scholarly journals Development and assessment of rules to parameterise the ACRU model for design flood estimation

Water SA ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 44 (1 January) ◽  
Author(s):  
JC Smithers ◽  
TJ Rowe ◽  
MJC Horan ◽  
RE Schulze
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Land Cover ◽  
Land Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Peak Discharge ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Design Flood ◽  
Time Step ◽  
Hydrological Condition ◽  
Flood Estimation

Design flood estimation (DFE) is essential in the planning and design of hydraulic structures. In South Africa, outdated methods are widely applied for DFE. In this paper the potential of a continuous simulation modelling (CSM) approach to DFE in South Africa, using the daily time-step ACRU agrohydrological model, is investigated. The paper focuses on the links and similarities between the SCS-SA and ACRU models and the subsequent preliminary investigations that were undertaken to account for and incorporate the land cover classes, including land management practices and hydrological condition, of the SCS-SA model into the ACRU CSM approach. The approach to this study was to investigate how design volumes simulated by the SCS-SA model for various land management practices or conditions could be simulated by the ACRU model. Since peak discharge estimation in both models is directly dependent on simulated volumes, this preliminary study focused only on design runoff volumes, with subsequent investigations on peak discharge required in future research. In the absence of observed data, design runoff volumes and changes in design runoff volumes, as simulated by the SCS-SA model, were used as a substitute for observed data, i.e., as a reference, to achieve similar design runoff volumes and changes in design volumes in the ACRU model. This was achieved by adjusting relevant input parameters in the ACRU model to represent the change in management practice or hydrological condition, as represented in the SCS-SA model. Following a sensitivity analysis of relevant ACRU parameters, calibration of 2 selected parameters against SCS-SA CN values for selected land cover classes was performed. A strong linear relationship (R2 = 0.94) between these ACRU parameters and SCS-SA CNs for selected land cover classes was found and consequently specific rules and equations were developed to represent SCS-SA land cover classes in ACRU. Recommendations are made to further validate and verify the approach and to further the development of a CSM system for DFE in South Africa.

scholarly journals Verification of runoff volume, peak discharge and sediment yield simulated using the ACRU model for bare fallow and sugarcane fields

Water SA ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (2 April) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Otim ◽  
Jeff Smithers ◽  
Aidan Senzanje ◽  
Rianto van Antwerpen
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Sediment Yield ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Model Verification ◽  
Peak Discharge ◽  
Time Step ◽  
Sugarcane Production ◽  
Runoff Volume ◽  
Bare Fallow

The Agricultural Catchments Research Unit (ACRU) model is a daily time step physical-conceptual agrohydrological model with various applications, design hydrology being one of them. Model verification is a measure of model performance and streamflow, soil water content and sediment yield simulated by the ACRU model have been extensively verified against observed data in southern Africa and internationally. The primary objective of this study was to verify simulated runoff volume, peak discharge and sediment yield against observed data from small catchments, under both bare fallow conditions and sugarcane production, which were located at La Mercy in South Africa. The study area comprised 4 research catchments, 101, 102, 103 and 104, monitored both under bare fallow conditions and sugarcane production, with different management practices per catchment.  Observed data comprised: daily rainfall, maximum and minimum temperature, A-pan evaporation and runoff for the period 1978–1995, and peak discharge and sediment yield for the period 1984–1995. The data were checked for errors and and inconsistent records excluded from analysis. Runoff volume, peak discharge and sediment yield were simulated with the ACRU model and verified against the respective observed data. In general, the correlations between observed and simulated daily runoff volumes and peak discharge were acceptable (i.e. slopes of regression lines close to unity, R2 ≥ 0.6 and the Nash–Sutcliffe coefficient of efficiency close to unity). Similarly, the correlation between observed and simulated sediment yield was also good. From the results obtained, it is concluded that the ACRU model is suitable for the simulation of runoff volume, peak discharge and sediment yield from catchments under both bare fallow and sugarcane land cover in South Africa.

scholarly journals Verification of runoff volume, peak discharge and sediment yield simulated using the ACRU model for bare fallow and sugarcane fields

Water SA ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (2 April) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Otim ◽  
Jeff Smithers ◽  
Aidan Senzanje ◽  
Rianto van Antwerpen
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Sediment Yield ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Model Verification ◽  
Peak Discharge ◽  
Time Step ◽  
Sugarcane Production ◽  
Runoff Volume ◽  
Bare Fallow

The Agricultural Catchments Research Unit (ACRU) model is a daily time step physical-conceptual agrohydrological model with various applications, design hydrology being one of them. Model verification is a measure of model performance and streamflow, soil water content and sediment yield simulated by the ACRU model have been extensively verified against observed data in southern Africa and internationally. The primary objective of this study was to verify simulated runoff volume, peak discharge and sediment yield against observed data from small catchments, under both bare fallow conditions and sugarcane production, which were located at La Mercy in South Africa. The study area comprised 4 research catchments, 101, 102, 103 and 104, monitored both under bare fallow conditions and sugarcane production, with different management practices per catchment.  Observed data comprised: daily rainfall, maximum and minimum temperature, A-pan evaporation and runoff for the period 1978–1995, and peak discharge and sediment yield for the period 1984–1995. The data were checked for errors and and inconsistent records excluded from analysis. Runoff volume, peak discharge and sediment yield were simulated with the ACRU model and verified against the respective observed data. In general, the correlations between observed and simulated daily runoff volumes and peak discharge were acceptable (i.e. slopes of regression lines close to unity, R2 ≥ 0.6 and the Nash–Sutcliffe coefficient of efficiency close to unity). Similarly, the correlation between observed and simulated sediment yield was also good. From the results obtained, it is concluded that the ACRU model is suitable for the simulation of runoff volume, peak discharge and sediment yield from catchments under both bare fallow and sugarcane land cover in South Africa.

scholarly journals Does Information Acquisition Influence the Adoption of Sustainable Land Management Practices? Evidence From Mpumalanga Province South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oluwaseun Samuel Oduniyi ◽  
Sibongile Sylvia Tekana
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Land Management ◽  
Information Acquisition ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Sustainable Land Management ◽  
Bivariate Probit ◽  
Mpumalanga Province

Agricultural information plays a vital role in adopting agricultural technology. The study explored if information acquisition is related to the adoption of sustainable land management practices (SLMP) and jointly decided in Mpumalanga Province of South Africa. Primary data were collected through face-to-face interviews, using a proportionate random sampling technique to get 250 smallholder farmers to participate in the survey. A seemingly unrelated bivariate probit (SUBP) model and a recursive bivariate probit (RBP) model were adopted to examine the objective. The statistical estimation of the SUBP showed that there is a relationship, an empirical association between information acquisition and SLMP; while RBP estimation showed that information acquisition was exogenous in the adoption model; thus, the decision to acquire information and adopt SLMP was not jointly decided. Therefore, the study presents the determinants of information acquisition alongside with the adoption of SLPM. The result from the SUBP model, indicated that the years spent in school; agricultural extension service; the number of extension visits and the years of farming, influenced both information acquisition and the adoption of SLMP. The cost attached positively influenced the adoption of SLMP; while gender, marital status and age only influenced the information acquisition.

Issue of Financial Management Practices among SMMEs: A Case Study of Former Transkei Homelands in Eastern Cape Province South Africa

10.31355/70 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 001-007
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Financial Management ◽  
Financial Stability ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Future Research ◽  
First Year ◽  
Eastern Cape Province ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Management Skills

NOTE: THIS ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED WITH THE INFORMING SCIENCE INSTITUTE. Aim/Purpose...................................................................................................................................................................................................... The goal of this study was to investigate the financial management practices of SMMEs operating in under developed regions as a challenge facing SMMEs operating in underdeveloped regions using former Transkei Homelands in Eastern Cape Province as a case study. Background......................................................................................................................................................................................................... In South Africa, the works of Cameron and Miller (2008) highlights that South Africa is ranked among top countries in the world with high failure rates of SMMEs during the first year of establishment. This calls for continues research works to identify factors that could be impeding the progress of SMMEs in South Africa. According to Jayansankaran, (1999) proper financial management practices are among the key deciding factors when it comes to the survival of SMMEs. Mostly SMMEs in underdeveloped regions are owned and managed by one person, the lack of financial management competence on the side of the SMMEs owners or managers in turn could bring serious consequences to the financial stability and grow of the SMMEs. It is against this background that this study focuses on financial management practices among SMMEs entrepreneurs operating their businesses in former Transkei Homelands where survival of SMMEs are critical for economic development of the region. Methodology....................................................................................................................................................................................................... The researcher in this study uses both quantitative and purposive sampling approaches to design an exploratory study to sample 68 SMMEs owners/managers based in the various towns of the selected region. Contribution........................................................................................................................................................................................................ This research will add to the growing knowledge about identifying factors that may be impeding survival of SMMEs. Findings .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. The major findings of the study revealed that 95.59% of the owners/managers have no financial management/accounting skills as well as 58.82% of the internal system of recording financial transactions are not audited. Recommendations for Practitioners................................................................................................................................................................. In view of the findings it is recommended that agencies charged with looking after SMMEs provide training in the area of financial management skills for the SMMEs owners/managers. Recommendation for Researchers.................................................................................................................................................................... Future studies can include the other four principles of financial management principles highlighted by Armstrong (2001). Impact on Society............................................................................................................................................................................................... The research will assist to highlight to funders of SMMEs, policy makers and business support agencies the need for educating SMMEs entrepreneurs especially those operating their businesses in underdeveloped regions in proper financial management practices in order to curve the problem of cash flow faced by SMMEs which leads to SMMEs failure. Future Research................................................................................................................................................................................................. Exploring the skills of the SMMEs entrepreneurs’ to prepare, understand and interpretation of financial statements are critical in this context.

scholarly journals CHARACTERISTICS OF PEATLAND FIRES BASED ON VILLAGE AREA AND LAND COVER IN KALIMANTAN

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-29
Author(s):  
Irfan Malik Setiabudi ◽  
Wahyu Kusumaningrum
Keyword(s):  
Land Cover ◽  
Land Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Forest Type ◽  
Strong Relationship ◽  
Temporal Analysis ◽  
Anthropogenic Factors ◽  
Fire Control ◽  
Land Type ◽  
The Government

Forest and land fires occur almost every year in Indonesia. They dominantly befall in Sumatra and Kalimantan. Most of the fire incidents in Indonesia are caused by anthropogenic factors. Moreover, practices of land management are indicated to have a strong relationship to the fires. Village-based fire control becomes one of approaches applied by the government. This study is conducted to reveal relational characteristics between village-based land management practices and fire events, principally in peatland areas, with a focused area in Kalimantan. Practices of land management will be analised by the characteristics of existing official land use, while fire events will be identified by the existence and intensity of hotspots. The method applied in this research is spatio-temporal analysis based on fire density analysis. Fire incidents occur from July to November, with the peak point occurrence is in September. Area in unmanaged land has increased the potency of fire events than in forest type and in other managed land cover types. Fires located in peatland also generate potential of fires significantly than in mineral land. Further, land cover and land type aspects together with village fire density can be employed as the priority in implementing policy on village-based fire control.

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