18/01/2020
Planned Conversions from Pine to Eucalyptus could have a devastating impact on water resources in Mpumalanga, South Africa.
GeaSphere is a environmental organisation active with regards to timber plantations in Mpumalanga province.
We had recently been alerted that there are plans to convert pine plantations in the Kaapsehoop area to eucalyptus plantations.
We are aware that other local pine plantations are also to be converted to eucalyptus,, due to an increased demand from the Sappi Ngodwana Mill to feed their new cellulose production line.
These changes from pine to eucalyptus plantations could have a catastrophic detrimental impact in our region, primarily because of much higher water use associated with eucalyptus plantations.
On average, eucalypts use 25% more water than pines, reducing the residual stream flow from 35% of base vegetation flow to 20%, a residual flow reduction of 44%. In brief, changing from pine to eucalypts will reduce the free stream flow by nearly half.”
These impacts are most severe during winter ‘low flow’ conditions. Eucalyptus roots have been measured 50m into the soil profile, so they can utilise deep groundwater resources. Impacts on groundwater in our region have never been properly quantified.
Apart from the impact on water eucalyptus plantations have a much higher impact on biodiversity and soil sustainability, as the rotations are shorter and trees spaced closer.
It seems obvious that Mpumalanga is in jeopardy with regards to water availability. Historically, the impact of the timber industry has been severe, with many fountains and streams having dried up completely since the introduction of large scale timber plantations in the region.
We have seen less than average rainfall during the past few years, and even some of the perennial rivers feeding the crocodile had almost stop flowing during October / November 2019. These conditions are being compounded by climate change currently experienced throughout the world, with unknown consequences for the region.
As responsible stewards of our environment, we should manage as much as possible to mitigate potential environmental impacts. Converting pine plantations to eucalyptus in a water scarce region will compound impacts already experienced and could have disastrous effects on our region and society.
In our opinion, decisions which can have such devastating impact on our region need to be very carefully considered by a wide body of stakeholders, and we have asked the relevant Government department to reinstate the SFRALAAC (Stream Flow Reduction Activities Licensing Application Advisory Committee) meetings to guide these activities.
We also believe that a comprehensive SEA (Strategic Environmental Assessment) has to be conducted to enable better understanding of these accumulative impacts, in order to guide appropriate decision making.
We believe all planned conversions to eucalyptus should be halted until such time as there has been a process whereby a broad range of stakeholder inputs had been obtained and a comprehensive Strategic Environmental Assessment conducted.
GeaSphere
Water is Life
