Science Publication Graphics
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20 icons and a matrix-styled graph to clarify important eco-types, crop species, and gender differences highlighted in this important publication about “Food security, Nutrition, and Conservation.” The authors Natalia Estrada et al. used the repeating graphics and intuitively laid out information to tie in all the information for the reader. Eco-type descriptions for the Zambezi region of Zambia are from their publication.
Litapa (Sitapa) - cultivated grasslands
Refers to a cultivated flooded grassland,
planted in July-Aug after the flood recedes.
Mulapo - flooded grasslands
Concave area often with aquatic grass. First land to be flooded and the last one to dry out
Mazulu (LizulCu) - islands
Elevated, often human-made and circular shaped. They can be prone to flooding depending on size.
Zita - Papyrus marsh
Marsh dominated by tall grass mostly papyrus
Malako (Lilako) - home gardens
Home gardens often located on a Lizulu, Sishanjo or dry/wet Litongo
Sitaka - Reed marsh
Marsh dominated by tall grass mostly reeds
Matunda (Lutunda) - riverbanks
Past or recent riverbanks deposits with an elongated shape. Slightly elevated but can get flooded depending on its size and location.
Libuta - clustered woodland
Woodland with clustered and short trees with very poor soils and not used for agriculture
Wet Matongo (Litongo) - wet sandy fields
Flood under high floods. Crop yield depends on rain, residual moisture, and incorporated organic matter.
Mushitu - upland Forest
Forest with different human intervention levels and degradation levels
Likaña - ridged fields
Ridged area to drain water during the rainy season. Planted in Apr/May at the end of the rainy season
Libumbu - lowland forests
Forest often located on islands [Mazulu]. Very few remain.
Matema (Litema) - cultivated forest
Cultivated upland forest, Mushitu, (slash and burn)
Permanent ponds
Hold water throughout the dry season
Dry Matongo (Litongo) - dry sandy fields
Similar to wet Litongo except they do not flood
River
The Zambezi river and major branches
Libala Saana - woodlands
Woodland with sparse and short trees which are cut (some) to plant crops (mostly cassava).
Canals
Form a complex network across the floodplain. Often poorly maintained. Used for transportation, irrigation and clearing land for agriculture.
Lishanjo (Sishanjo) - seepage
At the floodplain’s edge (Mukulo). This seepage receives underground water from upland ponds, adjacent canals, and the River
Ephemeral ponds
Dry up during the dry season
