THE USE OF REMOTE SENSING AND GIS TO DELINEATING THE BOUNDARIES AND CREATING A BUFFER ZONE TO DEMARCATE THE BLESBOKSPRUIT RAMSAR WETLAND SITE – SOUTH AFRICA

M. Monique1, D.L. Pillay2, M. Sham3

1 - University of Johannesburg

2 - Meraka Institute, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

3 - Department of Geography, Environmental Management and Energy Studies

moniquesham@gmail.com

 

Wetland areas in South Africa play an important role in terms of water purification, erosion control and provision of habitat for wetland dependent species. Although there are many obvious reasons for conserving natural wetland systems, human activities still continue to negatively impact these habitats. The key to understanding the impact on these systems is to conduct regular inventory and mapping exercises that enable one to determine the changes to these dynamic systems. This study highlights the use of multi temporal remote sensing data to determine the boundaries of the Blesbokspruit Ramsar Wetland site in South Africa. The Blesbokspruit Ramsar Wetland is located southeast of city Johannesburg. The wetland has a high conservation priority, as it forms an important component of a tributary of the Vaal River. This catchment provides the city of Johannesburg with most of its drinking water and is an important water resource for the area. In 1996 the Blesbokspruit Ramsar Wetland was placed on the Montreux Record as a result of a number of anthropogenic activities negatively impacting on the wetland. Primarily, discharges of large volumes of polluted water from an adjacent gold mine contributed to this listing.

 

This study uses remote sensing data to determine the boundaries of the wetland and by doing so create an appropriate buffer zone between the wetland and the various land uses. These parameters are currently non existent in the management of the wetland The study analyses rainfall within the catchment within a five year period (2000-2005) and remote sensing data is acquired according to the wettest and driest month of the year. The delineation process will guided by international studies on this aspect and will take into cognizance the appropriate legislative processes necessary. The anticipated results will be used to manage the site as well ensure that the necessary planning procedures of future developments in this area are regulated in accordance with the priorities of the wetland.