East African wetlands are naturally dominated by papyrus, the world's fastest growing herbaceous plant, reaching up to 5 m in height and 3 kg m-2 of standing biomass. Endemic to the Victoria Basin and to the Nile, it supported the livelihood of ancient civilisation who used it extensively as fuel, as fibre, as fodder, as food, in navigation and in the production of paper. In tropical swamps, papyrus plays a key role in the control of the nutrient balance and in the provision of critical biotopes that are vital for the reproduction of insects, fishes and birds, including a small number of bird species considered to be endemic to papyrus swamps. Its regulatory ecosystem services include also carbon sequestration and water purification in natural treatment wetlands.Papyrus swamps are degrading due to direct exploitation, to agricultural encroachment up to the water edge, and to extensive damage caused by cattle. Agricultural drainage schemes are in the process of deliberately destroying papyrus swamps across East Africa. Claims are made condemning papyrus for enhancing water loss, however only few proper evapotranspiration studies were carried out, and with controversial evidence.Recent assessments show that papyrus swamp tend to moderate the water cycle controlling its extreme events. New evidence, such as the formation of an inverse temperature gradient within papyrus swamps, could be indicative of an optimised water retention capacity (less water loss). At the same time, the shape of papyrus umbels may be ideal for promoting early morning condensation (more water gain).Papyrus restoration should be promoted as an ecohydrological measure to improve water quality, to moderate local climate by regulating the water cycle, to provide base material for a variety of provisional ecosystem services, to enhance biotope structure and to support biodiversity. Restoration attempts at lake Naivasha included the creation of artificial floating islands and channel diversion for the enlargement of flooded swamps. Further effort is needed in the control of cattle and of wild herbivores that graze in the swamp, and in raising the awareness of local residents about the value of papyrus swamps.
Papyrus as a tool in Ecohydrology
PACINI, NICOLA
Writing – Original Draft Preparation
;
2016-01-01
Abstract
East African wetlands are naturally dominated by papyrus, the world's fastest growing herbaceous plant, reaching up to 5 m in height and 3 kg m-2 of standing biomass. Endemic to the Victoria Basin and to the Nile, it supported the livelihood of ancient civilisation who used it extensively as fuel, as fibre, as fodder, as food, in navigation and in the production of paper. In tropical swamps, papyrus plays a key role in the control of the nutrient balance and in the provision of critical biotopes that are vital for the reproduction of insects, fishes and birds, including a small number of bird species considered to be endemic to papyrus swamps. Its regulatory ecosystem services include also carbon sequestration and water purification in natural treatment wetlands.Papyrus swamps are degrading due to direct exploitation, to agricultural encroachment up to the water edge, and to extensive damage caused by cattle. Agricultural drainage schemes are in the process of deliberately destroying papyrus swamps across East Africa. Claims are made condemning papyrus for enhancing water loss, however only few proper evapotranspiration studies were carried out, and with controversial evidence.Recent assessments show that papyrus swamp tend to moderate the water cycle controlling its extreme events. New evidence, such as the formation of an inverse temperature gradient within papyrus swamps, could be indicative of an optimised water retention capacity (less water loss). At the same time, the shape of papyrus umbels may be ideal for promoting early morning condensation (more water gain).Papyrus restoration should be promoted as an ecohydrological measure to improve water quality, to moderate local climate by regulating the water cycle, to provide base material for a variety of provisional ecosystem services, to enhance biotope structure and to support biodiversity. Restoration attempts at lake Naivasha included the creation of artificial floating islands and channel diversion for the enlargement of flooded swamps. Further effort is needed in the control of cattle and of wild herbivores that graze in the swamp, and in raising the awareness of local residents about the value of papyrus swamps.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
