WET-Health, a Method for Rapidly Assessing the Ecological Condition of Wetlands in Southern Africa

Kotze, Donovan C.; Macfarlane, Douglas M.; Ollis, Dean J.

doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-805091-0.00056-6

Cited by 3 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…SDM has the potential to focus monitoring efforts on key sites or species, saving time and effort. WET-Health is a method developed in southern Africa for assessing the current and projected ecological condition of a wetland by measuring hydrology, geomorphology and vegetation (Kotze et al, 2018). The scope to use this tool for monitoring trends over time should be explored.…”

Section: Modern Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Use of Traditional and Modern Tools for Monitoring Wetlands Biodiversity in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities

Stephenson

Ntiamoa‐Baidu

Simaika

2020

Front. Environ. Sci.

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Biodiversity is being lost in wetlands at a faster rate than any other biome. Effective conservation and management of wetlands biodiversity requires data on species status and threats to inform decision-making. However, there are key challenges in Africa around the availability, usability and quality of data, willingness to use data, and capacity. We review these challenges, using examples from Ramsar sites and other wetlands across the continent, and propose solutions to help information users access high quality data in the right format at the right time. We assess the relevance of traditional monitoring methods, as well as innovative new tools such as remote sensing and environmental DNA. We conclude by explaining how governments, civil society and the private sector can enhance data collection by applying common, policy-relevant indicators, scaling up the application of traditional and appropriate new tools and protocols, building capacity in key institutions, and using partnerships and credible science-policy interfaces. Only by sharing and upscaling the solutions to data collection and use will we be able to mainstream biodiversity into decision-making and ultimately stop biodiversity loss across African wetlands.

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Section: Modern Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Use of Traditional and Modern Tools for Monitoring Wetlands Biodiversity in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities

Stephenson

Ntiamoa‐Baidu

Simaika

2020

Front. Environ. Sci.

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“…The general issue of spatial and temporal complexity in sediment trapping and total P removal efficiencies also poses a challenge in terms of generalisation and predictability of ecosystem services, especially when using rapid assessment tools (e.g., WET‐Ecoservices tool; Kotze et al, 2009, 2020). However, there are opportunities to improve the integration of indicators related to process geomorphology within South African wetland protocols for appraisal of ecosystem service provision.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Fluvially‐integrated wetlands, such as floodplains and valley‐bottoms, support diverse and highly valued regulatory ecosystem services including the attenuation of ‘source‐to‐sink’ dispersal of water, sediment, particulate organic matter and dissolved solutes (Johnston, 1991; Kotze et al, 2009; Phillips, 1989). The relative effectiveness of a given wetland type in mediating these material fluxes has been attributed to the complex interplay between catchment‐scale hydrometeorological, geomorphological, ecological, biological and land‐use conditions (Grenfell et al, 2014; Kotze et al, 2009). There are also linkages between the rates of sediment trapping and local‐scale factors such as hydrogeomorphic setting, sediment supply, wetland morphometry, hydrological regime and surface roughness (Hupp, Woodside, & Yanosky, 1993; Olde Venterink et al, 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As such, the fluxes and storage of phosphorus are typically closely associated with the dynamics of fluvial sediment and organic matter (Kronvang, 1992; Schwarz, Malanson, & Weirich, 1996). Consequently, factors influencing the dynamics of sediment trapping such as hydroperiod, vegetation density and sediment loading rates are also important in the dispersal and attenuation of fluvially‐transported P within wetlands (Kotze et al, 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Valley‐bottom wetlands as temporary buffers for source‐to‐sink dispersal of sediment and associated phosphorus in dryland landscapes

Wiener,

Grenfell

2024

Earth Surf Processes Landf

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Sediment trapping in wetlands is an essential ecosystem service, with implications for downstream ecosystems and water users. There is however limited empirical evidence of the contemporary rates and magnitude of sediment trapping in valley‐bottom wetlands. Time‐averaged suspended sediment samples from the inlets and outlets of forestry‐ and agriculturally‐impacted valley‐bottom wetlands with contrasting morphometric characteristics were compared in terms of suspended sediment and associated total phosphorous (total P) fluxes over annual scales, a dataset that was limited by Covid travel constraints. Although both wetlands were net depositional, contemporary suspended sediment mass balances for the agriculturally‐impacted wetland revealed a temporal change in the amount of sediment trapped over two water years (2019/2020 and 2020/2021), with trapping efficacies of 91% and 24%, respectively. The proportion of sediment trapped in the water year of 2020/2021 within the adjacent wetland, with a small commercially forested catchment, was up to 4 times higher than the agriculturally‐impacted wetland, which drained a larger catchment. Rates of total P retention showed that the agriculturally‐impacted wetland was a net sink for phosphorus in 2019/2020, but shifted to a source of phosphorus in 2020/2021 as the export of suspended sediment was enhanced. However, this contrasts with the forestry‐impacted wetland, which was a net sink of sediment and associated phosphorus during the one‐year study period of 2020/2021. Overall, despite data constraints, this study suggests that the efficacy of valley‐bottom wetlands in the delivery of sediment trapping and phosphorus removal ecosystem services varies temporally and spatially. This variability is potentially related to the interaction between annual rainfall regimes, catchment size and wetland geomorphic character. The temporary nature of sediment recycling processes could serve to balance wetland dynamics by regulating vertical growth of valley floors and longitudinal slope stability and should be considered in catchment management and wetland restoration planning strategies.

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“…The Free State Provincial Disaster Management Plan identified the following hazards that pose disaster risk in the province: drought, floods, veld fires, structural fires, epidemics, extreme cold, heat waves, hail, windstorms, tornadoes, earthquakes, sinkholes, hazardous materials (Hazmats), transport accidents, seismic movements, dam failures, snow, mudslides and water contamination (FSPDMC 2007). Wetlands can play a great role in mitigating hazards, especially those associated with drought, floods and veld fires (Kotze et al 2007; Renaud et al 2016; WI 2016). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Managing wetlands for disaster risk reduction: A case study of the eastern Free State, South Africa

Belle

Collins

Jordaan

2018

Jàmbá

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This article investigated the knowledge and practice of a nature-based solution to reduce disaster risks of drought, veld fires and floods using wetlands in the eastern Free State, South Africa. A mixed research method approach was used to collect primary data using three data collection tools, namely questionnaires, interviews and field observations. Ninety-five wetlands under communal and private ownership as well as a few in protected areas were sampled, with their users completing questionnaires. The study showed that communal wetlands were more degraded, while wetlands in protected areas and in private commercial farms were in a good ecological state. An extensive literature review reveals that healthy wetlands are effective buffers in reducing disaster risks such as drought, veld fires and floods which are recurrent in the study area. Therefore, through better land-use and management practices, backed by education and awareness, wetlands could be good instruments to mitigate recurrent natural hazards in the agriculturally dominated eastern Free State in South Africa.

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WET-Health, a Method for Rapidly Assessing the Ecological Condition of Wetlands in Southern Africa

Cited by 3 publications

References 10 publications

The Use of Traditional and Modern Tools for Monitoring Wetlands Biodiversity in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities

The Use of Traditional and Modern Tools for Monitoring Wetlands Biodiversity in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities

Valley‐bottom wetlands as temporary buffers for source‐to‐sink dispersal of sediment and associated phosphorus in dryland landscapes

Managing wetlands for disaster risk reduction: A case study of the eastern Free State, South Africa

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