Joburg Wetlands & River Systems

National Water Week

National Water Week is an awareness week campaign from the 20 – 26 March, led by the Department of Water and Sanitation which serves as a powerful campaign mechanism re-iterating the value of water, the need for sustainable management of this scarce resource and the role water plays in eradicating poverty and under-development in South Africa.

The theme of the World Water Day/Week 2023 is ‘Accelerating Change’. This campaign aims to raise awareness on water conservation, sustainability, climate change and other matters.

JCPZ is celebrating Water Week 2023 by hosting a various exhibitors, a clean-up campaign and testing of water of waterbodies in Region G, Jungle Park, Eldorado Park Ext 9 on the 23^rd March 2023

DID YOU KNOW?

Groundwater provides almost half of all drinking water on earth, approximately 40% of water used in irrigation and about one third of the supply required by industries. Groundwater does not only sustain eco-systems; it is also an important factor in climate change adaption.

Click here to view the poster

Integrated Catchment Management (ICM) Unit

Integrated Catchment Management is defined as a comprehensive approach that aligns multiple objectives in a river basin across different spatial scales and temporal dimension. It is a form of co-management approach with various stakeholders in an area to be able to deliver locally determined goals.

ICM principles for good practice (Bissette et al. 2009) state the following:

Integration – common issues are identified
Collaboration – stakeholders agree on actions/goals
Adaptation – planning process can respond to change

The above takes into consideration integrated aquatic resource management, transitional aquatic management, protection actions against undesirable effects on ecological sensitive areas and lastly the prevention, control or eradication of introduced species.

Introduction in JCPZ Context

The Integrated Catchment Management (ICM) Unit is under Ecosystems Enhancement and Open Space Management Department (EOD). ICM is responsible for management and maintenance of all the water bodies across the City of Johannesburg along the Jukskei and Klip river/Klipspruit. Catchment ICM oversees the integrated catchment management which covers the management and maintenance of water courses through the implementation of the following operational activities:

Reeds control/ Wetlands rehabilitation: Wetland management plays a critical role flood control, shelter for biodiversity, breeding habitat for aquatic animals and birds
Aquatic / Terrestrial alien plant control: Alien plants control plays a critical role on a better quality of life and enjoyment whilst providing for the ecosystem, improving ecological and biological functioning, security and biodiversity
River trails maintenance: assist with improving aesthetic, reduces fire hazard, increase the vigour of grass, etc.

Therefore, ICM key delivery focus areas include the following:

Urban impoundment management (Bio-Aquatic Services)

Improve photosynthesis, increase water oxygen levels, increase abundance of aquatic macro invertebrates, reduce siltation, etc.

Management of ecological areas outside protected areas (Ecological Services)

Improves quality of life based on: well managed natural built environment, provision of ecological goods and service: clean and healthier river systems

Invasive Alien Plants

Invasive plant species are those plant species that have been introduced into an area outside their normal distribution (South Africa), either by accident (unintentional) or on purpose (intentional) and have colonised or invaded their new home, threatening biological diversity, ecosystems, habitats and human wellbeing.

Increased human and plant mobility has contributed significantly to the introduction of exotic plants into South Africa. These alien and invasive plants pose a severe threat to plant and animal diversity, water use and ecosystem integrity. The spread of these plant species (both intentionally and unintentionally) is a good example of the lack of understanding of ecosystem processes that has been a major cause of environmental degradation.

Sensitive and vulnerable, highly dynamic or stressed ecosystems such as coastal shores, estuaries, wetlands, grasslands and open savannah require specific attention in environmental management and planning procedures, especially where they are subjected to significant human resource usage and development pressures.

Types of alien invasive plants found in Johannesburg

Invasive species are controlled by the National Environmental Management; Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act no. 10 of 2004) – Alien and Invasive Species (AIS) Regulations which became law on 1 October 2014.

Invasive species are divided into four categories:

Category 1a: Invasive species which must be combated and eradicated. Any form of trade or planting is strictly prohibited.

Category 1b: Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed. Any form of trade or planting is strictly prohibited.

Category 2: Invasive species or species deemed to be potentially invasive, in that a permit is required to carry out restricted activity. Category 2 species include commercially important species such as pine, wattle and gum trees. Plants in riparian areas are Cat 1b.

Category 3: Invasive species which may remain in prescribed areas or provinces. Further planting, propagation or trade is however prohibited. Plants in riparian areas are Cat 1b.

No.	Species	Common Name	Category	Legal Status
1	Acacia Dealbata	Silver Wattle	1b plants in riparian areas	Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed.
2	Acacia Mearnsii	Black Wattle	1b plants in riparian areas	Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed
3	Acacia Melanoxylon	Australian Blackwood	2	: Invasive species or species deemed to be potentially invasive, in that a permit is required to carry out restricted activity
4	Araujia Sericifera	Moth Catcher	1b	Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed
5	Arundo Donax	Giant reed, Spanish reed	1b	Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed
6	Campuloclinium Macrocephalum	Pompom Weed	1b	Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed
7	Cereus Hexagonus	Queen of the Night	1b	Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed
8	Cereus Hildmannianus	Queen of the Night	1b	Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed
9	Cereus Jamacaru	Queen of the Night	1b	Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed
10	Cestrum Laevigatum	Inkberry	1b	Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed
11	Cortaderia Jubata	Pampas Grass	1b	Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed
12	Cortaderia Selloana	Pampas Grass	1b	Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed
13	Datura Ferox	Large Thorn Apple	1b	Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed
14	Datura Stramonium	Common Thorn Apple	1b	Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed
15	Eichhornia Crassipes	Water Hyacinth	1b	Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed
16	Eucalyptus Grandis	Saligna Gum	1b riparian areas, protected areas, Listed Ecosystem	Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed
17	Ipomoea Alba	Moonflower	1b	Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed
18	Iris Pseudacorus	Yellow Flag	1a	Invasive species which must be combated and eradicated
19	Lantana	Lantana, Tickberry, Cherry Pie	1b	Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed
20	Melia Azedarach	Seringa	1b 3 in urban areas	Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed
21	Nymphaea Mexicana	Yellow Water Lilies	1b	Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed
22	Opuntia Microdasys	Yellow Bunny-Ears, Teddy-Bear Cactus	1b	Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed
23	Pennisetum Clandestinum	Kikuyu Grass	1b in protected areas and wetlands	Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed
24	Pinus Patula	Patula Pine	2	: : Invasive species or species deemed to be potentially invasive, in that a permit is required to carry out restricted activity
25	Pinus Radiata	Radiata Pine, Montery Pine	1b elsewhere 2 for plantations and wind-rows	: Invasive species or species deemed to be potentially invasive, in that a permit is required to carry out restricted activity
26	Populus Canescens	Grey Poplar, Matchwood Poplar	2	Invasive species or species deemed to be potentially invasive, in that a permit is required to carry out restricted activity
27	Ricinus Communis	Castor-oil Plant	2	Invasive species or species deemed to be potentially invasive, in that a permit is required to carry out restricted activity
28	Robinia Pseudoacacia	Black Locust	1b	Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed
29	Rubus Ellipticus	Himalayan Raspberry	1a	Invasive species which must be combated and eradicated
30	Salvinia Molesta	Kariba weed, Salvinia	1b	Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed
31	Solanum Mauritianum	Bugweed	1b	Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed

Impact and Benefits of ICM are as follow:

Strengthening relations with the relevant stakeholders and adjacent communities
Improvement of intergovernmental relations (locally, provincially and national)
Illegal dumping sites are cleared and pest infestation such as rodents is discouraged.
Healthy and safe environments are created.

What are wetlands?

The Ramsar Convention explains wetlands as any land or area that has water either permanently or seasonally, as well as beaches and shallow coastal areas, thus covering all inland wetlands like ponds and marshes, estuaries, mangroves, lagoons and coral reefs.

World Wetlands Day is celebrated internationally on 2 February to mark the date of the adoption on the Convention on Wetlands that took place on the same date in 1971 in Ramsar off the Caspian Sea.

The theme for this year is aligned with the new Sustainable Development Goals and the important role wetlands play in our future as human beings.

Benefits of wetlands and humans:

Wetlands produce rice and this source of food is the staple diet of nearly 3 billion people - half the world's population. It is grown in wetlands across Asia and west Africa.
We use a wealth of natural products from wetlands, including fish and shellfish, blueberries, cranberries, timber and wild rice.
Protecting wetlands can protect our safety and welfare as humans because wetlands safe guard us from storms and they store flood water
Some medicines are derived from wetland soils and plants

Benefits of wetlands and the environment:

Wetland ecosystems are often undervalued and yet they provide a range of products derived from freshwater habitats.
These complex habitats act as giant sponges, soaking up rainfall and slowly releasing it over time.
Wetlands are like highly efficient sewage treatment works, absorbing chemicals, filtering pollutants and sediments, breaking down suspended solids and neutralising harmful bacteria.
Many species of birds, fish, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians rely on wetland habitat for breeding, foraging, and cover. The special wetland conditions provide unique habitat for species that cannot survive elsewhere.

Characteristics of wetlands

The permanence and seasonality of their moisture regime
Permanent wetlands are mostly located near open water bodies such as lakes and rivers.
Permanent wetlands consisting of papyrus and other sedges, reeds, and floating plants.
A significant share of seasonal wetlands is used for crops.
The economic and subsistence uses of wetlands vary with land cover and whether they are seasonal or permanent.

Types of wetlands found in SA

Coastal wetlands
Shallow lakes and ponds
Marches and swamps

Threats to wetlands

Overutilization of wetlands resources
Pollution
Uncontrolled agriculture
Uncontrolled burning
Construction of dams, embankments and walls in wetlands
Development e.g. building of houses or roads
Mining activities e.g. sand and minerals mining
Spillage or discharge of chemicals, waste water and raw sewer into the wetland
Drainage of water for irrigation purposes
Illegal dumping on wetlands

How to conserve wetlands

Do not dump waste/rubble in wetlands
Adopt a wetland stream, maintain and monitor it.
Communities and schools must be custodians of wetlands by being vigilant against any element that could threaten their existence
Be involved in education, protection and restoration of wetlands
Refrain/discourage/speak out against actions harmful to the wetlands
As a school adopt a stream and constantly monitor pollution
Clean up wetlands near you