Socio-demographic determinants of place attachment in Gauteng,South Africa,using partial proportional odds models

GeoJournal - Determinants of place attachment have been extensively explored in the world now characterised by increased globalisation and mobility. Apart from some studies analysing attachment to...     

Agroclimatological suitability mapping for dryland maize production in Lesotho

The climatic potential of maize under dryland farming in Lesotho, southern Africa, was investigated using five suitability indices comprising probability of accumulating heat units of greater than 1,500 growing degree days, probability of a frost-free growing season, probability of seasonal rainfall of more than 500 mm, probability of drought during the flowering to grain-filling stages and the slope of an area. A geographic information system layer was prepared for each of these parameters and the layers overlaid using different weights for each of the climatic suitability indices to obtain an agroclimatic maize suitability map for Lesotho. This analysis yielded different suitability classes. This variability points to prevalence of climatic constraints that need to be acknowledged when attempting to identify management strategies that can optimize the rain-fed maize production in climatically variable environments.     

Assessment of agricultural drought using a simple water balance model in the Free State Province of South Africa

Water Requirement Satisfaction Index (WRSI) at three different probability levels (20%, 50%, and 80%) was used to quantify drought affecting rain-fed maize production in the Free State Province of South Africa based on climate data from 227 weather stations. Results showed high spatial variability in the suitability of different areas: the southern and southwestern localities are unsuitable due to high drought incidences; the northern, central, and western regions are marginally suitable; the eastern, northerneastern areas and a few patches in the northwest are highly suitable with relatively low drought severity. Proper choice of maize varieties to suit conditions at different localities is crucial. The Mann–Kendall test and coefficient of variation were further used to determine trends and temporal variability, respectively, in the WRSI, seasonal rainfall, and seasonal maize water requirements. Results of this analysis revealed no significant positive trends in the WRSI, no significant negative trends in seasonal rainfall, and no significant positive trends in maize water requirements, contradicting previous findings of increased drought severity. Seasonal rainfall and the WRSI showed high interseasonal variability, while seasonal maize water requirements showed low variability. In view of these observations, it is apparent that realignment of management practices is an overdue prerequisite for sustainable maize production.