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A Systematic Study Site Selection Protocol to Determine Environmental Flows in the Headwater Catchments of the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve

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  • Anesu D. Gumbo

    (Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa)

  • Evison Kapangaziwiri

    (Hydrosciences Research Group, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Pretoria 0001, South Africa)

  • Fhumulani I. Mathivha

    (Department of Hydrology, University of Zululand, Empangeni 3886, South Africa)

Abstract

Developing nations will be worst hit by the impacts of climate change because limited resources hinder the spatial reach of climate studies, effort, and subsequent implementation to help with the improvement of livelihoods. Therefore, finding the best-case study is an essential undertaking in environmental assessments. This study explains one systematic approach to selecting a study site for an environmental assessment project. A desktop review of relevant literature, a simple factor scoring assessment process, reliance on expert opinion, and a field survey for ground-truthing were conducted. The desktop review showed the most critical factors to site selection. The scoring of these factors selected those that were crucial for the study. Experts validated the results and suggested the best study site among the ones identified. While the design is simplified, the proposed approach selects the most appropriate study site for environmental assessments.

Suggested Citation

  • Anesu D. Gumbo & Evison Kapangaziwiri & Fhumulani I. Mathivha, 2022. "A Systematic Study Site Selection Protocol to Determine Environmental Flows in the Headwater Catchments of the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-12, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:10:p:6259-:d:820627
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Pfananani Ramulifho & Esther Ndou & Reuben Thifhulufhelwi & Tatenda Dalu, 2019. "Challenges to Implementing an Environmental Flow Regime in the Luvuvhu River Catchment, South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-12, September.
    5. Rachel Heyard & Hanna Hottenrott, 2021. "The value of research funding for knowledge creation and dissemination: A study of SNSF Research Grants," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 8(1), pages 1-16, December.
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