South African Water Problem

Introduction        

South Africa has been depicted by the media as having unclean water for its inhabitants. However, the actual problem is that water has become scarce in South Africa due to foreign vegetation. Because of this, many South Africans have died from thirst, and continue to suffer from water shortages to today. In order to expand on this issue, the proper ecosystem must be defined, scientific information must be used to explain the problem, human intervention must be understood, and solutions must be proposed.

A. Description of the Ecosystem and Environmental Resource of Concern

        South Africa supports many different species in its ecosystem. This disproportionate number of animals, plants, and humans have caused the ultimate reliance on water necessary for their survival (Dziba 2016). However, several events in both the past and present have limited the amount of consumable water. In the past, South Africa was able to support all types of life, when it had a large amount of water. Today, South Africa has slowly been drained of its resources, especially since the country relies on water to support its agricultural field. Ultimately, South Africa’s dependence on water has made it the thirtieth driest nation in the world (Tibane 2016). Currently, the government is using over ninety-eight percent of drinking water in its developing industry, which has caused riots and many labor strikes (Braun 2010). Because water has become scarce, farmers have been stealing water to farm, specifically near the Vaal River (Masondo 2011). It is clear that South Africa has been going through recent turmoil while trying to regulate its water usage. Although South Africa is a currently developing nation, it still contains rich resources in its ecosystem.

        Since South Africa is a developing country, it contains mostly rural lands with small villages. In addition, it has a small number of industrious factories, allowing there to be clean air. However, foreign nations have been urging the development of South Africa, in order to gain control of its natural resources (Chevallier 2012). If South Africa is able to solve this environmental issue that they are facing, they may be able to save their nation’s ecosystem.

B. The Use of Scientific Information in Identifying the Environmental Problem or Issue

        Native plants to South Africa are able to rely on small amounts of water, however invasive vegetation has created an imbalance in the amount of water consumed by plants (Moyers 2001). In addition to the water consumed, the excessive amount of invasive plants has started to deplete oxygen levels due to the large amounts of nitrogen released into the air.

In order to determine where invasive species reside in South Africa, one data source is the South African Plant Invaders Atlas (SAPIA) (Richardson & Wilgen 2004). While there are multiple species of plants that have invaded South Africa, most of them are trees and shrubs, in the genera Acacia, Hakea, and Pinus (Richardson & Wilgen 2004). In order to understand the severity of the problem, the scientific model I (Impact)= R (Invader) x A (Abundance or density) x E (Effect) was developed. With the creation of this equation, scientists have been able to determine which of the eight terrestrial biomes were most affected by invasive species. With the use of SAPIA and the invasive species model, scientists were able to determine that fynbos was the most invaded biome, with invading species ranging in the mountains, valleys, and along rivers (Richardson & Wilgen 2004).

In addition to the invasive species drastically limiting the amount of water, acidic runoff from mines and sewage has corrupted the small amount of drinking water (Braun 2010). Since these mines are abandoned, they have been filling up water with no one being responsible for pumping it out. Because of this, it has been building up the acidic concentration in water, which spreads through rivers by runoff (Braun 2010). Globally, most people are led to believe by the media that South Africans have a limited water supply due to contamination, when in reality, it is currently being absorbed by foreign species. In order to fix this conflicting information, scientists must discuss with the media the significant problem in South Africa.

C. The Human Dimension of the Environmental Issue

        European settlers have been the source of the problem for invasive species. When settling in South Africa, they planted several of their native plants, such as pine trees, in order to recreate their ecosystem in South Africa (Moyers 2001). Not understanding how South Africa’s ecosystem could not support foreign vegetation, European settlers planted several foreign species of plants which still exist in South Africa today.

        Although invasive species has been a problem regarding water shortages, the South African economy has caused another major concern. Water is the primary source of South Africa’s economy, with sixty percent of all available water being used for agriculture and irrigation systems (Tibane 2016). This controversial issue has been discussed throughout the government, debating whether to stay focused on an agricultural economy, or start to develop and limit the dependence on water (Braun 2010). By continuing an agricultural economy, South Africa will continue to have clean air, along with an abundance of natural resources. However, the water supply will continue to deplete and cause more labor strikes in the country. By switching to an industrial economy, South Africa will limit the usage of water, allowing the current levels to slowly rise. However, its air would possibly become polluted, along with depleting a large amount of natural resources (Braun 2010). It is clear that there is a decision that needs to be made by the South African government in order to save both their ecosystem and their economy.