Field collaboration for recreating a wetland presence

The PRESENCE network recently organized two insightful fieldtrips to contribute to the alluvial fan* restoration work being implemented by Living Lands in the Baviaanskloof.

The two fieldtrips were successful. The knowledge, gathered during the two fieldtrips, was needed to support the ongoing implementation of the ‘Water for Food and Ecosystems Programme’ in the Baviaanskloof Mega Reserve. This forms part of the PRESENCE networks’ participatory and integrated catchment restoration programme in the area. Representatives from the following PRESENCE partners joined the fieldtrips: Eastern Cape Parks (ECP); Gamtoos Irrigation Board (GIB); Rhodes University (RU); the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI); local land-owners and Living Lands.

The initial field trip during the first week of July was organized to obtain scientific-based information about the scale of degradation of the catchment system and what is actually needed to restore it. During the two-day outing, participants such as RU Professors Kate Rowntree and Fred Ellery engaged with the farmers whose land is under consideration for the alluvial fan* restoration. During the two days, a number of alluvial fans* were visited and the key questions discussed. Piet Kruger, a local land-owner supporting restoration remarked: “The restoration of alluvial fans on my land is the best present I can receive”.

The following field trip during the second week of July provided information about actual the measures which could or should be implemented. For example, should a water blocking structure be placed to restore the hydrological system of the alluvial fan* and what kind of structure should that be? Implementers from SANBI and GIB were present, along with an Eastern Cape Parks representative and an implementer of the environmental impact assessment. Also participating in the field trip was Tim Jan Huldman, an international water management student doing his internship with Living Lands fieldtrips. Tim reflected afterwards, “I am really impressed by the knowledge and collaboration of the PRESENCE partners, together they gained the core data that is needed.”

Contact marijn@earthcollective.net for further information.

*Alluvial fans are, like their name suggests, fan-like deposits of soil, gravel, silt or rocks which form at the exit of narrow gorges/canyons/’kloofs’ when fast running water slows and spreads out over a floodplain.