Vegetation dynamics prior to wildlife reintroductions in southern umfurudzi park, Zimbabwe

Vegetation assessments are critical in the status and success of reintroduction programs and are an important aspect in ecological restoration. Vegetation structure and composition influences the suitability and availability of unique habitats for different wildlife species. The objectives of this study were to (1) establish the vegetation structure and composition, and (2) determine the soil-vegetation associations in southern Umfurudzi Park, Zimbabwe, prior to the reintroduction of wildlife species. Using a stratified random design, 15 rectangular plots from three strata were assessed in April and May 2012. A total of 23 woody plants from 58 tree and 68 shrub families as well as 30 grass species were recorded. Tree basal area, canopy cover, tree density, tree and grass species diversity, and tree height for the riverine strata were significantly different from the miombo and vlei strata. The influence of soil properties on the occurrence and diversity of woody and grass species was evident across the three strata. Long-term changes in the vegetation dynamics and primary productivity in southern Umfurudzi Park due to the reintroduced mega-herbivores is recommended for the success of the restoration program

Status of woody vegetation along riparian areas in Gonarezhou National Park, Zimbabwe

We assessed the composition and structure of woody vegetation along Save, Runde and Mwenezi rivers in Gonarezhou National Park, Zimbabwe. Data were collected from 62 sample plots between April and May 2011 using a stratified random sampling design. Our results showed significant differences in plant height, shrub density and numbers of stems per plant across the three major perennial rivers. However, there were no significant differences in basal area, tree density, dead plant density, browsed plant density, fire damaged plant density and species diversity. Our findings suggest that disturbances, e.g., herbivory, are affecting the woody vegetation structure in all major rivers in Gonarezhou. We therefore, recommend for the continuous monitoring of riparian vegetation in Gonarezhou and other similar protected areas

VEGETATION DYNAMICS PRIOR TO WILDLIFE REINTRODUCTIONS IN SOUTHERN UMFURUDZI PARK, ZIMBABWE

ABSTRACT Vegetation assessments are critical in the status and success of reintroduction programs and are an important aspect in ecological restoration. Vegetation structure and composition influences the suitability and availability of unique habitats for different wildlife species. The objectives of this study were to (1) establish the vegetation structure and composition, and (2) determine the soil-vegetation associations in southern Umfurudzi Park, Zimbabwe, prior to the reintroduction of wildlife species. Using a stratified random design, 15 rectangular plots from three strata were assessed in April and May 2012. A total of 23 woody plants from 58 tree and 68 shrub families as well as 30 grass species were recorded. Tree basal area, canopy cover, tree density, tree and grass species diversity, and tree height for the riverine strata were significantly different from the miombo and vlei strata. The influence of soil properties on the occurrence and diversity of woody and grass species was evident across the three strata. Long-term changes in the vegetation dynamics and primary productivity in southern Umfurudzi Park due to the reintroduced mega-herbivores is recommended for the success of the restoration program

Post-release monitoring of diet profile and diet quality of reintroduced African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) in Umfurudzi Park, Zimbabwe

Post-release monitoring of wildlife is essential to the success of ecological restoration initiatives. Translocation of wildlife to new ecosystems is associated with changes in diet profiles of individuals and ultimately animal performance, since productivity of rangelands varies in time and space. The population decline and local extinction of buffalo and other species in Umfurudzi Park, Zimbabwe, in the late 1980s led to temporary suspension of hunting activities. Recently, efforts have been made to resuscitate Umfurudzi Park through wildlife reintroductions and active ecosystem management. We assessed the diet profile and diet quality of the African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) between 2011 and 2012. A total of 42 grass species constituted the diet spectrum of buffalo. Heteropogon contortus, Eragrostis racemosa, Steroechlaena tenuifolia andThemeda triandra contributed significantly to the buffalo diet during the four seasons of the study period. Although a wide spectrum of grass species was selected in the wet season, the diversity of grass species selected was not significantly different among the seasons. Grass species crude protein deteriorated from 4.5% in the wet season to 3.5% in the dry season. Crude protein and phosphorus levels in buffalo faecal samples were within the recommended nutrient scale for southern Africa large herbivores. We conclude that feed availability and quality may not be limiting the persistence of the reintroduced buffalo. There is a need to closely monitor grass availability, dietary shifts, and forage quality over time, as well as resource partitioning with other feeding guilds

Living with wildlife and associated conflicts in northern Gonarezhou National Park, southeast Zimbabwe

Human-wildlife conflicts (HWC) are a common phenomenon world-wide, particularly in areas where humans and wild animal’s requirements overlap. In this study we focused on the nature of HWC in an area occurring within the northern Gonarezhou National Park (GNP), Zimbabwe. We collected data using focus group discussions, key informant interviews and field observations in January–February 2011. Our results show that elephant, lion and spotted hyena were identified as the main problem animals. Setting fires around fields at night, burning chilli pepper mixed with elephant dung, scaring animals by beating drums and shooting in the air, linearization of huts in order to block elephants from accessing the fields, herding and kraaling livestock were the common methods employed to minimise HWC. It is suggested that a combination of HWC control strategies and establishing a temporary barrier would help to minimise HWC in northern GNP

Local People’s Knowledge and Perceptions of Wildlife Conservation in Southeastern Zimbabwe

This study aimed at examining local people’s knowledge and perceptions of wildlife conservation in southeastern Zimbabwe. Data were collected between October and November in 2012 using a purposive sampling approach of households (n = 114) in communities adjacent to Gonarezhou National Park. Our results show that local people were aware of the Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources (CAMPFIRE) and Gonarezhou, and their associated purposes. However, our results suggest that local people had inadequate knowledge about the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA) and its purpose. Moreover, mixed perceptions about the impact of the GLTFCA on local livelihoods and conservation in the study area were recorded. Finally, the results indicated that improving park-community relationships, education and awareness programmes on natural resources conservation could assist in raising the status of conservation in Gonarezhou and GLTFCA

An analysis of tourist trends in northern Gonarezhou National Park, Zimbabwe, 1991-2014

The objectives of this study were to: (1) determine trends in tourists’ arrivals in northern Gonarezhou National Park for the period 1991–2014, and (2) compare trends in arrivals among local, regional and international tourists, as well as among overnight and day visitors. Tourist visitation data were collected from the park’s tourist records. For each of the years, we totalled the estimated number of visits into the park for every month, and then summed these totals across the whole year. To determine tourist trends, we used descriptive analyses (frequencies), and line and column graphs. An increase in tourist arrivals was recorded between 1991 and 1998 and between 2008 and 2014, while decline was recorded between 1999 and 2007. We concluded that tourism is volatile and its success depends on the destination’s ability to manage the destination’s image and a number of challenges that can easily alter visitor flows

Living with wildlife and associated conflicts in northern Gonarezhou National Park, southeast Zimbabwe

Human-wildlife conflicts (HWC) are a common phenomenon world-wide, particularly in areas where humans and wild animal’s requirements overlap. In this study we focused on the nature of HWC in an area occurring within the northern Gonarezhou National Park (GNP), Zimbabwe. We collected data using focus group discussions, key informant interviews and field observations in January–February 2011. Our results show that elephant, lion and spotted hyena were identified as the main problem animals. Setting fires around fields at night, burning chilli pepper mixed with elephant dung, scaring animals by beating drums and shooting in the air, linearization of huts in order to block elephants from accessing the fields, herding and kraaling livestock were the common methods employed to minimise HWC. It is suggested that a combination of HWC control strategies and establishing a temporary barrier would help to minimise HWC in northern GNP