| dc.description.abstract | The research was driven by a need to increase the knowledge base concerning wetland ecological
responses, as well as to identify and evaluate the factors driving the functioning of the
Franschhoek Trust Wetland.
An ecohydrological study was undertaken in which vegetation cover, depth to groundwater,
water and soil chemistry were monitored at 14 sites along three transects for a 12 month period.
The parameters used include temperature, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), sodium, potassium,
magnesium, calcium, iron, chloride, bicarbonate, sulphate, total nitrogen, ammonia, nitrate,
nitrite and phosphorus. T-tests and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) were used to analyze
trends and to express the relationship between abiotic factors and vegetation.
Results reflect the strong influence of hydrology, microtopography and nutrient availability in
structuring vegetation composition in the wetland. The wetland has been classified as a
palustrine valley bottom with channel wetland, which is predominantly groundwater-fed
(phreatrotropic), but receives surface water inputs as well. Small scale gradients of
microtopography allow for differences in flooding frequency and duration resulting in
hydrologically distinct sites which differ chemically. Three zones were distinguished in the
wetland. Hollows or low sites were characterized by intermittent flooding and drying and higher
nutrient concentrations in soil and groundwater. High sites which were rarely or never flooded
exhibited higher groundwater temperature and ammonia as well as iron in soils and groundwater.
The inundated sites remained flooded throughout the year and were characterized by high nitrate
and nitrite in soil as well as high EC, magnesium, bicarbonate, sulphate and phosphorus in
groundwater. The limited availability of nitrogen in the wetland favoured plant types Typha
capensis, Paspalum urvillei and Juncus .kraussii which are able to either fix nitrogen or store
nitrogen during more favorable conditions. The main chemical concentration changes take place
between summer and winter. The Principal Component Analyses suggest that sodium, chloride,
potassium, ammonia and phosphorus are the dominant ions determining the chemistry of
groundwater. Increased abstraction from the table mountain aquifer to supplement human
demand may put the wetland at risk of degradation. Intensified agriculture and other land use in
the area are likely to increase pollution loads into the wetland causing shifts in nutrient
availability and vegetation composition. Continued and long term monitoring is essential to
ensure effective management of the wetland and is highly recommended. Closer partnerships
between wetland managers and scientists as well as community awareness and involvement
through a volunteer monitoring programme should be encouraged | en_US |
