ASSESSMENT OF THE STATE OF ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC BENEFITS AT
MATANGARI WETLANDS, MATANGARI VILLAGE IN LIMPOPO PROVINCE
On the 08th of February 2011, the Forum for
Environmental, Biological and Earth Sciences (FEBES) formed part of the Limpopo
Province Wetlands Day Celebration which was organized by the Limpopo Department
of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET), Vhembe District. On
the day, FEBES presented a research project which it undertook at the wetlands of
Matangari. FEBES would like to thank various individual members who took part
in this research project.
Forum for Environmental, Biological and Earth Scientists (FEBES)
Transition
of knowledge through innovative solutions
Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET)
Provincial Celebration of World Wetlands Day at Matangari Wetlands, Matangari Village in Vhembe District
RESEARCH
TOPIC: ASSESSMENT OF THE STATE OF ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC BENEFITS AT
MATANGARI WETLANDS, MATANGARI VILLAGE IN LIMPOPO PROVINCE
Introduction
The term state of environment defines analysis of trends in the environment of a particular place normally involving aspects such as water quality, air quality, land use, ecosystem health and function, along with social and cultural matters. Wetland valuation is the assessment of the productivity of services in the wetland that can give value to the economy and people. There is no exact definition of wetland. The world book encyclopaedia defines a wetland as an area of land where the water level remains near or above the surface. Another definition from Wikipedia says that “A wetland is an area of land whose soil is saturated with moisture either permanently or seasonally”. In the United States, wetlands are defined as ‘‘those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil condition’’.
A wetland is a wet
land but not all wet lands are wetlands. A patch of land that develops pools of
water after a rain storm would not be considered a ‘‘wetland’’ though the land
is wet. Wetlands have water table that is located at or near the land surface
for long enough. Three important characteristics define a wetland from a wet
land, (1) presence of water (2) fertile soil and (3) hydrophytes vegetation.
Wetlands are one of biologically productive ecosystems and
support wide range of animal and plant species. There are several kinds of
wetlands. The major types include bogs, fens, marshes, and swamps. Bogs and
fens are found in the northern climates but bogs are characterized mainly by
acidic soil and the heavy growth of mosses. The soil which made fen is neutral
and characterized by grasses and sedge. Both bogs and fens comprise partially
decay matters of plant life known as peat. Marshes and swamps are the commonest
in the warmer climates. Marshes are made by grasses, reeds, rushes, sedges, and
other nonwoody plants. Swamps on the other hand are characterized by trees and
shrubs.
Background to the Investigation
The wetland landscapes and wildlife we value today typically
result from complex interactions between people and nature over centuries
(Ramsar, 2011). Once these linkages are damaged or destroyed, it is rarely to
restore or recreate them. In Matangari Wetlands there are cultural taboos that
restrict a woman who is still sexual active or who is on menstrual periods from
cleaning the springs supporting the wetlands. There is also a belief that if a
man cleans those springs will become sexual passive. According to the people
living in Matangari Village, the alteration of the original state of those springs
has been caused by failure to follow taboos.
Some cultural values are easily translated into the hard
economic language of most senior decision-makers. For instance, the annual
market value of fish harvested from a wetland, or the cumulative income from
tourism and recreation. Religious, spiritual or artistic values cannot be given
a price tag as such, but expression of these values- such as the number of
visitors to a wetland for religious significance - can be assessed
economically.
A state of wetland ecosystem can be altered by changes in
the characteristics such as hydrology, geochemistry, and substrate or species
composition. A change in these characteristics may impair the ability of a
wetland or riparian area to function properly. This includes the ability of a
wetland or riparian area to act as a filter for excess sedimentation and
nutrients, which can result in deteriorating surface water quality. Common
examples are the drainage of wetlands for additional cropland, overgrazing,
constructions of highways, channelization of adjoining waterways, deposition of
dredged material and excavation for ports and marinas. The purpose of effective
management strategies in the wetlands and riparian areas in wetlands and riparian
areas is to maintain the water quality benefits and to ensure that they do not
become a source of non-point pollution. The ability of wetlands to filter or
reduce non-point source pollution is determined by characteristics such as
vegetative composition, geochemistry, and faunal species composition. Any
changes to these characteristics could affect filtering capacity.
Research Methodology
Research methodology embraces systems and techniques for
collecting data for the research project. Research methodology also entails analysing
of principles of all methods, rules, techniques, and materials that will be
used in the research projects.
The data acquisition process was divided into three
techniques. The first technique involved interviewing Matangari residents. On
this day, a small special gathering for old people was called for interview.
Questions were asked based on the following: the history and the origin of the
wetland, co-existence of the wetlands with the community, taboos and cultural
practices in the wetlands, pollution sources and also socio-economic benefits
derived from the wetlands. We divided ourselves into three groups and each
group had at least a certain number of the community members.
The second technique involved site visit and assessment of
the natural state of the wetland. This technique involved taking pictures and
visiting different points of the wetlands. Site visit was made possible along
with one of the community members.
The third and the last technique involved reviewing the
literature such as books, journals and the internet.
Discussions and Results
Field Investigation Outcomes
Matangari Village is located within the Soutpansberg group.
This area is well known for its wetlands and subsistence farming. The wetlands
in this area provide a source of water which permits different forms of
agricultural practices. The Matangari villagers plough crops such as maize,
sweet potatoes and peanuts. The crops that they farm support their families and
some are sold to the local markets. The wetland supply water for farming
throughout the year and as a result farming occur only during dry season months
like May, June, July, August and September. High summer rainfalls do not permit
and result in the destruction of crops.
Grasses and reeds which characterize Matangari Wetlands also
provide villagers with materials for roofing and making things such as bags and
mats. Grasses are also used by traditional doctors for medicine. Local name for the type of a grass which
grows in the wetland is known as dzhesi. The other type of a plant which is
also found in the wetland is called Mupupuma.
The rapid growth of population in this area has resulted in
competition for farming and settlement areas. About eighteen house plots are
residing by the wetland. However, having realized the danger of destruction on
the wetland ecosystem, traditional leaders claimed to have stopped allocating
land for housing plot within the wetland.
The wetland has a good sandy soil suitable for construction
purposes. This sand soil is extracted for the purpose of selling to the local
community. These create many small unfilled excavations which are left in area
around and within the wetland.
Discussion
Matangari Wetlands preserve large amount of clean water
throughout the year. This water is retained in the soil for a period long
enough to support different kinds of agricultural practices. From our
introduction, a wetland was defined as an area where the water table remained
near or above the ground. In hydrogeological principles, it is clear that if
discharge of water exceeds the recharge, it result in the drying up of the
spring. Water in the wetland is trapped by type of vegetation which grows.
Farming directly from the wetland can result in the losses of retained water.
This is because when preparing land for farming will need clearing of existing
vegetation. It is therefore required that farming is practiced away from the
wetland. Further detail investigations are required to determine sustainable
way of farming in Matangari Area.
Another serious concern which degrades the physical state of
the wetland is the mining of the sand near the wetland. Extraction of sand near
the wetland can promote erosion and sedimentation. These two factors can have a
serious damage on the physical state of the wetland in that they can contribute
in drying up of wetland water.
Allocating plots of land for housing in area within the
wetland will contribute heavily in generating point source of pollution. And
will also play a role in deteriorating wetland water quality. For example,
water quality can be deteriorated by pit toilets, waste dumps etc….
It was also found that farmers at Matangari Wetlands use
fertilizers for effective production of crops. Many causes of pollution include
fertilizers which contain nutrients such as nitrates and phosphate. In excess
levels, nutrients over stimulate the growth of aquatic plants and algae.
Excessive growth of these types of organisms consequently clogs our waterways,
use up dissolved oxygen as they decompose, and block light to deeper waters.
This, in turn, proves very harmful to aquatic organisms as it affects the
respiration ability of fish and other invertebrates that reside in water.
Recommendations and Conclusion
Matangari resident have direct relationship with the
wetland. No matter where they are, the water runoff from their activities at
homes can end up in the wetland. The wetland is crucial to our environment in
that it provide water for drinking and habitats for wildlife. Since we all need
water to survival, protecting our wetlands from pollution is everyone’s
responsibility.
It is recommended that Matangari residents practice
‘‘green’’ landscaping in their yards and around their homes using plants that
are native to their land. This will assist in preserving the wetland even
though they do not live directly from it. Native plants are recommended because
they adapted the soil and do not consume large amount of water. Native plants
also attract local birds
They must conserve water. Not only that it will protect the
wetland, it also saves money. These involve fixing leaking pipes, irrigating
plants with collected rain water etc.
Limit the use of products that create households hazardous
waste. These products include paints, pesticides, and batteries. This product
will eventually end-up in wetland after they travel with the runoff.
Written and Compiled by Phathutshedzo Osborne Magada, Founder & Chairman, Forum for Environmental, Biological and Earth Scientists (FEBES)
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