Abstract
M.A.
Wetlands are being lost and degraded in urban areas. Urban wetlands perform a
diverse range of valuable functions. The loss of wetlands, therefore, has a negative
impact upon urban human populations. One of the major threats to urban wetlands in
Gauteng is the development of residential and commercial developments. As prime
land for development is at a premium, the urban developer has targeted wetlands,
which are canalised, drained or filled before being developed over.
A typical example is that of the case study used for this thesis, where a wetland found
in Johannesburg, Gauteng, is in the process of being destroyed, with the developers
removing wetland vegetation, levelling the site and inhibiting the flow of the
Wilgespruit River. Eventually a townhouse complex to be known as Wilgeheuwel
Extension 29 is to be developed on the site.
An integrated sustainable rehabilitation plan is required to ensure that the
Wilgeheuwel Extension 29 wetland is rehabilitated. This plan is to take into
consideration all the factors that influence the wetland negatively at present, including
impacts upstream and possible future impacts. Therefore, a hierarchical approach is
used, where management plans for the Wilgespruit River sub-catchment, the proposed
development and the individual wetland are integrated into one plan.