Development of tools for sustainable utilization and management of aquatic resources in South Africa. Case study : the Lower Phongola River and floodplain.

The construction of the Pongolapoort Dam in 1974 resulted in changes in water flows with potential impact on social and ecological services provided by the downstream floodplain. In addition, since then the human population has almost tripled. There is a lack of scientific studies on the general status of the Phongola floodplain system, especially on human impacts on fish communities and water quality due to continued use of pesticides and DDT in malaria vector control. Further, the effectiveness of the environmental water flows have not been validated by conservation authorities and thereby they are not able to establish management and conservation plans for this ecologically sensitive ecosystem. The only protected portion of the floodplain is the Ndumo Game Reserve but its role as a refuge for the unique biodiversity has never been established. This project is the first of its kind in South Africa to address ecosystem function integrating different levels of biological organization to determine the ecological integrity, health and conservation of a very important riverine, wetland and floodplain system. Making use of advanced tools we will develop a regional risk assessment and suggest sustainable management tools aiming to conserve the services of the system and consequently to improve livelihood of the local communities.

Keywords:Ecotoxicology, Aquatic ecology, Environmental flow, Phongola flood plain, Conservation, Integrated water resources management, Biodiversity, Risk assessment

Disciplines:Economic development, innovation, technological change and growth