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Abstract
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Article Information:
Assessment of Land Degradation at Velezizweni, Swaziland
Samkele S. Tfwala, Absalom M. Manyatsi and Yu-min Wang
Corresponding Author: Yu-min Wang
Submitted: May 18, 2012
Accepted: June 08, 2012
Published: October 20, 2012 |
Abstract:
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The objective of the research was to determine the status of land degradation and its implications for
Velezizweni community, an area situated in the Highveld of Swaziland. Landsat ETM digital data taken on
December 2009 was used to classify the land into different land cover categories. A questionnaire was developed
and administered to 190 homesteads to solicit information on perception of land degradation from land users. About
19% of the area was classified as eroded, with about 45% classified as having poor vegetation cover. Land
degradation was perceived as a serious problem by 81 and 90% of the respondents on cropping land and communal
grazing land respectively. Invasion of alien plant species (Chromoleana odorata and Acacia pycnatha) was a serious
problem, reducing the carrying capacity of grazing land. The results demonstrated that degradation was a serious
problem despite the community being involved in some sustainable land management practises which included
application of kraal manure to crops, ploughing across the slopes and keeping grass filter strips between cultivated
lands.
Key words: Bush encroachment, land cover, land degradation, soil conservation, soil erosion, ,
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Cite this Reference:
Samkele S. Tfwala, Absalom M. Manyatsi and Yu-min Wang, . Assessment of Land Degradation at Velezizweni, Swaziland. Research Journal of Environmental and Earth Sciences, (10): 878-883.
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ISSN (Online): 2041-0492
ISSN (Print): 2041-0484 |
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