Geographical Enquiry Flashcards

Flashcards about Geographical Enquiry from Shangombo to South Tavy Head

Shangombo

Most geographically remote district in Zambia.

Shangombo

One of the hardest places to live in Zambia, where the majority depend on farming and rearing cattle.

Subsistence farmers

Farmers who primarily grow crops for their own consumption, such as maize, millet, and vegetables.

Shangombo Climate

Typical climate conditions include a maximum temperature of 34°C, a minimum of 10°C, and rainfall of 919mm/year.

Rainfall Uncertainty

A significant environmental challenge in Shangombo, with farmers relying on aid for maize seeds.

Location of Shangombo

Located in the Shangombo district, Western province of Zambia, with a high plateau relief between 1000-2000m.

Drainage of Shangombo

Tributary of Zambezi river, bordering Angola, and Lueti river

Subtropical Climate

Mid-August to mid-November is hot and dry; mid-November to April is wet and rainy; May to mid-August is cool and dry.

Annual rainfall in Shangombo

919mm

Temperature in Shangombo

Ranges from 10°C to 34°C

Soil in Shangombo

Liable to salinity and alkanisation, loose dry sandy soil.

Vegetation in Shangombo

Natural forest (21%), shallow-rooted grass, and shrubs.

Major economic activities in Shangombo

Farming and cattle rearing

Fishing & tourism in Shangombo

Around Sioma Falls and Sioma Ngwezi National Park.

The District Disaster Management Unit (DMMU)

Prevent & mitigate disaster risks.

Natukoma Water Scheme

Designed to address drought & water shortages.

Rains effect

Occasional torrential downpours causing flash floods and pluvial flooding removing soil.

Vegetation degradation

Vegetation dies and ceases to anchor the soil in place, soil becomes increasingly exposed to the elements.

Importance of the World's Drylands

Critical for ecological balance, supporting livelihoods, and maintaining biodiversity.

Shangombo district

Part of the world's dryland characterized by low annual precipitation.

Aridity Index

Ratio between average annual precipitation and total annual potential evapotranspiration.

Evapotranspiration

Amount of water returned to the atmosphere through evaporation from vegetation, land, and soil, as well as transpiration from plants.

Dryland Surface Coverage

Dryland covers 41% of our land surface.

Ways people in drylands depend on drylands

Rain-fed farming, irrigated farming, extensive pastoralism, and small indigenous groups.

Cities in dryland

Cairo, New Delhi, Las Vegas

Las Vegas

Established in the Mojave Desert, USA in 1905 and is one of America's fastest expanding city.

Desertification

One of the greatest environmental and development challenges confronting the world today.

Amount of fertile top soil that disappears every year

24 billion tonnes

Desertification

Root cause of poverty in areas like Shangombo, Zambia

Fences

Prevent animals searching for grazing, leading to overgrazing and desertification.

Construction of boreholes & windmills

Create watering holes where animals gather & overgraze the surrounding land