The Future of Smallholder Farming in Eastern Africa - Uganda ...

Appendix 2. THE 5V’s PRIORITY CLASSES and DEFINITIONS
CLASS I - VITAL WETLANDS (Critical)
• these wetlands are of such importance that they need immediate and effective management and
protection from ongoing development and degradation,
• these wetlands provide at least one known essential good or service or other attribute for which
there is either no alternative source of supply; or the alternative is not practically or
economically viable,
• they include:-
wetlands that provide and help purify urban drinking water supplies,
those treating wastewater,
provide major flood protection and flow regulation / seasonal redistribution of water,
provide dry season water supply for livestock / wildlife in arid zones; oasis wetlands,
wetlands which harbour rare, endangered or endemic species,
wetlands with an especially high biodiversity value,
wetlands that are unique or ‘type’ wetlands for the district,
wetlands of international importance,
Ramsar and other protected area wetlands.
CLASS II – VITAL WETLANDS (Non-critical)
• these have the same characteristics as Class I but are not currently under development or
degradation but still require a high level of protection to avert future problems.
CLASS III – VALUABLE WETLANDS (Critical)
• these provide essential resources comparable to Class I and II but these resources are available
economically from alternative sources, though these may be less economical and of poorer
quality,
• they are classified as critical because they are subject to ongoing degradation, which jeopardises
the continuation of their attributes or existence.
CLASS IV – VALUABLE WETLANDS (Non-critical)
• these are defined as per Class III above but are not subject to ongoing degradation.