Vulnerability mapping as a tool to manage the environmental impacts of oil and gas extraction.

Surina Esterhuyse,Jan Glazewski,Frank Sokolic,Ansie Smit,Nola Redelinghuys,Andrzej Kijko,A Tascha Vos,Marthie Kemp,Lisa Plit,Michael J Von Maltitz,Marinda Avenant

doi:10.1098/rsos.171044

Abstract

Various biophysical and socio-economic impacts may be associated with unconventional oil and gas (UOG) extraction. A vulnerability map may assist governments during environmental assessments, spatial planning and the regulation of UOG extraction, as well as decision-making around UOG extraction in fragile areas. A regional interactive vulnerability map was developed for UOG extraction in South Africa. This map covers groundwater, surface water, vegetation, socio-economics and seismicity as mapping themes, based on impacts that may emanate from UOG extraction. The mapping themes were developed using a normative approach, where expert input during the identification and classification of vulnerability indicators may increase the acceptability of the resultant map. This article describes the development of the interactive vulnerability map for South Africa, where UOG extraction is not yet allowed and where regulations are still being developed to manage this activity. The importance and policy implications of using vulnerability maps for managing UOG extraction impacts in countries where UOG extraction is planned are highlighted in this article.

Highlights

Redelinghuys2, Marinda Avenant1, Andrzej Kijko4, Jan Glazewski5, Lisa Plit5, Marthie Kemp1, Ansie Smit4, A
While vulnerability mapping of natural resources is important for its protection, mapping socio-economic vulnerabilities is important for proper spatial planning and infrastructure development in areas where unconventional oil and gas (UOG) extraction is planned or practised
In terms of developing vulnerability maps with the vulnerability indicators ‘surface water’, ‘groundwater’, ‘vegetation’, ‘seismicity’ and ‘socio-economics’, similar aspects would warrant protection in countries that plan to embark on UOG extraction, or where UOG extraction is already performed [3,34]

Summary

Results and discussion

The mapping process used 43 external experts in total. A list showing the expert usage for each aspect is given in table 1. Most of the themes have their theme-specific base layer and overlay indicators (identified by the experts), but some themes share overlay indicators that are important to more than one mapping theme. ‘rivers’ and ‘water management’ areas are important to both the surface water and groundwater mapping themes. Indicators surface water groundwater seismicity socio-economics vegetation base layer indicators river condition/vulnerability drastic groundwater peak ground acceleration aggregated map (figure 3f ). Act subterranean groundwater control areas critical biodiversity areas and threatened fish species control areas associated ecological support areas strategic water sources boreholes vegetation of South Africa rivers water management areas geological structures (1 : 1 000 000 scale) and springs mining and petroleum resource production legally prohibited onshore PASA permit areas (TCP and ER areas) roads. For full details on the mapping of all the themes, see Esterhuyse et al [11]

Base maps

Overlay maps

Conclusion

Australia