Governing Wetlands in the Commons: The Challenges to Management of Complex Systems

Abstract

"The upper reaches of Sand River Catchment contribute significantly to the water production of the Inkomati system; the drainage basin stretching across South Africa, Swaziland and Mozambique. Much of this area are communal lands: the former 'homelands' of the apartheid era which today reflect high levels of socio-economic and environmental problems. Recently there has been increased attention on the wetlands within these areas, and their important role in the socio-ecological system. Degrading and dessicating wetlands threaten important livelihood sources of poor local residents, as well as impacting on down-stream users and the eco-system.

"Work is being undertaken to rehabilitate wetlands, and to work with farmers on more sustainable practices. However it is clear that the problem of degradation goes beyond the practices of wetland farmers. There are other users upstream and beyond the wetlands and of the community itself, (including a new brick factory with substantial outside investment) whose activities have significant impacts. Moreover there are others who are impacted upon, most obviously by water insecurity. There are also multiple structures that have responsibilities to manage and care for the affected resources, at a range at levels or scales. Understanding of the roles of different agencies is currently weak, as many policies and structures are new in South Africa and the region.

"While improved management is clearly needed, this is in the context of a multiplex system i.e. a system that has many aspects to it. To strengthen governance we need to understand the dynamics of the institutional environment, and also the complexity of the socio-ecological system. We believe that the community level is critically important, but that appropriate linkages need to be made with other levels, in order to have integrated planning and capacity for implementation of agreed approaches.

"In this paper we explore the contribution of the experience of a research, learning and action project working in the village of Craigieburn. Working from the basis of some understanding of the socio- ecological system, both practical and strategic considerations are informing how to proceed in this complex and uncertain environment. The paper sets out the emerging insights, challenges and lessons regarding strengthening community based governance of wetlands."