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A Comparative Analysis of The Pattern and Effects of Wetland Utilisation in Urban Versus Rural Areas of Thohoyandou, Limpopo Province

Hitherto, wetlands have been considered wasteland and, therefore, worthless. Their transformation through draining, dredging and infilling seemed a fitting fate for them (Davies and Day 1998). Direct anthropogenic activities such as irrational uses of wetlands for agriculture, pollution and conversion of wetlands into settlement areas are responsible for wetland degradation and loss (Turner 1991, Kassenga 1998).

The protection of wetlands, however, reflects the protection of numerous goods and services that have an economic value not only to the local population living next to wetlands but also to communities outside these wetland areas. This study intends to make a comparative analysis of the problems facing wetlands in urban versus rural areas of Thohoyandou. Once these problems are clearly understood, the study will proceed to devise strategies for conserving remnant wetlands habitats, and rehabilitating those that have been degraded.

2. MATERIAL AND METHODS

2.1 STUDY AREA
The study area is Thohoyandou in Limpopo Province of South Africa (see Fig. 1). Thohoyandou is located at the heartland of the former black homeland of Venda. It is under Thulamela municipality in Vhembe region. It lies between latitudes 22° 15' and 25° 45' south and longitudes 29° 50' and 30° 31' east. The Vhembe region extends northwards to the Limpopo River which marks the boundary between South Africa and Zimbabwe. To the east, Luvuvhu River forms a boundary with Kruger National Park in South Africa (Rix et al 1989).

Thohoyandou is located within a subtropical climatic region with high temperatures and humidity in summer and mild winters. It has hot summer months and cool winter months. The study area experiences seasonal rainfall. The area receives high rainfall of over 150mm during summer months. The rain season in the study area is from November to March. Little rainfall is experienced during winter months from April to October (Source: AgroMet No 0766/898 7).


Fig.1. Map of the study area


2.2 FIELD SURVEY
The study area has got a total of nine wetlands. Out of the nine wetlands, three wetlands are found in urban areas of Thohoyandou and six wetlands are found in rural areas of Thohoyandou (Fig 2). With reference to Fig.2, the numbered wetlands are as follows:

  1. Wetland found at Thohoyandou next to Golgotha Location (300 27’ 00’’E-300 27’ 04’’E and 220 58’ 10’’S-220 58’ 14’’S).
  2. Wetland found at Thohoyandou block F (30027’ 55’’E-30028’ 04’’E and 22058’ 04’’S-22058’ 45’’S)
  3. Wetland found at Thohoyandou west of Liivha Secondary School (300 27’ 50’’E-300 27’ 60’’E and 220 57’ 28’’S-220 57’ 57’’S)
Wetlands in rural areas are:

  1. Wetland found at Mbaleni Village (30031’00’’E-300 31’59E and 22057’30’’S-220 57’47’’S)
  2. Wetland found at Duthuni Village (30024’ 30’’E-30051’42’’E and 22058’ 15’’S-22059’10’’S)
  3. Wetland found at Maniini Village (30027’53’’E-30029’28’’E and 22058’15’’S-22059’ 34’’S)
  4. Wetland found at Magidi Village next to Makwarela stadium (300 29’ 04’’E-300 29’ 08’’E and 220 56’ 55’’S-220 58’ 13’’S).
  5. Wetland found at Lufule Village (300 29’ 30’’E-300 30’ 60’’E and 22055’ 08’’S-220 56’ 13’’S)
  6. Wetland found at Dzingahe Village (30030’08’’E-30030’35’’E and 22055’05’’S-22055’15’’S)
  7. Wetland found at Maungani Village (30025’45’’E-30026’30’’E and 22058’45’’S-22059’05’’S)
The locations of all these wetlands are indicated by the map below.


Fig.2. Location of the wetlands in the study area (Source: Topographical Map 2230CD Thohoyandou, 1987)


Field surveys were undertaken in all the wetlands to collect data on the types and conditions of hydrology, land use, soil and vegetation of the area. A Global Positioning System (GPS) was used to record the coordinates of each wetland. This was done in order to locate different wetlands on the map. During field survey some samples of water were collected for laboratory analysis. Social survey was also used to collect data in the study area. Under social survey, personal interviews were conducted with the relevant individuals affected by or who had knowledge about the problem in question. Local communities who were using the wetlands for different purposes were interviewed.



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