It is for this reason that CapeNature has partnered with Working for Wetlands (WfW - a government programme managed by the South African National Biodiversity Institute - SANBI) in a bid to rehabilitate a critical wetland in the Duiwenhoks catchment, north of Heidelberg.
“For the past two years CapeNature has done extensive work through the WfW project in the upper beds of the Kruisriver, Riversdale" says Heidi Nieuwoudt CapeNature Conservation Services Officer.
The project focusses on the rehabilitation and protection of wetlands and creates work for 25 people in this area who have recently completed a gabion structure of 321m3 preventing further erosion and enabling palmiet to re-establish.
Palmiet plants, found most commonly in wetlands in the upper reaches of rivers in the Southern Cape help to reduce flood damage (by slowly releasing the water over an extended time) and improve its quality and quantity.
Unfortunately with the slightest disturbances these palmiet wetlands, rich in organic matter (peat), begins to erode and huge dongas forms, impeding its functioning.
The destruction of wetlands is caused by draining of the wetlands, channelling, cultivation, developments too close to wetlands, alien vegetation or lack of knowledge about how this systems work.
CapeNature through the WfW Project is actively managing alien trees in the Duiwenhoks catchment which makes a huge contribution to increased water flow and gives natural vegetation a chance to recover on riverbanks. Alien vegetation covers 530km² of the area and can take up to 20% of Mean annual rainfall. Over the past two years 140ha has been cleared of invasive alien plants.
BACKGROUND
The work in the Duiwenhoks River should take three years to complete and covers 1432m³ in total. During this period the project will provide work to 22 to 33 people.
Working for Wetlands is a government programme managed by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), for Departments: Environmental and Tourism (DEAT), Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) and Agriculture. It is part of the Expanded Public Works Program. The programme was initiated in 2002 to supervise the rehabilitation of depredated wetlands throughout South Africa. Forty two project areas were identified, of which Duiwenhoks-Goukou were one. CapeNature is responsible for the work being done in Hessequa Municipal area.
Pressure on water sources is increasing, but by correct management of resources it offers many benefits to humans, known as ecoservices. Approximately 7% of South Africa’s surface is covered by wetlands. Wetlands can be seen as the kidneys of the earth as it is designed to purify water. Wetlands manage both water quantity and quality. It is one of the most important and known eco services to humans and the environment.
CAPTION TO PHOTOGRAPH: A CapeNature and Working for Wetlands project in the drought-stricken Southern Cape helps to reduce flood damage and improve water quality and quantity with the aid of these gabion structures in the Kruisriver, close to Riversdale.
FOR MORE INFORMATION/COMMENT CONTACT:
Heidi Nieuwoudt
Mobile: 082 448 9116
Email: hnieuwoudt@capenature.co.za
ISSUED BY:
Liesl Brink
Public Relations Manager
Mobile: 071 688 2649
Email: lbrink@capenature.co.za
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