Ecology Zambezi

1 ecology

1.1 pollution
1.2 effects of dams
1.3 conservation measures
1.4 fish stocks management
1.5 eus outbreak

ecology

lake cahora bassa in mozambique, 1 of river s major sources of hydroelectric energy


pollution

sewage effluent major cause of water pollution around urban areas, inadequate water treatment facilities in major cities of region force them release untreated sewage river. has resulted in eutrophication of river water , has facilitated spread of diseases of poor hygiene such cholera, typhus , dysentery.

effects of dams

the construction of 2 major dams regulating flow of river has had major effect on wildlife , human populations in lower zambezi region. when cahora bassa dam completed in 1973, managers allowed fill in single flood season, going against recommendations fill on @ least 2 years. drastic reduction in flow of river led 40% reduction in coverage of mangroves, increased erosion of coastal region , 60% reduction in catch of prawns off mouth due reduction in emplacement of silt , associate nutrients. wetland ecosystems downstream of dam shrank considerably. wildlife in delta further threatened uncontrolled hunting during civil war in mozambique.

conservation measures

the kavango–zambezi transfrontier conservation area cover parts of zambia, angola, namibia, zimbabwe , botswana, including famous okavango delta in botswana , mosi-oa-tunya (the smoke thunders, or victoria falls). thought cross-border park animal migration routes , assist in preservation of wetlands clean water, sewage communities problem.

funding boosted cross-border conservation along zambezi in 2008. kavango–zambezi transfrontier conservation project—which follows zambezi river , stretches across angola, botswana, namibia, zambia , zimbabwe—has received grant of €8 million german nongovernmental organisation. part of funds used research in areas covered project. however, angola has warned landmines civil war may impede project.

the river passes through ngonye falls national park, mosi-oa-tunya national park, , lower zambezi national park (in zambia), , zambezi national park, victoria falls national park, matusadona national park, mana pools national park, , middle zambezi biosphere reserve (in zimbabwe).

fish stocks management

as of 2017 situation of overfishing in upper zambezi , tributaries considered dire, in part due weak enforcement of respective fisheries acts , regulations. fish stocks of lake liambezi in eastern caprivi found totally depleted, , surveys indicated decline in whole zambezi-kwando-chobe river system. illegal fishing (i.a. foreign nationals employed namibians) , commercially minded individuals, exploited resources detriment of local markets , communities culture , economy depend on these resources.

namibian officials have consequently banned monofilament nets, , imposed closing period of 3 months every year allow fish breed. appointed village fish guards , kayasa channel in impalila conservancy area declared fisheries reserve. namibian ministry promotes aquaculture , plans distribute thousands of fingerlings registered small-scale fish farmers of region.

eus outbreak

on 14 september 2007, epizootic ulcerative syndrome (eus) killed hundreds of sore-covered fish in river. zambia agriculture minister ben kapita asked experts investigate outbreak probe cause find out if disease can transmitted humans.