Internationally, especially within the European Union, there
isaparadigmshift from thedestructiveuseofwetlands towardssus-
tainable “wetland agriculture”. Paludiculture, for example, is a novel
land-use practice recognised by leading international academic in-
stitutions and environmental agencies that might be more resilient
under climate change (toomuchor too little rain).
InEurope, thebiology, ecology and cropping requirements of Typha
aswell as theharvesting technologies and technology chains for the
production of the constructionmaterials (boards, panels, etc.) have
been tested in large-scale, real-world experiments.
Furthermore, Typha is also suitable forwastewater treatment, nutri-
ent control andcanbeefficientlyusedasaneasilyaffordable renew-
able biofuel. Participants received the “wetland agriculture” idea for
application in the South African context with both enthusiasm and
caution. DrSlivadiscussed theopportunities, changes, environmen-
tal and social impacts and implementation risks of this innovative
Typha-based small-scale industry.
Critical questions
During theworkshops, participants listedcritical questions for future
research, such as:
Canwequalify thenature andextent of the impact of agriculture
onwetlands?
Canwequantify the impact of agricultureon the regulating, sup-
porting and cultural functions of wetlands?
Can we geographically and resource-wise qualify and quantify
the importance of the provisional service of wetlands at present
and in future?
Can we list and identify the gaps in and limitations of current
ecosystem-specific agricultural-wetland-interactionpractices as
well as limitations and challenges to ensure the dissemination
and implementationof goodpractices?
What studies and mechanisms are required to enable us to
answer thesequestions?
What is the impact of other activities in awetland environment,
for example mining, on agricultural-wetland-interaction? A
Ramsarwetlandhasbeenmonitored in thepast todetermine the
effect of mining effluent on agricultural crops. Should such stu-
dies bepursued?
Conclusion
Agriculture and mining with associated activities poses a real and
significant risk to water resources, such as wetlands, as it changes
the landscape and creates numerous new hydrological and water
qualitygradients.
It will be in the long-term interest of both these industries and the
society in general, to adopt the wise use of wetland practices, to
protect and improve this valuable natural resource and enhance the
integrityof the landscape inwhich it is situated.
For reaction from theagricultural communityon themaindiscussion
points and critical questionsor for generalwetlandenquiries, please
contact Dr AltheaGrundling at
References
Driver, A., Sink, K.J., Nel, J.L., Holness, S., Van Niekerk, L., Daniels, F., Jonas, Z.,
Majiedt, P.A., Harris, L. & Maze, K. 2012
National Biodiversity Assessment 2011
:
An assessment of South Africa’s biodiversity and ecosystems
. Synthesis Report.
South African National Biodiversity Institute and Department of Environmental
Affairs, Pretoria.
Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) 2005. A practical field proce-
dure for identificationanddelineationofwetlandand riparianareas.Department of
Water Affairs and Forestry, Pretoria, SouthAfrica.
Grundling,A.T. 2014Agriculture,miningandwetlands interactionworkshopstarter
document. ARC-Institute forSoil, ClimateandWater, Pretoria, SouthAfrica. Report
No. GW/A/2014/211.
National Wetlands Indaba 2014 expanded provisional programme
ba2014.wetlands.za.net/programme.htm
Acknowledgements
Acknowledgement is hereby given to the Water Research Commission, South
AfricanWetlandSociety and theARC-Institute for Soil, Climate andWater.
Agriculture,miningand
wetlands interaction
Aerial viewof the extent ofmining inMpumalanga.
Photo: JohanEksteen,Mpumalanga Tourism andParksAgency
FOCUS
Natural resources andenergy
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