Verificación de las Interrogantes de la investigación

A quantitative approach was followed in which hypotheses were tested by examining the relationship (impact) between ecotourism and black rhino as an endangered species. The research design is depicted in Figure 3.1.

Figure 3.1: Research design of this thesis

Problem formulation

Scientific research problem The hypotheses are:

Sustainable ecotourism has a detrimental influence on the spatial behaviour of black rhino; and Tracking of blackrhino contributes

beneficially to sustainable community- based ecotourism.

Real-world problem Black rhino are critically endangered; Namibia needs community-based ecotourism

for economic sustainability in communities. Aim

The aim of this research is to explore and describe the reciprocal impacts community-

based ecotourism efforts and black rhino spatial movement patterns have on one

another in three conservation areas in Namibia.

Objectives

To review the documented reciprocal impacts between tourism and rhino conservation through an in-depth literature study.

To explore, describe and compare three conservation areas in north-west Namibia.

To observe and describe the effects of human-induced disturbance on the spatial movement patterns of black rhino in these three conservation areas using radio-telemetry tracking and aerial surveys.

To examine and describe tourists perceptions of tracking black rhino in thethree conservationareas.

To investigate and describe the probable income generating benefits of tracking black rhino (as a high value species) to promote sustainable community-based ecotourism. Secondary sources Books Journals Articles Websites Maps Primary sources GPS points (foot,air) Direct/field observation

for HID forms ConInfo shape files

Questionnaires Email communication

Data analysed through Map creation with ArcView; Data manipulation in Excel and

Statistica; and Interpretation of documents and

records.

Conclusion Hypotheses accepted/rejected? Literature review

Theoretical background onecotourism and black rhino conservation

Data collection

Results interpreted quantitatively through statistical analysis.

The research starts with a literature review on ecotourism and black rhino conservation. The literature study raised research problems. The problem formulation states real-world problems and asks scientific questions. The real-world problem focuses on the fact that black rhinos are critically endangered and that a Third-World country, such as Namibia, needs community-based ecotourism for sustainable economic development. Two hypotheses were formulated to answer the stated research questions. The real-world and scientific research problems generated the overarching aim and objectives of the research. The research was conducted as field research. Sarantakos (2005: 202) describes field research “as the systematic study of ordinary events and activities as they occur in real- life situations.” Data collection involved quantitative data collection methods. Quantitative data collection involves responses from a large number of informants, which is necessary for valid statistical analysis (D’Cruz & Jones 2004). The data collection techniques focused on observations and surveys. Physical observation which focuses on objects as part of the physical environment was used. Questionnaire surveys were undertaken.

Reaching the five objectives meant that primary and secondary data sources were needed. Primary data collection methods included the:

Use of SRT trackers and telemetry equipment to register GPS positions for 24 rhinos fitted with transmitters. Aerial surveying to collect additional GPS points was conducted with the help of an SRT pilot;

Completion of human-induced disturbance forms/records through direct field observation using a telemetry device and SRT trackers concerning 24 rhinos fitted with transmitters, or any others that were encountered;

Acquisition of CONINFO (Central CBNRM Computer Database) shape files for digital-mapping;

Email communication with managers of the targeted lodges to enquire about tourist numbers and occupancy rates.

Secondary data needed to supplement the primary data sources, were gathered from the World Wide Web, the J.S. Gericke library at Stellenbosch University and the Ministry of Environment and Tourism of Namibia. Secondary data sources included books, journals, websites, maps and e-mails.

The primary and secondary data were analysed quantitatively using computer software. According to Mouton (1996) in a quantitative research approach the analysis of data refers to the stage in the research process where the researcher, through the application of various statistical and mathematical techniques, focuses separately on specific variables in the data-set. Researchers analyse data to understand the various constitutive elements through an inspection of the relationships between concepts, constructs or variables, and to see whether there are any patterns or trends that can be identified or isolated, or to establish themes in the data (Mouton 2001).

Data were captured in Excel and Statistica 7.0 for statistical analysis. Data were manipulated and analysed using Excel, Statistica 7.0 and geographic information system (GIS). GIS was used for the analysis of spatial data and Demers (2000) and Clarke (2003) were consulted in this regard. GIS effectively refers to the hardware, software and personnel used for storage, manipulation and analysis of spatially referenced data (Walpole 2000). GIS are tools for collecting, storing, transforming and displaying spatial data for a particular set of purposes to make decisions about some portion of the earth (Demers 2000; Clarke 2003; Lipp 2005).

Rhino conservation is based on security and biological management (Emslie & Brooks 1999). These issues rely on information about the geographical locations of rhinos and why they are in those areas. Thus, there is a distinct spatial element that makes data storage, presentation and analysis using GIS an appropriate approach. GIS makes it possible to examine how rhino-use of an area has changed with changing habitat or

through human intervention by tourism, for example (Walpole 2000). GIS was used in the analysis of the home ranges for the rhinos and in the comparison of the different study areas. The shape files used were acquired from the CONINFO database of ICEMA (Integrated Community-based Management Projects). The Central CBNRM Computer Database is a data management tool for storing and managing conservation-related data. It comprises three main data types: databases and spread sheets, GIS data and image data. It is a data management structure containing core data for conservancies, concessions, protected areas and other conservation areas in Namibia.

The results from the data analysis were interpreted to reach conclusions. The conclusions were used to test whether the two hypotheses were to be accepted or rejected. The following sections describe some of the research instruments, used to gather the required data.