Description

Some data were used in maps 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 of ""Mapping a Better Future: How Spatial Analysis Can Benefit Wetlands and Reduce Poverty in Uganda."" from Wetlands Management Department, Ministry of Water and Environment, Uganda; Uganda Bureau of Statistics; International Livestock Research Institute; and World Resources Institute. 2009. [RETURN] This dataset is based on the National Wetlands Information System (NWIS). NWIS, maintained by the Wetlands Management Department, contains detailed data on different wetland uses, the level of use, and the impact of these uses on wetland systems. It is based on a standardized inventory of wetlands carried out for approximately 5,000 wetland sample points between 1997 and 2001. Each sample point reflects the uses and impacts observed in the field of vision at that location. Field teams inventoried 37 different wetland products, which they aggregated to 12 different main activities.

Here are the main uses and associated products inventoried: harvesting of natural herbaceous vegetation for food, fuel, building material, craft material, mulch material, and medicines; excavation of minerals for salt, clay, sand, gravel, gold/ gemstones/ minerals; cultivation for food and fibre; water collection and use for rural domestic water, urban domestic water, water for livestock, industrial water, irrigation water; harvesting of natural trees for food, fuel/ firewood, building poles/ timber, craft material, medicines; plantation tree cultivation/ harvesting for building/ fencing materials, food, fuel/ firewood, craft material, medicines; fisheries for food/ skin; livestock grazing; beekeeping; human settlement for housing, industrial development; hunting for meat, skins, craft material; tourism. Each product was characterized by their level of use (none, low, medium, and high) and impact of use (none, low, medium, and high). The level of use and impact of use were summarized at the wetland sample point by adding the level of use/ impact of use of each product weighted by 1 if low, 2 if medium, and 3 if high. Also inventoried are abuses/ threats such as artificial drainage, dam construction/ water diversion, virgin land clearing, burning of vegetation, propagation of exotic plant/ animal species, solid and liquid waste disposal.