Browsing by Author "Letsattle, Mabala Ikanyeng"

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    Investigation of agro-ecosystem developments and associated impacts on water resources in the limpopo river basin: the case of makamatshwane Micro agro-ecosystem project in notwane sub-basin, Bostswana
    (University of Dar es Salaam,, 2012) Letsattle, Mabala Ikanyeng
    Agro-ecosystems of Limpopo River Basin are faced with challenges caused by unreliable, high intensity rainfall, extremely high summer temperatures, persistent drought condition, poor soils, land degradation, all leading to poor agricultural production and biodiversity loss. These problems are worsened by the economic downturn and result in imbalances of the ecosystem services in agro-ecosystems around the basin. This study was therefore conducted to investigate agro-ecosystem developments, the viability of intensifying them and their impacts on water resources in the Makamatshwane catchment in Notwane Sub-basin. The study identified the problems that resulted in adoption of agro-ecosystem interventions, which were then fed into the XLRM framework for scenario formulation and development of management strategies. The WEAP model was employed for analysis of agro-ecosystem developments impacts on water resources. It was interesting to find out that change brought about by the developments in the area with only 24.75% of catchment inflow retained in ponds and the darn. Re-vegetation brought about by the developments was one of the positive impacts of the developments. In conclusion, multi-functional agro-ecosystems can transform the agricultural sector and by maximising benefits from ecosystem services and ensuring agricultural and environmental sustainability. More research on the success of the Makamatshwane agro-ecosystem model and the utilization of water resources need to be conducted for the sustainability of agriculture and the environment.