An exploratory analysis of the social, economic and environmental impacts on wetlands: the case of Shurugwi district, Midlands Province, Zimbabwe

The paper analyses the impacts of socio-economic and environmental factors on wetlands in Shurugwi district. Plant species and vegetation cover changes were used as indicators for determining wetland area shrinkage. Results reveal a negative relationship between economic activities, socio- political factors and wetland status. In 1980 wetlands occupied 220 hectares or 56.6 percent of the study area. By 2003 wetlands had declined to 43.4 percent representing an annual average decline of 0.6 percent. Desire by local communities to optimise family welfare decrease wetland protection effort. For wetlands to be effectively protected, sound environmental policies combined with continued per capita investment in social services must be put in place so as to raise the threshold of wetland protection effort. Increased knowledge of wetland attributes may also lead to increased opportunities for policy intervention