The impact of floricultural activities on vegetation cover and water quality in Lutembe Bay Wetland, namulanda, Uganda

Abstract

Floriculture is becoming a key activity around most of the wetlands in Uganda since they provide quick avenues for disposal of effluents. In a bid to understudy the impacts of such floricultural activities on water quality and vegetation cover. A study was undertaken in Lutembe wetland to evaluate the effects of floriculture on vegetation cover and water quality. Water samples were obtained from three different flower farms in different seasons for analysis in the Laboratory for pesticides and nutrient content. In addition, field vegetation cover assessments were undertaken being guided by the pre-produced GIS land use maps of the area. Results portrayed a total of 113 different pesticides thirteen of which were of very high concentration following under all WHO pesticide classes. The concentrations of these pesticides significantly differed among samples collected, and flower farms studied. In addition, eight land uses were observed with settlements and agriculture greatly replacing the wetland cover. The studied sites were dominated by plant species such as Cyperus papyrus, Mimosa pudica, Lersia hexandra, Marantachlora sp and Pheonix reclinata. Furthermore, there was severe clearance of the ordinary wetland cover at the edges that saw emergence of invasive species such as Mimosa pudica. Water nutrient content differed across the selected flower farms within Lutembe wetland. Indeed, floricultural activities have significant impact on the pesticide loading within the wetland more so during peak flower farming months. Such flower activities also contribute significantly to nutrient loading within the wetland. Thus there is need for the floriculture industry around and within the wetland should practice integrated pest and weed management (IPM) practices to reduce on over dependence on pesticides and herbicides and further research on seasonal and longitudinal effect of floriculture activities on water quality should be conducted.