An Assessment of Climate Change Response Strategies In The Water Sector In Mutirikwi Sub-Catchment, Masvingo, Zimbabwe

Abstract

The water sector is at the center of climate change impacts matrix. The objective of this study was to determine the sustainability of the response strategies in the water sector in the Mutirikwi sub-catchment in Masvingo. The study obtained its data form surveys recorded meteorological data from the Zimbabwe Meteorological Services Department’s four weather stations in the catchment, namely, Makoholi, Masvingo Airport, Buffalo Range and Zaka. Time series analysis of temperature data from 1952 to 2002 and rainfall pattern from 1972 to 2010 was done using the XL STAT software. The results show that the seasonal average rainfall decrease from 1972 to 2010 was not statistically significant (p=0.635, α=0.05), but the decline bears a significant environmental impact. The seasonal maximum temperature increase was statistically significant (p=0.000, α=0.05), and the seasonal minimum temperature increase was not significant (p=0.226, α=0.05). Vulnerability varies spatially within urban areas and between urban and rural. Vulnerability is determined by social status and aggravated by management issues. Borehole use has increased and water harvesting, water reuse and water transfers are the main adaptive responses used in the catchment. The study concludes that current response strategies are not sustainable. There is a need to design area-specific response mechanisms that are all inclusive to ensure that communities are able to adapt to climate change with regard to water resources.

Analysis of the influence of precipitation patterns on wetland sizes in South-Eastern Zimbabwe

“…Rather it seems other nonclimatic factors contribute to wetland loss. Results of studies by Ziti (2020), show that the seasonal average rainfall decrease from 1972 to 2010 was not statistically significant (p=0.635, α=0.05), but the decline bears a significant environmental impact. This is a perspective that needs further investigation.…”