Monitoring water quality of Lake Chivero in Zimbabwe using Digital Earth Africa

Lake Chivero a Ramsar wetland located in Zimbabwe provides the main water supply for Harare and habitat for birds. However, over the years the lake has faced pollution, siltation, and invasion of water hyacinth due to urban growth and climate change. DE Africa was used to study the changes in water extent and quality over time and made comparisons with rainfall data from Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Station data (CHIRPS).The results highlighted drought and provide crucial inputs for government agencies such as the Ministry of Lands, who are managing the Lake Chivero site and monitoring this vital nesting and breeding ground for birds. By mapping correlations between findings and bird counts, efforts can be made to protect this important habitat into the future as Zimbabwe continues to battle with the effects of variable rainfall on its delicate ecosystems and inform Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), leaving no one behind.

Author(s)

Muongeni Tamara Manda

Undergraduate student at the Chinhoyi University of Technology

Muongeni Manda is a final year undergraduate student with a focus on environmental conservation and Geoinformatics. Throughout her academic journey, Muongeni has been engaged in various projects related to environmental conservation. One notable project involved research collaboration with Anglo-American, Flora and Fauna International, and Nature Metrics. This project focused on utilizing eDNA to monitor biodiversity in aquatic and terrestrial areas in Shurugwi, particularly in the Unki Mine claim area.