Water sources during drought period in a Savanna wildlife ecosystem, northern Zimbabwe

Abstract

Provision of water to wildlife is critical during drought periods in Protected Areas (PA). The objectives of the study were to: (i) assess the distribution of artificial and natural water sources, (ii) assess if there is any relation between borehole depths and borehole water yields, and (iii) assess rainfall trends in relation to borehole yields in Mid Zambezi Protected Area (PA). A combination of remote sensing, water divining, borehole drilling, and visual observations was used to collect data in four PAs in Mid Zambezi in November 2019. Drilled boreholes had mean depths of 74 metres. There were no significant differences in borehole depths and boreholes water yield, Borehole depth: (Kruskal-Wallis χ 2 test = 10,8, df = 9, p > 0.05) and borehole water yield Kruskal-Wallis χ 2 test = 7,3, df = 11, p > 0.05). A negative correlation was recorded between the boreholes depth and borehole water yields (r = −0.32, n = 18, p < 0.05). The gradual decline in rainfall in the Zambezi valley was ascertained to be related to low borehole water yields and increased borehole depths in some PA. The study recommends another study on the perceived negative impacts of artificial water sources in the wildlife ecosystem.

Impact of Elephants (Loxodonta Africana) on Woody Vegetation Structure and Composition around Water Pans in Hurungwe Safari Area, Zimbabwe

“…African savanna ecosystems in wild protected areas are largely influenced by wild angulates especially elephants (Loxodonta Africana) [1,2]. Elephants can alter vegetation structure and composition due to their selective and destructive feeding behaviour [1][2][3][4].…”

“…African savanna ecosystems in wild protected areas are largely influenced by wild angulates especially elephants (Loxodonta Africana) [1,2]. Elephants can alter vegetation structure and composition due to their selective and destructive feeding behaviour [1][2][3][4]. In Botswana, elephants were considered as the prominent factor influencing vegetation structure and composition due to their high preference for other woody species than others [2,[4][5][6].…”

“…In Botswana, elephants were considered as the prominent factor influencing vegetation structure and composition due to their high preference for other woody species than others [2,[4][5][6]. Water forms a key abiotic factor that affects the distribution of angulates in the savanna ecosystem especially in the dry season [1,7]. An increase in animal concentration around water sources risks the loss of woody vegetation from increased herbivory [1,3,4,7].…”

“…Water forms a key abiotic factor that affects the distribution of angulates in the savanna ecosystem especially in the dry season [1,7]. An increase in animal concentration around water sources risks the loss of woody vegetation from increased herbivory [1,3,4,7]. A survey in Hwange and Gonarezhou National Parks in Zimbabwe reported over utilisation of vegetation around permanent and ephemeral water sources [1,2,8].…”

“…An increase in animal concentration around water sources risks the loss of woody vegetation from increased herbivory [1,3,4,7]. A survey in Hwange and Gonarezhou National Parks in Zimbabwe reported over utilisation of vegetation around permanent and ephemeral water sources [1,2,8]. Elephants are versatile herbivores, equipped with a unique nasal appendage, they can graze and browse effectively [1,3,4,9].…”