Applying the social-ecological systems framework to understand impacts of flooding in the Palmiet River catchment.
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Date
2021
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Abstract
Accelerating urbanization in African cities is impacting the ability of urban ecosystem services to
provide services to contribute to the wellbeing of people. Additionally, climate change presents
increased urban risks such as the increased frequency and intensity of flooding. This thereby threatens
human life and built infrastructure; and challenges the resilience of communities already strained by
socio-economic challenges. Ecosystem services in urban catchments are poorly understood which
further adds to the lack of understanding the value of natural resources in urban catchments and
subsequently how to restore and protect vital natural resources in order to ensure ecosystem services
delivery. The aim of the study is to understand how impacts of flooding decrease the resilience of the
communities in the Palmiet River catchment located in Durban, South Africa, through applying the
social-ecological system (SES) framework. The Palmiet River catchment is a dynamic and heavily
urbanized catchment in which the Palmiet River extends 26km through its headwaters at an elevation
of 510m flowing through the lower informal settlement at 18m elevation. The SES framework is an
interdisciplinary approach to understanding biophysical and social aspects in a relational landscape
– both of which can no longer be studied in isolation. The methodology of the study uses data
collected from public community engagement forums to identifyspecific issues occurring within the
catchment and understanding the roles of interested and affected stakeholders. Further, aerial
photography images of the Palmiet River catchment from 1981 to 2016 were used to identify the rate
of urbanization and terrestrial impacts; this data was additionally supported by drone images. A SES
framework was applied for sub-sections of the Palmiet River catchment in order to develop a
narrative for the total river catchment to improve understanding of societal actions of urbanization
that impact the functionality of the Palmiet River. The findings of the study reflect that: 1) Flood
events are occurring more frequently, and more peopleare at risk as the influx of people within the
catchment increases and the land use/cover changes. 2) A collaborative social system with a strong
governance unit exists within the Palmiet catchment. This has facilitated conversations amongst
resources users and actorsin the rehabilitation of the resource system. This could potentially serve as
a springboard for identifying viable areas for ecological infrastructure investments. 3) The social
system has increased resilience within the catchment – however, this may change as flood events
continue to increase in intensity and frequency. 4) The Palmiet River is a dynamic social-ecological
system that presents challenges as well as opportunities for sustainable and integrative catchment
management. The SES framework provided a tool to evaluate the social and ecological systems through which to assess thecurrent limitations for the Palmiet River to regulate flood events. 5) It
was lastly necessary to identify ways in which sustainable urban design systems and ecological
infrastructure could be used as a part of catchment management strategies to rehabilitate and enhance
ecosystem services. It was concluded that the ecosystem services once offered by the Palmiet River
catchment have been compromised byunprecedented rates of urbanisation, particularly impacts of
growing informal settlements in the lower parts of the catchment as well as industrial areas in the
upper parts of the catchment.
Description
Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.