Local perceptions on the impact of drought on wetland ecosystem services and associated household livelihood benefits: The Case of the Driefontein Ramsar site in Zimbabwe
The paper assesses local people’s perceptions on the impact of drought on wetland ecosystem services and the associated household livelihood benefits, focusing on the Driefontein Ramsar site in Chirumanzu district, Zimbabwe. Field data were obtained using a questionnaire from 159 randomly selected h...
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2022
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/10/6/587/htm http://hdl.handle.net/11408/4714 |
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| author | Marambanyika, Thomas Mupfiga, Upenyu Naume Musasa, Tatenda Ngwenya, Keto |
| author_facet | Marambanyika, Thomas Mupfiga, Upenyu Naume Musasa, Tatenda Ngwenya, Keto |
| author_sort | Marambanyika, Thomas |
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| description | The paper assesses local people’s perceptions on the impact of drought on wetland ecosystem services and the associated household livelihood benefits, focusing on the Driefontein Ramsar site in Chirumanzu district, Zimbabwe. Field data were obtained using a questionnaire from 159 randomly selected households, key informant interviews and transect walks. The study findings show that provisioning, regulating and supporting services are severely affected by a high frequency of drought, occurring at least once every two years, compared to cultural services. There is a reduction in water for domestic use and crop farming, pasture for livestock, fish, thatch grass and ground water recharge. Although cultural services such as traditional rain-making ceremonies and spiritual enhancement are largely unaffected by drought, the wetland’s aesthetic value was reported to be diminishing. The habitat and breeding areas of endangered crane bird species were perceived to be dwindling, affecting their reproduction. All the household heads are not formally employed and largely depend on the wetland resources for food and income. However, drought is adversely affecting wetland-based agricultural activities that are key pillars of the households’ economy. Therefore, there is a need for alternative livelihood strategies that enable local communities to adapt to drought impacts without exerting more pressure on the declining wetland resources. |
| format | Article |
| id | ir-11408-4714 |
| institution | My University |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2022 |
| publisher | MDPI |
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| spelling | ir-11408-47142022-06-27T13:49:06Z Local perceptions on the impact of drought on wetland ecosystem services and associated household livelihood benefits: The Case of the Driefontein Ramsar site in Zimbabwe Marambanyika, Thomas Mupfiga, Upenyu Naume Musasa, Tatenda Ngwenya, Keto drought ecosystem services household economy rural livelihoods wetland The paper assesses local people’s perceptions on the impact of drought on wetland ecosystem services and the associated household livelihood benefits, focusing on the Driefontein Ramsar site in Chirumanzu district, Zimbabwe. Field data were obtained using a questionnaire from 159 randomly selected households, key informant interviews and transect walks. The study findings show that provisioning, regulating and supporting services are severely affected by a high frequency of drought, occurring at least once every two years, compared to cultural services. There is a reduction in water for domestic use and crop farming, pasture for livestock, fish, thatch grass and ground water recharge. Although cultural services such as traditional rain-making ceremonies and spiritual enhancement are largely unaffected by drought, the wetland’s aesthetic value was reported to be diminishing. The habitat and breeding areas of endangered crane bird species were perceived to be dwindling, affecting their reproduction. All the household heads are not formally employed and largely depend on the wetland resources for food and income. However, drought is adversely affecting wetland-based agricultural activities that are key pillars of the households’ economy. Therefore, there is a need for alternative livelihood strategies that enable local communities to adapt to drought impacts without exerting more pressure on the declining wetland resources. 2022-03-18T13:33:59Z 2022-03-18T13:33:59Z 2021 Article 2073-445X https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/10/6/587/htm http://hdl.handle.net/11408/4714 en Land;Vol.10 , Iss.6 open MDPI |
| spellingShingle | drought ecosystem services household economy rural livelihoods wetland Marambanyika, Thomas Mupfiga, Upenyu Naume Musasa, Tatenda Ngwenya, Keto Local perceptions on the impact of drought on wetland ecosystem services and associated household livelihood benefits: The Case of the Driefontein Ramsar site in Zimbabwe |
| title | Local perceptions on the impact of drought on wetland ecosystem services and associated household livelihood benefits: The Case of the Driefontein Ramsar site in Zimbabwe |
| title_full | Local perceptions on the impact of drought on wetland ecosystem services and associated household livelihood benefits: The Case of the Driefontein Ramsar site in Zimbabwe |
| title_fullStr | Local perceptions on the impact of drought on wetland ecosystem services and associated household livelihood benefits: The Case of the Driefontein Ramsar site in Zimbabwe |
| title_full_unstemmed | Local perceptions on the impact of drought on wetland ecosystem services and associated household livelihood benefits: The Case of the Driefontein Ramsar site in Zimbabwe |
| title_short | Local perceptions on the impact of drought on wetland ecosystem services and associated household livelihood benefits: The Case of the Driefontein Ramsar site in Zimbabwe |
| title_sort | local perceptions on the impact of drought on wetland ecosystem services and associated household livelihood benefits: the case of the driefontein ramsar site in zimbabwe |
| topic | drought ecosystem services household economy rural livelihoods wetland |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/10/6/587/htm http://hdl.handle.net/11408/4714 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT marambanyikathomas localperceptionsontheimpactofdroughtonwetlandecosystemservicesandassociatedhouseholdlivelihoodbenefitsthecaseofthedriefonteinramsarsiteinzimbabwe AT mupfigaupenyunaume localperceptionsontheimpactofdroughtonwetlandecosystemservicesandassociatedhouseholdlivelihoodbenefitsthecaseofthedriefonteinramsarsiteinzimbabwe AT musasatatenda localperceptionsontheimpactofdroughtonwetlandecosystemservicesandassociatedhouseholdlivelihoodbenefitsthecaseofthedriefonteinramsarsiteinzimbabwe AT ngwenyaketo localperceptionsontheimpactofdroughtonwetlandecosystemservicesandassociatedhouseholdlivelihoodbenefitsthecaseofthedriefonteinramsarsiteinzimbabwe |