Browsing by Author "Shikangalah, Rosemary N."

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    An analysis of stakeholders’ perceptions on urban water erosion in Windhoek, Namibia
    (University of Namibia, 2019) Shikangalah, Rosemary N.; Paton, Eva N.; Jeltsch, Florian
    This study aimed at understanding the perceptions of stakeholders on urban water erosion in a dryland city - Windhoek (Namibia) - by interviewing 41 stakeholders using semi-structured questionnaires. Stakeholders’ perceptions were analysed by addressing their understanding of water erosion dynamics, their perceptions with regards to the causes and the seriousness of erosion damages, and their attitudes towards the responsibilities of urban erosion prevention and damages. The results indicated that there is less awareness of the process as a phenomenon; instead there is more awareness of erosion damages and the factors contributing to the damages. About 69% of the stakeholders considered erosion damages to be ranging from moderate to very serious. However, there were notable disparities between the private householders and public authority groups. The private householders and local authority sectors pointed fingers at each other as regards responsibility for erosion damage payments and for putting up prevention measures. The reluctance to take responsibility could undermine any effort to minimise erosion in urban areas and create a predicament for areas affected, especially in the informal settlements where land management is not carried out by the local authority and land is not owned by the occupants.
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    Gendered attitudes toward climate change among geography students at University Namibia
    (University of Namibia, 2019) Shikangalah, Rosemary N.
    Students are considered to be a key to dealing with climate change. Their knowledge influences their attitudes, which affects their actions. The degree to which students are likely to engage with climate change depends on their attitude towards climate change. This study investigated gendered attitudes towards climate change of geography students at the University of Namibia. Using a 14-item questionnaire, a total of 56 male and 64 female students from the University of Namibia were surveyed. The results show that students have a generally positive attitude towards climate change. There is, however, a slight difference in the gendered attitudes with regards to the concern over the occurrence of climate change; on how well they think they are informed; who should be responsible for fixing climate change; and whether or not the students felt personally responsible for the occurrence of the phenomenon. It is recommended that the education system be purposely designed to influence students’ attitude for better future decision making in relation to climate change because a person’s attitude forms a fundamental framework for a meaningful way of thinking.
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    A review on urban soil water erosion
    (University of Namibia, 2016) Shikangalah, Rosemary N.; Jeltsch, Florian; Blaum, Niels; Mueller, Eve N.
    Accelerated soil water erosion is one of the major global environmental problems that adversely affect both rural and urban areas. While many investigations have been initiated to efficiently understand and effectively manage water erosion problems in agricultural areas, specific knowledge on urban water erosion is less pronounced. This paper aims at providing an overview of the extent at which erosion dynamics processes have been explored in urban areas. Based on the last decade’s publications, the majority (64%) of studies were conducted in the developed world, mostly in humid subtropical and humid continental climate regions. Furthermore, researchers largely concentrated on off site erosion, focusing on contaminated sediments and on stream erosion. The employed methods were mostly traditional approaches (81% of all articles) compared to modern methods of remote sensing and modelling. This review identifies limitations in methods employed, and gaps in focal research topics and urban-specific management strategies. In particular, the paper argues that approaches oriented towards minimising the risks from water erosion in urban areas are urgently needed. The review findings are expected to be of interest to researchers, urban planners and environmental related managers.
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    Soil loss estimation in a semi-arid mountainous cathment environment, City of Windhoek, Namibia
    (University of Namibia, 2017) Shikangalah, Rosemary N.
    More than half of the global population currently lives in urbanised areas. Consequently, a significant vegetation cover is continuously cleared as cities grow. Where surface grounds are not covered by impermeable surfaces, open soil is eroded by runoff, putting several ecological systems at risk of degradation. This study aimed at investigating the problem of soil loss in Windhoek. High amounts of soil loss are found in very low income settlements compared to high income areas. More soil loss is also found on medium slopes despite the fact that many eroded features are on gentle slopes. Grass cover plays a major role in the magnitude of soil loss. These findings are expected to be of particular interest to land managers in their bid to reduce potential environmental degradation, and also city planners, while they attempt to integrate control measures into the city’s development. Any effort towards soil conservation would be highly significant, as the loss of topsoil is currently a great concern in the city.