It then discusses management of this dynamic system within the resilience theory within perturbations that occur in the system. This chapter highlights aquatic ecosystem dynamics of the OD. , “insecticide spraying, encroachment of cattle onto the seasonal floodplains, pollution from boat engines, disruption of ecosystem function, and alteration of the flood regime,” are some of the potential threats facing the OD. Moreover, the OD faces growing threats from increased agricultural activities.Īccording to Skelton et al. Increasing economic activity, especially tourism, in the Delta poses a significant threat to the system. This wetland is vulnerable to degradation due to increased human impacts for livelihoods due to increasing population growth and socio-economic pressures. Historically, this system has sustained human livelihoods. Its rich biodiversity makes it part of some of the world’s most important wetlands, where the Okavango Delta is not only one of the world’s largest Ramsar sites, but is also the 1000th World Heritage Site. The Okavango Delta (OD) is one of the main perennial water bodies in northern Botswana. Furthermore, Adger argues that ecosystem vulnerability occurs within the wider framework of the political economy of resource utilisation driven by either deliberate or inadvertent human action.ġ.1 The human footprint in the Okavango Delta , adaptive capacity refers to processes in ecosystems when they undergo structural reorganisation and reformation driven by internal processes and external influences. “Sensitivity is the degree to which a system is modified or affected by perturbations”. “Exposure is the nature and degree to which a system experiences environmental or socio-political stress”. According to Adger, the key parameters of concern to assess vulnerability in ecosystem are (i) the stress to which an ecosystem is exposed, (ii) its sensitivity and (iii) adaptive capacity. Because of these intrinsic attributes, freshwater wetlands are vulnerable systems. Furthermore, water security is a major concern in most parts of the world, which makes wetlands critical sources of water in arid countries. Deriving benefits from wetlands puts ecological pressure on them which may affect their integrity and long term functioning. They have high economic importance in dryland Africa and contribute to the livelihoods of many people in Sub-Saharan Africa. Wetlands are among the most important ecosystems in the world. Therefore, wetlands have been lost, degraded or significantly modified worldwide. Subsequently, this approach results in wetlands being undervalued “in decisions relating to their use and conservation”. Generally, these development priorities are undertaken without any meaningful assessment of the resultant environmental degradation of the wetland. This scenario is accentuated in tropical areas where, according to Junk, politicians prioritise development over environmental protection. According to Maltby and Acreman, wetlands are invariably degraded when management enhances the provision of some services like food, which often happens at the expense of other services like regulating services. Services provided by wetlands are not synergistic. This is even more daunting in freshwater wetlands ecosystems, which are not only biological hotspots but are also sources of key ecosystem services that sustain livelihoods globally. Adopting the resilience framework in natural resources management allows for flexibility in devising management strategies to respond to future unexpected events.Įcosystems face a major challenge of consistently providing ecological benefits to humanity balanced with biodiversity conservation. Management of these systems should ensure that their dynamic characteristics are maintained, and this is enshrined within the panarchy concept. These notwithstanding, there have been some changes at the local scale where the Delta has shifted regimes and entered into altered states as a consequence of either channel or lagoon failure. Despite the various perturbations that have been experienced in the system, the Delta has always been able to absorb them and retain its character at the general ecosystem level. The flood pulse is the main factor mediating bio-physical dynamics in this system. There are dynamic biotic and abiotic interactions in the system that enhances its resilience. The Okavango Delta, a key wetland in Botswana, is characterised by dynamic inter and intra specific interactions. These are particularly important in water stressed semi-arid countries, which enhances their vulnerability to degradation. Wetlands are key ecosystems of high biological diversity that provide valuable ecosystem services.
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