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(KSA 2) Water-Linked
Ecosystems
Thrust 2: Ecosystem Management
Scope:
This thrust includes research which specifically addresses the
management of ecosystems for sustainable utilisation for the provision
of the ecosystem benefits that people depend on. Central to this is the
need to manage the social and economic requirements of society from
ecosystems and the implementation of policy and legislation.
Support will be provided in building the capacity to implement
the research findings.
Programme 1: Ecological Reserve
Scope:
Research in this programme will be conducted to develop and refine
methods for determining and operationalizing the ecological Reserve as
required by the NWA. The programme will address the more strategic
issues such as the development of new and improved methods as well as
the shorter-term issues such as implementation of the Reserve. This
programme is managed in close association with DWA.
Programme 2:
Rivers, wetlands,
groundwater, lakes, coastal
and marine (and estuarine) ecosystems
Scope:
Within this programme research will be conducted to develop an
understanding of the the effect of anthropogenic disturbance on aquatic
ecosystems in various water resources. This understanding is then
conveyed to stakeholders (tiers of Government, communities) as
management guidelines to inform them on how to manage water resources
sustainably.
Programme 3: Land-use
and aquatic ecosystems management
Scope:
The programme focuses on enhancing understanding of the
effect of human interventions (land uses and decision
making) on the environmental health of various water
resources and/or ecosystems. As such the programme
covers all water resource types, hence the inclusive
name of: National Aquatic Ecosystem Health Monitoring
Programme is used, with RHP focusing only on rivers.
Programme 4:
Integrated Environmental
and Drinking Water Quality
Scope:
Within this programme research will be conducted to
develop integrated methods and procedures which will be
employed to protect people and the environment from the
effects of poor water quality. The programme
will develop methods and competence to support
issuing of water
or ecosystem use. This will promote the
use of research knowledge in managing
environmental water quality as required in the
ecological Reserve, and thus reduce drinking water
treatment costs
Programme 5:
Ecosystems risks and Disaster management
Scope:
Environmental risk management programme will be
supported by research from this portfolio. Risk
assessment methodologies and procedures will be
developed and improved. The research will develop
knowledge needed for environmental risks mitigation and
adaptation. Tools and procedures will assessed with the
intention of developing them. The success of the
programme will be achieved by working closely with water
resource managers and relevant government departments.
Programme 6:
Biodiversity and
Conservation
Scope:
The overall objective of this programme is to develop
and integrate knowledge needed by the country to efforts
for protection and preserving our unique biodiversity
and natural land scape. The projects will look at
drivers (sociological, political and economic) that are
critical in developing the understanding and competence
necessary to sustainably manage the aquatic environment
and its biodiversity. Collaboration and partnership with
other institutions will be considered for this programme
to achieve its aim.
Programme 7:
Governance, Legal Framework and Ethics
Scope:
Programme 8 : Trans-boundary Ecosystems
Management
This programme will support projects that enhance ecosystems processes
and functions, conservation and planning across regional and national
borders. Transboundary research has gained some interest in recent
years, and neighbouring countries or catchments will have to manage
shared natural capital in integrated manner. Collaborations with
neighbouring countries and international funding agencies will be
considered for research under this programme.
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