The integration of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation strategies into wetlands management in the Eastern Free State, South Africa

[摘要] English: This research examined the integration of disaster risk reduction and climate changeadaptation strategies into wetlands management in the eastern Free State in South Africa. Themain identified problem was the continuous degradation of wetlands under changingenvironmental conditions characterised by increasing disaster risks, including risks associatedwith climate change. Well-managed wetlands mitigate disaster risks and climate changeimpacts. The main research question was: 'Can integrating disaster risk reduction and climatechange adaptation principles and practices into wetlands management promote wetlandsresilience for sustainable ecological benefits in the eastern Free State? The aim of the studywas to develop a holistic wetlands management framework that promotes wetland resilienceunder changing environmental conditions. Resilient wetlands provide sustainable ecologicalservices that support local communities.The study used a systems thinking approach and is well-articulated in the emerging paradigmof ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation (Eco-DRR/CCA).A combination of four frameworks were necessary given the multidisciplinary nature of theresearch involving environmental management, disaster management and climate changescience. The post-positivist and the interpretivist philosophies blended well in this study whichcombined social and natural sciences. A mixed research method approach was used. Stratifiedrandom sampling and convenient sampling was used to select 95 mostly valley-bottomwetlands in the study area. Valley-bottom wetlands are the dominant wetlands in the studyarea. Data were collected using questionnaires (176 wetland users), interviews (30specialists), field observations (21 wetlands) and secondary data (from two weather stations).The data were analysed using Microsoft Excel, the Statistical Package for Social Sciences(SPSS) and thematic analysis using simple descriptive statistics. Triangulation, experts' inputsand pilot studies added credibility to the collected data.The main conclusions were that wetlands, especially those in communal land, were veryvulnerable to degradation. This vulnerability is because of poor comprehension of wetlandfunctions and values, ignorance and problems associated with the legal and institutionalarrangement for wetlands management in South Africa. There is no national wetland policyand the implementation of related legislations is not effective. There is poor coordination ofwetland-stakeholders in the area. The activities of the various Expanded Public WorkProgrammes (EPWPs) sometimes overlap and are not properly coordinated. Wetlands werepoorly managed, especially communal wetlands where poor land-use systems, overgrazedwetlands, and lack of management plans were identified. Communal wetlands are thereforenot very effective in mitigating the common risks of droughts, veld fires and floods in the area.However, wetlands in protected areas and many in private commercial farms were in a goodecological state, but they also require constant monitoring as head cut erosion and thepresence of alien and invasive species are still visible.The main recommendations include that the government of South Africa, through theDepartment of Environmental Affairs, should formulate an effective and implementablenational wetland policy that will speak directly and specifically to wetland issues. Thegovernment should also unify the control of the Extended Public Works Programmes (EPWPs)under one umbrella structure and improve the allocation of both human and financial resourcesto these EPWPs. There is a need for proper coordination of wetland stakeholders in the areaand the provincial wetland advisory forum should be more effective. Education and creatingawareness for wetland functions, values and management will be key to ensure the wise andsustainable management of wetlands. To build wetland resilience in the area, an IntegratedWetland Management Framework (IWMF) was proposed to manage wetlands from a holisticperspective, unlike the reactive approach that was dominant in the past. The IWMF integratesdisaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation tools and strategies. Further researchwas recommended for the longitudinal testing of the framework that will be aided by thedevelopment of other quantifiable indicators. Finally, a study to quantify the soil organic matter(SOM) of wetlands in the study area should be conducted to investigate opportunities forcarbon trading as a way of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and conserving wetlands.

[发布机构] University of the Free State