A lot of researches have been done on the negative impacts and challenges caused by extreme weather conditions due to climate change and variability. Not many researches have been focused on the positive side in form of opportunities presented due to climate change. The study aimed to show the climate change scenarios and explore possible opportunities that could be derived from such scenarios in the southeastern region of Zimbabwe. The research used climate data records from three Zimbabwe Meteorological Services Department run weather stations in the region. The time series data were analyzed to show trends of rainfall and temperature over time. A questionnaire survey was also carried out to enquire from the farmers if they perceived climate change to have any opportunities. The rainfall trend analysis showed that rainfall amounts have declined at two of the three stations used. Rainfall total was also shown to be variable from year to year at all the stations. Ambient temperatures at all the stations were shown to have increased for both winter and summer. Opportunities that could be derived from climate change in the region were identified as the hydrological, agricultural and industrial. The research concludes that taking advantages of opportunities offered by climate change and variability provides the quickest way of embracing climate change adaptation.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to model and predict mammalian herbivore species abundance in Gonarezhou National Park (GNP), south eastern Zimbabwe. The study also aims to determine and evaluate the distribution-abundance patterns in GNP. Design/methodology/approach Using aerial survey data from 1980 to 2016, the authors use the rank-abundance model to determine the abundance of mammalian herbivores in GNP. Regression analysis is used to show the mammalian herbivore species distribution-abundance relationship. Findings The findings point to a high species richness and evenness in the study area with common species (15%), intermediate (30%) and rare (60%). There is a positive significant relationship (p = 0.00, R2 = 0.9642) between abundance and distribution with common species occupying wider spaces and rare species occupying narrow spaces. Research limitations/implications Aerial surveys in GNP are not continuous and are biased towards elephants. The inclusion of other mammalian herbivore species including domestic animals in subsequent surveys made the aerial reports useful. Originality/value Studies in GNP have tended to concentrate on the population of mammalian herbivores and this marks a shift in emphasis in such studies. The monitoring of mammalian species improves the conservation and management of GNP. Apart from making planning and policy decisions from an informed point of view small animals also need attention as they are numerically few than the large threatened mammals.

Zimbabwe’s Environmental Management Act has provisions promoting the conduct of environmental impact assessment (EIA) prior to project implementation to protect the environment and environmental rights. Using data collection methods inspired by phenomenological study, this paper discusses if EIA processes by a gold mining company had mainstreamed or marooned ‘access rights’ which are the cornerstone of environmental democracy. While the Zimbabwe’s EIA policy is applauded for covertly mainstreaming environmental democracy, research findings suggest that there exist gaps in the policy framework, policy and practice in promoting comprehensive environmental democracy. EIA processes are done to fulfil legal obligations but with little motivation to protect community interests as participation is symbolic. It is recommended to redesign EIA policy and embed broader attributes of environmental democracy such as locals’ participation in all EIA stages and inclusion of experts on community issues in the EIA review panel to promote fairness, inclusivity, transparency during EIA. <p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/781/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

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