Global freshwater consumption increased sixfold between 1900 and 1995. It is estimated that by 2025 twothirds of all people on the planet will be living under waterstressed conditions.
Diversity is our strength
South Africa has been described as
the third most country in the world.2
biodiverse Te coun-
try is blessed with a rich abun- dance of biodiversity and a wide range of ecosystems and biomes. Among them are the wetland ecosystems, which occupy ap- proximately 7 per cent of South Africa’s total land area. Wetlands are regarded as one of the most productive ecosystems because of all the ecosystem services they provide. But the country’s wet- lands are under pressure from both natural and human threats and approximately 60 per cent of all wetlands have already been destroyed or degraded, leading to a decrease in services provided.3
Wetlands secure the water supply
South Africa has low annual rainfall and consequently relies on steady access to water resources. Te wetland ecosystems act like sponges, soaking up rainwater and releasing it gradually to down- stream areas. Tis minimizes the risk of flooding and soil erosion, and secures a steady supply of freshwater to nearby communities.
Wetlands cleanse water
Wetlands play a critical role in filtering water. Even heavy metals and pesticides are removed, and clean water available for consumption is released to downstream areas.
Wetlands act as carbon sinks
Wetlands remove carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from the atmosphere and store it in the vegetation. Restoring and protecting wetlands has a double positive effect on pre- venting climate change: gases already stored are not released; and the wetlands will continuously remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.
Twenty wetlands in South Africa have been classified as Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention. To gether, these wetlands occupy a total area of 553 178 hectares.
– Ramsar
– Ramsar
Job creation and training (Photo: Working for Wetlands)
Te Working for Wetlands programme has created almost 10 000 permanent jobs and provided workers with more than 100 000 days of training. Participants have received skills ranging from mixing of cement to iden- tification of invasive species and re-vegetation of compromised areas. Te combination of temporary employment, income generation, acquisition of knowledge, and raised self- esteem for the participating individuals, has resulted in an opportunity to escape the vi- cious circle of poverty and given rise to hopes for the future.
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