Destruction of Wetlands

• A wetland is a piece of land that is saturated by surface or groundwater
• A wetland is characterised by:

  -waterlogged soil

  -high water table

  -many aquatic plants
• Wetlands are usually covered by water for the greater part of the year
• Wetlands include springs, marshes, swamps, floodplains, pans, estuaries, riverbanks and wet grasslands
• Wetlands purify water by acting as filters for pollutants
• Wetlands store water and ensure a reliable water supply for times of drought
• Wetlands reduce water movement and thus control floods and soil erosion
• Wetlands replenish the water table
• Wetlands increase biodiversity as they provide a habitat for a large variety of plant and animal species, some of which are endangered
• About 50% of South Africa's wetlands have been destroyed as a result of poor land management
• Draining of wetlands for grazing and crops
• Overgrazing which results in soil erosion
• Incorrect methods of controlled fires resulting in soil erosion
• Incorrect placement of dams
• pollution also affects survival of wetlands
• mining also affects the survival of wetlands
• urban development