IMPESA - Identification and Mapping of peatlands in Southern Africa, Part 1: Framework Development, Training and Resource Evaluation

Grant Agreement nr. WGP1 18 GPI 32

Agreement holder: African Vegetation and Plant Diversity Centre, Dept. of Botany, University of Pretoria.

Country/region: South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Swaziland / Southern Africa.

Activity period: 01/10/2001 – 30/06/2002

Objectives and results:

The IMPESA project focused on identification and wise use of peatlands in the developing countries of southern Africa:

1. Contributing to the global peatland inventory, by identifying key peatland areas (e.g. peatlands of international importance) in southern Africa
2. Developing and promoting of a network of local, national and international initiatives (held by governmental representatives, environmental NGOs, science and peatusing industry) for peatland conservation and peatland wise use in southern Africa

Immediate objectives:

1. development of the Southern African Peatland Group (SAfPG)
2. disseminating documents “Wise Use of Peatlands”
3. over-viewing the current status quo of the peatland inventory within SAfPG
4. developing peatland inventory assessment sheet and peatland inventory database
5. training of the SAfPG on peatland inventory and evaluation issues
6. encouraging of the state sector (governments) in the conservation and wise use of peatlands
7. financial support raising by international and local donors

Achieved:

1. A comprehensive IMPESA Peatland Inventory database has been established, and populated with many data from 7 countries, including many data from ”grey” information sources. Also produced as hard-copy report and on CD.
2. A Southern African Peatland Group (SafPG) has been established, comprising of an active network of scientists, representatives of government agencies and NGOs.

1. An IMPESA leaflet was produced and distributed to key people/organisations in 20 African countries, and at international conferences of conservationists and industry
2. Comprehensive overview produced
3. Done with participation of all members of the SAfPG
4. A training workshop was implemented in March 2002.
5. Officials of relevant government departments were informed through meetings and a study tours. Several joint the SafPG.
6. Several government agencies of South Africa, and also NGOs provided in-kind contributions and some have expressed interest in co-financing implementation of wise use principles on rural land-use practices in peatlands in Phase 2.
7. Provided.

The project has been very successful in achieving all its 1st phase objectives to a high degree, and has produced and widely disseminated high quality information. It has established the basis for a comprehensive programme for inventory and monitoring of peatlands in southern Africa and for promoting wise use of peatland resources.