Wetland Health in Two Agro-Ecological Zones of Lesotho: Soil Physico-Chemical Properties, Nutrient Dynamics and Vegetation Isotopic N¹⁵

Monitoring is essential to evaluate the effects of wetland restoration projects. Assessments were carried-out after 6 years of restoration efforts on a wetland located in two agro-ecological zones (AEZ): the Mountains agro-ecological zone–Khalongla-lithunya (KHL) and the Foot Hills–Ha-Matela (HM). The former was under conservation and the latter non-conserved. Mini-pits were dug along transects for soil sampling. Runoff water was collected from installed piezometers into pre-rinsed plastic bottles with de-ionized water once a month for between 3 and 6 months. Soil and water samples were analyzed in the laboratory for Ca, Mg, K, Na, total nitrogen, and phosphorus, and soil samples were further analyzed for Cu, Fe, Zn, and Mn and vegetation isotopic N15. Water quality, soil organic matter (SOM), carbon pools, base cations, ratios (silt:clay & SOM:silt clay), texture, and N-15 isotopes were chosen as indicators. Results showed that base cations were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the groundwater and soils of KHL wetlands compared with those from the HM. The soils of the KHL wetlands have higher (p < 0.05) clay, silt contents, SOM, and silt clay ratios compared with the HM. Furthermore, results of the N15 isotopes were between 2.52 and 2.93% (KHL) compared with 2.00 and 6.18% (HM). Similarly, the results of the δ13C showed significant negative values at KHL (28.13–28%) compared with HM (11.77–12.72%). The study concludes that after five years of rehabilitating the KHL wetlands, the soil indicators showed that restoration efforts are positive compared with the HM wetlands that are non-conserved

Characterising wetland hydrology and water quality in streams and wetlands of Khalong-la-Lithunya, Lesotho

Wetland hydrology is important in understanding wetland systems, evaluating wetland functions and processes and assessing wetland conditions. Wetlands assimilate and transform pollutants and nutrients ensuring that quality water is discharged from the wetland into streams. The objective of this study was to characterise wetland hydrology and evaluate the water quality so as to determine the ecological functioning of the Khalong-la-Lithunya wetland. Wetland hydrology and water quality of the three sub-catchments were monitored from October 2015 to March 2016. Water levels in piezometers were recorded once a month and monthly water levels data for the years 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 previously recorded by the Millennium Challenge Account-Lesotho (MCA-L) project were integrated to this study’s data. Rainfall, piezometer and stream water were similarly obtained once every month. These were analysed for δ2H and δ18O water stable isotopes and water quality parameters determined. The estimated overall hydro-period of Khalong-la-Lithunya from the years 2010 to 2016 was 11.4% of the sampled time. The wetland showed delayed response of piezometer water levels to rainfall and additional source of water to the wetland through sub-surface flow. The isotopic composition of piezometer and stream water showed that the water gets stored in the wetland before being discharged to the stream leading to a positive interaction between ground and surface water. Most water quality parameters (Na, pH, Mg, PO4 , COD, BOD, NO3, K, Ca, EC) were higher in streams than in piezometers and were mostly within WHO permissible limits. There was a poorer water quality index in streams (59.71) when compared to that of piezometers (53.67). The principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that the parameters that were responsible for the variation in water quality were related to natural hydro-chemical processes, anthropogenic factors and geology and soil constituents. Temporally most parameters were highest during dry months. Due to a short hydro-period, a delayed interaction between surface and ground water and a poorer stream water quality index, it is concluded that the wetland was not in a good condition. Thus, it is not adequately performing its ecological function

Mapping spatial variability of hydric soil properties to delineate Khalong-la-lithunya wetlands

Spatial variability in wetland soils provide insight into underlying ecosystem processes and may itself give an indication of wetland condition. The study was conducted to characterise and delineate soil variability of wetlands of Khalong-la-Lithunya from hydric soil properties. Sampling was carried on three sub catchments within Khalong-la-Lithunya catchment. In each sub catchment soil samples were dug at 100m interval along three transects that were 200m apart. Detailed soil profile description of 36 pits was done following USDA-NRCS (2010) manual. Soil samples were collected to the depth of 90 cm at 15 cm interval and analyzed for soil organic carbon (SOC), Base Cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+) and Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), available Phosphorus (Av-P), available Nitrogen (Av-N), Soil pH, percentage sand, clay and silt. Mean soil properties were 3.5 mg/kg Av-p, 3.0 mg/kg Av-N, 28.3 % SOC, 5.1 pH, Bulk density 0.7 g/cm3 and the texture is sandy. The means base cations were 2.8, 1.8, 7.9 and 2.3 cmol/ kg for Na, K, Ca and Mg, respectively and CEC 82.5 cmol/kg. Av-P was the most variable property with CV ranging from 115 and 162 % in different soil depths while pH was the least variable with CV ranging from 6 and 12 %. The Nugget/Sill ratios were less than 56 %, indicating random heterogeneity. The semivariograms indicated moderate spatial dependence (25 < DSD ≤ 75%) for soil properties including SOC, Av-P, Av-N, pH and sand. Most properties indicate moderate spatial dependence and hence easily managed. Chemical properties were more variable than physical properties