Abstract
The degradation of wetlands has become a global concern, which impact’s negatively on human survival and sustainable development. The effort to implement wetland management strategies in response to wetland degradation and loss must be maximized in order to improve ecological conditions. Wetlands are amongst the most threatened ecosystems in South Africa. According to the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, residential development resulting from increasing population growth is the major driver of degradation and loss of wetlands. Continual water quality monitoring from local to global scale of wetlands is of vital importance to ensure that wetlands fulfil their functions of supporting species biodiversity and provide environmental, economic and aesthetic values. South Africa is known for its limited water supply and its water quality is persistently being threatened by pollution resulting from residential development and the construction of road crossings. The condition of wetlands has been drastically affected by ever-increasing population demands. Wetlands protect water through water purification, storing and provision of water supply and groundwater recharge. Water quality drivers such as hydrology, geomorphology and habitat suitability for aquatic organisms are essential in determining the state of water resources. These factors influence physico-chemical water quality parameters, which are one of the important components in assessing water quality. A high demand for residential space resulting from increased populations has led to people encroaching on wetlands for places to stay and this has placed an immense pressure on wetlands to provide their goods and services. This research will investigate the extent of wetland degradation attributed to residential development encroaching on the Blesbokspruit wetland. The study area is located between Daveyton and Etwatwa townships, in the eastern region of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa. Ramsar has recognized the Blesbokspruit wetland as internationally important since 1986. The ecological state of the Blesbokspruit wetland has since deteriorated because of pollution associated with mining, industrial and agricultural activities and residential encroachment. It is for this reason that this wetland was placed on the Montreaux record in 1996. Currently the Blesbokspruit is known for poor water quality and reduced species diversity...
M.Sc. (Aquatic Health)