Environmental Sciencehttp://hdl.handle.net/10311/702024-03-29T14:11:31Z2024-03-29T14:11:31ZInvestigating the applicability of nexus thinking to private protected areas; the case of Mokolodi Nature Reverse, Southeast BotswanaMaradza, Jameshttp://hdl.handle.net/10311/20662021-03-19T00:01:15Z2019-09-01T00:00:00ZInvestigating the applicability of nexus thinking to private protected areas; the case of Mokolodi Nature Reverse, Southeast Botswana
Maradza, James
World-wide, Community Based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM) has gained international attention for reconciling common pool resource management with needs and aspirations of the local people. Regionally, Zimbabwe’s CBNRM strategy was first introduced in the early 1980s under Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources (CAMPFIRE), arguably representing the earliest such strategy in the SADC region. In Botswana,CBNRM was introduced in the late 1980s through the support of USAID. This marked a paradigm shift towards the management and utilization of common shared resources as well as conservation of biological diversity. The strategy generated socio-economic and ecological benefits to once marginalized communities, improving livelihoods and biodiversity conservation. Despite CBNRM achievements, its applicability is limited to common pool resources. That is the strategy of CBNRM does not apply to privately owned resources. It therefore becomes necessary to search for models that recognized and forged mutually beneficial linkages for the sustainable co-existence of the two property regimes, i.e. common property and private property resource management regimes. This is particularly important considering that the successful future prospects of protected conservation area ecotourism, whether in private or public/communal areas, revolve around building mutually shared beneficial linkages. This prompted this study, to unravel such linkages and establish the extent of beneficial matrix between the two property regimes - the private and the communal. This study explored the applicability of the nexus thinking (NT) framework in understanding and forging the linkages among conservation, ecotourism development and the livelihoods of local communities around a privately owned Mokolodi Nature Reserve on the outskirts of the City of Gaborone in the Southeast of Botswana. It is thus conceptualized that conservation, livelihoods and ecotourism form a complex system linked by multiple interacting components.
Data was collected from the community closest to MNR and MNR’s management. Questionnaires and key informant interviews were used as primary sources of data. Likewise, secondary data from appropriate sources was solicited. The triangulation methodology was adopted as the research framework for generating and analyzing data so that there was cross-validation of evidence from both qualitative and quantitative data sources. The study has found out that mutually beneficial linkages existed between MNR and the local community. Interaction and coordination constitute the NT model. Therefore, the NT model as an interactive and innovative framework can deliberately or by design be used or promoted in the management of privately protected resources for sustainable socio-economic and ecological benefits. Both the private and the public sector have the obligation to engage with each other through partnership agreements, sharing ideas, so as to enhance resource security and empower the local communities. The NT framework is therefore recommended for privately owned conservancies like MNR surrounded by the commons and commoners as a counterpart to the CBNRM framework for Government controlled conservancies.
A dissertation submitted to the Dept. of Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, University of Botswana in partial fulfilment of the requirement of the degree of Master of Science in Environmental Science. Citation: Maradza, J. (2019) Investigating the applicability of nexus thinking to private protected areas; the case of Mokolodi nature reserve, Southeast Botswana. University of Botswana.
2019-09-01T00:00:00ZCharacterization of soils in the Gamodubu landfill area in the Kweneng District, BotswanaPopego, ThatayaoneDikinya, OagileGaobotse, Goabaonehttp://hdl.handle.net/10311/18942019-02-16T00:01:44Z2019-01-01T00:00:00ZCharacterization of soils in the Gamodubu landfill area in the Kweneng District, Botswana
Popego, Thatayaone; Dikinya, Oagile; Gaobotse, Goabaone
Understanding soil attributes guides arable farming initiatives in many countries, especially developing countries. In this study, soils of the Gamodubu area, in the Kweneng District, Botswana, were analysed to determine their suitability for arable farming. Soil organic matter (SOM) was estimated by determining soil organic carbon (SOC) times a factor. Five samples of soil were collected in the Gamodubu area for evaluation in the laboratory. There was positive correlation between soil organic matter and soil organic carbon of the 5 samples. Organic carbon percentages ranged from 3.44% to 4.90% while organic matter percentages ranged from 5.85% to 8.42%. The SOM/SOC ratios varied from 1.70 to 1.72 for the 5 soil samples. The pH among the soil samples ranged from 4.65 to 6.80 signalling slightly acidic to almost neutral pH conditions. Most plants grow in the 5.5 to 7.5 pH range. Luvisol soil group was found to be the dominant class in the study area rendering the soil in the area to be highly fertile. Loamy sand soil was found in four soil samples.The findings of this study will not only guide future arable farming assistance programmes by the government, but will also provide valuable reference information for future studies on the soils of the Gamodubu area.
2019-01-01T00:00:00ZAssessment of the concentration of heavy metals associated with landfill leachate in Gamodubu soils in the Kweneng District, BotswanaPopego, ThatayaoneDikinya, OagileGaobotse, Goabaonehttp://hdl.handle.net/10311/18932019-02-16T00:01:36Z2019-01-01T00:00:00ZAssessment of the concentration of heavy metals associated with landfill leachate in Gamodubu soils in the Kweneng District, Botswana
Popego, Thatayaone; Dikinya, Oagile; Gaobotse, Goabaone
Composting is a common method of household waste in developing countries such as Botswana. However,
compost can introduce heavy metals which are harmful to the environment. High concentrations of heavy
metals are toxic to plants and humans and can affect soil by killing soil microorganisms. The aim of this study
was to investigate the amount of four heavy metals (Cr, Co, Cu and Pb) in Gamodubu soils that are associated
with leachate from a landfill in that area. Soil samples were collected from five randomly selected points around
the Gamodubu landfill. A control site was established 1000m away from the landfill i.e. free from landfill
leachate. Water samples were collected in a control natural pond away from the landfill and a leachate pond
within the landfill. Total recovery concentrations for Cr, Co, Cu and Pb were determined using microwave
digestion with nitric acid. Our findings showed no evidence of heavy metal concentration in Gamodubu soils as
these metals were detected at negligible amounts. The presence of these metals in the soil was greater than
their presence in water. Concentrations of all metals (except Pb) in the control water sample were within the
chemical requirements of drinking water as set by the Botswana Bureau of Standards. Findings of this study
will contribute to the inadequate knowledge on the soils and drinking waters of Botswana. Furthermore, this
study will guide similar future studies in Botswana.
2019-01-01T00:00:00ZImpact and control of desertification in the drylands: a review articleSaulawa, Bishir GamboAtlhopheng, JuliusDarkoh, Michael Bernard KwesiMosetlhi, Bothephahttp://hdl.handle.net/10311/18802019-02-06T00:01:30Z2018-01-01T00:00:00ZImpact and control of desertification in the drylands: a review article
Saulawa, Bishir Gambo; Atlhopheng, Julius; Darkoh, Michael Bernard Kwesi; Mosetlhi, Bothepha
The inherent variation in the impacts of desertification and the criteria and methods used for its control significantly influence the success of its combat. This paper provides a critical review of the empirical studies that have been carried out and of the assessment approaches that have been developed in the drylands. A number of local but differentiated case studies were reviewed. The current knowledge is established, and areas of possible future research work are identified. To combat desertification in a sustainable manner local case studies should be promoted for the reason that diverse areas demand different assessment and prescriptions. The community involvement and the assimilation of socioeconomic measures in the packages of control is the panacea to desertification conundrum.
2018-01-01T00:00:00Z