Effect of Small Scale Gold Mining on Vegetation Species Diversity in Umzingwane District
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id12231984 pdfMachine by Broadgun Software - a great PDF writer! - a great PDF creator! - http://www.pdfmachine.com http://www.broadgun.com EEnnvviirroonnImSmSN : e0e97nn4 - 7tt45aa1 ll SScciVioleeumnne 9 Iccssueee 2 An Indian Journal Current Research Paper ESAIJ, 9(2), 2014 [71-84] Effect of small scale gold mining on vegetation species diversity in Umzingwane district Sethi Sibanda1*, M.J.Masaka2, A.Chirima3 1Dept. of Geography and Population, Lupane State University P.O. Box AC 255, Ascot, Bulawayo, (ZIMBABWE) 2Department of Lands and Water Resources Management, Midlands State University P. O. Box. 9055, Gweru, (ZIMBABWE) — 3Department of GIS and Remote sensing, ICRISAT Bulawayo P. O. Box Bulawayo, (ZIMBABWE) E-mail : [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] ABSTRACT KEYWORDS Small scale gold mining in Umzingwane like in other developing countries Small-scale mining; has remained artisanal in nature and is the only livelihood option in the Species richness; current prevailing climatic conditions. This study examined the effects of Species diversity; small scale gold mining on the floristic composition of vegetation in ward 14 Biodiversity. and 15 within the period between February 2012 and November 2012. Stratified random sampling design was used to assess and compare vegetation characteristics under two strata; undisturbed (protected area) and small scale gold mined sites. Woody tree species diversity varied significantly between a mined and undisturbed site (t-test, p < 0.05). The results also indicated less significant differences in grass species diversity (p<0.05). Both tree species richness and diversity decreased due to small scale gold mining while grass species were increased due to disturbance. The significant differences in vegetation floristic composition indicated that small scale gold mining operations reduce biodiversity thus; there is an urgent need to come up with sustainable policies to govern the ballooning mining sector for sustainability of the future biodiversity. 2014 Trade Science Inc. - INDIA INTRODUCTION as the major cause of biodiversity loss and subsequently species extinction. Anthropogenic activities are regarded as major Small scale mining is an important economic activ- causes of biodiversity loss such as the destruction of ity for most developing countries that is likely to disturb vegetation cover which affects a number of ecological vegetation cover and diversity. It is usually dominated processes essential for life forms within the ecosystem. by rural communities who lack appropriate knowledge, Mining is one such activity that has a negative impact skill and equipment as well as lack of access to finan- on the environment; such impacts may include habitat cial assistance[3]. In the global arena, artisanal and small- fragmentation and destruction which has been regarded scale mining are used interchangeable. This is because 72 Effect of small scale gold mining on vegeta.tion species diversity in Umzingwane district ESAIJ, 9(2) 2014 Current Research Paper it has been difficult to separate the two as both operate issue to scientists and policy makers and studies have in small groups and use artisanal tools for operation[7]. shown that species are becoming extinct at the fastest International studies have revealed an increase in the rate known in geological history and most of these ex- number of small-scale miners mainly due to poverty, tinctions have been tied to human activities that are eco- unemployment and food insecurity as climate extremes nomically driven like mining. intensify[50]. The liberalization of the mining sector in Zimbabwe, In Zimbabwe small-scale mining is controlled and has seen an increase in the number of licensed small- regulated by the Ministry of Mines and Mining devel- scale miners most of them mining gold. Recurrent opment in accordance to the provisions of the Mines droughts in the western part of the country have also and minerals Act Chapter 21:05 of 1996. According to forced rural communities to resort to mining for liveli- the annual report by the Mining Commission of Zimba- hood. This has seen vast tracts of land being bwe, there has been a noticeable increase in the num- indiscriminantly dug up in search of alluvial gold. Such ber of legally registered small-scale mines that is esti- activities have potentially negative impacts on the envi- mated to be at between 20000 and 30000. About ronment and especially on vegetation cover and diver- 12000 small-scale mines have been registered for the sity of both tree and grass species. In addition, most Bulawayo mining district. This is the area of concern gold panning activities are along rivers and this has an which covers both Matabeleland South and North. The effect on riverine vegetation and the general water sys- loss of vegetation due to mining activities is of great tems. At a global scale, economic activities are regarded concern to scientists and environmentalists because as major cause of environmental degradation and sub- vegetation destruction and disappearance results in sequently result in loss of biological diversity[48]. Thus, biodiversity losses of both flora and fauna species and the concept of sustainable development is an attempt consequently species extinction. Ogola et al.[30] ob- to integrate environmental policies and development served a number of environmental impacts in the Migori strategies in harmony. district where artisanal mining is practising open cast With the proliferation of small-scale mining activi- and underground operations. These include waste rock ties in Zimbabwe, a lot of studies[13,41] have focused dumped randomly into heaps as tailings, dredged out attention on the impact of these mining activities on and contaminated streams, disturbed vegetation and lit- aquatic ecosystems and human health. However, less tered landscapes and open trenches visible from a dis- emphasis has been put on terrestrial ecosystems espe- tance as well as deep pits usually filled with water dur- cially the magnitude and extent of vegetation destruc- ing rainy season. Plant growth on the wasteland is usu- tion and damage due to mining operations. In addition, ally inhibited, and this is attributed to piling of waste some studies have focused on the effects of large-scale dumps and acid mine drainage[30]. mining on terrestrial ecosystems and the contribution of Studies have also revealed an increase in popula- small-scale mining has remained unexplored. Human tion pressure during non agricultural seasons that have induced changes in land cover influences the carbon seen many people engaging on gold panning for their cycle which is essential for the whole ecosystem. It is livelihoods[22,30]. This puts much pressure on the envi- therefore, necessary to examine the effects of small- ronment in terms of energy resources; thus large quan- scale mining on terrestrial ecosystems and on overall tities of trees are cut down either as firewood or as long term biodiversity. Therefore, the study sort to de- timber causing massive deforestation and soil erosion. termine the magnitude and extent of vegetation distur- Small scale mining in India is also faced with similar bance due to small-scale mining and the results may environmental challenges resulting from not only the de- also contribute to the formulation of a sustainable min- struction of the vegetation especially the trees and ing policy in Zimbabwe. grasses particularly at and near the area of mining op- It was within the scope of this study to address the eration, but they also due to lack of strategies to regen- MDG 7, which seeks to ensure environmental erate environmental status or create greeneries[3]. sustainability through promoting an integration of prin- ’ Myers[26], noted that loss of biodiversity is a significant ciples of sustainable development into every country s Environmental Science An Indian Journal ESAIJ, 9(2) 2014 Sethi Sibanda et al. 73 Current Research Paper policies and programmes and tries to reverse the loss the temperate zones and releasing water vapour that of environmental resources. It is more relevant to target comes back as rain[40]. Soil genesis depends on avail- 25 which looks at the proportion of land areas covered ability of vegetation. Vegetation determines the soil char- by forest as biodiversity gene bank. acteristics such as soil fertility, chemistry and other physi- Importance of vegetation biodiversity cal properties such as texture and colour which in turn determine the characteristics of the vegetation that grows Forests play a number of vital ecological, cultural, as well as the overall productivity and their physiogno- socio economic and environmental functions and these mic structure. Vegetation also serves as habitats for both are both anthropocentric and non-use values. Some of micro and macro organisms within the ecosystem and the important roles provided by forest ecosystems in- also provides food and shelter for these species[49]. clude climate regulation, which is the moderation of glo- Humans also depend on forests for their survival. [21,23] bal climate in place and time . Forest ecosystems Vegetation provides food and fruits for human consump- also play a significant role as carbon sink and the pro- tion. Most developing countries rely on forests for en- [37] duction of oxygen through photosynthesis . Forest ergy in the form of firewood. Woody tree species are biodiversity is also important in watershed protection, also used for carving curios and making furniture. In provides