coaltech upper olifants river catchment wetland inventory ...

o Excellent – The wetland is located within the stream channel, or directly adjacent to
the stream channel, and the wetland is directly connected to other wetlands.
o Good – The wetland is in close proximity to other wetlands and the movement of
organisms and water from the one to the other readily takes place.
o Fair – The wetland is some distance away from other wetlands, but the movement of
organisms and water can still take place via existing migration routes, e.g. green
belts, etc.
o Poor – The wetland is located away from other wetlands and the movement of
organisms or water only takes place occasionally.
o Very poor – The wetland is isolated from other wetlands.
The connectivity of the wetlands is not a function of wetland health. Numerous wetlands,
mostly pans, have poor connectivity but are in a good condition. The connectivity of the
wetland only gives an indication on the level of fauna and flora interchange between the
wetland and other wetlands, as well as the extent of the impact that a negative activity will
have on the wetland system. Spillage in a riparian wetland, with excellent connectivity, will
have a far reaching impact, whereas spillage in a pan, with poor connectivity, will have a
more localised impact.
5.7 Red Data and important species
Red Data species observed in the wetlands are included in the table, as well as other
important species associated with the wetland types. The important species include
protected species included in the Mpumalanga Nature Conservation Act, as well as the
Transvaal Nature Conservation Ordinace, as well as Near Threatened and Data Deficient
species. The species in this table are not site specific, but the species that may utilise the
wetland type. It is therefore, important to conduct site specific studies before this list can be
refined. Please note that the status of the wetland has a significant impact on the species
that may utilise the site, but this has not been taken into account due to the uncertainty of the
accuracy of the status attribute field.
Wetland Database for UORC - 84 -