coaltech upper olifants river catchment wetland inventory ...

The flow velocity in the channel of a floodplain wetland is high, with a high suspended load.
When the water overtops the river bank the flow velocity lowers and deposition of the load
occurs. The sedimentation in the floodplain reduces the phosphate loads in the short term.
Drying out of the floodplain wetlands is similar to endorheic pans (Palmer et al 2002, Kotze
2000, Kotze et al 2000).
3.5.4 Harvesting natural resources
Wetlands throughout the world are used for the harvesting of resources, including the
harvesting of food, building materials and peat. In many instances various communities
depend on wetlands for their survival, either as a source of food or building material or,
alternatively, as a source of income. The income gained from the wetlands can be direct or
indirect, through the sale of wetland products or from the income from tourists visiting the
wetlands (Mmpolewa in press, Scott pers. com. 2004, Wateryear 2003).
Harvesting of wetland resources plays an important role in the lives of various individuals
and communities in South Africa. An access database was developed in order to assist
wetland scientists constructing and rehabilitating wetlands with the choice of species to use
in revegetation. The database is called New Green and contains 38 species that can be
harvested in a wetland and what the various species are used for. Species used for food,
building material and medicinal purposes are included (Abbot Grobicki no date). The
database is available from the Water Research Commission.
The amounts of plants, animals and other materials harvested from the wetlands in the
catchment are unknown, since no research has been conducted in the UORC in this regard.
During interviews conducted by Turpie and van Zyl (Palmer et al 2002) it was concluded that
a variety of resources in the wetlands are utilised by farmers and their workers. A list of 50
plant species previously recorded in the wetlands of the UORC has medicinal and/or food
value. The extent to which these plants are used in the catchment are however unknown
(Palmer et al 2002).
Wetland Database for UORC - 39 -