Global Peatland Initiative
Project title: IMPESA
- Identification and Mapping of Peatlands in Southern Africa, Part II. - Inventory
Grant Agreement Nr. WGP2 - 36 GPI 55
Agreement holder:
Prof Piet-Louis Grundling
University of Pretoria
Country/region:
Lesotho/ Cape Provinces,
South Africa
Activity period: 01/12/02 - 31/12/03
Documentation and products available:
- Final summary report and Finance Report
- Technical outputs:
- Draft Peatland inventory maps for Lesotho & South Africa: Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Northern Cape Provinces; GIS format and paper print in scale 1: 250 000.
- Draft Peatland Eco-region Maps for Botswana, Lesotho,
Namibia, Swaziland and Zimbabwe.
- Web-site: http://www.impesa.net
Background
The project "IMPESA - Identification and Mapping of Peatlands in Southern Africa, Phase II. - Inventory" is the direct continuation of the IMPESA-Phase I. Based on the results of the first phase (Resource evaluation), an on-the-ground inventory of peatlands in selected southern African countries will be performed with the goal to produce standardised peatland maps and a peatland database for the southern African region.
The IMPESA project was initiated in the period November 2001 - June 2002 with the first phase: "Framework Development, Training and Ressource Evaluation". After the successful completion of this phase, as well as an assessment of the results, it is recommended that the project should continue with the "filling of gaps" concerning the knowledge of peatland distribution and assessment in southern African countries.
Partners:
NGOs
- IMCG
- Southern African Develop Community's Wetland
Project (IUCN driven)
Science agencies:
- University of Pretoria, South Africa
- University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
- University of Botswana, HOORC Maun, Botswana
- Technical University of Munchen - Germany
- University of Eduardo Mondlane - Mozambique
- Geological Survey of Mosambique
Government
- The Eastern Cape and Western Cape departments of
Environmental Affairs
- Lesotho: Department of Water Affairs;
- Department of Agriculture, S. Africa
- Environmental Affairs and Tourism, S. Africa
- Water Affairs and Forestry, S. Africa
- National Directorate of Geology, Maputo, Mozambique
- Private sector
- Ihlaphosi Enviro Services, S. Africa
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Within Phase I, an extensive inventory and evaluation of all available peatland-related data was done. The results show that there are diametric differences in the status quo of the knowledge both among the investigated countries as well as within themselves. For example: there are sufficient data basis for Kwazulu-Natal and Gauteng in South Africa but hardly any information for southern provinces (Cape). Also in Lesotho only one part of the country has been mapped for peatlands and peatland-related wetlands, whereas other areas remain widely unknown. Despite the intensive search there is no peatland related information for whole Swaziland yet, although several peatland areas can be expected there.
Within the second part of the IMPESA project, the mapping in these three countries will be completed. The limited budget of the GPI projects as well as the limited local capacity do not allow for the completion of an inventory for the other countries which were involved in the first phase (Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana, and Namibia).
Beside countries mentioned above, it is expected to initiate the first phase of IMPESA with another further three SADEC countries in southern Africa by establishing IMPESA representatives. The recommended counties are: Zambia, Malawi and Tanzania. Preliminary Peatland-Ecoregion Maps should be developed for these three counties. Depending on eventual additional funds for these new IMPESA members (the IMPESA Group will try to generate co-financing from numerous sources), the first elaboration phase (Resource Evaluation) can eventually be initiated independent of GPI funding.
The problem to be addressed and justification.
According to GGAP main global themes, as well as in compliance with the Ramsar Strategic Plans (see Ramsar COP7: DOC.8: Regional overview of implementation of the Convention and its Strategic Plan: 1997-2002 in Africa) the IMPESA project focuses on identification and wise use of peatlands in developing countries of southern Africa.
This should be reached by:
- A regional peatland inventory
- Development and promotion of a network of local, national and international initiatives (held by governmental representatives, environmental NGOs, science and peat-using industry) to implement peatland conservation and the wise use of peatlands.
There is a general lack of knowledge about the distribution, values and functions of southern African peatlands, although peatlands form a significant component of wetlands in the region (See results Phase I). To realise the main goals of the Ramsar Strategic Plans (e.g. identifying key peatland areas and peatlands of international importance, or to identify the regional peatland diversity) a standardised full inventory and evaluation are required. The raising of awareness through an established network of local and regional initiatives will play a crucial role in the future wise use of peatlands, since there is still an increased threat to these ecosystems due to limited knowledge and a lack of comprehensive evaluation.
Results:
Expected |
Outputs and Results achieved |
Objectives and results:
| 1. | Improvement of scientific based knowledge |
| 1.1 | Initiating and completion of inventory on Coastal Peatland Swamp Forest, using of LANDSAT imagery, available aerial photographs, current map information and ground-base field work
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| 1.2 | Study on ecological diversity (floristic and faunistic diversity), main ecological values and functions (incl. habitat quality) of coastal peat swamp forests. |
| 1.3 | Study on traditional use of coastal peat swamp forest by local human population and large scale use for communal horticulture, forestry and agriculture; evaluation and assessment of actual and potential threats; evaluation of the short-term and long-term impacts of land use practices |
| 2. | Wise use based management – proposal of alternatives
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| 3. | Awareness improvement of and consideration in the education and training |
| 3.1 | Awareness raising by the narrow co-operation with, and the involvement of the local community. |
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Achieved:
| 1. | Improvement of scientific based knowledge
| | 1.1 | Based on field survey, map and GIS-data evaluation as well as on the aerial photographs and satellite data analysis (data purchased or provided by the department of Agriculture) a complete map of Coastal Peat Swamp Forests in South Africa and Mosambique was developed, depicting two categories: (a) pristine, (b) degraded.
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| 1.2 | The University of Pretoria [UP] and Technical University Munich [TUM] organised two field campaigns in May and September 2003. A detailed report on the (vegetation) ecology, flora and peatland ecology was produced. |
| 1.3 | Traditional use and the new horticultural practices and their impacts on the forests were evaluated during the field campaign. Findings were combined with the findings of the group studying the socio-economic aspects (see 2). |
| 2. | Wise use based management – proposal of alternatives
A comprehensive survey of the social and economical background and situation of the forest exploitation was implemented by a group of socio-economists (led by Dr Kotze and Japhet Ngubane). The affiliation of Mr Ngubane (Tembe) significantly helped in gaining in-sight knowledge of the socio-economical problems in relation to the peat swamp forest use. |
| 2.1. | Meetings were held with the Tembe Authorities in May 2003, at which the aims of the project reviewed, as well as the importance of the swamp forest for the local community in terms of its multi-functionality and values. Local guides (involved in the field work) were trained and educated in this respect and continued the dissemination of information to the local people. It is intended to produce a leaflet about the functions and values of the peat swamp forests and the necessity of the wise use of this resource in Zulu language for dissemination in the Maputaland area. For this, further financial support is needed. |
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| Evaluation |
Particular attention was given to expanding the current level of expertise of peatland related fieldworkers in South Africa and to a lesser extent in Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Various communication and logistical barriers refrained IMPESA from involving stakeholders in the other listed countries.
The inventory fieldwork in the Cape Provinces and Lesotho was implemented satisfactory and about 100 new peatlands were identified and recorded.
The information gained will be of great benefit in supporting further peatland and wetland inventories in the region. The project reached its goals under this phase, however, the final report and deliverables are still outstanding due to various constraints and unforeseen delays. Delivery of published materials is expected by the end of May 2004.
Unfortunately, implementation of the inventory in other parts of the region is quite uncertain, depending on further international fund raising. Nevertheless the motivation of the project partners involved is extremely high, and all efforts will be made to continue with implementation studies that will add to the currently achieved knowledge base.
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last update: 20/07/04
