Browsing by Author "Nyemba, Anesu Angelic"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    An analysis of the spatial and temporal changes in the Riparian zone of the Berg River in the vicinity of Hermon: implications for governance
    (2013) Nyemba, Anesu Angelic; Winter, Kevin
    Riparian zones broadly refer to the interface between terrestrial and aquatic systems. It is widely acknowledged that riparian zones provide a number of services including that of an ecological corridor for migration of animal species; a habitat; food for aquatic macro invertebrates in the form of organic matter; stabilising river banks; filtering nutrients and sediments from water that discharges off surface slopes and land; and protecting and improving water quality of river systems. This study examines how the Berg River riparian zone has changed over the past few decades and then considers the implications for governance of these zones in South Africa. The study identifies changes in vegetation composition and spatial extent of the riparian zone. The study site is a stretch of the Berg River in the Hermon area. Changes in vegetation and the spatial extent of the riparian zone over time were identified and mapped using aerial photographs of the study area spanning a period from 1955 to 2012. The results of the study showed that the spatial extent of the riparian zone decreased by 29.3% from 55 ha in 1955 to 39 ha in 2012. At the same time the area covered by trees (Eucalyptus globules) increased from 3.84 ha in 1955 to 35.94 ha while the area covered by shrubs that could be detected from the sources, decreased from 46.10 ha in 1955 to close to zero in 2012. The results of this study reveal a lack of governance in the river system. The lack of governance is attributed to the fact that the Berg River Catchment Management Agency is not operational. In South Africa weak governance in the management and responsible care in safeguarding riparian zones has compromised water quality, ecological integrity and habitat of the river system.