Abstract
M.A.
South Africa is a country with a variable climate which results in the formation of a variety of wetland types. These wetlands occur in a number of locations and natural settings and display a wide variety of unique characteristics. The main study objective was to produce an inland wetland guide document that would offer assistance to developers, managers, farmers, local governments and the public to identify and delineate wetlands. The scope of the study limited the research to inland wetlands and therefore excluded the marine and estuarine wetland types.
The document provides the reader with a number of wetland definitions and illustrates the Cowardin et al. (1979) wetland classification system and the proposed South African wetland classification system, developed by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. The three most significant characteristics of wetlands (hydrology, hydrophytic vegetation, hydric soils) are discussed in detail followed by a description of the wetland morphology and fauna, including mammals, reptiles, birds, and fish. South African wetland types (endorheic pans, riverine, lacustrine, palustrine and man-made wetlands) are discussed and maps are provided to illustrate the distribution of these wetlands in South Africa. The ecological, hydrological and cultural wetland functions and values such as flood attenuation, the storage and purification of water, the provision of faunal and floral habitats, the recreational and educational potential and the typical threats to wetlands (industrial, agricultural, urban) are described briefly.
A wetland delineation technique that was developed by Kotze & Marneweck (1999) is provided to assist the reader in identifying the presence of a wetland and delineating its boundary. The technique includes a number of flow diagrams and explanations to guide the reader through the process. The Ramsar Convention plays an important role in the conservation of wetlands around the world. An explanation of the purpose and the functions of the Convention is provided to illustrate the importance of the conservation of the wetland ecosystems for man and the environment. The guide document concludes with a wetland checklist system. The checklist can be utilised by the reader to determine if an area of land constitutes a wetland and to ascertain the specific type of wetland. The list consists of a variety of questions that can be marked off as the reader continues. The guide document provides the reader with various appendices that include lists of the wetland flora and fauna. There is also a list with a few expert contacts that may assist the reader during wetland identification and delineation.