identified within the grasslands in South Africa as critical for
conserving freshwater ecosystems (Nel et al., 2007). The grasslands
are the most productive biome in terms of agriculture in South
Africa (Mentis and Huntley, 1982). Agricultural practices impact
negatively on both biodiversity and ecosystem services. In South
Africa, irrigated agriculture takes place on 1.3 million hectares of
land (almost 10% of the total cultivated area) and uses an estimated
12.3 billion cubic metres of surface and groundwater per year,
which constitute 56% of the country’s total annual water use (WRC,
2000).Water supply services are also highly threatened by invasive
alien plants which consume more water than native vegetation
(Van Wilgen et al., 2008). The high dependence of food supply on
water services, coupled with the high threat facing water supply,
makes water a crucial ecosystem service in South Africa.
identified within the grasslands in South Africa as critical for
conserving freshwater ecosystems (Nel et al., 2007). The grasslands
are the most productive biome in terms of agriculture in South
Africa (Mentis and Huntley, 1982). Agricultural practices impact
negatively on both biodiversity and ecosystem services. In South
Africa, irrigated agriculture takes place on 1.3 million hectares of
land (almost 10% of the total cultivated area) and uses an estimated
12.3 billion cubic metres of surface and groundwater per year,
which constitute 56% of the country’s total annual water use (WRC,
2000).Water supply services are also highly threatened by invasive
alien plants which consume more water than native vegetation
(Van Wilgen et al., 2008). The high dependence of food supply on
water services, coupled with the high threat facing water supply,
makes water a crucial ecosystem service in South Africa.
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