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Researching the effects of groundwater-dependent invasive species in South Africa

Researching the effects of

groundwater-dependent invasive

species in South Africa

bout 10 million hectares of land in Development Goal 15, target 8, which the decline in rainfall and the drying
A
South Africa have been invaded by aims to prevent invasive species on land river. When Moropane was in grade 10,
alien plants—primarily the Prosopis, and in water ecosystems.” her geography lessons taught her
Acacia, and Eucalyptus species—that are about rainfall. She realized that it was
dependent on groundwater, with some Moropane’s research, tuition, room, and not witchcraft that dried up the river.
consuming up to 50 liters per day. In a board is being funded by a nearly
water-stressed country, these plants US$11,000 scholarship from SADC-GMI’s “That’s when I got inspired to learn
pose risks to groundwater-dependent Young Professionals program, which is more about rainfall and how water
ecosystem services and groundwater supported by CIWA. Moropane believes moves through the environment, and I
conservation. that her research is unique both in South wanted to pursue a geography-related
Africa and globally. She said she learned degree,” she says. Now, she adds, “I’m
Mmasechaba Lebogang Moropane, 26, from her literature review that while very passionate about being an
wants to help. She is using satellite-based there is extensive research on environmental hydrologist.”
techniques in Google Earth Engine to groundwater-dependent ecosystems
detect and map the extent of invasive and on invasive species, there are few Improving the environment
species that rely on groundwater in the studies that link them to show the for the next generation
Heuningnes Catchment in the Western impact of these plants on ecosystems “I’m very grateful to SADC for providing
Cape province. and groundwater levels. me with the scholarship,” Moropane says.
“My parents couldn’t help me with this
A graduate student at the University of A river in retreat journey. I would have had to drop out.”
the Western Cape, Moropane believes Moropane grew up in Mokwete, a small
that her research findings will be crucial farming community in Limpopo Moropane has excelled in school. As an
to share with environmental and water province in northern South Africa. Her undergraduate, she received the
resources managers to guide them in father grows vegetables and raises Golden Key International Society award
decision making about invasive cows and goats on a half-hectare of and the Dean’s merit award three times
species-clearing efforts, groundwater land. He used to bring his roughly 20 and graduated summa cum laude from
conservation, and protection of native cows to the Ngwaritsi River behind their the University of the Western Cape,
species. She intends to ask the house to drink. Back then, the river with a degree in environmental and
SADC-GMI to connect her with water flowed year-round and overflowed water sciences.
resources managers when her research during rainy seasons.
is completed. “Her performance has been
Now, she says, “It’s a different story. exceptional,” says Timothy Dube,
“To better adapt to climate change and When I was in grade six or seven, all of a associate professor of earth sciences
drier conditions,” Moropane says, “it’s sudden the water started declining. It and director of the university’s
very important to know how much dried up completely some years. Now Institute of Water Studies. “She is
space is being occupied by these we have to give water to the few extremely curious, hardworking,
species and how much groundwater remaining cows from buckets at home. disciplined, creative, and works well
they are extracting. Because invasive Most of the cows died from hunger, with others.”
species adapt better to drier conditions stomach diseases, and walking long
than native species, projections indicate distances in rocky areas to find Moropane plans to attain her PhD and
that we will end up losing our alternative water sources.” ultimately work in sectors that prioritize
ecosystems and ecosystem services. environmental health and water
Paying attention to these species is very During her youth, many village residents conservation. And she wants to bring
important to help achieve Sustainable believed witchcraft was responsible for her knowledge back home to teach

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