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Articles Nature and Conservation The Importance of Wetlands
Articles Nature and Conservation The Importance of Wetlands
| The Importance of Wetlands |
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‘We all live downstream’ is the theme for Working for Wetlands 2009 and shows the need for good management of river systems. Unfortunately over the years the wetlands in Stutterheim have become overgrown with wattles and the ground has literally dried up and has become useless. For this reason, ATA in partnership with Aspire, Amahlathi Municipality, Wildlife South Africa and DWAF, have targeted our local wetland as a project. Considering that the municipality has two boreholes which supply town with water, it will benefit us all to eradicate the wattle population which consumes much more water than indigenous trees. The first phase is to ring bark all the trees, then to clear the land. Once the wetland has been cleared of invader plants and begins to function again, rain water will be allowed to stand, draining into underground aquifers from which the boreholes pump the water and thereby securing a better water source for the population of Stutterheim. There are many different types of wetlands from marshes to floodplains and peat lands to swamps. The water may be flowing or standing, fresh or salty depending on their location and each has their own ecosystem. The largest single application of wetlands on earth is the paddy field, used for rice production. They are an extremely important natural resource for several reasons; they purify water by removing organic waste, sediment and bacteria; they collect rainwater which recharges underground water courses; floodplains and the edges of wetlands are good grazing areas as they are rich in nutrients and plants grow quickly; they support a large variety of different plants, birds and animals and are therefore important for environmental education; bird watching, fishing, game viewing and hiking can be enjoyed by all; several wetland plants are used for traditional medicine and the reeds are used for thatching and the weaving of baskets and mats. Yet wetlands continue to be one of the worlds most threatened ecosystems due to pollution, invasion of exotic plants and trees, over grazing, bad burning practices and their conversion to be used for building, landfill or agriculture. Activities or industry in one part of a river system can influence downstream ecology and the degradation of water can often effect upstream ecology and even result in changing rainfall patterns. It is estimated that 50% of South African wetlands have either been destroyed or converted and that of those remaining, only 10% are fully protected. In an arid, water-scarce country such as South Africa they are essential and as the population increases, so will the demand for water. So let us work together as a community and restore our wetlands so that we are not only assured of a better water supply, but that we can all enjoy the natural beauty that will return when they have been rejuvenated. After all, ‘we all live downstream.’ |