Assessing the effects of wetland reclamation on the provisional value of Nalwekomba wetland; Kamuli district, Uganda.

Abstract

Nalwekomba Wetland is under considerable pressure from the public through wetland reclamation. Wetlands in general are among the world's most productive ecosystems and support millions of people through the essential Services they provide Nalwekomba Wetland supports livelihoods of its local communities, Nalwekomba is currently threatened by the expansion of tice cultivation. This study aims to assess the potential effects of wetland reclamation on the provisional value provided by Nalwekomba Wetland to help decision makers make informed decisions. The research' will provide recommendations to allow policy makers and interest groups to better manage the Wetland resource. Observations, key informant interviews, and secondary information were used to assess the ecological and socio-economic importance of the wetland. Direct market pricing and benefit transfer techniques were used to estimate the economic value of the wetland. The study found out that Nalwekomba Wetland provides basically provisioning, habitat and regulating services to local communities. The main benefits to local communities are water, fish, agricultural produce, medicines and Construction materials, Wetland reclamation has negative effects on for example water quality, agriculture and also on the wetland's habitat services. The aim of this study was to estimate the potential effects of wetland reclamation on Nalwekomba Wetland to its provisional value. Based on the findings, it is recommended that appropriate steps be taken to ameliorate the negative impacts. Such steps include awarding of property rights to make sure encroachers are held accountable for liabilities, involving stakeholders in planning and managing the use of the wetland, improving monitoring of discharge and encroachment, and restoring the degraded buffer zones around the wetland. Another important step to protecting this and other wetlands will be to use the information provided by this study as a guideline in making informed management.