Quantitative assessment of gully erosion dynamics using a GIS implementation of Sidorchuks' DYNGUL model in Southern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

<p>Soil erosion is considered as one of the main threats affecting both rural and urban areas in many different parts all over the world. Therefore, increasing attention has been attributed to soil erosion in the last decades. This can also be documented by an increasing number of studies targeting soil erosion assessment using qualitative and quantitative models. However, gully erosion phenomena have been widely neglected in erosion modelling due to the nature and complexity of the related processes and hence, it is also more difficult to simulate, predict and to visualize its effects. Sidorchuk (1999) established a Fortran based dynamic erosion model called DYNGUL to describe the first quick stage of gully development, coinciding with the main changes in gully morphology; like changes in volume, area and elevation of the longitudinal profile. The DYNGUL model is based on the solution of the equations of mass conservation and gully bed deformation. The model of straight slope stability was used to predict gully side wall inclination and of the finite morphology of the gully. The objective of this contribution is to establish a GIS tool for a quantitative gully erosion assessment and to predict gully evolution over time. The tool will help: i) to cope with or mitigate gully erosion processes and ii) to plan measures to stabilize the landscape affected by gully erosion. Therefore, we developed a Python-based tool that can be applied in a GIS environment. The model was tested its performance and the sensitivity of physical parameters with data from a gully in the Drakensberg Mountains, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The results of the gully erosion model showed that their sensitivity to lithological and hydrological factors is rather high.</p>

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Core competencies acquired in indigenous training of traditional health practitioners in Kwazulu-Natal

African Health Sciences ◽

10.4314/ahs.v19i4.32 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 19 (4) ◽

pp. 3100-3106

Author(s):

Mbatha Nompumelelo ◽

Exnevia Gomo ◽

Nceba Gqaleni ◽

Mlungisi Ngcobo

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Health Care ◽

Spiritual Development ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Core Competencies ◽

Sequential Data ◽

Traditional Health ◽

Traditional Health Practitioners ◽

Kwazulu Natal ◽

Health Practitioners

Introduction: Despite the recognition of Traditional Medicine systems as a critical component of health care by the WHO and the African Union, its integration into the health care mainstream remains very subdued in South Africa. This is partly due to the lack of empirical data pertinent to traditional healer training that could inform the accreditation process. Objective: To determine core competencies acquired by Traditional Health Practitioners (THP) of KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa during their apprenticeship. Materials and methods: Purposeful, convenient and snowballing sampling and the sequential data collection methods of questionnaires, journaling and focus groups was used to collect data from the THP tutors and their trainees in rural, peri-urban and urban areas of eThekwini and uThungulu Districts of Kwa Zulu Natal (KZN). Results: Eleven core competencies were identified: consultation, diagnoses, holistic patient care and treatment, integrative and holistic healing, application of healing procedures and cultural rituals, spiritual development, ethical competencies, problem solving, herbalism, ancestral knowledge and end of life care. Conclusion: The apprenticeship of THPs in KZN is based on eleven core competencies. These competencies are fundamental pillars for critical health care provided by THPs and are crucial for setting standards for the accreditation of traditional training in South Africa if the THP Act 22 of 2007 is to achieve its purpose of providing for the management of and control over the registration, training and conduct of the practitioners. Hence, the appointed interim THP Council should include the identified competencies when articulating bases for accreditation of the training and assessments.Keywords: Indigenous training, traditional health practitioners, Kwazulu-Natal.

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Identification and Mapping of Soil Erosion Processes Using the Visual Interpretation of LiDAR Imagery

ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information ◽

10.3390/ijgi8100438 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (10) ◽

pp. 438 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Đomlija ◽

Bernat Gazibara ◽

Arbanas ◽

Mihalić Arbanas

Keyword(s):

Soil Erosion ◽

Gully Erosion ◽

Airborne Lidar ◽

Economic Damage ◽

Visual Interpretation ◽

Direct Identification ◽

Preliminary Step ◽

Erosion Processes ◽

Different Types ◽

Sheet Erosion

Soil erosion processes are a type of geological hazard. They cause soil loss and sediment production, landscape dissection, and economic damage, which can, in the long term, result in land abandonment. Thus, identification of soil erosion processes is necessary for sustainable land management in an area. This study presents the potential of visual interpretation of high resolution LiDAR (light detection and ranging) imagery for direct and unambiguous identification and mapping of soil erosion processes, which was tested in the study area of the Vinodol Valley (64.57 km2), in Croatia. Eight LiDAR images were derived from the 1 m airborne LiDAR DTM (Digital Terrain Model) and were used to identify and map gully erosion, sheet erosion, and the combined effect of rill and sheet erosion, with the ultimate purpose to create a historical erosion inventory. The two-step procedure in a visual interpretation of LiDAR imagery was performed: preliminary and detailed. In the preliminary step, possibilities and limitations for unambiguous identification of the soil erosion processes were determined for representative portions of the study area, and the exclusive criteria for the accurate and precise manual delineation of different types of erosion phenomena were established. In the detailed step, the findings from the preliminary step were used to map the soil erosion phenomena in the entire studied area. Results determined the highest potential for direct identification and mapping of the gully erosion phenomena. A total of 236 gullies were identified and precisely delineated, although most of them were previously unknown, due to the lack of previous investigations on soil erosion processes in the study area. On the other hand, the used method was proven to be inapplicable for direct identification and accurate mapping of the sheet erosion. Sheet erosion, however, could have been indirectly identified on certain LiDAR imagery, based on recognition of colluvial deposits accumulated at the foot of the eroded slopes. Furthermore, the findings of this study present which of the used LiDAR imagery, and what features of the imagery used, are most effective for identification and mapping of different types of erosion processes.

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A knowledge gap analysis on multi-scale predictive ability for agriculturally derived sediments under South African conditions

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.2007.078 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 55 (3) ◽

pp. 107-114 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

A.J. van Zyl

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

South African ◽

Gap Analysis ◽

Predictive Ability ◽

Gully Erosion ◽

Knowledge Gap ◽

Catchment Scale ◽

Erosion Processes ◽

Modelling Framework ◽

Erosion Modelling

Agriculture has been implicated as a major source of sediments in South Africa. The aim of the knowledge gap analysis was to understand the production and delivery components of agriculturally derived sediments under South African conditions and to assess the predictive ability to address the fate of these sediments from field to catchment scales. An overview is given of important erosion processes and erosion modelling applied in South Africa at the field and catchment scale. A limitation of the sediment models is that gully erosion is not simulated; therefore, the models should be complemented with gully erosion predictions if gullies are an important sediment source. Field-scale models inadequately predict sediment production localised at hydrologically sensitive areas as a result of saturation excess flow and/or throughflow. The discussion on erosion modelling reveals that more complex models have had limited application in South Africa because they require large and detailed data sets, and may have parameters that are difficult to measure or to estimate. A modelling framework is discussed which allows linking of sediment models requiring readily available data, gully erosion models/maps and the use of other techniques to assess the fate of agriculturally derived sediments from field to catchment scale.

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Business partners for development-KwaZulu-Natal pilot project, South Africa: a new approach to the delivery of sustainable water and sanitation services in poor peri-urban areas

Water Science & Technology Water Supply ◽

10.2166/ws.2002.0138 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 2 (4) ◽

pp. 197-202

Author(s):

P. Rousseau ◽

E. Tranchant

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Community Involvement ◽

Water Conservation ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Pilot Project ◽

Water And Sanitation ◽

Sanitation Services ◽

Business Partners ◽

Kwazulu Natal ◽

The World

An innovative tri-sector partnership has been formed in two peri-urban areas in Durban and Pietermaritzburg, in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, which aims to provide sustainable water and sanitation services to these previously disadvantaged communities. This forms part of the world-wide Business Partners for Development (BPD) programme initiated by the World Bank to bring together the diverse resources, expertise and perspectives of three distinct sectors: business sector, public sector and civil society, in particular Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO's). The project focus includes infrastructure upgrading, water loss management, community involvement and capacity building, education and awareness on water conservation, health and hygiene, and customer management. The establishment of a common research framework examining impacts and outcomes and an international sharing and learning programme will, it is hoped, lead ultimately to better and replicable practices.

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HIV Incidence Among Non-Pregnant Women Living in Selected Rural, Semi-Rural and Urban Areas in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

AIDS and Behavior ◽

10.1007/s10461-011-0043-7 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 16 (7) ◽

pp. 2062-2071 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

Gita Ramjee ◽

Handan Wand ◽

Claire Whitaker ◽

Sheena McCormack ◽

Nancy Padian ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Hiv Incidence ◽

Rural And Urban Areas ◽

Rural And Urban ◽

Kwazulu Natal

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Establishing and Evaluating Cancer Surveillance System in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Cancer Informatics ◽

10.1177/11769351211029967 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 20 ◽

pp. 117693512110299

Author(s):

Noluthando P Mbeje ◽

Themba G Ginindza ◽

Nkosana Jafta

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

South Africa ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Surveillance System ◽

Cancer Registries ◽

Health Systems Strengthening ◽

Cancer Surveillance ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Cancer Burden ◽

Kwazulu Natal

Background: The increasing cancer burden remains a public health challenge. Quality and accurate population data is important to improve cancer control, screening, and treatment programmes for the sub-Saharan Africa region. Aim: The aim of this study was to establish hospital-based cancer surveillance system, thereby reporting the burden that cancer diagnosis and treatment place on 3 hospitals – an approach of health systems strengthening. Methods: A hospital-based cancer surveillance was established in 3 public health facilities that provide oncology services in KwaZulu-Natal. An active method was used for finding cancer cases. The cancer surveillance database was evaluated according to the criteria recommended for cancer registries. Analyses of data included descriptive and crude incidence rates. Results: A total of 2307 newly diagnosed cancer cases were reported in 2018, with a majority from Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central hospital (65.3%), followed by Greys hospital (30.8%) and then Addington hospital (3.94%). Most of the cancer cases were from the 2 major urban areas of the province (eThekwini and uMgungundlovu district). The most commonly diagnosed cancers from all combined 3 facilities for both sexes were breast, cervix, colorectal, Kaposi Sarcoma, and lung. Approximately half of the cancer cases had no staging, and 12.8% of the cases were diagnosed at stage 4. The mostly prescribed treatments for the patients were radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Conclusions: Based on our hospital-based surveillance, cancer burden is high in the 3 facilities. Strengthening cancer screening and diagnostic policies and procedures that will allow expansion of accurate cancer surveillance system is essential in KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa as a whole.

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Polyester Microplastic Fibers affect Soil Physical Properties and Erosion as a Function of Soil Type

10.5194/soil-2021-136 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Rosolino Ingraffia ◽

Gaetano Amato ◽

Vincenzo Bagarello ◽

Francesco G. Carollo ◽

Dario Giambalvo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soil Erosion ◽

Soil Properties ◽

Soil Type ◽

Agricultural Soils ◽

Terrestrial Ecosystems ◽

Soil Types ◽

Physical Parameters ◽

Organic Carbon Content ◽

Erosion Processes ◽

Environmental Compartments

Abstract. Microplastic is recognized as a factor of global change affecting many environmental compartments. Agricultural soils are likely hotspots of microplastic contamination in terrestrial ecosystems and are of particular concern due to their role in food production. Microplastic has already been shown to be able to affect soil properties, but its effect on different soil types is poorly understood. Moreover, no information is available on how the presence of this pollutant can affect soil water erosion processes, which are extremely important issues in many environments. In the light of this, we performed two experiments (a microcosm and a mesocosm study) to investigate how the presence of polyester microplastic fibers affects soil physical and hydrological parameters and processes such as aggregate formation and soil erosion in three different agricultural soil types. Our data show that the effects of polyester microplastic on soil physical parameters (including soil aggregation and erosion) are strongly dependent on soil type. We found that microplastic contamination can decrease the formation of new aggregates but at the same time increase their stability in water, with effects on soil erosion stronger as the intrinsic erodibility of soil increases. Overall, our results highlight the importance of broadly exploring soil properties such as texture, mineralogy, and organic carbon content to better understand how the various soil types respond to microplastic contamination.

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HIV Incidence Remains High in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: Evidence from Three Districts

10.31234/osf.io/r5edn ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Lungwani Muungo

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Contraceptive Use ◽

Hormonal Contraceptive ◽

Incidence Rates ◽

Hiv Prevalence ◽

Hiv Positive ◽

Sexually Active ◽

Hiv Incidence ◽

Kwazulu Natal

Background: HIV prevalence and incidence among sexually active women in peri-urban areas of Ladysmith, Edendale, andPinetown, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, were assessed between October 2007 and February 2010 in preparation for vaginalmicrobicide trials.Methodology/Principal Findings: Sexually active women 18–35 years, not known to be HIV-positive or pregnant weretested cross-sectionally to determine HIV and pregnancy prevalence (798 in Ladysmith, 1,084 in Edendale, and 891 inPinetown). Out of these, approximately 300 confirmed non-pregnant, HIV-negative women were subsequently enrolled ateach clinical research center (CRC) in a 12-month cohort study with quarterly study visits. Women in the cohort studies wererequired to use a condom plus a hormonal contraceptive method. HIV prevalence rates in the baseline cross-sectionalsurveys were high: 42% in Ladysmith, 46% in Edendale and 41% in Pinetown. Around 90% of study participants at each CRCreported one sex partner in the last 3 months, but only 14–30% stated that they were sure that none of their sex partnerswere HIV-positive. HIV incidence rates based on seroconversions over 12 months were 14.8/100 person-years (PY) (95% CI9.7, 19.8) in Ladysmith, 6.3/100 PY (95% CI 3.2, 9.4) in Edendale, and 7.2/100 PY (95% CI 3.7, 10.7) in Pinetown. The 12-monthpregnancy incidence rates (in the context of high reported contraceptive use) were: 5.7/100 PY (95% CI 2.6, 8.7) inLadysmith, 3.1/100 PY (95% CI 0.9, 5.2) in Edendale and 6.3/100 PY (95% CI 3.0, 9.6) in Pinetown.Conclusions/Significance: HIV prevalence and incidence remain high in peri-urban areas of KwaZulu-Natal.

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