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Seasonal
Wetlands II
Seasonal
wetlands provide people with the following:
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Water for human and animal use
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Food such as fish, crustaceans, molluscs and water plant roots
and seeds
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Grazing for animals, especially in the dry season
- Materials
for thatching, mats, baskets and other woven products
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Ceremonial grounds for religious and cultural ceremonies
Water
collection, storage, purification and discharge
In many parts of Kenya, rain falls only occasionally, but it falls
with great force. Seasonal wetlands collect the floodwaters, preventing
runoff and destructive floods. As the water slowly sinks through
mud or porous rock, it is purified.
Water
is thus stored in seasonal wetlands, and filtered into underground
aquifers. During the dry season, the pure stored water is discharged
into the environment.
Threats
Seasonal
wetlands are under particular threat, because they appear dry much
of the year.
They
are thus converted to agriculture; not reserved during land demarcation;
and ignored in road construction and other development activities.
Recommendations
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Seasonal wetlands should be identified and inventoried.
- During
land demarcation, seasonal wetlands should be set aside. They
serve the whole community for water collection, storage, purification
and discharge; for dry season grazing; for collection of materials;
and for ceremonial purposes.
- Roads
should be built around, not across, seasonal wetlands.
- Examples
of all types of seasonal wetlands should be protected in each
district as reservoirs of biodiversity.
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Biodiversity
Parks Project
