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THE WORKING FOR WATER PROGRAM

The Working for Water program in South Africa aims to control invasive alien plant species that threaten water security, biodiversity, and land productivity. The program employs an integrated approach, including mechanical, chemical, and biological control methods, to clear invading plants and restore ecological integrity. This program has provided over 40,000 jobs and has resulted in significant water and cost savings.

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THE WORKING FOR WATER PROGRAM

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  1. THE WORKING FOR WATER PROGRAM JH Venter Department of Agriculture South Africa

  2. AIS : The damage and threat • 1 000 introduced plant species became naturalised, 200 are invasive • use 3.3 billion cubic metres more water than indigenous vegetation • waste 7% of our water resources • Cost South Africa R600 million a year over 20 years • Loss of Biodiversity: Up to a 1/4 of RSA’s plant species • Loss of life, damage to land and property through high intensity fires.

  3. The Government of South Africa's Department of Water Affairs and Forestry created a conservation program called Working for Water in 1995

  4. MISSION The Working for Water programme will control invading alien species, to optimise the potential use of natural resources, through a process of economic empowerment and transformation. In doing this the programme will leave a legacy of social equity and legislative, institutional and technical capacity.

  5. Objectives • Enhance water security • Improve ecological integrity • Restore productive potential of the land • Invest in marginal sectors to improve quality of life • Develop economic benefits from wood land, water and trained people

  6. Clearing invading alien plants. Integrated approach • Various Departments • Research and Academic Institutes • Partners/sponsors in the Private Sector • International partners Results: • More than 40 000 jobs were provided. • Projects in all the provinces.

  7. Mechanical and Chemical Control • Basal bark • Hand pull • Ring barking • Frill • Cut stump treatment • Stem injection

  8. Bio ControlSavings of 20-30% could be achieved if biocontrol methods are used for woody species.

  9. Is biological control safe? • Is only released once it has been proved as sufficiently host-specific. • Tested and approved biocontrol agents do not pose a threat to our own crops or indigenous vegetation, or to those of neighbouring countries. • No cases of changing their host plant affinities.

  10. Track record Since 1913, 95 species of biocontrol agents have been introduced into SA to control 48 weed species. No unpredicted host switches have occurred yet.

  11. Is biocontrol effective? • do not completely exterminate populations of their host plants • small populations of biocontrol agents that persists will disperse onto re growth or newly-emerged seedlings of the weed • sustainable control method

  12. Advantages of biocontrol • environmentally friendly, • self-perpetuating or self-sustaining • cost-effective • does not disturb the soil • does not create large empty areas where other invaders could establish. • allows natural vegetation of the area to recover gradually in the shelter of the dying weeds. • all levels of biocontrol improve the chances for rehabilitation of the cleared area

  13. Legislation • The Agricultural Pests Act • The Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act • National Environment Management Act • Environment Conservation Act • Draft National Biological Diversity Act • National Water Act • National Veld and Fire Act

  14. Agricultural Pests Act, 1983 (Act No. 36 of 1983) • The main purpose is to prevent the introduction of agricultural pests and organisms associated with agriculture. • Control the importation of biocontrol agents • The Directorates Plant Health (DPH) the NPPO, South African Agricultural Quarantine Inspection Services (SAAFQIS)

  15. Official International trade • Controlled by the NPPO • Agricultural Pests Act, 1983 (Act No. 36 of 1983) • National and International regulations, standards and agreements

  16. Plant import • Plants imported on permit system • Declared weeds and invaders are prohibited • Risk assessment show potential new weeds • Weeds and potential weeds are regarded as pests as per IPPC definition

  17. Import of biological control agents • Biocontrol imported per permit • Background info is required • Panel of experts review application, do risk assessment • Approved organism imported • Species specificity tests done • Host specificity test plus other research

  18. Biocontrol import • Application for release to NPPO • NPPO review plus sent to panel of experts • Release can continue and biocontrol agent are mass reared for implementation

  19. CONSERVATION OF AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES ACT (CARA) Act 43 of 1983, Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act, 1983 was proclaimed to provide for control over the utilisation of the natural agricultural resources of the Republic in order to promote the conservation of the soil, the water sources and the vegetation and the combating of weeds and invader plants; and for matters connected therewith. In March 2001 regulation 15 and 16, dealing specifically with declared weeds and invader plants, were promulgated in the Government Gazette Number 22166, thus bringing the number of declared weeds and plants to a total of 198.

  20. REGULATION 15 - CATEGORY 1 15A -Deals with combating Category 1 plants Declared weeds Importation and cultivation is prohibited

  21. CATEGORY 2 15B - Deals with the combating of Category 2 plants. These plants have a commercial or utility value, and are only allowed to occur under certain conditions and with special permission.

  22. CATEGORY 3 15C - Deals with the combating of Category 3 plants. These are plants with an ornamental value, and are allowed to be kept growing if under controlled circumstances and no more trading or propagating is allowed

  23. CONTROL MEASURES • 15D - Deals with the designation of biological control reserves for the breeding of biological control agents. • 15E - The different methods for control are stated here. The need for follow-up actions is emphasised . Any action taken to control category 1, 2, and 3 plants shall be executed with caution and in a manner that will cause the least damage to the environment.

  24. Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism • National Environment Management Act • Environment Conservation Act • Draft National Biodiversity Act

  25. Department of Water Affairs and Forestry • National Water Act • National Veld and Fire Act

  26. Implementation by Working for Water • Work flow for implementation • WFW policy for clearing land • WFW herbicide policy • Standard implementation documents • Annexure to implementation documents

  27. The Biological Control Implementation (BCI) programme in WfW : Initiation and structure • National BCI officer (Penny Gillespie) – PPRI, 1999 • Six regional BCI officers – WfW • Ensure all available BC agents distributed throughout range • Facilitate incorporation of BC into WfW clearing programmes

  28. Distribution of biocontrol agents Researchers: • Brief BCI officers on biology of agent • Supply them with starter culture • Supply info and photos for agent brochure • Involved with releases • Detailed post-release monitoring • BCI officers: • Mass-rear agents • Release agents in co-operation with researchers • Monitor for establishment in co-operation with researchers • Produce agent brochures

  29. Sources of insects for redistribution 1. Mass-rearing in regional BCI centres On potted plants in shade houses In insectaries on cut stems 2. Field collecting, once insects has established on biocontrol reserve sites 3. Insects laying their eggs on immature fruit or seeds of large woody trees cannot be mass-reared in lab – field-collected seasonally

  30. Protection of released agents • Legislation recognises biocontrol, protects effective BC sites • Allows important BC agent nurseries to be registered as “biocontrol reserves” – protected from clearing • Undertaking signed between land user and DoA

  31. Lessons learnt • Importance of co-operation between researchers and BCI officers • Selection criteria for regional BCI officers: skills in field & technical information transfer • Value of large agent releases

  32. Research Unit of WfW • Bio control • Social Development • Hydrology • Ecology • Resource economics • Research publications

  33. Sustainable Development through WfW • Poverty Eradication and Sustainable Livelihoods • Training(Business management, chainsaw operation, etc) • Maintaining and restoring ecosystem integrity • Sustainable Consumption and Production

  34. Involves the community Seeking to create entrepreneurial support through secondary industry development It offers opportunities for women, the youth and the disabled

  35. The 2000/2001 Year report • 23 998 people employed in the programme. • 54% of the workers are women. • 26% of the workers are youth. • 92% of the budget spent within the financial year. • 70 660 hectares of invading alien plants cleared. • 180 736 hectares of follow-up clearing undertaken. • 20 wetlands undergoing rehabilitation work. • 313 projects, across all nine provinces.

  36. Special Thanks • Hélette Prinsloo (LUSM ) • Hildegard Klein (ARC PPRI Rietondale) • Fiona Impson (ARC PPRI Stellenbosch) • Simone Noemdoe (Working for Water)

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