ABSTRACT

The topographic, climatic and tectonic conditions of the sub-continent present opportunities to better understand the role that geomorphological processes play in determining the origin of large wetlands. Yet, there is limited information on the geomorphic origin of large wetlands in southern and eastern Africa due to wetland inaccessibility and limited wetland geomorphological studies that have been conducted in these regions. The current study aims to provide an understanding of the geomorphic origin of large wetlands in Africa’s elevated drylands. Satellite images were used to identify geomorphic features, while digital elevation models were used for topographic analysis, and geological maps provided tectonic and lithological information. Abductive reasoning was used to infer geomorphic features to processes that could have led to their formation while drawing inference from existing knowledge or relevant literature. The study demonstrated different processes that contribute to wetland formation, structure, and evolution. In some instances, tectonic processes may be primarily responsible for the formation of basins that hosts wetlands such as Wembere and Bahi wetlands in Tanzania. In other cases, wetlands such as the Lufira and Barotse wetlands in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia, respectively, may be structured primarily by fluvial processes.

摘要

次大陆的地形、气候和构造条件为更好地了解地貌过程在确定大片湿地起源方面的作用提供了机会。然而，由于湿地交通不便以及在这些地区进行的湿地地貌研究有限，有关南部和东部非洲大片湿地地貌起源的信息有限。目前的研究旨在了解非洲高地旱地大片湿地的地貌起源。卫星图像用于识别地貌特征，数字高程模型用于地形分析，地质图提供构造和岩性信息。在从现有知识或相关文献中得出推论的同时，使用溯因推理将地貌特征推断为可能导致其形成的过程。该研究展示了有助于湿地形成、结构和演化的不同过程。在某些情况下，构造过程可能是形成坦桑尼亚 Wembere 和 Bahi 湿地等湿地盆地的主要原因。在其他情况下，分别位于刚果民主共和国和赞比亚的 Lufira 和 Barotse 湿地等湿地可能主要由河流过程构成。构造过程可能是形成坦桑尼亚 Wembere 和 Bahi 湿地等湿地盆地的主要原因。在其他情况下，分别位于刚果民主共和国和赞比亚的 Lufira 和 Barotse 湿地等湿地可能主要由河流过程构成。构造过程可能是形成坦桑尼亚 Wembere 和 Bahi 湿地等湿地盆地的主要原因。在其他情况下，分别位于刚果民主共和国和赞比亚的 Lufira 和 Barotse 湿地等湿地可能主要由河流过程构成。