The Influence of Location on the Structure and Functioning of Private Land Conservation Networks in the Western Cape Province of South Africa By Julia Baum Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of PHILOSOPHIAE DOCTOR In the Faculty of Science, Department of Biological Sciences, at University of Cape Town University of Cape Town 12th February 2016 Advisor: Prof G. S. Cumming The copyright of this thesis vests in the author. No quotation from it or information derived from it is to be published without full acknowledgement of the source. The thesis is to be used for private study or non- commercial research purposes only. Published by the University of Cape Town (UCT) in terms of the non-exclusive license granted to UCT by the author. University of Cape Town PhD Thesis Private Land Conservation in South Africa Julia Baum 2016 Acknowledgements I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge people who contributed to the successful completion of this work. First, sincere thanks are made to Prof Graeme S. Cumming, my advisor, who supported and encouraged me steadfastly and whom I thank for sharing his knowledge and expertise. Second, my sincere gratitude goes to all study participants, owners and managers of Private Land Conservation Areas across the Western Cape Province, who provided the basis and many more invaluable contributions to my research. I experienced heartily encounters and established valuable relationships. My research would not have been possible without the logistical and financial support from the Percy FitzPatrick Institute, the University of Cape Town, the National Research Foundation, and the James S. McDonnell Foundation. I also want to thank all other collaborators and in particular my colleagues for fruitful discussion, help with analyses, and last but not least joyful times. Most grateful am I towards my friends and family, mainly my brother and my parents. Thank you for supporting me, encouraging me, loving me, motivating me... to name but a few aspects of what I experienced from you accompanying me along this way. ii PhD Thesis Private Land Conservation in South Africa Julia Baum 2016 Declaration I, Julia Baum (student number BMXJUL001), hereby declare that the dissertation for the degree of PHILOSOPHIAE DOCTOR is my own work and that it has not previously been submitted for assessment or completion of any postgraduate qualification to another university or for another qualification. Julia Baum iii PhD Thesis Private Land Conservation in South Africa Julia Baum 2016 Table of Contents Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................ii Declaration ............................................................................................................................ iii Abstract................................................................................................................................ vii Chapter 1: Introduction .......................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Biodiversity and Conservation ..................................................................................... 3 1.2 Protected Areas as Social-ecological Systems ............................................................ 5 1.3 Social-ecological System Identity and Desired Resilience ........................................... 8 1.4 Geographical Location and its Influences .................................................................... 9 1.5 The Role of Private Land Conservation ..................................................................... 11 1.6 Historical Development and Current Status: Private Land Conservation in southern Africa ............................................................................................................................... 17 1.7 Study Rationale ......................................................................................................... 22 1.8 Objectives and Hypotheses ....................................................................................... 24 1.9 Terminology and Methodology ................................................................................... 25 1.10 Thesis Summary ...................................................................................................... 31 Chapter 2: Private Land Conservation in the Western Cape Province of South Africa......... 34 2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 34 2.1.1 Study Area .......................................................................................................... 35 2.2 Data and Methods ..................................................................................................... 37 2.3 Results ...................................................................................................................... 38 2.3.1 Ecological Characteristics ................................................................................... 38 2.3.2 Socio-economic Characteristics .......................................................................... 44 2.4 Discussion ................................................................................................................. 51 Chapter 3: Geographical Location influences the Identity of Private Land Conservation Areas ........................................................................................................................................... 57 3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 57 3.2 Data and Methods ..................................................................................................... 59 3.2.1 Defining PLCA Identity ........................................................................................ 59 3.2.2 Analytical Approach ............................................................................................ 61 3.3 Results ...................................................................................................................... 64 3.3.1 PLCA Typology ................................................................................................... 64 3.3.2 The Influence of Biophysical Factors on PLCA Typology .................................... 66 iv PhD Thesis Private Land Conservation in South Africa Julia Baum 2016 3.4 Discussion ................................................................................................................. 66 Chapter 4: Nearest Neighbourhood Effects dominate Socio-economic Interaction in Private Land Conservation Networks .............................................................................................. 72 4.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 72 4.2 Data and Methods ..................................................................................................... 75 4.2.1 Data .................................................................................................................... 75 4.2.2 Networks ............................................................................................................. 76 4.2.4 Data Analysis ...................................................................................................... 78 4.3 Results ...................................................................................................................... 80 4.3.1 Interaction among Protected Areas ..................................................................... 80 4.3.2 Spatial Patterns ................................................................................................... 86 4.3.3 Interaction with Entities ....................................................................................... 87 4.3.4 Types and Topics of Interaction .......................................................................... 91 4.4 Discussion ................................................................................................................. 96 Chapter 5: Spatial Variation in Ecotourism Drivers explains Visitation Rates to Private Land Conservation Areas .......................................................................................................... 101 5.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................. 101 5.1.2 Study Area ........................................................................................................ 104 5.2 Data and Methods ................................................................................................... 105 5.2.1 Data and Data Collection .................................................................................. 105 5.2.2 Data Analysis .................................................................................................... 109 5.3 Results .................................................................................................................... 113 5.3.1 Redundancy Analysis and Variance Partitioning ............................................... 113 5.3.2 Generalized Linear Mixed Models ..................................................................... 113 5.3.3 Comparison of Game Reserves and Habitat Reserves ..................................... 118 5.4 Discussion