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Comparative Analysis Of River Conservation In The United States And South Africa
Citation:
RASHLEIGH, B., D. Roux, P. J. Ashton, AND N. Brajevich. Comparative Analysis Of River Conservation In The United States And South Africa. Presented at Society for Conservation Biology 2008 Annual Meeting, Chattanooga, TN, July 13 - 17, 2008.
Impact/Purpose:
The overall objective is to develop modeling and decision support capabilities that allow environmental managers and planners to protect, conserve, and restore aquatic habitats and species.
Description:
Both the United States and South Africa are recognized for their strong and innovative approaches to the conservation of river ecosystems. These national programs possess similar driving legislation and ecoregional classification schemes supported by comprehensive monitoring programs. Strengths of the South African system include management based on watershed boundaries, specific conservation targets, and a strong consideration of the role of instream flows and connectivity. Comparative strengths of the U.S. program include the involvement of nonprofit and volunteer organizations, the use of modeling and causal analysis to support the setting of conservation objectives, and extensive efforts directed at stream restoration and species reintroduction. These complementary strengths provide opportunities for cooperative improvement of both systems. As the future threats of climate change, invasive species, and water pollution exert increasingly adverse effects on aquatic resources in both countries, it will be necessary for programs to share ideas and learn from each other's experiences, so that national freshwater conservation objectives are both achievable and sustainable.