Papers by Clayton Mashapa
Scientific African, 2020
Abstract This study is the first to assess wildlife-vehicle collisions (WVC) in Zimbabwe. The stu... more Abstract This study is the first to assess wildlife-vehicle collisions (WVC) in Zimbabwe. The study analysed the impact and factors that influence vehicle collisions with large wild mammals along the Harare-Chirundu road section in the protected Hurungwe Safari Area, northern Zimbabwe. Data were retrieved from the Hurungwe Safari Area records and covered the period between 2006 and 2013. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the recorded variables across the sampled area and to show trends of the prevalence of large wild mammals roadkill over time. Using STATISTICA version 10 for Windows, a two-tailed Mann-Whitney U test was used to determine differences between the number of wild mammal animal roadkills and seasons. A total of 47 large wild mammal animals were killed between 2006 and 2013. The large wild mammal animals that died as a result of vehicle collisions constituted a total of 11 species, with the African buffalo and spotted hyena being the most hit and killed animal species. Most WVC involved heavy haulage trucks and passenger buses. There was no significance difference (P = 0.936) between number of large wild mammal animals killed from WVC between dry and wet seasons. The large wild mammal animals were mostly killed in areas near water sources. We recommend for the inclusion of wildlife protection safeguards in road infrastructure network design and development, particularly on roads that traverse across protected areas in Zimbabwe and beyond.
Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management, 2014
An assessment was done to determine the abundance and structure of baobab (Adansonia digitata) ac... more An assessment was done to determine the abundance and structure of baobab (Adansonia digitata) across Gonarezhou National Park, Zimbabwe. Baobabs were sampled on fifteen belt transects of constant width of 300 m with fifteen baobabs in each belt transect determined the length of a particular belt transect between May and June 2012. Our results showed that there were no significant differences in basal area, height and density of baobabs across Gonarezhou. Moreover, elephant (Loxodonta africana) dung counts and damaged baobabs were similar across Gonarezhou. Our findings suggest a relatively similar spatial effect of elephant herbivory and other disturbance regimes on baobabs in Gonarezhou. We recommend the continuous monitoring of baobab woodland stands across Gonarezhou. © JASEM
Journal of Environmental Protection, 2014
Our study focused on the effects of wood poaching on the vegetation structure and composition in ... more Our study focused on the effects of wood poaching on the vegetation structure and composition in Mukuvisi Woodland, Zimbabwe. Mukuvisi Woodland, located within the precincts of Harare urban area, Zimbabwe, suffers from high illegal wood utilization pressure stemming from the need to fulfill alternative energy demands created by persistent electricity shortages and an unstable economic environment, particularly between 2000 and 2008. This results in a continuous flux of vegetation and a disturbed animal habitat driven mainly by anthropogenic activities. Due to the heterogeneity in vegetation utilisation trends, we used the stratified systematic random sampling technique, where the site was divided into two strata, central and boundary. Twelve 30 × 20 m permanent plots were established in which species name, species diversity, height, basal area, plant status, fire evidence, number of stems and saplings were recorded and assessed in April and May 2012. A total of 968 woody plants were assessed representing 47 woody plant species. All woody vegetation variables recorded and assessed showed no significant difference (P > 0.05) between the two strata, i.e., central and boundary, in Mukuvisi Woodland, except sapling density (P = 0.022). Principal Component Analysis indicated evidence of fire impacts on vegetation structure. The study concludes that illegal wood harvesting in Mukuvisi Woodland has not yet reached alarming proportions and can be contained. The study recommends collaborative arrangements with key stakeholders, promotion of the use of alternative energy sources and increased environmental education and awareness campaigns.
Tropical Conservation Science, 2015
We assessed land cover and land use change in Driefontein Grasslands Important Bird Area (Driefon... more We assessed land cover and land use change in Driefontein Grasslands Important Bird Area (Driefontein IBA), Zimbabwe, after the land reforms that took place in 2000, using remotely sensed satellite land cover images of 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2010. A drive transect was done for ground truthing. Data were analysed spatially in a Geographical Information System environment. Changes in land cover and land use proportions were recorded from 1995 to 2010 throughout the Driefontein IBA. The land cover classes of grassland and wetland showed a decrease, whereas land area under cultivation increased during 1995–2010. However, the woodland area marginally remained constant over the same time. We concluded that changes in land cover in the study area were largely driven by land use change, i.e., increase in cultivation, following the resettlement of people within the Driefontein IBA. It is likely that with increasing human population the natural habitat of the study area will be degraded further...
An assessment was made to determine density, structure and distribution of baobabs across Gonarez... more An assessment was made to determine density, structure and distribution of baobabs across Gonarezhou National Park (GNP) management strata, southeast Zimbabwe. The three GNP management strata coincide with a soil group type gradient derived from (i) rhyolite, (ii) malvernia and (iii) granophyre substrates/bedrocks. A total of 225 baobabs were sampled on 15 belt transects of constant width of 0.3km and cumulative total length of 17.2km. The fifteenth baobab point in each belt transect determined the length of a particular belt transect. Abundance was determined from baobab density and frequency. The present study observed that baobab density in GNP ranged from 34.3/km2 in the Central GNP stratum to 69.8/km2 in the Northern GNP stratum. Analysis of variance (P>0.05) showed overall insignificant differences in baobab distribution of basal area, number of stems per plant, plant height and stem density across GNP management strata. The hypothesis that baobabs do not significantly diff...
Human-wildlife conflicts are a concern in southern Zimbabwe which is part of Greater Limpopo Tran... more Human-wildlife conflicts are a concern in southern Zimbabwe which is part of Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area. Study objectives were to assess cost value of crop/livestock loss incurred by farmers as well as to identify drivers of human-wildlife conflicts and explore mitigation measures on agro-based communities of Mutema-Musikavanhu, adjacent to Save Valley Conservancy in southern Zimbabwe. Data collection was done in November 2016, using questionnaires administered to randomly selected 300 households and 20 key informants. Majority of farmers (86%, n = 258) had incurred annual household economic loss ranging from US$ 671.00 to US$ 998.21 per household, though perceived and actual losses differed by 63.2% for mono-specific stands of crops and livestock herds for the period October 2014 to October 2016. It was concluded the main drivers of human-wildlife conflicts were African elephants (Loxodonta africana) raiding crops like maize (Zea mays), bananas (Musa sapientum)...
We assessed the adoption of agro-ecology practices under smallholder farming in semi-arid environ... more We assessed the adoption of agro-ecology practices under smallholder farming in semi-arid environment of Chimanimani District, Zimbabwe. Adoption of agro-ecology practices was examined in the context of factors that are argued as indicators of adoption and/or rejection of agro-ecology technologies and practices. Data were collected from farmers in Chikwakwa, Mhakwe and Shinja wards of Chimanimani District to examine adoption trends of agro-ecology production systems. Participatory action research was conducted from August 2011 to April 2013, where 200 smallholder farmers, inhabitants of the study area were interviewed. Our study revealed that local adoption of sustainable agro-ecology practices of direct seeding and mulch based cropping system was taking place within the study area. However, the adoption of crop residue management, crop rotation and agro-silviculture production technologies of agro-ecology, were relatively less adopted. What remains unclear is why adoption of certai...
We assessed the participation of local people in community-based natural resources management und... more We assessed the participation of local people in community-based natural resources management under the Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources (CAMPFIRE) in southern Zimbabwe. We focused on four randomly selected CAMPFIRE communities surrounding Gonarezhou National Park. Data were collected in October 2013 through semi-structured questionnaires administered through interviews. Our results showed that there were significantly more men than women in the CAMPFIRE committees. Surprisingly, we recorded that no youths, those below the age of 25 years, were part of the CAMPFIRE committees. CAMPFIRE committee members across the study area were within the age range of 25–60 years. We therefore recommend that: (i) youths should be deliberately included in management committees focussing on natural resources conservation, and (ii) conservation awareness and education needs to be streamlined and enhanced to improve attitudes of both the elderly and youths toward community-...
Tropical Ecology, Aug 27, 2014
An assessment of African elephant (Loxodonta africana) impact on baobabs (Adansonia digitata) was... more An assessment of African elephant (Loxodonta africana) impact on baobabs (Adansonia digitata) was conducted along a surface water availability gradient in Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe. Data on baobab height, basal area, density and elephant damage were recorded from three strata with varying distance of 4 km, 26 km and 50 km from the Zambezi River. Rukomechi stratum which is furthest (50 km) from Zambezi River recorded tallest mean baobab height, largest mean basal area, highest mean baobab density and the least level of elephant induced damage on baobabs as compared to study sites on Sapi River and Fourways strata which are all less than 26 km from Zambezi River. It was concluded that there was high disturbance pressure on baobabs close to water sources and this seemed to influence baobab abundance and structure in Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe.
This study examined the profitability of smallholder out-grower tea farming and its determinants ... more This study examined the profitability of smallholder out-grower tea farming and its determinants in Chipinge district of Zimbabwe. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire administered to a random sample of 50 smallholder out-grower tea farmers. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, gross margin analysis and Multiple Regression Model. The obtained results show that out-grower tea farming is marginally profitable with an average gross margin per hectare of $14.50. The minimum gross margin is -$286.25 and the maximum gross margin is $135.50. Thirty-four percent of the farmers are not viable while just 6 percent of the farmers are realizing gross margins of more that $100 per hectare. The multiple re- gression models reveals that access to extension services, the extent of farmer specialization as measured by the proportion of area under tea production to total farm size, the extent of farm commercialization, farmer's level of education, amount of labour ...
This study evaluated the influence of human and elephant (Loxodonta africana) utilization of wood... more This study evaluated the influence of human and elephant (Loxodonta africana) utilization of woody vegetation across three land use categories; a protected conservation area (Save Valley Conservancy, SVC), a buffer zone and the adjacent communal lands of Mutema-Musikavanhu communities in the Save Valley landscape, south-eastern Zimbabwe. A total of 45 plots were assessed with 15 plots randomly placed in each of the three treatments. The following attributes were compared: tree, shrub and sapling density, tree and shrub species diversity, tree height, tree canopy cover and basal area, elephant dung density, and lastly, elephant, fire and human impacts (e.g., stump and coppicing density) on woody vegetation. Although there were no significant treatment effects (P > 0.05) on fire damage levels, number of stems per tree, alien woody plant density and coppiced woody plant density, human activities and elephant herbivory affected the rest of the measured attributes. Human and elephant ...
This study investigated the abundance and structure of African baobab (Adansonia digitata) across... more This study investigated the abundance and structure of African baobab (Adansonia digitata) across soil group strata in Gonarezhou National Park, Zimbabwe. The study was based on a stratified random sampling design composed of the following soil group substrates: (i) granophyres, (ii) malvernia, and (iii) rhyolite. Belt transects of km were randomly laid across soil group. Baobab abundance and population structure were determined from the density and size class distribution, respectively. There were significant differences in plant height and plant density across Gonarezhou soil groups. Study sites on granophyres derived soil group indicated viable abundance and recruitment of baobab population. Whereas the study highlighted a concern over the unbalanced size structure distribution of baobab population on malvernia derived soil group, our results indicated that baobabs are in danger of extirpation on malvernia derived soil group. Baobab community in Gonarezhou tends to occur more de...
Human-wildlife conflicts are a concern in southern Zimbabwe which is part of Greater Limpopo Tran... more Human-wildlife conflicts are a concern in southern Zimbabwe which is part of Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area. Study objectives were to assess cost value of crop/livestock loss incurred by farmers as well as to identify drivers of human-wildlife conflicts and explore mitigation measures on agro-based communities of MutemaMusikavanhu, adjacent to Save Valley Conservancy in southern Zimbabwe. Data collection was done in November 2016, using questionnaires administered to randomly selected 300 households and 20 key informants. Majority of farmers (86%, n = 258) had incurred annual household economic loss ranging from US$ 671.00 to US$ 998.21 per household, though perceived and actual losses differed by 63.2% for mono-specific stands of crops and livestock herds for the period October 2014 to October 2016. It was concluded the main drivers of human-wildlife conflicts were African elephants (Loxodonta africana) raiding crops like maize (Zea mays), bananas (Musa sapientum) ...
Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Africa University, P. O. Box 1320, Mutare, Zimbabwe... more Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Africa University, P. O. Box 1320, Mutare, ZimbabweScience and Technology, Zimbabwe Open University, Mashonaland Central Regional Office, Private Bag 984, Bindura, Zimbabwe. Caritas International, Zimbabwe, Roman Catholic Diocese of Mutare, Private Bag 877, Mutare, Zimbabwe. Faculty of Commerce and Law, Zimbabwe Open University, National Office, P. O Box MP 111, Mt Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe. Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Africa University, P. O. Box 1320, Mutare, Zimbabwe.
We assessed woody vegetation composition and structure in Mapembe Nature Reserve, eastern Zimbabw... more We assessed woody vegetation composition and structure in Mapembe Nature Reserve, eastern Zimbabwe. Woody vegetation was sampled during the period May- June in 2012. Using a stratified random sampling design, we delineated the study area into three strata; plains, mountain and wetland areas. We recorded a total of 1 443 woody plants representing 17 woody species assessed from 30 sample plots. Our results from Kruskal Wallis-H test showed significance differences in plant height, canopy volume, and tree density across the study strata (P < 0.05). In contrast, no significant differences were observed in basal area, shrub canopy volume, shrub density and woody species diversity. Our study results highlighted woody vegetation degradation on wetlands and mountains of Mapembe Nature Reserve, which was attributed to anthropogenic factors. The study recommends in-depth woodland inventory, collaborative arrangements with the local surrounding human communities and improved law enforcement...
Our study focused on the effects of wood poaching on the vegetation structure and composition in ... more Our study focused on the effects of wood poaching on the vegetation structure and composition in Mukuvisi Woodland, Zimbabwe. Mukuvisi Woodland, located within the precincts of Harare urban area, Zimbabwe, suffers from high illegal wood utilization pressure stemming from the need to fulfill alternative energy demands created by persistent electricity shortages and an unstable economic environment, particularly between 2000 and 2008. This results in a continuous flux of vegetation and a disturbed animal habitat driven mainly by anthropogenic activities. Due to the heterogeneity in vegetation utilisation trends, we used the stratified systematic random sampling technique, where the site was divided into two strata, central and boundary. Twelve 30 × 20 m permanent plots were established in which species name, species diversity, height, basal area, plant status, fire evidence, number of stems and saplings were recorded and assessed in April and May 2012. A total of 968 woody plants were assessed representing 47 woody plant species. All woody vegetation variables recorded and assessed showed no significant difference (P > 0.05) between the two strata, i.e., central and boundary, in Mukuvisi Woodland, except sapling density (P = 0.022). Principal Component Analysis indicated evidence of fire impacts on vegetation structure. The study concludes that illegal wood harvesting in Mukuvisi Woodland has not yet reached alarming proportions and can be contained. The study recommends collaborative arrangements with key stakeholders, promotion of the use of alternative energy sources and increased environmental education and awareness campaigns.
Greener Journal of Biological Sciences, 2014
This study aimed at assessing the patterns of vegetation fires and their impact in Nyanga Nationa... more This study aimed at assessing the patterns of vegetation fires and their impact in Nyanga National Park (NNP), Zimbabwe. Field assessments were conducted in September 2012. Our results showed that fires are common in NNP with the majority of fires being caused by poaching activities. Moreover, anthropogenic activities, particularly agricultural activities, in the boundaries of the park also increased the fire occurrences. However, there were no significant increases in number of fires or spatial extent of burnt area between 2008 and 2012 (P > 0.05). Fires influenced vegetation structure and composition, wildlife communities and negatively affected infrastructure within the park. We recommend for the development of a fire management plan for NNP.
Global Ecology and Conservation
Uploads
Papers by Clayton Mashapa