Water sources during drought period in a Savanna wildlife ecosystem, northern Zimbabwe

Abstract

Provision of water to wildlife is critical during drought periods in Protected Areas (PA). The objectives of the study were to: (i) assess the distribution of artificial and natural water sources, (ii) assess if there is any relation between borehole depths and borehole water yields, and (iii) assess rainfall trends in relation to borehole yields in Mid Zambezi Protected Area (PA). A combination of remote sensing, water divining, borehole drilling, and visual observations was used to collect data in four PAs in Mid Zambezi in November 2019. Drilled boreholes had mean depths of 74 metres. There were no significant differences in borehole depths and boreholes water yield, Borehole depth: (Kruskal-Wallis χ2 test = 10,8, df = 9, p > 0.05) and borehole water yield Kruskal-Wallis χ2 test = 7,3, df = 11, p > 0.05). A negative correlation was recorded between the boreholes depth and borehole water yields (r = −0.32, n = 18, p < 0.05). The gradual decline in rainfall in the Zambezi valley was ascertained to be related to low borehole water yields and increased borehole depths in some PA. The study recommends another study on the perceived negative impacts of artificial water sources in the wildlife ecosystem.

Keywords

• artificial water hole
• drought
• mid zambezi
• natural water hole
• wildlife