coaltech upper olifants river catchment wetland inventory ...

The attributes in the attribute table was also verified where possible. The most inaccurate
attribute was the status of the wetlands. Sixty percent of the verified wetlands had an
inaccurate status indicated in the database. The status was mostly increased, but in some
cases the status of the wetlands were also decreased. This attribute is very difficult to
determine from an aerial photograph.
The connectivity attribute of 39% of the wetlands were changed, either lower or higher, and
the threat attribute has been added to for 35% of the wetlands. Various threats were
observed in the field, which are not visible on the aerial photographs.
The attributes in the database has an overall accuracy of 60% and the wetland layer an
accuracy of 70%.
8.4 The way forward
o This layer, although baseline, is not intended as a static, once-off project and the
data should be refined and corrected on a regular basis.
o The layer should be handed over to a host organisation capable of refining and
updating the wetland layer, e.g. SANBI.
9. CONCLUSION
Limited literature is available on the wetlands in the UORC, but the literature available
illustrates the importance of the wetlands in terms of services and functions of the wetlands
in general and specifically in the UORC. In addition, the wetlands are under threat from
various activities within the catchment. Although it is not feasible to prevent all activities
impacting on the wetlands from taking place, the activities can be managed to obtain the
most beneficial combination of economic development and wetland conservation.
A wetland database and a dam layer have been compiled for the catchment, based on the
existing wetland databases and 1:50 000 aerial photographs. The wetland layer is linked to a
wetland database including various attributes such as wetland type, possible functions and
status. The wetland database and dam layer should, however, be viewed as a baseline study
to guide decision making, and should not replace more detailed, site specific, wetland
assessments.
Wetland Database for UORC - 95 -