Environment & Natural Resources News South Africa

SA wetlands ecosystems are threatened

Speaking at the Pretoria launch of the Atlas of Freshwater Ecosystem Priority Areas recently, Deputy Water and Environmental Affairs Minister Rejoice Mabudafhasi warned that over half of South Africa's river and wetlands ecosystems are threatened, Times Live reports.

"Deterioration in the health of ecosystems negatively impacts on their ability to continue providing these beneficial ecosystem services," she said, adding "[t]here is no doubt that South Africa's freshwater ecosystems are under increasing pressure."

According to the Times Live report, Mabudafhasi said ecosystems, like municipal services, played an essential role in supporting development and economic prosperity and the Atlas of Freshwater Ecosystem Priority Areas is designed to provide the first comprehensive assessment of areas in the country that were most important for sustaining the health and continued functioning of freshwater ecosystems.

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