Effect of Soil Type and Foliar Factors on the Distribution of Imbrasia belina in the Southeastern Lowveld of Zimbabwe.

The aims of this study were to find out whether soil parameters (i.e., soil texture, soil pH, and available nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P)) and level of tannins in the bark of tree as measured by total amount of N & P in the droppings significantly influenced Imbrasia belina distribution in the Southeastern Lowveld of Zimbabwe. The samples were collected in February-March 2013. Standard methods were employed on 80 samples across the four tenure regimes studied. Soil pH, percentage clay, silt, and sand were randomly measured across the four tenure regimes. The study results revealed that soil pH (p=0.475), % silt (p=0.172), % sand (p=0.907), available nitrogen (p=0.192), available phosphorus (p=0.247), and the mean tannin level (p=0.999) influenced the distribution of Imbrasia belina in the study area. Multiple comparison analysis showed that there were significant differences in percentage clay (p=0.044) between Gonakudzingwa Small-Scale Farms (GSSCF) and Chikombedzi Communal Area (CCA). However, Mwenezi Resettlement Area (MRA) and Gonarezhou National Park (GNP) results were insignificant for percentage silt (p=0.172) and percentage sand (p=0.907), respectively. The soil and foliar factors discussed are critical in determining Imbrasia belina distribution, forest health, and vitality.

Results From Zimbabwe's 2016 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth.

BACKGROUND: The report card was a synthesis of the best available evidence on the performance of Zimbabwean children and youth on key physical activity (PA) indicators. The aim of this article was to summarize the results from the 2016 Zimbabwe Report Card. METHODS: The Report Card Working Group gathered and synthesized the best available evidence, met, discussed and assigned grades to 10 indicators based on the Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance global matrix grading system. RESULTS: The indicators were graded as follows: overall PA (C+), organized sport participation (B), active play (D+), active transportation (A-), sedentary behaviors (B), school (D), family and peers (Incomplete), community and the built environment (F), government (D) and nongovernmental organizations (Incomplete). CONCLUSIONS: Although the majority of children used active transport, played organized sports and engaged in acceptable levels of PA, most of them did not meet the recommended hours of unstructured/unorganized play per day. At present, there are limited data to accurately inform the Zimbabwe Report Card therefore studies employing robust research designs with representative samples are needed. Zimbabwe also needs to prioritize policies and investments that promote greater and safe participation in PA among children and youth.