Abstract
This work outlines a comprehensive study of groundwater resources supply in Mozambique’s Great Limpopo National Park buffer zone in Southern Africa. To protect biological diversity and the water resources supply of dispersed communities of the buffer zone is a crucial problem to fix people in the region and, in the meantime, to boost the development of the Limpopo National Park. This work shows the current state of knowledge about this topic and try to point out some suggestions on technical solutions. Some previous studies concluded that two different main factors make a complex water supply in this area: (i) the rainwater distribution, it is hard to transform the rainwater into groundwater resources available for exploitation, and (ii) the common groundwater resources, rich in elements such as Boron (B), Mercury (Hg), Uranium (U), Zinc (Zn) and Lead (Pb). The occurrence of these elements is linked to the presence of groundwater with long residence times, unsafe for people’s health. The methodological approach adopted has been to assess the potential infiltration, applying the inverse hydrogeological budget technique, starting from the main outcropping geological units, in the study area. Due to the lack of meteorological data referred to Limpopo National Park, the gauge stations located in the Kruger National Park during the last 64 years have been, on the whole, considered. The target of the study has been to assess the trend of meteorological data and understand how precipitations could affect groundwater recharge and their availability. Without a strategy of biodiversity conservation and sustainable water resources management, they cannot be reached and guaranteed healthy conditions for local dispersed communities. A hydrogeoethical responsible approach is essential to protect biological diversity and hydrosocial cycle framework with integrative ecosystem services and nature-based solutions.
Highlights
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) addresses the following formal definition of biodiversity: “the variability among living organisms from all sources including, among others, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems” (United Nations 1992)
An essential first phase in developing conservation of biodiversity requires a reliable groundwater characterization and protection, especially where groundwater is fundamental for nature and human life, as it happens in Mozambique Limpopo National Park area and its buffer zone (FAO 2004)
This work has presented the results of applying the Hydrogeological Inverse Budget to the Limpopo National Park area by sharing meteorological data from historical series
Summary
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) addresses the following formal definition of biodiversity: “the variability among living organisms from all sources including, among others, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems” (United Nations 1992). Emerged the concept of hydrogeoethics focussed on ethical research and best practices related to responsible groundwater science and engineering management and interrelated dimensions such as environmental law, social sciences, cultural and traditional values (Abrunhosa et al 2021). Several biological diversity examples often result in a land that is managed for some form of agricultural production and the maintenance of rural livelihoods. It is pretty challenging to support managing groundwater to protect biological diversity crops and guarantee water supply for local communities. An essential first phase in developing conservation of biodiversity requires a reliable groundwater characterization and protection, especially where groundwater is fundamental for nature and human life, as it happens in Mozambique Limpopo National Park area and its buffer zone (FAO 2004)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
