Thomas Marambanyika

Midlands State University · Department of Geography Environmental Sustainability and Resilience Building

Riverbank cultivation is an activity that has existed for decades in developing countries. Despite the threats it poses to riverine ecosystems against associated human livelihood benefits, the effectiveness of conservation strategies has been put to the test in different countries. Therefore, a continual understanding of the spatial and temporal dy...

from the emergence of small–scale unlicensed artisanal mines. This trend is influenced by the rising demand and prices for minerals, along with prevalent poverty levels. Thus, the detrimental impacts of these artisanal mines on the natural environment (i.e., rivers) have remained poorly understood particularly in the Zimbabwean context. To understa...

Wetland degradation and loss is continuing at an alarming rate in communal areas of Zimbabwe. Although poorly mapped at national scale, communal wetlands have been over utilized and undermanaged posing threats to the existence of these valuable ecosystems. The article examines the contestations and struggles in the use and protection of wetland eco...

This book explores some of the possibilities available for the rural peasant population of Zimbabwe in the midst of climate change induced national hardships by pursuing the following objectives: 1. identifying evidence of climate change in Zimbabwe 2.establishing adaptation and mitigation mechanisms by communities to cope with climate change and c...

Wetlands are amongst the world’s most important ecosystems, providing direct and indirect benefits to local communities. However, wetlands worldwide continue to be degraded due to unsustainable use and improper resource management. In this paper, we assess the perceptions, importance, management and utilisation of wetlands among local community mem...

The study assesses the nexus between the drivers of wetland utilisation patterns, land-use and land-cover change (LULCC) and the current status of provisioning and cultural services in Driefontein and Intunjambili wetlands, Zimbabwe. A total of 280 household questionnaires were administered together with semi-structured interviews conducted with ke...

The study assesses the sustainability of the land uses in Driefontein and Intunjambili wetlands in Zimbabwe using the WET-Sustainable Use framework. The framework is based on indicator and impact scores of extent, intensity and magnitude of impact of different land use types on the wetland's ecological conditions. The study findings show that the t...

This study assessed the benefits and challenges associated with local community involvement in biodiversity conservation in the Blouberg Nature Reserve (BNR) of South Africa. To achieve this, a descriptive research design was used in the study. Three hundred and thirty‐five households from four villages scattered around the nature reserve were sele...

This chapter provides a detailed overview on impacts of anthropogenic activities on tropical wetlands and further elaborates on how the discrepancies between policy, legal, and institutional arrangements have affected wetlands management and conservation initiatives. Further, advancements in wetland assessment-related scientific research and key kn...

This work assesses land cover changes on the Upper Runde sub-catchment, Zimbabwe, and associated effects on sedimentation rates and risks. The model was implemented using the common Geographic Information Systems tools. To achieve this objective, mean annual and monthly rainfall, as well as sediment data, were used (December 2016 and April 2017). L...

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 w...

The study assesses drivers of wetland utilisation patterns and the current status of provisioning and cultural services in Driefontein and Intunjambili wetlands, Zimbabwe. A total of 280 questionnaires were administered together with semi-structured interviews conducted with key informants in the two wetlands. Qualitative data obtained through the...

The paper assesses trends in use of earth observation data in wetland conditions monitoring and assessment in Zimbabwe from 1980 to 2019. Reviewed literature shows academia and research institutions (69.8%), government agencies (14%) and international development partners (16.3%) as the main users of remotely sensed data in wetland ecological asses...

The research examines challenges and opportunities of biogas technology adoption to achieve sustainable household energy in Ward 4 of Domboshava communal area, Zimbabwe. The research adopted both qualitative and quantitative research techniques. A total of 65 questionnaires were randomly distributed to households using biogas. Purposive sampling te...

Wetlands are some of the most productive natural ecosystems in Zimbabwe as they provide a wide range of goods and services. The article examines spatial and temporal changes in wetland utilization patterns as well as threats to these fragile ecosystems and proffers suggestions to achieve sustainable use of wetlands. Literature on wetland use shows...

This article explores the various strategies rural households employ to sustain wetland use and conservation in the context of the restrictions imposed by the existing legal framework in Zimbabwe. Wetland cultivation is a common feature of the rural landscape and is mainly triggered by subsistence households endeavouring to stabilize their food sec...

p>Based on household surveys and key informant interviews, the paper explores the consequences of existing institutional arrangements governing wetland access, utilization and conservation in six wetlands located in communal areas found in the central part of Zimbabwe. This was provoked by the fact that wetland ecosystem services are being lost in...

This article assesses the environmental sustainability of cultivation systems in three selected communal wetlands in Zimbabwe using the WET-Health framework developed by Macfarlane et al. (2008). This research was motivated by the desire to provide baseline information critical for effective and robust wetland policy development, as monitoring of w...

This article assesses the environmental sustainability of cultivation systems in three selected communal wetlands in Zimbabwe using the WET-Health framework developed by Macfarlane et al. (2008). This research was motivated by the desire to provide baseline information critical for effective and robust wetland policy development, as monitoring of w...

This paper explores stakeholders’ perceptions of the efficacy of the current policies and legislation meant to conserve wetlands in the communal areas of Zimbabwe. A questionnaire was administered to one hundred and twenty three households adjacent to six wetlands studied including key informants who were interviewed. The existing laws were analyse...

Wetlands are among the most threatened natural ecosystems in developing countries. Loss of wetlands is attributed to, among other factors, inadequacy in information on the resource's value to rural communities. This paper investigates wetland utilisation patterns as well as the status of benefits derived by surrounding communities in Runde, Tongoga...

The paper investigated the extent to which Sino Zimbabwe Cement Company (SZCC) implemented Cleaner Production (CP) options to deal with high emissions and waste emanating from its operations. Research data was collected through questionnaires, interviews, direct observations and document analysis. Two sets of questionnaires were prepared targeting...

One of the major challenges to enhance food security amongst rural populations in developing countries including Zimbabwe is the continued existence of high postharvest losses, accompanied by low yields due to climate change, among other factors. It therefore becomes imperative to investigate the level of adoption and utilization of ethno-postharve...

The harsh economic environment in Zimbabwean cities in general and Gweru in particular has led to an extensification of urban agriculture on most open spaces. Gweru’s sole official waste disposal site is surrounded by numerous plots of land where residents grow staple maize, sweet potatoes and other food crops for subsistence. Ingestion of crop pro...

ISO 14001 environmental management system remained one tool widely implemented to mitigate industry's negative impacts on both aquatic and terrestrial life. However, skepticism still surrounds the worthiness of this tool in environmental management, as it merely sets a framework without stringent measures. The paper seeks to explore the effectivene...