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Wetlands for our Future: Sustainable Livelihoods. with reference to Verloren Valei Nature Reserve and Ramsar site, Dullstroom, Mpumalanga February 2016.
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Wetlands for our Future: Sustainable Livelihoods with reference to Verloren Valei Nature Reserve and Ramsar site, Dullstroom, Mpumalanga February 2016 Zingela Consulting (Pty) Ltd
Wetlands are characterised by their function as sponges, the biota that they sustain and habitat.This presentation is to illustrate these charateristics and show how they impact on livelihoods and sustainable development goals, using Verloren Valei as example Impacts on Water and environment Energy Urban & rural development Tourism Agriculture Forestry Industry Transport Exploitation of non renewable resources Management and careers Zingela Consulting CC
Verloren Valei Nature Reserve and Ramsar site • Over 30 permanent fresh water marshes. • Sponges in upper catchments of major rivers. • Conservation management reduces ingress. Zingela Consulting (Pty) Ltd
Verloren Valei Nature Reserve and Ramsar site • High biodiversity; rare &endangered species. • On watershed: no outside water pollution. • Under threat from mining and alternative uses. Zingela Consulting (Pty) Ltd
Orchid that grows in nstoney grassland Disa cooperi besides intrinsic beauty value is has potential indicator value in climax grass veld Zingela Consulting (Pty) Ltd
Orchid that grows in climax grassland Disa patula Var. transvaalensis potential value in grassland condition assessment Zingela Consulting (Pty) Ltd
Orchid that grows in the wetland and stream banks Disa rhodantha strikingly beautiful Zingela Consulting (Pty) Ltd
Orchid that grows in the wetland and moist grassland Disa versicolor used as a charm against evil Zingela Consulting (Pty) Ltd
Spectacular plant of the Iris family growing in wetland Crocosmia paniculata This species has medicinal value Zingela Consulting (Pty) Ltd
Grey-winged and Red-winged francolin are managed for sustainable consumptive use Grey-winged Francoloin premier South African gamebird Zingela Consulting (Pty) Ltd
Plains game are also managed for sustainable consumptive use and are vital for veld composition Live capture of Blesbuck is a regular source of income for the reserve Photo: Deon Furstenburg Zingela Consulting (Pty) Ltd
Energy. Coal fired power generation in South Africa requires water with low sulphate levels In the absence of AMD desalinisation pure water from SA’s wetlands contributes to the dilution of AMD sulphates on which DWA (Dept Water & Sanitation) depends at present. Zingela Consulting (Pty) Ltd
Urban and rural development The town of Dullstroom on the banks of the Crocodile river and agriculture in the district depend on unpolluted water Image Nightjar Travel Zingela Consulting (Pty) Ltd
Tourism is the most important economic activity of Dullstroom providing jobs to towns folk and on farms Public Fly fishing at the Dullstroom Dam and Nature Reserve in the image. This dam is fed by the Crocodile river There are many trout farms and syndicated waters in the Crocodile and Lunsklip drainage areas Zingela Consulting (Pty) Ltd
Agriculture and forestry; Pre 1983 Verloren Valei was farmed land with some forest Post 1983 Verloren Valei raises potential for areas many times its size for progressive agriculture and forestry Zingela Consulting (Pty) Ltd
Transport; Civil engineering imperatives often cause roads to be built along and across wetlands • A provincial road giving access to farms and homes transects Verloren Valei and damages wetlands • Poor grading technique causes silting of wetlands • Unlimited access compromises reserve integrity Zingela Consulting (Pty) Ltd
Exploitation of non-renewalble resources: wetlands mitigate exploitive damage yet themselves threatened • Platinum in the Steenkampsberg traversing Verloren Valei • Mining an ever present threat • AMD; unwanted consequence with damage down steam Picture Stephan du ToitZingela Consulting (Pty) Ltd
Management and careerswith particular reference to Verloren Valei Nature Reserve • Mpumalanga Tourism &Parks Agency • Regional management • Reserve management • WESSA Friends of Verloren Valei group • Reserve staff • Community inputs • Research services • Volunteers Zingela Consulting CC
Key discussion points • Topic #1. SANParks vs Province • Topic #2 Separate tourism and conservation • Topic #3 Public / private partnerships • Topic #4 Mining vs pristine preservation • Topic #5 Open or closed reserve Zingela Consulting (Pty) Ltd