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coaltech upper olifants river catchment wetland inventory ...

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5.11 Wetland types<br />

The entire <strong>catchment</strong> is approximately 15 158 km 2 in extent and the total <strong>wetland</strong> area is<br />

approximately 2 147 km 2 . Wetlands cover approximately 14% of the entire <strong>catchment</strong> area.<br />

5.11.1 Non-floodplain riparian<br />

Non-floodplain riparian <strong>wetland</strong>s are associated with drainage lines, but they lack the<br />

characteristic floodplain features such as oxbows (Kotze et al 2005, Rogers 1995). This,<br />

<strong>wetland</strong> type, along with the seepage <strong>wetland</strong>s, is the largest <strong>wetland</strong> type with 34% of the<br />

<strong>wetland</strong>s in the <strong>catchment</strong> being non-floodplain riparian <strong>wetland</strong>s.<br />

5.11.2 Floodplain riparian<br />

Floodplain riparian <strong>wetland</strong>s occur in lower-lying areas of the UORC with or without a<br />

drainage channel. These <strong>wetland</strong>s have features, such as oxbows, typically associated with<br />

floodplains and are inundated by overspill during a flooding event (Kotze et al 2005, Rogers<br />

1995). Floodplain riparian <strong>wetland</strong>s are fairly common in the <strong>catchment</strong>, with 28% of the<br />

<strong>wetland</strong>s classified as floodplain riparian <strong>wetland</strong>s.<br />

5.11.3 Seepage<br />

Seepage <strong>wetland</strong>s occur where groundwater emerges, and occurs on hillcrests, slopes and<br />

adjacent to water courses and pans. Seepage <strong>wetland</strong>s also include springs (Palmer et al<br />

2002). This <strong>wetland</strong> type, along with non-floodplain riparian <strong>wetland</strong>s, is the most common<br />

<strong>wetland</strong> type in the UORC, with 34% of the total <strong>wetland</strong> area in the <strong>catchment</strong> falling into<br />

this category.<br />

Wetland Database for UORC - 87 -

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