Area Of Mozambique Research Articles

Genome-wide diversity, population structure and signatures of inbreeding in the African buffalo in Mozambique

The African buffalo, Syncerus caffer, is a key species in African ecosystems. Like other large herbivores, it plays a fundamental role in its habitat acting as an ecosystem engineer. Over the last few centuries, African buffalo populations have declined because of range contraction and demographic decline caused by direct or indirect human activities. In Mozambique, historically home to large buffalo herds, the combined effect of colonialism and subsequent civil wars has created a critical situation that urgently needs to be addressed. In this study, we focused on the analysis of genetic diversity of Syncerus caffer caffer populations from six areas of Mozambique. Using genome-wide SNPs obtained from ddRAD sequencing, we examined the population structure across the country, estimated gene flow between areas under conservation management, including national reserves, and assessed the inbreeding coefficients. Our results indicate that all studied populations of Syncerus caffer caffer are genetically depauperate, with a high level of inbreeding. Moreover, buffaloes in Mozambique present a significant population differentiation between southern and central areas. We found an unexpected genotype in the Gorongosa National Park, where buffaloes experienced a dramatic population size reduction, that shares a common ancestry with southern populations of Catuane and Namaacha. This could suggest the past occurrence of a connection between southern and central Mozambique and that the observed population structuring could reflect recent events of anthropogenic origin. All the populations analysed showed high levels of homozygosity, likely due to extensive inbreeding over the last few decades, which could have increased the frequency of recessive deleterious alleles. Improving the resilience of Syncerus caffer caffer in Mozambique is essential for preserving the ecosystem integrity. The most viable approach appears to be facilitating translocations and re-establishing connectivity between isolated herds. However, our results also highlight the importance of assessing intraspecific genetic diversity when considering interventions aimed at enhancing population viability such as selecting suitable source populations.

Applying the photovoice method with adolescents in mining areas in rural Mozambique: critical reflections and lessons learned

ABSTRACT There is a recognised need for innovative methods to elicit the perspective of adolescents on public health issues, particularly when addressing sensitive topics such as the impact of mining projects on their health. Participatory approaches such as “photovoice” allow for deep engagement of vulnerable and marginalised populations, including adolescents. However, few existing studies have used the photovoice method to reflect on issues related to the environment and its impact on public health. To date, no studies have been found that have used photovoice to gain insight into adolescentsʼ perspectives in mining areas. In this paper, we discuss the application of the photovoice method to understand adolescents’ perceptions about the impact of mining on their health and well-being in rural areas in Mozambique. The study was conducted in northern and central Mozambique. Photovoice was successfully integrated into eight focus group discussions with adolescent girls and boys aged 15 to 17 years. Several lessons for guiding future research were learned. First, it provided an understanding of the perceived impacts of mining on their health and well-being. Second, photovoice promoted active engagement and interest in the study by the adolescents. Finally, compared to its ability to capture perceptions of physical and environmental aspects affecting adolescents’ well-being, the method was less straightforward in revealing their concerns regarding social, relational and community aspects that are less tangible. Programs can make use of photovoice to address health issues without setting adolescents’ views and priorities aside, allowing them to influence health decisions on issues that are meaningful to them. Future studies should explore strategies to minimise the role of the power dynamics that affect the engagement and contribution of adolescents in advocating for necessary and meaningful changes. Additionally, it is important to investigate how health programs and policies can help to reduce the impact of existing inequalities.

‘They didn’t look at me with good eyes' – experiences of the socioeconomic impact of tuberculosis and support needs among adults in a semi-rural area in Mozambique: A Qualitative Study

ABSTRACT Tuberculosis is recognised as a disease of the economically disadvantaged people due to its association with financial vulnerability. Mozambique still faces the challenge of the high burden of TB and associated costs. We aimed to understand the social and economic impacts of TB and the need for social support among people with TB in Mozambique. We conducted a qualitative study using a phenomenological approach focusing on the lived experiences and perceptions of people with TB. A total of 52 semi-structured one-to-one in-depth interviews were conducted and data were analysed using a reflexive thematic analysis. Three themes were drawn from the analysis: (i) TB has a social and economic impact that requires adaptation and resourcefulness amongst those affected; (ii) People with TB have different preferences and needs for social support, and (iii) People with TB have different knowledge of, and experiences with, formal social support. TB affects family and community relationships mainly due to impacts on the household’s finances. People with TB in Mozambique are not entitled to any form of social support, and they need to rely on help from family and the community which is often insufficient. Further investigation is needed on how social support schemes can be developed in Mozambique.

Identifying Mozambique's most critical areas for plant conservation: An evaluation of protected areas and Important Plant Areas

AbstractSuccessful protected area networks must represent biodiversity across taxonomic groups. However, too often plant species are overlooked in conservation planning, and the resulting protected areas may, as a result, fail to encompass the most important sites for plant diversity. The Mozambique Tropical Important Plant Areas project sought to promote the conservation of Mozambique's flora through the identification of Important Plant Areas (IPAs). Here, we use the Weighted Endemism including Global Endangerment (WEGE) index to identify the richest areas for rare and endemic plants in Mozambique and subsequently evaluate how well represented these hotspots are within the current protected area and IPA networks. We also examine the congruence between IPA and protected areas to identify opportunities for strengthening the conservation of plants in Mozambique. We found that high WEGE scores, representing areas rich in endemic/near‐endemic and threatened species, predict the presence of IPAs in Mozambique, but do not predict the presence of protected areas. We also find that there is limited overlap between IPAs and protected areas in Mozambique. We demonstrate how IPAs could be an important tool for ensuring priority sites for plant diversity are included within protected area network expansions, particularly following the adoption of the “30 by 30” target agreed within the post‐2020 Convention on Biological Diversity framework, with great potential for this method to be replicated elsewhere in the global tropics.

Mapping irrigated agriculture in fragmented landscapes of sub-Saharan Africa: An examination of algorithm and composite length effectiveness

Accurately identifying irrigated areas is crucial for sustainable development, food security, and effective land and water resource management. However, incomplete or outdated national estimates of irrigated areas underestimate the extent of it, particularly among smallholders. This study aimed to address this issue by investigating the impact of different algorithms and composite lengths on predicting irrigated agriculture in four study areas in Mozambique. The study found that the choice of algorithm and composite length notably impacted the accuracy of identifying irrigation. Shorter composite lengths, such as 2-monthly or 3-monthly composites, were more effective in identifying irrigation in fragmented and dynamic landscapes, while longer composite lengths were better suited to stable classes and homogeneous landscapes. Artificial neural networks, support vector machines, and random forests were all effective algorithms for classifying irrigation. However, the study emphasised the importance of considering hotspots and agreement maps when identifying irrigation. Agreement maps combine the classification results of multiple models, providing better insights into the core areas of irrigated agriculture and allowing for a better understanding of irrigation dynamics and policy decision-making, particularly among smallholder systems. This research provides valuable insights for those working on remote sensing-based irrigation mapping and monitoring in sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on identifying smallholder irrigation with greater certainty.

Rainfall onset and cessation over Mozambique and relationship with sea surface temperature and atmospheric patterns

AbstractMozambique is highly dependent on subsistence agriculture. Thus a climatology of rainfall onset and cessation is derived together with their interannual variability and trends using gridded daily data and station data. Mean onset is found to occur from early to mid‐November over southernmost regions, mid‐ to late November over central regions and late November to early December over the northern and coastal regions while cessation is from mid to late March over southern and late March to early April over most of central and northern Mozambique. The two gridded datasets showed differences (~30 days) in rainfall onset and cessation dates over southern Mozambique with standard deviations of 20–35 days. Timing of early onset over northern and central Mozambique appears associated with both zonal and meridional moisture convergence and tropical extratropical cloud bands, while timing of late onset is associated with southeast moisture fluxes from the subtropical South Indian Ocean and uplift over the landmass. Early (late) onset appears to be linked to La Niña (El Niño), particularly over central Mozambique. Rainfall cessation over most of Mozambique tends to be early (late) during El Niño (La Niña) summers. The relationship of ENSO with onset and cessation over large areas in Mozambique may help farmers and other user groups in planning their activities for the rainy season.

Everyday governance in areas of contested power: Insights from Mozambique, Myanmar, and Pakistan

SummaryMotivationHow do poor and marginalized people solve problems and claim rights and entitlements in places affected by conflict and where state authority is contested? Understanding such processes is important as the numbers of poor people living in difficult settings grows, yet existing research on governance in conflict largely misses a “citizen's eye” view of these processes.PurposeThe article focuses on “everyday governance” from a citizen's perspective. What do engagements with the multiple state and non‐state actors that prevail in such settings look like? We present insights from longitudinal research in conflict‐affected areas in Mozambique, Myanmar and Pakistan.Methods and approachResearch was undertaken in two phases over the period 2017–2021. Researchers developed an innovative method, “governance diaries,” in which we interviewed the same set of poor and marginalized households over a period of a year, capturing an unfolding citizen's eye view of governance. We subsequently used the same method to include key intermediaries to whom households went with problems.FindingsWe find that in most instances poor and marginalized households did not rely on the state or other formal or external authorities to resolve problems. Mostly, they simply “lived with” those problems, or resolved them through “self‐provision”—mutual aid and community action. When they did go to authorities, they used “governance intermediaries”—actors that connect people with authorities or mediate between households. These intermediaries played a central role in local governance, using their networks and deploying a range of strategies with a focus on local resolution of problems.Policy implicationsThese findings challenge some core assumptions of contemporary development practice. First, development programmes tend to focus on improving state‐run services, rather than engaging with the diversity of how public goods are governed on the ground. Second, policies assume that people can go directly to authorities with their problems, and do not take into account the role that intermediaries play. Finally, the highly diverse networks of governance actors that matter to specific places challenges the common focus on formal systems rather than informal practices.

Impact of climate changes in the suitable areas for Coffea arabica L. production in Mozambique: Agroforestry as an alternative management system to strengthen crop sustainability

Climate changes (CC) are a main global phenomenon, with a worldwide impact on natural and agricultural ecosystems. The objective of this study was to analyse the potential impact of future CC on the suitability of areas for rainfed coffee growth, both at the Mozambique national scale and in the Gorongosa Mountain, under Agroforestry (AFS) and Full Sun (FS) management systems. The latter study site is part of the Gorongosa National Park (PNG), one of the most biodiverse places and an outstanding case of successful ecosystem restoration, including the rainforest from Gorongosa Mountain. Additionally, coffee cultivation in PNG under AFS is part of a strategy to strengthen the socio-economic sustainability of the local population, and the recovery of biodiversity in a degraded tropical rainforest ecosystem. Future climate assessments were elaborated through bioclimatic and biophysical variables (Elevation), with Coffea arabica L. being modeled under the current conditions and four global climate models (GCMs) using four Shared Socio-economic Pathways (SSPs). Isothermality, annual precipitation, and altitude were the most important variables influencing suitable areas in Mozambique. The analysis revealed that currently suitable areas where C. arabica is grown in Mozambique will be negatively affected under future scenarios (SSP126 to SSP585) in both systems (AFS and FS), although with clear worst impacts for FS. Under AFS, suitable areas will be reduced between about half and two-thirds by 2041–2060, and up to 91% by 2081–2100 (depending on scenarios) at the whole country level. Additionally, in Gorongosa Mountain, almost all scenarios point to a 30% reduction of the suitable area by 2041–2060, reaching 50% by 2081–2100, both in SSP126 and SSP245 scenarios. In sharp contrast, at the whole country level, the FS system is projected to be unsuitable for most of Mozambique, with area losses close to or above two-thirds already in 2021–2040, and greater than 80% by 2061–2080. Under this system, the projections were even more dramatic, pointing to a total absence of adequate areas at Gorongosa Mountain already by 2021–2040. Overall, our study provides clear evidence that the implementation of AFS greatly reduces CC deleterious impacts, being crucial to guarantee the sustainability of the coffee crop in the near future.

The importance of farm management training for the African rice Green Revolution: Experimental evidence from rainfed lowland areas in Mozambique

The effectiveness of basic farm management training (e.g., seed selection, nursery bed setup, field leveling, bund construction, and transplanting) for the African rice Green Revolution has not been fully examined. This study evaluated a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of such training in the remote rainfed lowland areas of Mozambique. The training taught these practices without introducing modern varieties or inorganic fertilizers. The intention-to-treat (ITT) effect on paddy yield was 447–546 kg/ha (29 %–36 % of the control group average yield), with statistical significance at 7 %–8%. The results indicate that the adoption of these basic practices alone can improve paddy yield without relying on modern purchased inputs, which are usually not readily available in remote local markets or affordable to cash-constrained farmers. Complementarity among these basic practices is also suggested in that the yield increase had the highest statistical significance when all five practices were adopted.

Navigating a double burden – Floods and social vulnerability in local communities in rural Mozambique

This article explores how rural communities in the lower Limpopo River basin in Mozambique are vulnerable to floods and discerns the extent to which vulnerability changes across the disaster cycle. Focusing on social vulnerability, it analyzes what forms of capital the local communities hold to respond to and cope with disastrous flood events. Drawing on interviews and field studies, our analysis empirically illustrates the daily hardships that many rural poor in Mozambique endure and how, according to their own lived experiences, it makes it difficult to take an active part in disaster risk reduction (DRR). We show that flood-affected communities, to a large extent, are trapped in a vicious circle in which the vulnerabilities differ between the disaster stages but simultaneously seem reinforcing. Recurrent flood seasons and a lack of resources repeatedly deprive the three studied communities of their assets and livelihoods and lock them into an endemic poverty circle. However, we show that local risk committees have emerged as sources of social capital in flood-prone rural areas in Mozambique, and we highlight the critical role of social capital. While the DRR research field continues to grow, it is imperative to expand the empirical focus to regions that have not yet received the same attention as the United States and Western Europe have. Our case study contributes to the endeavor to gain a deeper understanding of the preconditions for flood vulnerability and DRR in sub-Saharan Africa, which is home to more than half of the world’s poor.

Young key populations left behind: The necessity for a targeted response in Mozambique.

The first exposure to high-risk sexual and drug use behaviors often occurs during the period of youth (15-24 years old). These behaviors increase the risk of HIV infection, especially among young key populations (KP)-men how have sex with men (MSM), female sex workers (FSW), and people who inject drugs (PWID). We describe the characteristics of young KP participants in the first Biobehavioral Surveillance (BBS) surveys conducted in Mozambique and examine their risk behaviors compared to adult KP. Respondent-driven sampling (RDS) methodology was used to recruit KP in three major urban areas in Mozambique. RDS-weighted pooled estimates were calculated to estimate the proportion of young KP residing in each survey city. Unweighted pooled estimates of risk behaviors were calculated for each key population group and chi-square analysis assessed differences in proportions between youth (aged less than 24 years old) and older adult KP for each population group. The majority of MSM and FSW participants were young 80.7% (95% CI: 71.5-89.9%) and 71.9% (95% CI: 71.9-79.5%), respectively, although not among PWID (18.2%, 95% CI: 13.2-23.2%). Young KP were single or never married, had a secondary education level or higher, and low employment rates. They reported lower perception of HIV risk (MSM: 72.3% vs 56.7%, p<0.001, FSW: 45.3% vs 24.4%, p<0.001), lower HIV testing uptake (MSM: 67.5% vs 72.3%, p<0.001; FSW: 63.2% vs 80.6%; p<0.001, PWID: 53.3% vs 31.2%; p = 0.001), greater underage sexual debut (MSM: 9.6% vs 4.8%, p<0.001; FSW: 35.2% vs 22.9%, p<0.001), and greater underage initiation of injection drug use (PWID: 31.9% vs 7.0%, p<0.001). Young KP also had lower HIV prevalence compared to older KP: MSM: 3.3% vs 27.0%, p<0.001; FSW: 17.2% vs 53.7%, p<0.001; and PWID: 6.0% vs 55.0%, p<0.001. There was no significant difference in condom use across the populations. There is an immediate need for a targeted HIV response for young KP in Mozambique so that they are not left behind. Youth must be engaged in the design and implementation of interventions to ensure that low risk behaviors are sustained as they get older to prevent HIV infection.

Prediction of forest parameters and carbon accounting under different fire regimes in Miombo woodlands, Niassa Special Reserve, Northern Mozambique

Miombo woodlands are the most extensive dry forest type in southern Africa, covering ca. 1.9 million km2 across seven countries. Fire is a key ecosystem process that has structured miombo for the last 200,000 years. However, how fires affect the ecosystem's functioning is not well understood. In this study, we used the individual-based forest model called FORMIND to analyze the carbon balance in the miombo woodlands of Niassa Special Reserve (NSR), northern Mozambique. The 42.000 km2 NSR represents the most important conservation area in Mozambique (~31% of the total conservation area in the country) and of miombo woodlands worldwide. Long-term inventory data from 2004 to 2019 for NSR were used to calibrate FORMIND. The primary ecosystem processes of this model are tree growth, mortality, regeneration, and competition. Fire is set as one of the main factors that affect these processes, after the woodland reaches an equilibrium at 200 years of age. We also calculated the Net Present Value (NPV) of carbon credits resulting from altering the fire regime (e.g., reducing or eliminating fires). The FORMIND model successfully reproduced important characteristics of the woodlands (aboveground biomass, stem size distribution and basal area). NPV estimates of above-ground woody biomass carbon stocks were highly dependent on the woodland age. The maximum NPV estimates were generated for a 30-year project starting with 200 year old woodlands (the current forest age) at 192–1339 USD based on a realistic range of carbon values (i.e., 3–20 USD MgCO2e−1). While fire plays an important role in miombo woodlands by reducing stock and changing species composition, its effects on the capacity of the woodland to mitigate the effects of climate change varies depending on the age of stands. Our results show that FORMIND model reliably reproduce the field inventory data, thus can be used to improve carbon accounting standards. We recommend the development of a fire management system to sustain the miombo woodlands of NSR for multiple reasons. NSR is a globally significant protected area, but perhaps more importantly it could become a regional example for how to improve miombo woodland management. Given that miombo woodlands provide a myriad of ecosystem services to rural Africans, investing in improving fire management could increase the benefits to local communities. Altering fire regimes could improve habitat quality and promote greater resilience to climate change while sequestering carbon. In addition, local employment opportunities in fire management could be created via carbon financing from a carbon project. However, much more outreach and education will be needed to local and national stakeholders for fire management to be perceived more positively and realize the potential to generate multiple benefits for nature and people.

Dynamic evaluation method for planning sustainable landfills using GIS and multi-criteria in areas of urban sprawl with land-use conflicts.

Landfill site selection is problematic in many countries, especially developing nations where there is rapid population growth, which leads to high levels of inadequate waste disposal. To find sustainable landfill sites in sprawling cities, this study presents an approach that combines geographic information system (GIS) with multi-criteria (social, environmental and, technical criteria) and the population growth projection. The greater Maputo area in Mozambique was selected as a representative city for the study, which is undergoing rapid urbanization. Six criteria, i.e., land use, transport networks, hydrology, conservation reserve, geology and slope, were considered and overlaid in the GIS using an analytic hierarchy process (AHP). The arithmetic projection of the population trend suggests that the greater Maputo area is experiencing a rapid and uncontrolled population growth, especially in Matola city. These pronounced changes in population then significantly change the landfill placement decision making. Dynamic and static scenarios were created, based on the analysis of multi-criteria and the areas likely to undergo future increased population growth. A comparative evaluation in a scenario of dynamic behavior considering future population showed that suitable areas for landfill sites have been drastically modified due to social and environmental factors affected by population distribution in some regions. The results indicate that some suitable areas can generate land use conflicts due to population growth with unplanned land use expansion. Finally, the western part of Matola city is recognized as the most recommendable landfill site, which can serve both Maputo and Matola city with affordable costs. This study provides an effective landfill placement decision making approach, which is possible to be applied anywhere, especially in developing countries to improve sustainable municipal solid waste management systems.

Two new species from the mountains of southern Malawi and northern Mozambique

SummaryTwo new species are described from the proposed Mulanje-Namuli-Ribáuè Centre of Endemism. Isoglossa perdita I.Darbysh. (Acanthaceae) is apparently restricted to the submontane forests of southeastern Mt Mulanje in Malawi, and is assessed as Critically Endangered. Agelanthus patelii Polhill & Timberlake (Loranthaceae) is recorded from the montane forests of Mt Mulanje and from Mt Namuli in Mozambique, and the earlier assessment of this species as Endangered is confirmed. The habitat preferences and taxonomic affinities of these species are discussed. This work contributes to the ongoing assessment of the biodiversity and endemism of this montane region, and to the identification of Important Plant Areas in Mozambique.

Access to and use of health and social services among people who inject drugs in two urban areas of Mozambique, 2014: qualitative results from a formative assessment

BackgroundPrior to 2014, data about health seeking behaviors or service uptake for People who inject drugs (PWID) in Mozambique did not exist. We present the results from the formative assessment component of the Biological and Behavioral Survey (BBS).MethodsStandardized interview guides were used during key informant interviews (KII) and focus group discussions (FGD) in Maputo and Nampula/Nacala to discuss issues related to risk behaviors and access to and utilization of health and social services by PWID. The target sample size was not defined a priori, but instead KII and FGD were conducted until responses reached saturation. Data analysis was based on the principles of grounded theory related to qualitative research.ResultsEighty-eight respondents, ages 15 to 60, participated in KIIs and FGDs. Participants were majority male from diverse income and education levels and included current and former PWID, non-injection drug users, health and social service providers, peer educators, and community health workers. Respondents reported that PWID engage in high-risk behaviors such as needle and syringe sharing, exchange of sex for drugs or money, and low condom use. According to participants, PWID would rather rent, share or borrow injection equipment at shooting galleries than purchase them due to stigma, fear of criminalization, transportation and purchase costs, restricted pharmacy hours, personal preference for needle sharing, and immediacy of drug need. Barriers to access and utilization of health and social services include distance, the limited availability of programs for PWID, lack of knowledge of the few programs that exist, concerns about the quality of care provided by health providers, lack of readiness as a result of addiction and perceived stigma related to the use of mental health services offering treatment to PWID.ConclusionsMozambique urgently needs to establish specialized harm reduction programs for PWID and improve awareness of available resources. Services should be located in hot spot areas to address issues related to distance, transportation and the planning required for safe injection. Specific attention should go to the creation of PWID-focused health and social services outside of state-sponsored psychiatric treatment centers.

Species-specific biomass allometric models and expansion factors for indigenous and planted forests of the Mozambique highlands

Secondary Miombo woodlands and forest plantations occupy increasing areas in Mozambique, the former due to anthropogenic activities. Plantations, mainly species of Eucalyptus and Pinus, are being established on sites previously covered by secondary Miombo woodlands. This affects the evolution, cycle and spatiotemporal patterns of carbon (C) storage and stocks in forest ecosystems. The estimation of C storage, which is indispensable for formulating climate change policies on sequestrating CO2, requires tools such as biomass models and biomass conversion and expansion factors (BCEF). In Mozambique, these tools are needed for both indigenous forests and plantations. The objective of this study is to fit species-specific allometric biomass models and BCEF for exotic and indigenous tree species. To incorporate efficient inter-species variability, biomass equations were fitted using nonlinear mixed-effects models. All tree component biomass models had good predictability; however, better predictive accuracy and ability was observed for the 2-predictors biomass model with tree height as a second predictor. The majority of the variability in BCEF was explained by the variation in tree species. Miombo species had larger crown biomass per unit of stem diameter and stored larger amounts of biomass per stem volume. However, due to relatively rapid growth, larger stem diameters, heights, and stand density, the plantations stored more biomass per tree and per unit area.

High prevalence of HIV, HBsAg and anti-HCV positivity among people who injected drugs: results of the first bio-behavioral survey using respondent-driven sampling in two urban areas in Mozambique

BackgroundFew countries in sub-Saharan Africa know the magnitude of their HIV epidemic among people who inject drugs (PWID). This was the first study in Mozambique to measure prevalence of HIV, HBV, and HCV, and to assess demographic characteristics and risk behaviors in this key population.MethodsWe used respondent-driven sampling (RDS) to conduct a cross-sectional behavioral surveillance survey of PWID in two cities of Mozambique lasting six months. Participants were persons who had ever injected drugs without a prescription. Participants completed a behavioral questionnaire and provided blood specimens for HIV, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV) testing. We performed RDS-adjusted analysis in R 3.2 using RDSAT 7.1 weights.ResultsWe enrolled 353 PWID in Maputo and 139 in Nampula/Nacala; approximately 95% of participants were men. Disease prevalence in Maputo and Nampula/Nacala, respectively, was 50.1 and 19.9% for HIV, 32.1 and 36.4% for HBsAg positivity, and 44.6 and 7.0% for anti-HCV positivity. Additionally, 8% (Maputo) and 28.6% (Nampula/Nacala) of PWID reported having a genital sore or ulcer in the 12 months preceding the survey. Among PWID who injected drugs in the last month, 50.3% (Maputo) and 49.6% (Nampula/Nacala) shared a needle at least once that month. Condomless sex in the last 12 months was reported by 52.4% of PWID in Maputo and 29.1% in Nampula/Nacala. Among PWID, 31.6% (Maputo) and 41.0% (Nampula/Nacala) had never tested for HIV. In multivariable analysis, PWID who used heroin had 4.3 (Maputo; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2, 18.2) and 2.3 (Nampula/Nacala; 95% CI: 1.2, 4.9) greater odds of having HIV.ConclusionUnsafe sexual behaviors and injection practices are frequent among PWID in Mozambique, and likely contribute to the disproportionate burden of disease we found. Intensified efforts in prevention, care, and treatment specific for PWID have the potential to limit disease transmission.

Using genetic and phenetic markers to assess population isolation within the southernmost tsetse fly belt in Africa.

The effective control of tsetse flies (Diptera; Glossinidae), the biological vectors of trypanosome parasites that cause human African trypanosomosis and African animal trypanosomosis throughout sub-Saharan Africa, is crucial for the development of productive livestock systems. The degree of genetic isolation of the targeted populations, which indicate reinvasion potential from uncontrolled areas, will be critical to establish a control strategy. Molecular and morphometrics markers were used to assess the degree of genetic isolation between seemingly fragmented populations of Glossina brevipalpis Newstead and Glossina austeni Newstead present in South Africa. These populations were also compared with flies from adjacent areas in Mozambique and Eswatini. For the molecular markers, deoxyribonucleic acid was extracted, a r16S2 Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed and the PCR product sequenced. Nine landmarks were used for the morphometrics study as defined by vein intersections in the right wings of female flies. Generalised Procrustes analyses and regression on centroid size were used to determine the Cartesian coordinates for comparison between populations. Both methods indicated an absence of significant barriers to gene flow between the G. brevipalpis and G. austeni populations of South Africa and southern Mozambique. Sustainable control can only be achieved if implemented following an area-wide management approach against the entire G. brevipalpis and G. austeni populations of South Africa and southern Mozambique. Limited gene flow detected between the G. austeni population from Eswatini and that of South Africa or Mozambique may imply that these two populations are in the proses of becoming isolated.

Luenha picrites, Central Mozambique – Messengers from a mantle plume source of Karoo continental flood basalts?

We present geochemical and isotopic (Nd, Sr) data for a picrite lava suite from the Luenha River and adjacent areas in Mozambique. The Luenha picrites represent a previously unknown type of picrites related to the Karoo large igneous province (LIP) and are distinguished by their notably low TiO2 contents (0.3–1.0 wt%) and coupling of high Nb/Y with low Zr/Y and Sm/Yb. Relatively high CaO and low Zn/Fe point to a peridotitic mantle source. Contamination-sensitive incompatible element ratios show that one lava flow is likely to be uncontaminated by the crust and its composition suggests a mantle source with primitive mantle-like incompatible element ratios and mildly depleted isotopic ratios (initial 87Sr/86Sr = 0.7041 and εNd = +1.4 at 180 Ma). The primary melts of the Luenha picrites had MgO contents in the range of 13–21 wt%. Our preferred estimate for a primary melt composition (MgO = 18 wt%) resembles experimental melts of fertile mantle peridotite at 3–4 GPa and indicates liquidus temperature of 1445–1582 °C. Geochemical similarities suggest the Luenha picrites were generated from the same overall primitive mantle-like reservoir that produced the main volume of Karoo flood basalts in the Karoo, Kalahari, and Zambezi basins, whereas the previously identified enriched and depleted (upper) mantle sources of Karoo picrite suites (Mwenezi, Antarctica) were subordinate sources for flood basalts. We propose that the Luenha picrites record melting of a hot, chemically primitive mantle plume source that may have been rooted in the sub-African large low shear velocity province boundary and that such a source might have been the most significant magma source in the Karoo LIP.

Vegetation structure and effects of human use of the dambos ecosystem in northern Mozambique

The Niassa National Reserve (NNR) is the most extensive conservation area in Mozambique and the third largest in Africa, encompassing 42,000 km2 of endemic miombo vegetation. Dambos wetlands occur within the wooded grassland and grassland vegetation of NNR and provide a wide range of Ecosystem Services (ES), including life support for animal species, regulation of water flow and prevention of soil erosion. It also generates income for the livelihoods of local communities by providing land for agriculture and harvesting of non-timber products. The dynamics of these ecosystems is poorly understood despite the contribution of the dambos to global biodiversity and ES. This research is the first preliminary assessment of the vegetation structure and composition of six dambos within NNR, selected using Google Earth, MODIS satellite images and an exploratory field visit. Field data collection was performed using a two-stage systematic sampling approach, along transect lines of 100 × 10 m (0.1 ha), perpendicular to the dambos' flow. Square plots of 0.25 m2 were established for grass survey within the transects where grass vegetation was measured, counted and identified. Data were analyzed with R software. The sociological position of each species was analyzed with regard to the vertical structure while for horizontal structure, the abundance, dominance, frequency and Importance Value Index (IVI) were determined. In order to understand the differences between dambos, evenness (H) and reciprocal of Simpson's heterogeneity index (Hill's N2) were calculated. Principal Coordinates Analysis (PCoA) and Cluster Analysis were also used to characterize the surveyed species communities. A total of 58 transects (5.8 ha) and 336 subplots were assessed, recording 110 woody and 73 grass species, respectively. The most common tree species were Vitex doniana, Burkea africana, Syzygium cordatum and Annona senegalensis, while for grass vegetation the most abundant species were Andropogon eucomus and Helictotrichon turgidulum. According to the IVI, the most dominant tree and shrub species were V. doniana, Pseudolachnostylis maprouneifolia, A. senegalensis and S. cordatum. Homogeneity (Hill's N2 = 18.92) and evenness (H = −4.27) were, on average, low in all dambos. Dambo 2 was the most heterogeneous (Hill's N2 = 18.21) while dambo 1 was the least heterogeneous (Hill's N2 = 5.71). Dambo 6 was most equitable (H = −1.35) whereas dambo 2 the least equitable (H = −3.72). Using species abundance and based on PCoA and cluster analysis, four main groups of dambos were identified based mainly on the water gradient, with data variation captured by the first three axes reaching almost 83%. The p-value (0.42), suggested no significant differences between species communities in the dambos, and thus, human disturbances appear not to be enough to modify dambos microenvironment. Accordingly, the results suggest that human activities, at this level, do not necessarily affect the structure and diversity of dambos in the NNR. The results also suggest that the species A. senegalensis, Combretum psidioides, Crossopteryx febrifuga, Protea nitida, P. maprouneifolia and S. cordatum can be used as indicator dambo species in NNR, with high likelihood of occurrence.