coaltech upper olifants river catchment wetland inventory ...

In a wetland study at Douglas Colliery (8) by Marneweck (2004b) it was determined that
wetlands in this area were modified by agriculture and mining related impacts and can
therefore not be regarded as pristine. Most of the wetlands are largely modified and the
mining activities may cause some of the wetlands to degrade to a critically modified status.
The wetlands at the Middelburg Mine (9) were assessed as part of an ecological assessment
conducted in the mine area. Two Vulnerable Red Data species were observed in the
wetlands during the site visits. These species are the Grass Owl (Tyto capensis) and the
Marsh Sylph (Metisella meninx). Various protected species also occurred in the wetlands.
The riverine system in this area suffered a major loss in ecosystem functions, but the
wetlands in general are still in a moderate condition (Natural Scientific Services, 2006).
A wetland assessment was conducted on the Steenkoolspruit in the Kriel South area (10).
During this assessment it was found that the species diversity in the wetland is high. It was
therefore suggested that a more detailed wetland assessment be conducted to compare the
species diversity in the wetland to the species diversity present in similar wetland systems in
the area. The wetland was found to be slightly modified (Marneweck 2001).
In a follow-up study in the Kriel South area (10) the species diversity in the wetlands at
Steenkoolspruit, Blesbokspruit and Viskuile wetlands were investigated. The highest species
diversity was found at the Steenkoolspruit and the lowest species diversity at the
Blesbokspruit. The floodplain wetlands at Viskuile and Steenkoolspruit were found to be only
slightly modified, while the floodplain of the Blesbokspruit is heavily degraded. The hillslope
seepages at the Viskuile were also heavily impacted upon by cultivation and draining of the
wetlands, whereas the hillslope seepages at the Steenkoolspruit and Blesbokspruit, although
slightly degraded, were in a better condition (Marneweck and Bell, 2002).
In a wetland assessment conducted by Marneweck and Batchelor (2004) on the proposed
new strip mine area at Khutala Colliery (11) it was determined that most of the wetlands in
the area are moderately modified. Some of the functions and habitat features of the wetlands
are lost. Since these wetlands are located in an area proposed for future strip mine
operations the wetlands will be lost if mining authorisation is granted (Marneweck and
Batchelor, 2004).
Wetland Database for UORC - 67 -