Global Peatland Initiative

MAPUTALAND - Wise Use Management in Coastal Peatland Swamp Forests in Maputaland, Mozambique / South Africa

Grant Agreement Nr. WGP2 - 36 GPI 56

Agreement holder: IMCG

Country/region: Maputaland, ZAR/Mosambique

Activity period: 01/12/02 - 31/12/03

Documentation and products available:

Partners:
NGOs
  • IMCG, Lille, France
Government agencies
  • KwaZulu-Natal Department of Nature
    Conservation Services, Pietermartizburg, South Africa
  • National Department of Agriculture,
    Pretoria, South Africa
Universities
  • University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
  • University Eduardo Mondlane,
    Faculty of Science, Maputo, Mozambique.

Background
Maputaland is an international recognised centre of endemism and biodiversity (fauna and flora) and habitat diversity. The tropical peatland swamp forests are one of the rarest wetland types in southern Africa. Four Ramsar sites and one World Heritage site occur within Maputaland, and are under pressure to the expanding and unsustainable use of swamp forest in this region. Subsistance and semi-commercial farming threaten the long-term survival of these rare eco-systems, as well as the interdependent crop cultivation.
Maputaland is one of the worst regions in Africa in terms of the occurrence of HIV/AIDS. The people on both sides of the border are engaged in a desperate struggle to survive the impact of HIV/AIDS and adequate nutrition is now, more than ever before, of critical importance in their daily life.

Brief project description
The project was implemented under the GPI focal area "Peatlands and Poverty reduction", promoting integrated development (with direct links to the focal area "Biodiversity conservation").

The project was initiated to determine the full extent of the distribution of peatland swamp forest in Maputaland (linked to the IMPESA project), the associated land-use impacts and to help identify alternative land-use options and practices (including use of other substrates such as compost, bio-waste etc., that will benefit both local human populations and the environment. The project intended to raise awareness of the functions and values of peat swamp forests, and enhance the knowledge-base on the extent of land-use and possible alternatives.


Results:

Expected
Outputs and Results achieved

Objectives and results:

1.Improvement of scientific based knowledge
1.1Initiating and completion of inventory on Coastal Peatland Swamp Forest, using of LANDSAT imagery, available aerial photographs, current map information and ground-base field work

1.2Study on ecological diversity (floristic and faunistic diversity), main ecological values and functions (incl. habitat quality) of coastal peat swamp forests.
1.3Study 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

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.
 Achieved:
1.Improvement of scientific based knowledge
1.1Based 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.

1.2The 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.
1.3Traditional 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.
Evaluation
This starting phase of the Maputaland project focused on the comprehensive evaluation of functions and values of the natural coastal peat swamp forests, the impacts of the increasing human pressure on the forests and the socio-economical reasons for the dramatic local situation. This resulted in a first recommendation for promoting wise use practices in this area. The project results provide a good basis for planning and implementation of a demonstration project of wise use of the natural resources of the Maputaland coastal plains.

This initial project reached its goals, but it is clear that further financial support is needed to achieve the required combined sustainable development and conservation of biodiversity.

The project partners are highly motivated which provides hope that a follow-up can be achieved.
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last update: 20/07/04