Abstract:
The cultural ecosystem services of wetlands are the least researched category of ecosystem services because they are not tangible and difficult to quantify for material and non-material benefits. Cultural ecosystem services are non-material benefits communities get from ecosystems and are very important for their well-being. This study assessed people’s perspectives on wetland cultural ecosystem services and indigenous wetland management practices in Sekhukhune District, Limpopo Province, South Africa. The objectives of the study were to identify wetland cultural ecosystem services, to investigate local communities’ perspectives on wetland cultural ecosystem services, and to determine indigenous wetland management practices in Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality. The study was conducted at seven villages whereby each village had a wetland associated with it. A stratified random sampling technique was used at the selected seven villages whereby each village was considered. A simple random sampling approach was used to select the participants to be interviewed for the study in all seven villages. A calculated sample size of 197 of which 119 were male, 76 were female, and 2 others (who are not classified as males or females) participated in the study. Data were collected using individual face-to-face interviews with an interview guide consisting of open-ended and closed questions. Qualitative data were analysed using Atlas ti version 8, while quantitative data were analysed using Stata version 15. The key findings of the study were that: (1) wetlands provide cultural ecosystem services such as religious, spiritual, recreational, and educational services; (2) wetlands are the most respected ecosystems where the gods, ancestors, and water spirits reside, the place of worship and performance of rituals; (3) wetlands are holy with supernatural powers for healing and to drive away evil spirits, bad luck, and witchcraft; (4) traditional leaders are the key stakeholders in the management of wetlands in villages; (5) traditional leaders set taboos and protocols for the sustainable use of wetlands. It was also revealed that non-adherence to taboos and protocols pronounced by traditional authorities’ leads to the anger of the gods, ancestors, and water spirits, resulting in calamities to society. In conclusion, the study showed that there is a positive relationship between community and wetland cultural ecosystem services and between indigenous knowledge and wetland management practices. Then, indigenous knowledge of wetlands conservation must be promoted. There should be continuous community awareness and capacity-building for traditional authorities on wetland management.
