Contribution of provisioning services of the Ga- Mampa wetland, South Africa, to local livelihoods

This article describes an assessment of the contribution of provisioning services provided by the Ga-Mampa wetland (1 km2) to the livelihoods of local stakeholders, including monetary values for some services. The study used a combination of data collection approaches including a questionnaire survey, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, field observation and measurements and collection of market prices. The results show that the contribution of the wetland to the livelihoods of the local community is an estimated annual $228 per household, which represents about 15% of the average 2006 household income of $1584/year. Crop production contributed the highest gross value, while sedge collection yielded the highest cash income. Overall, an annual gross value of $900/ha is provided through provisioning services in the Ga-Mampa wetland. In addition, it was found that wetland services are essential for household subsistence and providing resources for gift giving to neighbours and relatives. Due to the lack of alternative income sources, the declining income from sedge and reed harvesting caused by continued degradation of the wetland poses considerable economic hardship. Integrated assessment of all ecosystem services and identification of involved stakeholders is needed to develop sustainable management strategies that deal with the environmental and socio-economic changes in the area