https://hdl.handle.net/13049/16 Fri, 13 Nov 2026 12:19:55 GMT 2026-11-13T12:19:55Z https://hdl.handle.net/13049/865 Climate-smart aquaculture as a tool for blue economy revolution in Botswana: a review Molefe, Montshwari; Maulu, Sahya; Bokhutlo, Thethela; Mosepele, Belda Quetina; Choto, Choto John; Lekgabe, Yolanda Boipelo; Legodimo, Phemelo Phillip; Letia, Mokola Keemenao; Khibana, Festor; Sekate, Coleen Constance Climate Smart Aquaculture (CSAq) has the potential to transform Botswana’s aquaculture sector and contribute to the development of a resilient blue economy. This study synthesizes existing literature on Botswana’s climate, hydrology, and aquaculture prospects to evaluate the suitability of CSAq across the country. The analysis identifies three climatic regions: Okavango-Chobe, Eastern margin, and Arid Southern-Western regions. The Okavango-Chobe region, characterized by seasonal pans, lagoons, and lakes, is well suited to traditional aquaculture and can be further enhanced through integrated pond systems, integrated wetland aquaculture, recirculating aquaculture systems, biofloc technology, aquaponics, and Integrated Aquaculture-Agriculture systems, subject to strict conservation requirements. The Eastern margin presents moderate aquaculture potential, supported by constructed dams and capture-based aquaculture, with Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS), biofloc, aquaponics, and Integrated Agriculture-Aquaculture Systems (IAAS) offering viable climate smart options. In contrast, aquaculture development in the Arid Southern-Western region is largely restricted to ultra-water efficient systems, including RAS, biofloc, and aquaponics. Key constraints to CSAq adoption include limited technical capacity, climate variability, unfavorable environmental conditions, and restricted access to finance. These challenges can be addressed through targeted capacity building, adoption of ultra-efficient production technologies, diversification strategies, increased research investment, and innovative financing mechanisms. The study recommends that successful CSAq adoption in Botswana be underpinned by policy and institutional frameworks that emphasize conservation compliance, sustainable water resource management, green energy technologies, and human capacity development. Journal Article Mon, 22 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/13049/865 2026-06-22T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/13049/863 Flood susceptibility zoning in Botswana's Notwane Urban Catchment: A triangulated and blended analytical hierarchy process-geographical information systems-based multi-criteria analysis Samuel, Gorata; Sebego, Reuben J.; Moalafhi, Ditiro B.; Mmopelwa, Gagoitseope Botswana's economy is highly exposed to floods, estimated to cost an average of 90 million, about 0.56% of the total annual country gross domestic product. Flooding is common in urban catchments, including Botswana's Notwane Catchment. The catchment is characterised by increased population anchored in the capital Gaborone, infrastructure expansion and altered natural drainage. The effects of floods necessitate proactive interventions that consider blended approaches for selecting, assessing and mapping flood conditioning factors (FCFs). This study aimed to demonstrate a triangulated, multicriteria approach for flood susceptibility mapping in the Notwane Catchment. The FCFs were identified through questionnaire surveys, key informant interviews and literature, and these included land-use, rainfall, elevation, flow accumulation, slope and soil type, among others. The analytical hierarchy process (AHP), supported by principal component analysis (PCA), was employed to derive the weights of factors using the Business Performance Management Singapore AHP tool in Microsoft Excel. Weighted factors were integrated into ESRI's ArcMap 10.8 for spatial analysis and mapping. Cumulative rainfall (38.79%) emerged as the most critical factor, while altered land-use (21.35%), with statistically significant clustering of risk around built-up areas and water bodies (GiP-value = 0.062), was the second-largest contributor. Approximately 57.6% (5201.2 km²) of the catchment area is at moderate risk of flooding, covering Greater Gaborone, Mochudi, Ramotswa, and Kanye. Contribution: Research and promotion of triangulated and blended approaches anchored on geospatial technologies to investigate flood susceptibility will influence targeted and site-specific risk-informed development in urban catchments while addressing Goal 11 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Journal Article Fri, 15 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/13049/863 2026-05-15T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/13049/861 Urbanization and energy transition in developing countries: examining the interplay of social cohesion and social innovation in facilitating low-carbon energy transitions Tamasiga, Phemelo; Onyeaka, Helen; Mogomotsi, Patricia K; Mogomotsi, Goemeone EJ; Bakwena, Malebogo Urbanization presents a complex challenge for developing countries striving to transition to low-carbon sources. Achieving equitable and sustainable outcomes requires attention not only to technology and finance but also to social dimensions. This paper examines the interplay between social cohesion and social innovation in facilitating equitable and sustainable energy transitions. Social cohesion, characterized by trust, cooperation, and reciprocity, promotes collective participation, ownership, and accountability in community energy initiatives. Social innovation, defined as the creation and implementation of new ideas and practices that address societal challenges, empowers communities to design inclusive, context-specific energy solutions. The interaction between cohesion and innovation enhances local agency and builds adaptive capacity. Drawing on examples such as Kenya's Green Belt Movement and India's Solar Electric Lighting Company, social engagement and innovation mutually reinforce each other. Policymakers should strengthen participatory planning, promote co-design approaches, and empower grassroots innovation across community networks. Journal Article Fri, 13 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/13049/861 2026-02-13T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/13049/847 Topographic modulation of drought propagation establishes low-elevation hotspots and mid-elevation climatic refugia in Southern Africa Tilahun, Minyahel; Tesfamichael, Solomon G.; Sasaki, Takehiro; Angassa, Ayana Drought dynamics across Southern Africa remain poorly understood, particularly regarding the topographic mechanisms that influence their spatial development and ecological consequences. Yet, the mechanisms by which local topography modulates drought propagation across elevation gradients, a key control on regional vulnerability, remain uncertain. We precisely quantify this critical mechanism. This study integrates high-resolution climate data (1950–2022) with future Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) projections to quantify three key aspects: 1) multi-year drought regimes, 2) topographic controls on drought propagation mechanisms, and 3) identification of hotspots of hydroclimatic vulnerability across various topographical complexities. We found the most severe long-term aridification occurs at higher elevations (2000–2500 m), where SPEI24 trends are strongest ( r = 0.6). In contrast, mid-elevation zones (1000–1500 m) displayed a persistent hydroclimatic buffer, exhibiting the slowest drought propagation rates and a decadal-scale shift toward shorter drought timescales, a pattern projected to intensify, with low-elevation zones accelerating toward more persistent drought conditions. This buffering effect, driven by orographic precipitation and reduced evaporative demand, creates distinct climatic refugia. Regionally, we identified a significant post-2000 expansion in the dominance of short-term droughts (SPEI01, SPEI03), with the fastest drought propagation in low-elevation and regional hotspots (e.g., Angola and Namibia). Our results demonstrated that drought development is fundamentally controlled by the interaction of timescale and topography. We, therefore, conclude that effective early warning systems must be spatially and temporally tailored by prioritizing rapid-onset agricultural alerts for lowlands while monitoring long-term hydrological deficits in high-elevation areas to mitigate ecological and societal consequences across Southern Africa. Journal Article Wed, 01 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/13049/847 2026-04-01T00:00:00Z