Die invloed van sosio-ekologiese veranderlikes op die aard en omvang van die probleemdierkwessie in Suid-Oos Kaapland

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The entire problem animal issue was investigated in the SouthwesternCape over a period of four years. One of the primaryobjectives of the study was to quantify and qualif.y theproblem scientifically and to develop the necessary techniquesto pursue this objective. A necropsy procedure was developedto facilitate a distinction between three main categories ofmortality (predation, pseudopredation and other causes). Thisprocedure was also integrated in an expert system tofacilitate decisionmaking. The natural food availability ofperceived problem animals in the study area (on private andstate land in winter and summer) was also investigated throughextensive small mammal surveys and a number of flood censusingoperations. Stomach contents analyses were also carried outto quantify and qualify the diet of perceived problem animals,with specific emphasis on the contribution of small stock.The correlation between predation and natural foodavailability was also investigated. Farmers in the study areawere exposed to a semi-structured interview to determine theirattitudes towards perceived problem animals. A personality.factor analysis was also carried out on all the farmers andthe correlation between their personalities and attitudestowards perceived problem animals was investigated. Farmer'sperceptions of their own efficiency regarding agriculturalpractices as well as their perception of the extent ofpredation, was compared with an objective evaluation of theactual situation by the author. Need-stress diagrams werealso constructed to illustrate the negative impact ofperceived levels of competence and predation on behaviouralchange. The implications of the findings for extension arealso discussed.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University