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Flamingo – totally dependent on the chain of wetlands from eastern Africa down to the Cape.
Aewa was formalised under the United Wetlands were regarded until, say, the Ramsar views the world’s wetlands as
Nations Environmental Programme 1970s, as wasteland. Only in recent years critical not only to the natural environment
(Unep) in June 1995 at The Hague in has their importance become appreciated. but also to millions of livelihoods. South
Holland, and its most recent convention Approximately 300 000 remain in South Africa signed the Ramsar Convention
was held in Durban a couple of years ago. Africa. Some are as small as a couple in 1971 and, so far, the following
It became clear at that meeting that still of hectares and include hundreds in have been designated as inviolate:
more commitment from the signatories is residential estates. Barberspan, Blesbokspruit (the nearest
needed, as well as from science, including one to Johannesburg), De Hoop Vlei, De
help from amateur birders whose The threats are mainly from invasive Mond, Kosi Bay, Lake Sibaya, Langebaan,
observations are becoming more and alien plants (pines and poplars); from ill- Makuleke Wetlands, Natal Drakensberg
more important to science. considered developments; pollution; and, Park, Ndumo Game Reserve, Ntsikeni
on the Highveld, from mining operations. Nature Reserve, Nylsvley Nature Reserve,
Wetland ecosystems make up only 2,4% of Many farmers were persuaded, by match Orange River Mouth, Prince Edward
South Africa, and half of those are critically manufacturers, that marshland, being Islands, St. Lucia System, Seekoeivlei
th
endangered. Up to the mid-20 century, non-productive, could be dried out if Nature Reserve, Turtle Beaches/Coral
South Africa had already lost half of its planted with poplars. The match industry Reefs of Tongaland, uMngeni Vlei Nature
original wetlands. did the planting and paid the farmers for Reserve, Verloren Valei Nature Reserve,
harvesting the wood because poplars Verlorenvlei, and the Wilderness Lakes
Wetlands are, in effect, natural reservoirs produce the best wood for making system.
or sponges vital for keeping rivers flowing matchsticks.
throughout the year, yet only 11% in South Each of them adds to South Africa’s
Africa can be considered well protected. RAMSAR’S GOLDEN JUBILEE attraction as a tourist destination, as a
Many wetlands serve as ‘shock absorbers’ Another landmark anniversary falls next repository for its famed wildlife, and its
during floods - floods which are becoming year: the Golden Jubilee of the Ramsar rich abundance of plants.
more frequent as increasing areas are Convention - Ramsar being dedicated
paved and built upon, which accelerates to identifying Wetlands of International www.unep-aewa.org
the runoff. Many act as crucial ‘green lungs’ Importance. It encourages the sustainable
in built-up areas, providing recreational utilisation of wetlands and a halt to
and landscaping opportunities. encroachment and loss of wetlands.

The migratory Ruff – totally dependent on a Three-banded plover – not a migrant but Striated Heron
15 000km-long chain of wetlands. dependent on wetlands

INTRA MUROS SEPTEMBER 2020 27