https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/151 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 23:18:08 GMT 2026-04-14T23:18:08Z https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/3250 Title: The effect of resettlement induced land use changes on Mavaire river discharge in Shashe subcatchment Authors: Ndau, Blessing Abstract: Land use changes have been occurring as a result of human uses for developmental purposes. These changes will certainly have a negative influence on the hydrological characteristics of catchments, thereby inducing an increase in surface runoff, soil erosion and sediment inputs. In the year 2000, Rio Tinto discovered kimberlite diamonds in Murowa, Zvishavane. This discovery led to the relocation of 142 families to Shashe resettlement block in Masvingo Province near Mashava. The area which was once rangeland area was then converted to settlement and cultivation in 2004. The land conversion has had significant effects on runoff which results in sedimentation of the Mavaire river. To determine the effect of the resettlement induced land use changes on Mavaire river discharge firstly, the spatial and temporal land use changes that took place in Shashe were determined using landsat images with ArcGIS 10.1 and the results showed that a significant change in the spatial and temporal land uses existed. The major land use changes which took place for the 3 years of 1998, 2006 and 2014 were as follows; Water percent area was decreasing for this time period and it was 1%, 3% and 2% respectively. Mining percent area was also decreasing and was 18%, 12% and 4% respectively. A decrease in forest area was also noted. It was 29%, 22% and 3% respectively. Grassland percent area was 34%, 16% and 12%. Cultivation percent area was 13%, 17% and 32%. Rangeland was 29%, 30% and 47%. Secondly the relationship between the selected land uses and runoff was then tested using linear regression. Further statistical analysis was done with R2 value and standard error. A strong relationship between selected land uses and runoff of Mavaire river was found. A strong positive relationship was y = -0.146x+66713 for mining, the R2 value 0.970 and it had a standard error of 18% .A decrease in forest area resulted in an increase in runoff and a strong positive relationship existed between the two at a slope of y = 0.077x+66669. The R2 value was 52% and its standard error was 0.930. Cultivation area was increasing, this resulted in an increase in runoff at a slope of y = 0.125x+65790. The standard error was 32% and the R2 value of 0.930. Rangeland area was also increasing but it resulted in a decrease in runoff at a slope of y = 0.119x+65433. The R2 value was 0.786 and its standard error was 54%. The results from this research are particularly relevant for Shashe resettlement block in formulating, implementing and monitoring strategies for sustainable development such as farmer training programmes on conservation agriculture, promoting the use of biofuels to reduce deforestration, also monitoring of the cutting down of trees with the help of the Environmental Management Agency and chiefs as well as headmen with the help of the Ministry of Agriculture should designate properly managed paddocks to control overgrazing. The government and eminent domains should also ensure that negative effects of resettlements are given due consideration in the planning procedure to avoid environmental consequences. Also there is need to conduct research on future land use change effects on dam sedimentation of Mavaire river. Thu, 01 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMT https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/3250 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z Ndau, Blessing https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/2873 Title: Evaluating the water quality within the reticulation system of Kwekwe municipality during the dry and wet seasons Authors: Chinomona, Silence Abstract: The research sought to evaluate the water quality within the reticulation system of Kwekwe municipality during the dry and wet seasons and to measure the water quality parameters such as pH, turbidity, total coliforms, free and combined chlorine from the source, final stage of treatment and throughout the distribution system. It also had to consider how distance from one sampling point to another affect the quality of water. It had to consider measurement, the water treatment process, causes for poor water quality as well as desired international standards of World and Health Organisation, (WHO). Data was collected from nine different sampling points including schools, clinics, residential areas of Mbizo and Amaveni, Dutchman Pool Waterworks formerly known as Sebakwe Treatment Works as well as dam water. The data was collected in January and February 2016 representing wet season as well as in May and June 2016 representing dry season. Laboratory tests were conducted in order to analyse the quality of water at the different sampling sites. For statistical analysis both one way and two way ANOVA were used. Regression analysis was done to establish a relationship between water quality parameters and distance. Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/2873 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z Chinomona, Silence https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/2805 Title: Analysis of land use and land cover changes and their effects on the water balance of Insiza dam catchment Authors: Siziba, Leonel Abstract: Land-use and land-cover changes have an effect on the water balance as well as water yield of catchments in Zimbabwe. Most of these changes can be attributed to economic activities undertaken by communities within the catchments in an effort to improve their standards of living. The research was carried out in Insiza dam-catchment to investigate the effects of temporal land-use and land-cover changes on Insiza dam-catchment water balance. GIS and Remote sensing techniques were used in ENVI 4.2 and ArcGIS 10 to compute and analyse LULC changes in the study area. Three Landsat images for 1989, 1998 and 2008 (path and row of 170 and 74) were downloaded from the USGS website and classified through maximum likelihood to create thematic maps. Change detection techniques were used to compute class statistics as well as accuracy assessment. The LULC changes were then related to the water balance by computing water use and runoff for each land-cover class. The results showed that there were notable changes in LULC in the Insiza dam-catchment from 1989 to 2008 where cropland and grassland had the greatest increase and decrease respectively. Cropland increased by 81.30% following the FTLRP whilst grassland decreased by 154.48%. Although the annual runoff generated increased from 1989 to 2008 by 48.30%, the increase was not significant because of a suspected increase in sediment load due to the increase in bare soil by 56.56%. There is therefore a need for regulation of LULC activities in dam catchments as changes in land-use have an effect on the water balance. Wed, 01 Jan 2014 00:00:00 GMT https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/2805 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z Siziba, Leonel https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/2610 Title: Water productivity and the relative effects of salinity on crop yields for a surface irrigation scheme – a case of Insukamini Irrigation Scheme Authors: Makwara, Nabars Abstract: Increasing water productivity is generally explained as to either produce similar yield using less water or obtaining more crop yields using the same water resources. Water is becoming scarce due increase in population as well as competition with other non- agricultural demands. At Insukamini Surface Irrigation Scheme, farmers over apply water volumes with the idea that they can increase their yield. However the Scheme has been facing challenges of yield decline from 2009 to 2014. This study was therefore designed to quantify the current levels of water productivity and the relative effects of salinity to crop yield. Questionnaire survey and laboratory experiments were done to assess the crop water productivity, irrigation water and soil quality parameters and their impact on the yield of sugar beans and maize grain. The results indicated that the soil was saline with EC ranging from 0.52dS/m-0.58dS/m. A reduction in the yield over 7 years was noted and there was a low water productivity ranging between 0,37kg/m3 to 0.68kg/m3 for maize and 0.33kg/m3 to 0.62kg/m3 for sugar beans. The conclusion was that the salinity is as a result of salt accumulation from irrigation water, decline in yield is caused by salinity levels, crops being grown are not tolerable to the salinity levels, hence low water productivity. It was recommended that the farmers should grow more salt tolerant crops, correct the salinity, practice deficit irrigation and practice good irrigation management practices. Thu, 01 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMT https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/2610 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z Makwara, Nabars