|
|
Thrust 3:
Ecosystem Rehabilitation
This thrust addresses the rehabilitation of the
aquatic environment (including both the a-biotic and the
biotic components) which has been degraded through
anthropogenic activities with the view to restoring, as
far as possible, process, form and function. This will
be done in terms of both relevant international
conventions and national legislation, and seeks to
restore biodiversity where possible. Capacity will be
built to implement the research findings.
|
Programme 1: Wetland
rehabilitation |
|
Within this programme research will be conducted to develop methods to rehabilitate wetlands which will address both abiotic and biotic components, and seek to rehabilitate ecological processes and restore biodiversity as far as possible in degraded wetlands. This will be done in terms of both the international conventions to which South Africa is signatory as well as recent legislation from both DEAT and DWAF. The programme will also develop the competence to implement rehabilitation. Projects in this programme link closely with each other, and are managed as a unit. |
|
Programme 2: River
rehabilitation |
|
The research conducted within this programme aims to provide protocols for the rehabilitation of rivers, with the emphasis on urban rivers, that have been degraded as a result of anthropogenic activities or invasive biota.
|
|
Programme 3: Influence of
instream-constructed barriers |
|
This programme investigates ways to ameliorate the effects of barriers such as weirs and impoundments on natural river systems.
|
|
KSA 2: Water-Linked Ecosystems