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THIS Sunday, 2 February we celebrate World Wetlands Day, and considering the number of wetlands that exist in South Africa – and the fact that wetlands do a lot more for you than you probably do for them – here’s a quick overview of this unique ecosystem.
What is a wetland?
Wetlands are ecosystems that contain quantities of water, usually providing a home for special vegetation communities and a wide variety of wildlife that depend on them for survival. Some wetlands flood throughout the year but others flood only during the wettest seasons.
Why do we celebrate World Wetlands Day?
The day commemorates the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, adopted in 1971, as a way to remember the importance of wetlands for people and the planet.
Fact #1: iSimangaliso is the crown jewel
South Africa has 26 wetlands rated as internationally important and known as Ramsar sites. However, one of the biggest and most impactful is Zululand’s very won St Lucia System which forms part of iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Home to a diverse array of wildlife, this particular wetland stretches some 155 000 hectares! In total, there are some 300 000 wetlands across South Africa (making up 2.4% of our country’s area), but not all are listed as Ramsar sites.
Fact #2: Wetlands are under threat
While 300 000 wetlands might sound like a lot, this is only about 50% of our country’s original wetland area. We have 791 wetland ecosystem types in South Africa, of which:
· 48% are critically endangered
· 12% are endangered
· 5% are vulnerable
· 35% are least threatened
Over 70% of South Africa’s wetland ecosystem types have no protection and only 11% are well-protected. Wetlands are currently the most threatened ecosystems in the whole of South Africa.
Fact #3: Wetland restoration is happening
There is good news though! In 2000, the restoration of wetlands began in South Africa to rehabilitate, protect, and promote them. Since 2004, the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) has invested over R1.3 billion in the rehabilitation of more than 1 500 wetlands across the country. This is not only good news for our wetlands, but our people as well, as some 37 000 jobs have been created through the Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP).
Fact #4: Many methods are contributing to wetland restoration
There are various ways that our wetlands are being protected and promoted, including:
· Compliance and enforcement support
· Advocacy and education
· Erosion control
· Bio-engineering
· Invasive alien plant clearing
· Re-vegetation
· Floating wetlands
· Constructed wetlands
Fact #5: Wetlands give life
Wetlands are responsible for our daily survival in a number of ways:
· Less than 3% of the world’s water is fresh – the majority of it is frozen – yet every single person on the planet requires between 20 and 30 litres of fresh water to survive. Wetlands help replenish the groundwater aquifers that provide us with fresh water supply.
· Wetlands are also vital for the survival of fish with many commercial fish depending on coastal wetlands for their life cycle.
· Rice is grown in wetland paddies which provides a staple food source for nearly three billion people, accounting for 20% of the world’s nutritional food intake.
· Wetlands are nature’s filtration system, purifying and filtering harmful waste from water. They also absorb harmful pollutants from pesticides, industry and mining.
Wetlands are working hard for you, so ask yourself: what are you doing to save the wetlands?
SOURCES:
Conserving South Africa’s wetlands
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