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Environment
and development in coastal regions and in small islands |
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Environment
and development in coastal regions and in small islands |
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Coastal region and small island papers 12: papers
A CONTRIBUTION TO
INTEGRATED COASTAL MANAGEMENT IN MAPUTALAND
by Mark
R. Jury, Yogani Govender and Amos Mthembu
Environmental Studies Department, University of Zululand
In Maputaland, South Africa, a meso-transect has been studied during twice-yearly field surveys since 1999 (see reports May 2000 and August 2001). The goals of the project are: (1) ecological and demographic research to underpin the management of coastal biodiversity; (2) capacity-building in field monitoring and evaluation; (3) to gain insights to assist in resolving development conflicts; and (4) creation of environmental awareness amongst local communities.
Maputaland has many scenic eco-tourism attributes: forested
dunes, numerous inland lakes and pans, coral reefs, empty beaches, warm climate,
rich biodiversity, and friendly villagers. A protocol has been signed by South
Africa, Swaziland and Mozambique to co-operate in sustainable coastal
management. Decision makers seek to improve prosperity
while maintaining the ecological qualities of the area, through effective
management of the Maputaland Biosphere Reserve.
Quantitative environmental measurements have been taken along a transect inland from the beaches of Mabibi, across tall forested dunes and grasslands to Lake Sibaya. The observations include: photographic surveys; sand height profiles; studies of near-shore currents; climatic measurements; assessments of plant and animal species; analysis of soil and water samples for fertility; demographic surveys of local people, visiting tourists, and conservation officers; measurement of human impacts (traffic and subsistence agriculture). The surveys have sought to contrast the results according to distance from the sea and elevation.
Preliminary results indicate that as one moves inland from the sea, initially the biodiversity is low because of high wind speeds and diminished plant canopy offering little habitat to animals. The sea spray was found to be nutritious (high in phosphorous, calcium, potassium and magnesium). Soil pH was surprising acidic (pH=6) in the interior grasslands. Species of plants and animals increased dramatically in the dense forest canopy situated atop the highest dunes. Water samples in the inland lake and pan exhibited high levels of calcium and chlorine, indicating previous inundation by the ocean, hence low agricultural productivity. The chemical-ecological interactions are but one of the scientific results that suggest the coastal dune forests should be conserved. Because migration pathways are along-coast, development planning needs to be focused to ensure continued ecological functioning.
Socio-economic surveys have led to the development of a prosperity index: P = H + C + A; where H is health; C is cash flow (from local resources); and A is cumulative assets. As suggested by the map of per capita income – the Mabibi community is in the lowest quartile of prosperity in South Africa. Enhanced income will soon be derived through eco-tourism support services, with the advent of game park status in the surrounding region. Investment potential is inhibited by a lack of coastal roads, little environmental awareness amongst local people, and conflicts between tribal and municipal governance. To resolve some of these issues, school seminar programmes and geo-political surveys of key role-players have been undertaken. A comparative analysis of development in Ponto do Ouro, Mozambique was made. This showed that although short on infrastructure, the local awareness of the value of the environment is high at Ponto due to the beachfront nature of the development.
This ongoing project will provide useful recommendations to balance development and conservation, with continued support from UNESCO, Kwa-Zulu-Natal Wildlife and the Lubombo Spatial Development Initiative.
