Abstract
Wetlands are valuable ecosystems on which humans depend through the utilisation of the ecological goods and services including water for domestic and commercial use. Until recently, efforts on wetland conservation have shifted to community participation since they are important stakeholders in using wetland resources. This study solicited local people’s perceptions on 1) threats to the Monavale wetland (Harare, Zimbabwe), 2) the conservation strategies they perceive most appropriate and 3) the likely consequences of losing this wetland. The study used 80 household questionnaires that were administered to four suburbs (representing three wards) surrounding Monavale, with respondents having different socio-demographic variables (age, ward, employment status and education level). Chi-square tests were used to test for associations between perceived threats across all variables. Multiple Correspondence Analysis was performed to explore relationships between respondents’ socio-demographic variables with 1) goods and services, and 2) perceived consequences of losing Monavale wetland. Main threats cited were agriculture and housing development projects (43 and 36% of respondents respectively). People from wards 5 and 7 cited mostly socio-economic whilst ward 16 cited ecological related goods and services. The respondents’ age was associated with perceptions towards the threats facing Monavale wetland (χ<sup>2</sup>=31.563, d. f=12, <i>P</i>=0.002). Respondents cited 5 pieces of legislation with Environmental Management Act being the most (75% of respondents) which they think could be better implemented if wetland conservation is to be achieved. The study concludes that, there is need to integrate all relevant stakeholders in wetland conservation for effective legislation implementation as well as increasing educational awareness to both communities and policy makers.
Highlights
The value of wetlands including their significance to biodiversity, scientific explorations, climate regulation, tourism and socio-cultural importance should be used in raising awareness with decision-makers especially in developmental projects [11, 1]
Many of the threats facing global wetlands are rooted in poverty and high demographic growth rates [9], it is often the case of neglecting or underestimating the value of conserving wetlands and poor implementation of conservation policies that are leading to their loss and degradation [26]
The Environmental Management Act (EMA) was mostly cited (75%, n=33) as the policy helping in the management of Monavale wetland but only 1 respondent knew of the contribution of the Parks and Wildlife Management Act as illustrated by Table 2
Summary
The value of wetlands including their significance to biodiversity, scientific explorations, climate regulation, tourism and socio-cultural importance should be used in raising awareness with decision-makers especially in developmental projects [11, 1]. Many of the threats facing global wetlands are rooted in poverty and high demographic growth rates [9], it is often the case of neglecting or underestimating the value of conserving wetlands and poor implementation of conservation policies that are leading to their loss and degradation [26]. Until recently, wetlands had poor legal and policy mechanisms being implemented to assure their conservation and sustainable use [26, 2]. Urban wetlands in developing countries are threatened by catchment developments (industrial areas and urban housing), agricultural activities that alter the ecosystems goods and services they can offer [24]. Wetlands in Africa occupy approximately 7% [4]. These wetlands directly support the livelihoods of millions of people.
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