Rivers & Wetlands

Giba Gorge exists in a relatively well watered part of KZN, and as such is well endowed with rivers, streams and wetlands. There are two main rivers that traverse the precinct, the Umhlatuzana River and Giba Stream, both of which cut through the two main gorges in the precinct. Numerous smaller drainage lines feed into these larger rivers that are in turn supplied by seepage areas and underground water sources.

All forms of these rivers and wetlands play an important role in Giba’s ecology both for the aquatic plants and animals that live in them and also for the terrestrial animals that frequent these areas for water and shelter. Unlike the isolated nature of the grasslands and forests in Giba, most of the water in Giba has its origins outside of the precinct boundary, especially that transported by the main rivers. Impacts to Giba’s rivers, in the form of pollutants and sediment, can therefore have their origins outside of this system by, for example, badly planned developments and pollution spills.

Fortunately, there are various techniques one can use to identify the state of a river’s health, the potential causes of bad health scores and, ultimately, a means to identify the source of these negative impacts. The GGEP aims to utilize these techniques in collaboration with schools in the area link to improve the status of Giba’s rivers and wetlands.

Many plants and animals are designed to live in freshwater conditions. Hygrophilous plants, such as reeds and sedges, have specially adapted root systems to live in these soaked environments. Insects are the most abundant creatures in these habitats and are important indicators of river and wetland health. Frogs are also plentiful in these systems with more than 20 species having been discovered in Giba  – this is close to a quarter of all the species recorded in South Africa.

Pools and waterfalls are characteristic of the upper Umhlatuzana River.

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