Impact of artisanal gold mining on woody vegetation in Chewore South Safari Area, northern Zimbabwe
The study assessed the impact of artisanal gold mining on the composition and structure of woody vegetation in Chewore South Safari Area (CSSA), northern Zimbabwe. The study area was stratified into two strata, namely, the mined area and the unmined area. Using random computer-generated points, 20 p...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2023-03-01
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| Series: | Trees, Forests and People |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666719323000079 |
| _version_ | 1797894386253561856 |
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| author | Munyaradzi Dzoro Clayton Mashapa Edson Gandiwa |
| author_facet | Munyaradzi Dzoro Clayton Mashapa Edson Gandiwa |
| author_sort | Munyaradzi Dzoro |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The study assessed the impact of artisanal gold mining on the composition and structure of woody vegetation in Chewore South Safari Area (CSSA), northern Zimbabwe. The study area was stratified into two strata, namely, the mined area and the unmined area. Using random computer-generated points, 20 plots were sampled in the mined area and 20 plots were sampled in the unmined area. Each plot size measured 20 m × 30 m and the following were measured or recorded: the status of trees, tree species, species occurrences, stem circumference and tree height. Data were collected between January and February 2018. No significance differences (P > 0.05) were recorded in woody tree species diversity and tree height between the mined and unmined areas. In contrast, woody tree density (P = 0.049), basal area (P = 0.050), the occurrences of dead trees (P = 0.011) and damaged woody trees (P = 0.002) were significantly different between the mined and unmined areas. The TWINSPAN analysis divided the woody vegetation of CSSA into two groups of woody tree species assemblages, namely Colophospermum - Combretum closed woodlands on the unmined area and Colophospermum mopane - Brachystegia open woodlands on the unmined area. The study highlights that artisanal gold mining in CSSA contributes to damage and mortality of woody trees and will likely cause long term environmental disturbances and related consequences. The study recommends the need of appropriate authorities to work towards enhancing environmental awareness and enforcing policies and laws to prohibit mining in protected areas. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T07:08:12Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-41089585fa174c669c5d1ecdb0b78f71 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2666-7193 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T07:08:12Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Trees, Forests and People |
| spelling | doaj.art-41089585fa174c669c5d1ecdb0b78f712023-02-27T04:07:40ZengElsevierTrees, Forests and People2666-71932023-03-0111100375Impact of artisanal gold mining on woody vegetation in Chewore South Safari Area, northern ZimbabweMunyaradzi Dzoro0Clayton Mashapa1Edson Gandiwa2Department of Forest Resources and Wildlife Management, National University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box AC 939, Ascot, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe; Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, Mushandike College of Wildlife Management, Private Bag 9036, Masvingo, ZimbabweSchool of Wildlife, Ecology and Conservation, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Private Bag 7724, Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe; Corresponding author.Scientific Services, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, P.O. Box CY 140, Causeway, Harare, ZimbabweThe study assessed the impact of artisanal gold mining on the composition and structure of woody vegetation in Chewore South Safari Area (CSSA), northern Zimbabwe. The study area was stratified into two strata, namely, the mined area and the unmined area. Using random computer-generated points, 20 plots were sampled in the mined area and 20 plots were sampled in the unmined area. Each plot size measured 20 m × 30 m and the following were measured or recorded: the status of trees, tree species, species occurrences, stem circumference and tree height. Data were collected between January and February 2018. No significance differences (P > 0.05) were recorded in woody tree species diversity and tree height between the mined and unmined areas. In contrast, woody tree density (P = 0.049), basal area (P = 0.050), the occurrences of dead trees (P = 0.011) and damaged woody trees (P = 0.002) were significantly different between the mined and unmined areas. The TWINSPAN analysis divided the woody vegetation of CSSA into two groups of woody tree species assemblages, namely Colophospermum - Combretum closed woodlands on the unmined area and Colophospermum mopane - Brachystegia open woodlands on the unmined area. The study highlights that artisanal gold mining in CSSA contributes to damage and mortality of woody trees and will likely cause long term environmental disturbances and related consequences. The study recommends the need of appropriate authorities to work towards enhancing environmental awareness and enforcing policies and laws to prohibit mining in protected areas.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666719323000079ImpactMiningProtected areaWoodlands |
| spellingShingle | Munyaradzi Dzoro Clayton Mashapa Edson Gandiwa Impact of artisanal gold mining on woody vegetation in Chewore South Safari Area, northern Zimbabwe Trees, Forests and People Impact Mining Protected area Woodlands |
| title | Impact of artisanal gold mining on woody vegetation in Chewore South Safari Area, northern Zimbabwe |
| title_full | Impact of artisanal gold mining on woody vegetation in Chewore South Safari Area, northern Zimbabwe |
| title_fullStr | Impact of artisanal gold mining on woody vegetation in Chewore South Safari Area, northern Zimbabwe |
| title_full_unstemmed | Impact of artisanal gold mining on woody vegetation in Chewore South Safari Area, northern Zimbabwe |
| title_short | Impact of artisanal gold mining on woody vegetation in Chewore South Safari Area, northern Zimbabwe |
| title_sort | impact of artisanal gold mining on woody vegetation in chewore south safari area northern zimbabwe |
| topic | Impact Mining Protected area Woodlands |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666719323000079 |
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