
A solar pump in a rural marginal area. Image credit massmaninter.com
ZIMSEC O Level Combined Science Notes: Marginal areas in Zimbabwe
- Large areas of Zimbabwe are marginal areas
- Marginal areas are mostly located in the lowveld in western and southern Zimbabwe (Matabeleland)
- These are regions where rainfall is low and unreliable
- Ground cover is poor
- This increases erosion and reduces soil fertility
- The local conditions are usually harsh
- Farming is risky and requires careful management if it is to succeed
- Game ranching is prefered in this areas as it is more profitable than alternatives
- Alternative activities include growing drought resistant crops such as millet and cattle ranching
- These areas have a low carrying capacity
- Carrying capacity-these are the number of animals/organisms that can live in a given area without damaging the ecosystem
- Limiting factors- the amount of finite resources in an area which keep the carrying capacity in check
- Culling can be used to reduce the number of animals when they exceed the carrying capacity
Problems of farming in marginal lands
- Low soil fertility
- Unreliable rainfall patterns
- Low rainfall
- Limiting factors such as space, shelter, water and food
To access more topics go to the Combined Science Notes page.
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