Chapter 8 Hydrogeology October 2010

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Chapter 8 Hydrogeology October 2010 Chapter 8 Hydrogeology October 2010 Republic of Botswana Makgadikgadi Framework Management Plan 2010 Table of contents List of Tables ................................................................................................................................................. 2 List of Figures ................................................................................................................................................ 2 List of Acronyms ............................................................................................................................................ 4 Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................................................... 5 1. Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 6 2. Terms of reference - Hydrology Specialist ............................................................................................ 6 3. Approach-method and activities........................................................................................................... 8 3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 8 3.2 Topography of the Makgadikgadi and its catchment..................................................................... 10 3.3 Rainfall around the Makgadikgadi .............................................................................................. 17 3.4 Stream hydrographs for the Makgadikgadi catchment .............................................................. 21 3.5 Riparian systems and seepage points ......................................................................................... 26 3.6 Ephemeral lacustrine surface water ........................................................................................... 38 3.7 Pan surface morphology ............................................................................................................. 48 3.8 Pan chemistry .............................................................................................................................. 55 3.9 Groundwater ............................................................................................................................... 59 3.10 Mass Balance Estimation ............................................................................................................ 65 3.11 Water Take-Off ........................................................................................................................... 69 3.12 Water Conflict ............................................................................................................................. 69 3.13 Proposed monitoring program ................................................................................................... 72 3.14 Summary of Makgadikgadi wetspots .......................................................................................... 72 4. Major Findings for FMP ....................................................................................................................... 76 5. Follow up work .................................................................................................................................... 79 6. References .......................................................................................................................................... 81 Volume 2 Chapter 8: Hydrogeology 1 Makgadikgadi Framework Management Plan 2010 List of Tables Table 1: Global Digital Elevation Data ......................................................................................................... 10 Table 2: Icesat data is on average -4.8 m lower than SRTM and 1.6 m higher than ASTER ....................... 12 Table 3: Monthly weather station data made available to this project ..................................................... 18 Table 4: Mean monthly and annual rainfall figures for the Makgadikgadi ................................................ 19 Table 5: Stream gauge record for the Makgadikgadi.................................................................................. 21 Table 6: Catalogue of Landsat Data for the Makgadikgadi. ........................................................................ 26 Table 7: Most persistent and dynamic Makgadikgadi wetspots ................................................................ 43 List of Figures Figure 1: Okavango Catchment: Note the location of the Makgadikgadi in its eastern extension .............. 8 Figure 2: A proposed hydrological model for the Makgadikgadi .................................................................. 9 Figure 3: Quality of SRTM derived height against DGPS for the Gweta area ............................................. 11 Figure 4: SRTM and ASTER DEM heights plotted against 65000 Icesat Point heights covering the Makgadikgadi basin. ................................................................................................................................... 12 Figure 5: ArcGIS automated watershed and drainage generation for Makgadikgadi ................................ 13 Figure 6: Shaded SRTM with drainage and major contours ....................................................................... 14 Figure 7: Eastern Catchments and Watersheds .......................................................................................... 16 Figure 8: Location of weather station data provided to this project .......................................................... 18 Figure 9: Rainfall deviation from the mean (in mm) for selected stations NE of the Makgadikgadi from 1959-2008 ................................................................................................................................................... 20 Figure 10: Location of Stream gauges with DWA code in the Makgadikgadi Catchment and its main contributers the Boteti , Nata , Mosetse and Mosope Rivers .................................................................... 22 Figure 11: 1971-1999 Stream Records in MCM for Boteti (Blue), Mosupe (Green), Mosetse (Red) and Nata Rivers (Purple) .................................................................................................................................... 23 Figure 12: Monthly Flood in MCM .............................................................................................................. 24 Figure 13: Eastern Margin of pan. Riparian systems and dynamic pans and protopans ............................ 28 Figure 14: Surface dynamics at Nata, Ntwetwe, and Mosu Escarpment ................................................... 30 Figure 15: Micro-dams, dynamic proto pans, and Lake Xau desiccation ................................................... 32 Figure 16: Persistent surface water in lower the Boteti and deactivation of Mopipi dam ........................ 34 Figure 17: Significant and permanent riparian between 1970 and 2000 period........................................ 35 Figure 18: A flowing Lower Boteti, a filled Lake Xau and rim full Mopipi Dam in June 1979 as seen in Landsat MSS. ............................................................................................................................................... 36 Figure 19: Lower Boteti reaches Lake Xau, September 29, 2010 ............................................................... 37 Figure 20: 1980-2005 Time series for the Makgadikgadi ........................................................................... 39 Figure 21: MODIS Terra, 218 day image stacks .......................................................................................... 42 Figure 22: Preliminary pan water time series 2000-2009 derived from MODIS NIR record ...................... 44 Figure 23: Relative pan wetness and wetspot map as depicted in NIR (top) and MIR (Bottom) for 2000- 2009 period ................................................................................................................................................. 45 Figure 24: Example of MODIS derived Flood Count Map for Year 2000 .................................................... 47 Figure 25: Aeolian pan environment controlled by hydrological dynamics ............................................... 50 Figure 26: Hysplit model output ................................................................................................................. 51 Volume 2 Chapter 8: Hydrogeology 2 Makgadikgadi Framework Management Plan 2010 Figure 27: Downwind Bicarbonate Footprint at Makgadikgadi. Background sampled upwind (east of pan) .................................................................................................................................................................... 53 Figure 28: Downwind Uranium Footprint at Makgadikgadi. Background sampled upwind (east of pan) . 54 Figure 29: Piper plot depicting water chemistry for fresh river flood water and surface leaches, saline lake water for Sua pan and subsurface brine ............................................................................................. 56 Figure 30: Ion log concentration (mmol/L) plotted against Cl .................................................................... 57 Figure 31: Water quality in Makgadikgadi basin ........................................................................................ 58 Figure
Recommended publications
  • Makgadikgadi Framework Management Plan
    Makgadikgadi Framework Management Plan Volume one: Main report November 2010 Republic of Botswana Makgadikgadi Framework Management Plan 2010 Report details This report is volume one of the Makgadikgadi Framework Management Plan prepared for the government by the Department of Environmental Affairs, Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism in partnership with the Centre for Applied Research. Volume one is the main plan for the Makgadikgadi area. Volume two contains detailed findings of specialist and component studies prepared during 2009/2010. Acknowledgements The MFMP project team is indebted to a large number of institutions, companies, persons and communities that have actively contributed to the projects through: 1. participation in various focus group discussions, project workshops/ meetings and kgotla meetings; 2. being interviewed for the livelihood survey or as a resource person; the provision of data and feedback on draft reports. We sincerely hope that the implementation of the plan will offer a ‘reward’ for these efforts and the time spent on the project. Citation: Department of Environmental Affairs and Centre for Applied Research, 2010. The Makgadikgadi Framework Management Plan. Government of Botswana, Gaborone. Volume one: main report 2 Makgadikgadi Framework Management Plan 2010 Contents List of Figures .......................................................................................................................................... 6 List of Tables ..........................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Evaluating Land Use and Land Cover Change in the Gaborone Dam Catchment, Botswana, from 1984–2015 Using GIS and Remote Sensing
    sustainability Article Evaluating Land Use and Land Cover Change in the Gaborone Dam Catchment, Botswana, from 1984–2015 Using GIS and Remote Sensing Botlhe Matlhodi 1,* , Piet K. Kenabatho 1 , Bhagabat P. Parida 2 and Joyce G. Maphanyane 1 1 Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, University of Botswana, P/Bag UB 00704 Gaborone, Botswana; [email protected] (P.K.K.); [email protected] (J.G.M.) 2 Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, University of Botswana, P/Bag UB 0061 Gaborone, Botswana; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +267-355-5475 Received: 31 May 2019; Accepted: 7 August 2019; Published: 20 September 2019 Abstract: Land use land cover (LULC) change is one of the major driving forces of global environmental change in many developing countries. In this study, LULC changes were evaluated in the Gaborone dam catchment in Botswana between 1984 and 2015. The catchment is a major source of water supply to Gaborone city and its surrounding areas. The study employed Remote Sensing and Geographical Information System (GIS) using Landsat imagery of 1984, 1995, 2005 and 2015. Image classification for each of these imageries was done through supervised classification using the Maximum Likelihood Classifier. Six major LULC categories, cropland, bare land, shrub land, built-up area, tree savanna and water bodies, were identified in the catchment. It was observed that shrub land and tree savanna were the major LULC categories between 1984 and 2005 while shrub land and cropland dominated the catchment area in 2015. The rates of change were generally faster in the 1995–2005 and 2005–2015 periods.
    [Show full text]
  • Utilisation of Mineral Rent and the Diversified Growth of the Botswana Economy
    DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS UNIVERSITY OF STELLENBOSCH Utilisation of Mineral Rent and the Diversified Growth of the Botswana Economy By Thapelo Tebogo Moribame Thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Commerce (Economics) at the University of Stellenbosch Supervisor: Professor Colin McCarthy December 2011 University of Stellenbosch http://scholar.sun.ac.za Verklaring / Declaration 1 Ek erken dat die pleeg van plagiaat beteken dat ek iemand anders se werk as my eie aanbied en dat dit 'n oortreding is. Ek verstaan ook dat direkte vertalings plagiaat is. I agree that plagiarism means to present another’s work as my own and that it is an offence. I also understand that direct translations are plagiarism. 2 Dienooreenkomstig is alle aanhalings en bydraes vanuit enige bron (ingesluit die internet) volledig verwys (erken). Ek erken dat die woordelikse aanhaal van teks sonder aanhalingstekens (selfs al word die bron volledig erken) plagiaat is. Accordingly all quotations and contributions from any source whatsoever (including the internet) have been cited fully. I understand that the reproduction of text without quotation marks (even when the source is cited) is plagiarism. 3 Ek verklaar dat die werk in hierdie skryfstuk vervat my eie oorspronklike werk is en dat ek dit nie vantevore in die geheel of gedeeltelik ingehandig het vir bepunting in hierdie module of ‘n ander module nie. I declare that the work contained in this assignment is my original work and that I have not previously (in its entirety or in part) submitted it for grading in this module or another module.
    [Show full text]
  • IVIV VV VI Pretoria Pretoria Soweto Soweto 0 125 250 Kmiv IV V V VV V
    Earthquake Green Shaking Alert M 6.5, Botswana Origin Time: Mon 2017-04-03 17:40:16 UTC (19:40:16 local) PAGER o o Location: 22.62 S 25.15 E Depth: 11 km Version 1 Created: 40 minutes, 53 seconds after earthquake Estimated Fatalities Green alert for shaking-related fatalities Estimated Economic Losses and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage. 65% 50% 30% 32% 15% 4% 3% 1 100 10,000 1 100 10,000 10 1,000 100,000 10 1,000 100,000 Fatalities USD (Millions) Estimated Population Exposed to Earthquake Shaking ESTIMATED POPULATION - -* 3,776k* 19,253k* 2,733k 54k 2k 0 0 0 EXPOSURE (k = x1000) ESTIMATED MODIFIED MERCALLI INTENSITY PERCEIVED SHAKING Not felt Weak Light Moderate Strong Very Strong Severe Violent Extreme Resistant none none none V. Light Light Moderate Moderate/Heavy Heavy V. Heavy POTENTIAL Structures DAMAGE Vulnerable Structures none none none Light Moderate Moderate/Heavy Heavy V. Heavy V. Heavy *Estimated exposure only includes population within the map area. Population Exposure population per ~1 sq. km from Landscan Structures: Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are vulnerable to IV 21°E ShakaweShakaweShakawe 24°E HwangeHwange27°E earthquake shaking, though some resistant PandamatengaPandamatengaPandamatenga DeteDete structures exist. LupaneLupaneLupane Historical Earthquakes (with MMI levels): There were no earthquakes with significant NokanengNokaneng InyathiInyathiInyathi ShanganiShanganiShangani population exposure to shaking within a 400 MaunMaun MaunMaun SuaSuaSua
    [Show full text]
  • Populated Printable COP 2009 Botswana Generated 9/28/2009 12:01:26 AM
    Populated Printable COP 2009 Botswana Generated 9/28/2009 12:01:26 AM ***pages: 415*** Botswana Page 1 Table 1: Overview Executive Summary None uploaded. Country Program Strategic Overview Will you be submitting changes to your country's 5-Year Strategy this year? If so, please briefly describe the changes you will be submitting. X Yes No Description: test Ambassador Letter File Name Content Type Date Uploaded Description Uploaded By Letter from Ambassador application/pdf 11/14/2008 TSukalac Nolan.pdf Country Contacts Contact Type First Name Last Name Title Email PEPFAR Coordinator Thierry Roels Associate Director GAP-Botswana [email protected] DOD In-Country Contact Chris Wyatt Chief, Office of Security [email protected] Cooperation HHS/CDC In-Country Contact Thierry Roels Associate Director GAP-Botswana [email protected] Peace Corps In-Country Peggy McClure Director [email protected] Contact USAID In-Country Contact Joan LaRosa USAID Director [email protected] U.S. Embassy In-Country Phillip Druin DCM [email protected] Contact Global Fund In-Country Batho C Molomo Coordinator of NACA [email protected] Representative Global Fund What is the planned funding for Global Fund Technical Assistance in FY 2009? $0 Does the USG assist GFATM proposal writing? Yes Does the USG participate on the CCM? Yes Generated 9/28/2009 12:01:26 AM ***pages: 415*** Botswana Page 2 Table 2: Prevention, Care, and Treatment Targets 2.1 Targets for Reporting Period Ending September 30, 2009 National 2-7-10 USG USG Upstream USG Total Target Downstream (Indirect)
    [Show full text]
  • List of Examination Centres by Region Bobirwa Region Centr Name Addres Place Phone 0101 Bobonong Primary School P.O
    Primary School Leaving Examination 2010 List of Examination Centres by Region Bobirwa Region Centr Name Addres Place Phone 0101 Bobonong Primary School P.O. Box 48 BOBONONG 2619207 0103 Borotsi Primary School P.O. Box 136 BOBONONG 819208 0107 Gobojango Primary School Private Bag 8 BOBONONG 2645436 0108 Lentswe-Le-Moriti Primary School Private Bag 0019 BOBONONG 0110 Mabolwe Primary School P.O. Box 182 SEMOLALE 2645422 0111 Madikwe Primary School P.O. Box 131 BOBONONG 2619221 0112 Mafetsakgang primary school P.O. Box 46 BOBONONG 2619232 0114 Mathathane Primary School P.O. Box 4 MATHATHANE 2645110 0117 Mogapi Primary School P.O. Box 6 MOGAPI 2618545 0119 Molalatau Primary School P.O. Box 50 MOLALATAU 845374 0120 Moletemane Primary School P.O. Box 176 TSETSEBYE 2646035 0123 Sefhophe Primary School P.O. Box 41 SEFHOPHE 2618210 0124 Semolale Primary School P.O. Box 10 SEMOLALE 2645422 0131 Tsetsejwe Primary School P.O. Box 33 TSETSEJWE 2646103 0133 Modisaotsile Primary School P.O. Box 591 BOBONONG 2619123 0134 Motlhabaneng Primary School Private Bag 20 BOBONONG 2645541 0135 Busang Primary School P.O. Box 47 TSETSEBJE 2646144 0138 Rasetimela Primary School Private Bag 0014 BOBONONG 2619485 0139 Mabumahibidu Primary School P.O. Box 168 BOBONONG 2619040 0140 Lepokole Primary School P O Box 148 BOBONONG 4900035 0141 Agosi Primary School P O Box 1673 BOBONONG 71868614 0142 Motsholapheko Primary School P O Box 37 SEFHOPHE 2618305 0143 Mathathane DOSET P.O. Box 4 MATHATHANE 2645110 0144 Tsetsebye DOSET P.O. Box 33 TSETSEBYE 3024 Bobonong DOSET P.O. Box 483 BOBONONG 2619164 Saturday, September 25, List of Examination Centres by Region Page 1 of 39 Boteti Region Centr Name Addres Place Phone 0201 Adult Education Private Bag 1 ORAPA 0202 Baipidi Primary School P.O.
    [Show full text]
  • 2017 SEAT Report Orapa, Letlhakane and Damtshaa Mines
    SEAT 3 REPORT Debswana - Orapa, Letlhakane and Damtshaa Mine (OLDM) November 2017 1 2 FOREWORD rounded assessment of the socio-economic impacts of our operation – positive and negative - in our zone of influence. This is the second impact assessment of this nature being conducted, the first one having been carried out in 2014. The information in this socio-economic assessment report helped to improve our understanding of the local dynamics associated with the impact our operation’s that are real and perceived. It also provided us with invaluable insight into our stakeholders’ perspectives, expectations, concerns and suggestions. This report is a valuable tool to guide our thinking on community development and our management of the social impacts of OLDM’s future closure at the end of the life of mine. Furthermore, it provides a useful mechanism in mobilising local stakeholders to work with us towards successful mine closure. The report has also given valuable feedback on issues around mine expansion initiatives and access to resources like land and groundwater. More importantly, meaningful feedback has been provided around two critical areas: resettlement and options around town transformation. We recognise the complexity of a proper plan for future mine closure at the end of the life of mine. In the past, our plans for future mine closure mainly focused on environmental aspects, with community involvement often limited to cursory consultation processes. Today, in line with current trends, my team and I are convinced that community ownership of the post closure goals is the only sustainable means to propel communities to prosper when OLDM is no longer involved.
    [Show full text]
  • Dust Emission Response to Climate in Southern Africa Robert G
    JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH, VOL. 112, D09207, doi:10.1029/2005JD007025, 2007 Dust emission response to climate in southern Africa Robert G. Bryant,1 Grant R. Bigg,1 Natalie M. Mahowald,2 Frank D. Eckardt,3 and Simon G. Ross1 Received 22 December 2005; revised 12 October 2006; accepted 3 January 2007; published 9 May 2007. [1] The processes which act in mineral dust source regions and factors which contribute to interannual variability within dust plumes emanating from them are poorly understood. In this case study, we focus on processes modulating emissions of atmospheric mineral aerosols from a large ephemeral lake. We focus on one key ephemeral lake dust source in southern Africa, the Makgadikgadi Pans of Botswana. A range of satellite [for example, Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS), Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS)] and climate data (from meteorological stations and reanalysis data sources) are extracted and compared, highlighting initial problems (for example, data quality, calibration, record length) associated with long-term (10–20 years) monitoring of dust with regional sources in this and other dryland regions. Nevertheless, comparisons of satellite-retrieved inundation, mineral aerosols, vegetation abundance, and climate data for the 1980–2000 period suggest that desert dust loadings are intermittently influenced by the extent and frequency of lake inundation, sediment inflows, and surface wind speed variability. In addition, a significant proportion of the observed variability in the dust and hydrological cycle of this source could also be attributed to El Nin˜o-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and Indian Ocean sea surface temperature anomalies. Both are known to have an important role in modulating rainfall variability in southern Africa.
    [Show full text]
  • THE CASE of BOTETI RIVER SUB-BASIN by MOSEKI RONALD
    DEVELOPING INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT OF EPHEMERAL RIVER BASINS IN BOTSWANA: THE CASE OF BOTETI RIVER SUB-BASIN by MOSEKI RONALD MOTSHOLAPHEKO submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS in the subject ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE at the UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA SUPERVISOR: MR K.F. MEARNS CO-SUPERVISOR: DR D. MAZVIMAVI APRIL 2009 ii DECLARATION I Moseki Ronald Motsholapheko declare that Developing Integrated Management of Ephemeral River Basins in Botswana: The Case of Boteti River sub-Basin is my own work and that all sources that I have used or quoted have been indicated and acknowledged by means of complete references. The thesis has not been submitted to any other university or institution for the award of a degree. Signed (Author):____ _____Date: _21st April 2009 (MR. M.R. MOTSHOLAPHEKO) Signed (Supervisor):_________________________Date:_ 21st April 2009 (MR. K.F. MEARNS) iii ABSTRACT Botswana is a water scarce country. Rainfall is highly variable, leading to limited surface and groundwater resources. Due to persistently dry conditions most rivers found in Botswana are ephemeral. The Boteti River sub-Basin is one of the numerous ephemeral river sub-Basins, in Botswana. Key environmental challenges, resulting from human activities, in the sub-Basin are: increased pressure on local resources due to overstocking, overgrazing and over-harvesting; reductions in wildlife numbers; denudation of vegetation and the resultant exposure of the soil to wind erosion. As a major step, to pilot implementation of river basin management in the ephemeral river basins in southern Africa, the Boteti River sub-Basin is one of the key areas identified for study under the Ephemeral River Basins in the Southern African Development Community SADC (ERB- SADC) Project.
    [Show full text]
  • World Bank Document
    Public Disclosure Authorized BOTSWANA EMERGENCY WATER SECURITY AND EFFICIENCY PROJECTS UPDATED ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT Public Disclosure Authorized FOR THE NORTH EAST DISTRICT AND TUTUME SUB DISTRICT WATER SUPPLY UPGRADING PROJECT Public Disclosure Authorized March 2019 Public Disclosure Authorized Updated Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for the North East District and Tutume Sub District Water Supply Upgrading Project Contents List of Tables ......................................................................................................................................................... v List of Figures ...................................................................................................................................................... vi list of Appendices ................................................................................................................................................ vii ABBREVIATIONS ............................................................................................................. VIII EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...................................................................................................... X 1 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background to the Project ..................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Project Rationale/Objective ..................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Department of Road Transport and Safety Offices
    DEPARTMENT OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND SAFETY OFFICES AND SERVICES MOLEPOLOLE • Registration & Licensing of vehicles and drivers • Driver Examination (Theory & Practical Tests) • Transport Inspectorate Tel: 5920148 Fax: 5910620 P/Bag 52 Molepolole Next to Molepolole Police MOCHUDI • Registration & Licensing of vehicles and drivers • Driver Examination (Theory & Practical Tests) • Transport Inspectorate P/Bag 36 Mochudi Tel : 5777127 Fax : 5748542 White House GABORONE Headquarters BBS Mall Plot no 53796 Tshomarelo House (Botswana Savings Bank) 1st, 2nd &3rd Floor Corner Lekgarapa/Letswai Road •Registration & Licensing of vehicles and drivers •Road safety (Public Education) Tel: 3688600/62 Fax : Fax: 3904067 P/Bag 0054 Gaborone GABORONE VTS – MARUAPULA • Registration & Licensing of vehicles and drivers • Driver Examination (Theory & Practical Tests) • Vehicle Examination Tel: 3912674/2259 P/Bag BR 318 B/Hurst Near Roads Training & Roads Maintenance behind Maruapula Flats GABORONE II – FAIRGROUNDS • Registration & Licensing of vehicles and drivers • Driver Examination : Theory Tel: 3190214/3911540/3911994 Fax : P/Bag 0054 Gaborone GABORONE - OLD SUPPLIES • Registration & Licensing of vehicles and drivers • Transport Permits • Transport Inspectorate Tel: 3905050 Fax :3932671 P/Bag 0054 Gaborone Plot 1221, Along Nkrumah Road, Near Botswana Power Corporation CHILDREN TRAFFIC SCHOOL •Road Safety Promotion for children only Tel: 3161851 P/Bag BR 318 B/Hurst RAMOTSWA •Registration & Licensing of vehicles and drivers •Driver Examination (Theory & Practical
    [Show full text]
  • Elephant Social Dynamics, Spatial Ecology and Human Elephant Conflict in the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans and Kalahari Ecosystems
    Elephant Social Dynamics, Spatial Ecology and Human Elephant Conflict in the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans and Kalahari Ecosystems August 2009 Submitted to: Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Botswana Funded by: The San Diego Zoo and Elephants Without Borders Michael Chase Elephants Without Borders Po Box 682 Kasane Botswana Tel/Fax: ++267 6250202 Email: [email protected] PROJECT NARRATIVE Background Conservation management plans for wildlife species require accurate and reliable longitudinal information about population size, distribution, demography, reproductive rate and habitat use. However, obtaining detailed data is often hampered due to financial and time constraints imposed on local governments and scientists. Our fundamental aim in this segment of our elephant ecology study in the Kavango Zambezi TFCA is to augment the elephant conservation efforts of the Botswana Government by conducting research on the ecology of elephants in the Makgadikgadi and Kalahari ecosystems to identify factors regulating the spatiotemporal distribution and habitat use of elephants. Our ultimate goal is to share this information with appropriate authorities, communities and the scientific community, in order to mitigate Human Elephant Conflict (HEC) while simultaneously promoting the conservation of African elephants and their natural habitats in Botswana. Our study is unique and timely in that it monitors elephant range patterns in and out of national parks, across international boundaries and in habitats ranging from nearly desert to wetland/riverine environments. No other study has sought to conserve a “flagship” species by incorporating such a large and varied ecosystem. By adopting the most rigorous scientific methods and state-of- the- art techniques to derive estimates of elephant population size and distribution, as well as movement patterns across the region, we will greatly improve our understanding of the dynamic forces regulating elephant life histories, and their interactions with people thereby make significant contributions towards elephant conservation in Botswana.
    [Show full text]