Threats and Conservation Strategies on Urban Wetlands: A Case of Monavale and Surrounding Areas in Harare, Zimbabwe

Silipiwe Sharai; Tarakini Tawanda; Chibememe Gladman

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ajep.20200902.12

| Peer-Reviewed

Threats and Conservation Strategies on Urban Wetlands: A Case of Monavale and Surrounding Areas in Harare, Zimbabwe

Silipiwe Sharai, Tarakini Tawanda, Chibememe Gladman

Published in American Journal of Environmental Protection (Volume 9, Issue 2)

Received: 20 April 2020 Accepted: 5 May 2020 Published: 27 May 2020

Views: Downloads:

Download PDF

Share This Article

Twitter
Linked In
Facebook

Abstract

Wetlands are valuable ecosystems on which humans depend through the utilisation of the ecological goods and services including water for domestic and commercial use. Until recently, efforts on wetland conservation have shifted to community participation since they are important stakeholders in using wetland resources. This study solicited local people’s perceptions on 1) threats to the Monavale wetland (Harare, Zimbabwe), 2) the conservation strategies they perceive most appropriate and 3) the likely consequences of losing this wetland. The study used 80 household questionnaires that were administered to four suburbs (representing three wards) surrounding Monavale, with respondents having different socio-demographic variables (age, ward, employment status and education level). Chi-square tests were used to test for associations between perceived threats across all variables. Multiple Correspondence Analysis was performed to explore relationships between respondents’ socio-demographic variables with 1) goods and services, and 2) perceived consequences of losing Monavale wetland. Main threats cited were agriculture and housing development projects (43 and 36% of respondents respectively). People from wards 5 and 7 cited mostly socio-economic whilst ward 16 cited ecological related goods and services. The respondents’ age was associated with perceptions towards the threats facing Monavale wetland (χ²=31.563, d. f=12, P=0.002). Respondents cited 5 pieces of legislation with Environmental Management Act being the most (75% of respondents) which they think could be better implemented if wetland conservation is to be achieved. The study concludes that, there is need to integrate all relevant stakeholders in wetland conservation for effective legislation implementation as well as increasing educational awareness to both communities and policy makers.

Published in	American Journal of Environmental Protection (Volume 9, Issue 2)
DOI	10.11648/j.ajep.20200902.12
Page(s)	31-38
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Wetlands, Communities, Goods and Services, Threats, Conservation Strategies, Management, Legislation

References

[1]	Berghofer, A. Brown, C. Bruner, A. (2016) ‘Increasing the Policy Impact of Ecosystem Service Assessments and Valuations Insights from Practice’.
[2]	Biswas, M. Samal. N. R. Ray, P. K. and Mazumdar, A. (2010) ‘Human wetland dependency and socio-economic evaluation of wetland functions through participatory approach in rural India’, Water Science and Engineering. Hohai University. Production and hosting by Elsevier B. V., 3 (4), pp. 467–479. doi: 10.3882/j.issn.1674-2370.2010.04.009.
[3]	Chirisa, I. (2014). ‘Building and urban planning in Zimbabwe with special reference to Harare: Putting needs, costs and sustainability in focus’. Consilience, (11), pp. 1-26.
[4]	Davidson, N. C. (2014). ‘How much wetland has the world lost? Long-term and recent trends in global wetland area’. Marine and Freshwater Research, 65 (10), pp. 934-941.
[5]	Diaz, S. Demissew, S. Carabias, J. Joly, C. Lonsdale, M. Ash, N. and Bartuska, A. (2015) ‘The IPBES Conceptual Framework-connecting nature and people’, Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, (14), pp. 1-16.
[6]	Dixon, M. J. R. Loh, J. Davidson, N. C. Beltrame, C. Freeman, R. and Walpole, M. (2016) ‘Tracking global change in ecosystem area: The Wetland Extent Trends index’, Biological Conservation. Elsevier, 193, pp. 27–35. doi: 10.1016/J.BIOCON.2015.10.023.
[7]	Haines-Young, R., & Potschin, M. (2012). Common international classification of ecosystem services (CICES, Version 4.1). European Environment Agency, pp. 33. Retrieved from https://cices.eu/content/uploads/sites/8/2012/09/CICESV4_Final_26092012.pdf.
[8]	Hartter, J. (2010). ‘Resource use and ecosystem services in a forest park landscape’. Society and Natural Resources, 23 (3), pp. 207-223.
[9]	Hu, S. Niu, Z. Chen, Y. Li, L. and Zhang, H. (2017) ‘Science of the Total Environment Global wetlands: Potential distribution, wetland loss, and status’, Science of the Total Environment. Elsevier B. V., pp. 1–9. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.02.001.
[10]	Jogo, W. and Hassan, R. (2010). ‘Balancing the use of wetlands for economic well-being and ecological security: The case of the Limpopo wetland in Southern Africa’. Ecological Economics, 69 (7), pp. 1569-1579.
[11]	Jones, N. Clark, J. R. A. Panteli, M. and Proikaki, P. (2012) ‘Author ’ s personal copy Local social capital and the acceptance of Protected Area policies: An empirical study of two Ramsar river delta ecosystems in northern Greece’, Journal of Environmental Management (2012), (96), pp. 55–63. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2011.10.012.
[12]	Kamins, A. O. Rowcliffe, J. M. Ntiamoa-Baidu, Y. Cunningham, A. A. Wood, J. L. and Restif, O. (2015). ‘Characteristics and risk perceptions of Ghanaians potentially exposed to bat-borne zoonoses through bushmeat’. EcoHealth, 12 (1), pp. 104-120.
[13]	Makunde, G. (2016) ‘Challenges in Urban Development Control and Housing Provision: A Case of Epworth, Chitungwiza and Harare, Zimbabwe’, International Journal of Technology and Management, 1 (1), pp. 1-10.
[14]	Marambanyika, T. and Beckedahl, H. (2016) ‘The missing link between awareness and the implementation of wetland policy and legislation in communal areas of Zimbabwe The missing link between awareness and the implementation of wetland policy and legislation in communal areas of Zimbabwe’, Wetlands Ecology and Management. Springer Netherlands, (March 2018). doi: 10.1007/s11273-016-9486-y.
[15]	Matamanda, A. R., Chirisa, I., Mukamuri, B. B., Kaduwo, P., & Mhlanga, M. (2018). Harare’s deteriorating wetlands: Why sound policies and legislations are not enough. Case Studies in the Environment.
[16]	Matiza, T. and Crafter, S. (1994) ‘Wetland Ecology and Priorities for Conservation in Zimbabwe’. In Seminar on Wetlands Ecology and Priorities for Conservation in Zimbabwe (1992: Harare Kentucky Airport Hotel) IUCN
[17]	Mbereko, A. (2012) ‘Understanding socio-economic outcomes of Technological Innovations over access, use and management of natural resources in Zimbabwe: A case of Zungwi Vlei (Zvishavane District)’.
[18]	Mujuru, M. McCrindle, R. I. Gurira, R. C. Zvinowanda, C. M. and Maree, J. (2012). ‘Air Quality Monitoring in Metropolitan Harare. Zimbabwe’. J Environment Analytic Toxicol 2012, 2 (131), pp. 2161-0525.
[19]	Mukwindidza, E. (2008). The implementation of environmental legislation in the Mutasa district of Zimbabwe. (Doctoral dissertation, University of South Africa).
[20]	Mushore, T. D. Odindi, J., Dube, T. and Mutanga, O. (2017) ‘Outdoor thermal discomfort analysis in Harare, Zimbabwe in Southern Africa Outdoor thermal discomfort analysis in Harare, Zimbabwe in Southern Africa’, South African Geographical Journal. Routledge, pp. 1–18. doi: 10.1080/03736245.2017.1339630.
[21]	Mutisi, L. (2014) ‘An investigation into the contribution of housing developments to wetland degradation within the city of Harare, Zimbabwe. (Doctoral dissertation).’, (August).
[22]	Mutisi, L. and Nhamo, G. (2017) ‘An Analysis of Water Quality in Belvedere North and the Epworth Wetlands of Harare, Zimbabwe’, books.google.com. Available at: https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=pl1DDgAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA177&dq=Mutisi+and+Nhamo,+2017+wetlands&ots=ulgBonDtLb&sig=ObCV42ogD5Atrm1ROw81iU2HKGI (Accessed: 22 May 2019).
[23]	Nyamadzawo, G. Wuta, M. Nyamangara, J. Nyamugafata, P. and Chirinda, N. (2015) ‘Optimizing dambo (seasonal wetland) cultivation for climate change adaptation and sustainable crop production in the smallholder farming areas of Zimbabwe’, International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability. Taylor & Francis, 13 (1), pp. 23–39. doi: 10.1080/14735903.2013.863450.
[24]	Rojas, C., Munizaga, J., Rojas, O., Martínez, C., & Pino, J. (2019). ‘Urban development versus wetland loss in a coastal Latin American city: Lessons for sustainable land use planning’. Land use policy, 80, pp. 47-56.
[25]	Schuyt, K. D. (2005) ‘Economic consequences of wetland degradation for local populations in Africa’, 53 (2), pp. 177–190. doi: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2004.08.003.
[26]	Schuyt, K. D. and Brander, L. (2004) ‘The Economic Values of the World’s Wetlands’. World Wildlife Fund.
[27]	Scholte, S. S. Todorova, M. van Teeffelen, A. J. and Verburg, P. H. (2016). ‘Public support for wetland restoration: what is the link with ecosystem service values? ’ Wetlands, 36 (3), pp. 467-481.
[28]	Shibia, M. G. (2010). ‘Determinants of attitudes and perceptions on resource use and management of Marsabit National Reserve, Kenya’. Journal of Human Ecology, 30 (1), pp. 55-62.
[29]	Shoshore, I. (2016). ‘An assessment of a vlei ecosystem restoration process: Monavale Vlei, Harare’.
[30]	Shwartz, A. Turbé, A. Simon, L. and Julliard, R. (2014). ‘Enhancing urban biodiversity and its influence on city-dwellers: An experiment’. Biological Conservation, 171, pp. 82-90.
[31]	Sithole, A. and Goredema, B. (2013) ‘Building in Wetlands to Meet the Housing Demand and Urban Growth in Harare Midlands State University Midlands State University’, 3 (8), pp. 193–201.
[32]	SWT. (2006). ‘Saving the wetlands for people and the environment: a case study from Monavale Vlei, Zimbabwe’. Technical paper, Management Plan Workshop, 12th October 2006, Harare.
[33]	Tsiko, R. G. and Togarepi, S. (2012). ‘A situational analysis of waste management in Harare, Zimbabwe’. Journal of American Science, 8 (4), pp. 692-706.
[34]	Tsveta, T. (2017) ‘Assessing the contribution of the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) towards sound wetland management in harare urban’. Published dissertation, Midlands State University.

Cite This Article

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Silipiwe Sharai, Tarakini Tawanda, Chibememe Gladman. (2020). Threats and Conservation Strategies on Urban Wetlands: A Case of Monavale and Surrounding Areas in Harare, Zimbabwe. American Journal of Environmental Protection, 9(2), 31-38. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20200902.12

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Silipiwe Sharai; Tarakini Tawanda; Chibememe Gladman. Threats and Conservation Strategies on Urban Wetlands: A Case of Monavale and Surrounding Areas in Harare, Zimbabwe. Am. J. Environ. Prot. 2020, 9(2), 31-38. doi: 10.11648/j.ajep.20200902.12

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Silipiwe Sharai, Tarakini Tawanda, Chibememe Gladman. Threats and Conservation Strategies on Urban Wetlands: A Case of Monavale and Surrounding Areas in Harare, Zimbabwe. Am J Environ Prot. 2020;9(2):31-38. doi: 10.11648/j.ajep.20200902.12

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ajep.20200902.12,
  author = {Silipiwe Sharai and Tarakini Tawanda and Chibememe Gladman},
  title = {Threats and Conservation Strategies on Urban Wetlands: A Case of Monavale and Surrounding Areas in Harare, Zimbabwe},
  journal = {American Journal of Environmental Protection},
  volume = {9},
  number = {2},
  pages = {31-38},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajep.20200902.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20200902.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajep.20200902.12},
  abstract = {Wetlands are valuable ecosystems on which humans depend through the utilisation of the ecological goods and services including water for domestic and commercial use. Until recently, efforts on wetland conservation have shifted to community participation since they are important stakeholders in using wetland resources. This study solicited local people’s perceptions on 1) threats to the Monavale wetland (Harare, Zimbabwe), 2) the conservation strategies they perceive most appropriate and 3) the likely consequences of losing this wetland. The study used 80 household questionnaires that were administered to four suburbs (representing three wards) surrounding Monavale, with respondents having different socio-demographic variables (age, ward, employment status and education level). Chi-square tests were used to test for associations between perceived threats across all variables. Multiple Correspondence Analysis was performed to explore relationships between respondents’ socio-demographic variables with 1) goods and services, and 2) perceived consequences of losing Monavale wetland. Main threats cited were agriculture and housing development projects (43 and 36% of respondents respectively). People from wards 5 and 7 cited mostly socio-economic whilst ward 16 cited ecological related goods and services. The respondents’ age was associated with perceptions towards the threats facing Monavale wetland (χ2=31.563, d. f=12, P=0.002). Respondents cited 5 pieces of legislation with Environmental Management Act being the most (75% of respondents) which they think could be better implemented if wetland conservation is to be achieved. The study concludes that, there is need to integrate all relevant stakeholders in wetland conservation for effective legislation implementation as well as increasing educational awareness to both communities and policy makers.},
 year = {2020}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Threats and Conservation Strategies on Urban Wetlands: A Case of Monavale and Surrounding Areas in Harare, Zimbabwe
AU  - Silipiwe Sharai
AU  - Tarakini Tawanda
AU  - Chibememe Gladman
Y1  - 2020/05/27
PY  - 2020
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20200902.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajep.20200902.12
T2  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
JF  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
JO  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
SP  - 31
EP  - 38
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-5699
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20200902.12
AB  - Wetlands are valuable ecosystems on which humans depend through the utilisation of the ecological goods and services including water for domestic and commercial use. Until recently, efforts on wetland conservation have shifted to community participation since they are important stakeholders in using wetland resources. This study solicited local people’s perceptions on 1) threats to the Monavale wetland (Harare, Zimbabwe), 2) the conservation strategies they perceive most appropriate and 3) the likely consequences of losing this wetland. The study used 80 household questionnaires that were administered to four suburbs (representing three wards) surrounding Monavale, with respondents having different socio-demographic variables (age, ward, employment status and education level). Chi-square tests were used to test for associations between perceived threats across all variables. Multiple Correspondence Analysis was performed to explore relationships between respondents’ socio-demographic variables with 1) goods and services, and 2) perceived consequences of losing Monavale wetland. Main threats cited were agriculture and housing development projects (43 and 36% of respondents respectively). People from wards 5 and 7 cited mostly socio-economic whilst ward 16 cited ecological related goods and services. The respondents’ age was associated with perceptions towards the threats facing Monavale wetland (χ2=31.563, d. f=12, P=0.002). Respondents cited 5 pieces of legislation with Environmental Management Act being the most (75% of respondents) which they think could be better implemented if wetland conservation is to be achieved. The study concludes that, there is need to integrate all relevant stakeholders in wetland conservation for effective legislation implementation as well as increasing educational awareness to both communities and policy makers.
VL  - 9
IS  - 2
ER  -

Copy | Download

Author Information

Silipiwe Sharai

Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe
Tarakini Tawanda

Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe
Chibememe Gladman

Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe

Download PDF

Sections

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Silipiwe Sharai, Tarakini Tawanda, Chibememe Gladman. (2020). Threats and Conservation Strategies on Urban Wetlands: A Case of Monavale and Surrounding Areas in Harare, Zimbabwe. American Journal of Environmental Protection, 9(2), 31-38. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20200902.12

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Silipiwe Sharai; Tarakini Tawanda; Chibememe Gladman. Threats and Conservation Strategies on Urban Wetlands: A Case of Monavale and Surrounding Areas in Harare, Zimbabwe. Am. J. Environ. Prot. 2020, 9(2), 31-38. doi: 10.11648/j.ajep.20200902.12

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Silipiwe Sharai, Tarakini Tawanda, Chibememe Gladman. Threats and Conservation Strategies on Urban Wetlands: A Case of Monavale and Surrounding Areas in Harare, Zimbabwe. Am J Environ Prot. 2020;9(2):31-38. doi: 10.11648/j.ajep.20200902.12

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ajep.20200902.12,
  author = {Silipiwe Sharai and Tarakini Tawanda and Chibememe Gladman},
  title = {Threats and Conservation Strategies on Urban Wetlands: A Case of Monavale and Surrounding Areas in Harare, Zimbabwe},
  journal = {American Journal of Environmental Protection},
  volume = {9},
  number = {2},
  pages = {31-38},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajep.20200902.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20200902.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajep.20200902.12},
  abstract = {Wetlands are valuable ecosystems on which humans depend through the utilisation of the ecological goods and services including water for domestic and commercial use. Until recently, efforts on wetland conservation have shifted to community participation since they are important stakeholders in using wetland resources. This study solicited local people’s perceptions on 1) threats to the Monavale wetland (Harare, Zimbabwe), 2) the conservation strategies they perceive most appropriate and 3) the likely consequences of losing this wetland. The study used 80 household questionnaires that were administered to four suburbs (representing three wards) surrounding Monavale, with respondents having different socio-demographic variables (age, ward, employment status and education level). Chi-square tests were used to test for associations between perceived threats across all variables. Multiple Correspondence Analysis was performed to explore relationships between respondents’ socio-demographic variables with 1) goods and services, and 2) perceived consequences of losing Monavale wetland. Main threats cited were agriculture and housing development projects (43 and 36% of respondents respectively). People from wards 5 and 7 cited mostly socio-economic whilst ward 16 cited ecological related goods and services. The respondents’ age was associated with perceptions towards the threats facing Monavale wetland (χ2=31.563, d. f=12, P=0.002). Respondents cited 5 pieces of legislation with Environmental Management Act being the most (75% of respondents) which they think could be better implemented if wetland conservation is to be achieved. The study concludes that, there is need to integrate all relevant stakeholders in wetland conservation for effective legislation implementation as well as increasing educational awareness to both communities and policy makers.},
 year = {2020}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Threats and Conservation Strategies on Urban Wetlands: A Case of Monavale and Surrounding Areas in Harare, Zimbabwe
AU  - Silipiwe Sharai
AU  - Tarakini Tawanda
AU  - Chibememe Gladman
Y1  - 2020/05/27
PY  - 2020
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20200902.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajep.20200902.12
T2  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
JF  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
JO  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
SP  - 31
EP  - 38
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-5699
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20200902.12
AB  - Wetlands are valuable ecosystems on which humans depend through the utilisation of the ecological goods and services including water for domestic and commercial use. Until recently, efforts on wetland conservation have shifted to community participation since they are important stakeholders in using wetland resources. This study solicited local people’s perceptions on 1) threats to the Monavale wetland (Harare, Zimbabwe), 2) the conservation strategies they perceive most appropriate and 3) the likely consequences of losing this wetland. The study used 80 household questionnaires that were administered to four suburbs (representing three wards) surrounding Monavale, with respondents having different socio-demographic variables (age, ward, employment status and education level). Chi-square tests were used to test for associations between perceived threats across all variables. Multiple Correspondence Analysis was performed to explore relationships between respondents’ socio-demographic variables with 1) goods and services, and 2) perceived consequences of losing Monavale wetland. Main threats cited were agriculture and housing development projects (43 and 36% of respondents respectively). People from wards 5 and 7 cited mostly socio-economic whilst ward 16 cited ecological related goods and services. The respondents’ age was associated with perceptions towards the threats facing Monavale wetland (χ2=31.563, d. f=12, P=0.002). Respondents cited 5 pieces of legislation with Environmental Management Act being the most (75% of respondents) which they think could be better implemented if wetland conservation is to be achieved. The study concludes that, there is need to integrate all relevant stakeholders in wetland conservation for effective legislation implementation as well as increasing educational awareness to both communities and policy makers.
VL  - 9
IS  - 2
ER  -

Copy | Download