daily activities over a five-year period (2015–2019) using the GHGs protocol corporate accounting and reporting standard methodology. Over the reference period, SANParks emitted an average of 73,732 t of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) per year. Most emissions came from electricity usage, 40,681 tCO2e (55%), followed by fuel usage for stationary combustion at 26,088 tCO2e (35%), and both account for 90% of SANParks’ total emissions. Results have shown the variation amongst individual parks in GHG emission and intensity ratio among the different parks. Total SANParks emission showed a significant relationship with Scope 2, followed by number of employees, building size, Scope 3, and Scope 1, in order. This work recommends how SANParks estate may reduce their carbon emissions at a national and individual level. SANParks achieved 1% year-on-year energy emissions reduction through its renewable base; however, an ambitious target of 8% would be appropriate for a 1.5 °C future based on the energy scenario planning.

Biodiversity reporting practices of the South African national parks

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the biodiversity reporting by a state-owned entity responsible for conserving and protecting biodiversity assets in South Africa, the South African National Parks (SANParks) (SOC) Limited.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses content analysis to explore and investigate the disclosure themes in the SANParks reports for the period 2013–2017. The frequency of substantive disclosures is also evaluated over a five-year period. The data are presented graphically in frequency charts and supported by descriptive statistics and univariate correlations for non-normal data. This provides insights into the amount of information being disclosed and the interconnections among biodiversity reporting themes.FindingsSANParks has increased its reporting on biodiversity over time. Disclosures are interconnected and deal with a range of issues, including species at risk of extinction, operational considerations, risk management practices and how SANParks evaluates its environmental performance. The information is detailed and included in different parts of the organisation’s annual reports suggesting a genuine commitment to protecting biodiversity. There are areas for improvement but SANParks frames biodiversity as a central part of its strategy, operations and assurance processes something which would not occur if the disclosures were only about managing impressions.Originality/valueThe study is among the first to explore biodiversity disclosure themes in a state-owned entity in Africa, responsible for the conservation. While the study deals with a specific case entity, the findings are broadly applicable for other organisations keen on constructing a biodiversity account.