2013 Biodiversity Land Use and Cover

8/12/2019 2013 Biodiversity Land Use and Cover

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Kingdom of Lesotho

2013 Biodiversity, Land Use and Cover

Bureau of StatisticsP.O. Box 455Maseru 100LesothoTel: +266 22 326 393/22 323 852Fax: +266 22 310 177E-mail: [email protected]: www.bos.gov.ls

Mission: To Coordinate the National StatisticalSystem (NSS) and produce accurate, timely,reliable, culturally relevant and internationallycomparable statistical data for evidence- basedplanning, decision making, research, policy,program formulation and monitoring andevaluation to satisfy the needs of users andproducers.

Statistical ReportNo 10: 2014


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Table of contents Page

List of Tables...................................................................................................ii

List of Figures..................................................................................................ii

Chapter 1: Land Use Statistics ........................................................................ 1

1.1 Introduction ........................................................................................... 11.2 Scope and Coverage ............................................................................... 1

1.3 Results ................................................................................................... 1

1.4 Agricultural Land ................................................................................... 1

1.4.1 Area Planted ..................................................................................... 2

1.4.2 Area Fallow ...................................................................................... 2

1.4.3 Inorganic and Organic Fertilizer Application ..................................... 3

1.4.4 Pesticide Application ......................................................................... 3

1.4.5 Area Irrigated ................................................................................... 4

1.5 Forests and other Wooded Land Area ..................................................... 5

1.6 Built-up and related land ....................................................................... 5

1.6.1 Land Under Roads ............................................................................ 5

1.7 Summary ............................................................................................... 6

Chapter 2: Biodiversity Statistics .................................................................... 7

2.1 Introduction ........................................................................................... 7

2.2 Scope and Coverage ............................................................................... 7

2.3 Results ................................................................................................... 7

2.4 Species ................................................................................................... 7

2.4.1 Threatened species ........................................................................... 8

2.5 Conserved Catchment Areas ................................................................... 82.6 Wetlands ................................................................................................ 9

2.7 Summary ............................................................................................... 9

ANNEX: Land Use ......................................................................................... 10

ANNEX: Biodiversity ...................................................................................... 13


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List of Tables

Table 1: Road lengths in Square kilometers (km2) by description for the year

2013 ............................................................................................................... 6

Table 2: World Bank Indicators Lesotho biodiversity and protected areas ... 8

Table 3: Rehabilitation of degraded lands for the period (2008/2009 to2012/2013) .................................................................................................... 8

Table 4: Dominant Species and Area (m2) of Wetlands monitored in Semonkong

for the year 2013............................................................................................. 9

List of Figures

Figure 1: Area Planted for all Crops in Hectares (ha) by Period (2008/2009-

2012/2013) .................................................................................................... 2

Figure 2: Area Fallow in Hectares (ha) by Period (2008/2009-2012/2013) ....... 3

Figure 3: Area Applied Fertilizers in Hectares (ha) by Type and Period

(2009/2010-2011/2012) ................................................................................. 3

Figure 4: Area Applied Pesticide in Hectares (ha) by Period (2009/2010 to

2011/2012) .................................................................................................... 4

Figure 5: Area Irrigated in Hectares (ha) by Period (2008/2009 to 2012/2013) 4

Figure 6: Area Planted Forest Trees in Hectares by Period (2008/2009-

2012/2013) .................................................................................................... 5


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Chapter 1: Land Use Statistics

1.1 Introduction

Land use is the human use of land. Land use involves the management and

modification of natural environment or wilderness into built environment such asfields, pastures, and settlements. It also has been defined as "the arrangements,

activities and inputs people undertake in a certain land cover type to produce, change

or maintain it" (FAO, 1997a; FAO/UNEP, 1999).

Land use information is needed for various reasons including the following;

Different land uses affect the natural equilibrium of ecosystems differently-dissimilar impacts on the sustainable flow of goods and services,

Land resources are finite and usually scarce, Competition among various land uses (e.g. urban expansion into agricultural

areas), Thus, knowledge of current land use (and land resources) is needed for

formulating changes leading to sustainable use of the resources.

Shares of total land area for three different types of land use are: arable land - land

cultivated for crops like wheat, maize, and rice that are replanted after each harvest;

permanent crops - land cultivated for crops like citrus, coffee, and rubber that are not

replanted after each harvest; includes land under flowering shrubs, fruit trees, nut

trees, and vines, but excludes land under trees grown for wood or timber; other - any

land not arable or under permanent crops; includes permanent meadows and

pastures, forests and woodlands, built-on areas, roads, barren land, etc (CIA WorldFactbook, 2013).

1.2 Scope and Coverage

Data in this report is secondary and were collected from different governmental

Ministries. The results covered are for the entire country and ranges from 2008 to

2013.

1.3 Results

The results show the land used for agriculture (area planted and fallow, area fertilized,pesticides coverage and area irrigated), land under forests and other wooded land.

Lastly land under built-up and related land (road lengths) is also covered.

1.4 Agricultural Land

This refers to the major classes of land use on agricultural holdings. For classification

the gross area is surveyed for each class. 'Agricultural land' includes land under


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scattered farm buildings, yards and their annexes, permanently uncultivated land,

such as uncultivated patches, banks, footpaths, ditches, headlands and shoulders.

1.4.1 Area Planted

The area planted refers to all fields that were cultivated in a specified agricultural year

which commence from the 01stAugust of the current year to the 31st July of the

following year.

Figure 1 depicts area planted for all crops in hectares for the period (2008/2009 to

2012/2013). The highest area planted was observed in 2010/2011 with 288,327ha.

There was an increase of 13.1percent in area planted between the period of

2011/2012 (150,950ha) and 2012/2013 (173,759ha).

Figure 1: Area Planted for all Crops in Hectares (ha) by Period (2008/2009-2012/2013)

Source: Agricultural Production Surveys

1.4.2 Area Fallow

Area fallow refers to the land that remained uncultivated for a period of no more than

three years.

Figure 2 illustrates area fallow in hectares by period 2008/2009 to 2012/2013. The

area fallow showed an increasing pattern from 2008/2009 (48,260ha) to 2011/2012

(137,439ha). However, there was a decrease of 46.4 percent between 2011/2012 and

2012/2013 periods.

0

50000

100000

150000

200000

250000

300000

350000

2008/2009 2009/2010 2010/2011 2011/2012 2012/2013

Hectares

Period


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Figure 2: Area Fallow in Hectares (ha) by Period (2008/2009-2012/2013)

Source: Agricultural Production Survey

1.4.3 Inorganic and Organic Fertilizer Application

Fertilizer is either a chemical or organic compound that is applied to plant for the

purpose of providing supplemental nutrition to enhance all or a number of the plants

growth characteristics. Inorganic fertilizer is a chemical (synthetic) fertilizer used to

improve plant growth by supplying nutrients. Organic fertilizer refers to natural material

added to the soil to supply nutrients essential to the growth of plants.

Figure 3 portrays area applied fertilizers in hectares by type and period (2009/2010 to

2011/2012). The general observation is that organic fertilizers are used more than

inorganic fertilizers throughout the periods. Fertilizer application was low in 2010/2011

with 32,193ha and 49,801ha for inorganic and organic fertilizers respectively.

Figure 3: Area Applied Fertilizers in Hectares (ha) by Type and Period (2009/2010-2011/2012)

Source: Agricultural Production Surveys

1.4.4 Pesticide Application

In the process of plant growth, pesticides are used to kill, repel or control certain

forms of animals live that are considered to be pests.

0

20000

40000

60000

80000100000

120000

140000

160000

2008/2009 2009/2010 2010/2011 2011/2012 2012/2013

Hectare

s

Period

0

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

60000

70000

80000

90000

2009/2010 2010/2011 2011/2012

Hectares

Period

Inorganic

organic


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Figure 4 depicts area applied pesticides in hectares by period (2009/2010 to

2011/2012).The area applied pesticides was high in 2010/2011 period with 57,797ha

and low in 2009/2010 period with 30,370ha.

Figure 4: Area Applied Pesticide in Hectares (ha) by Period (2009/2010 to 2011/2012)

Agricultural Production Surveys

1.4.5 Area Irrigated

Agricultural irrigated land refers to agricultural areas purposely provided with water,

including land irrigated by controlled flooding.

Figure 5 illustrates area irrigated in hectares by period (2008/2009 to 2012/2013).The

irrigated area showed an increasing pattern from 2008/2009 (778ha) to 2012/2013

(1,189ha) recording 34.6 percent.

Figure 5: Area Irrigated in Hectares (ha) by Period (2008/2009 to 2012/2013)

Source: Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security

0

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

60000

70000

2009/2010 2010/2011 2011/2012

Hectares

Period

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

2008/2009 2009/2010 2010/2011 2011/2012 2012/2013

H

ectares

Period


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1.5 Forests and other Wooded Land Area

Area covered by forests refers to Land under forestry or no land use, spanning more

than 0.005 km2(0.5 hectares); with trees higher than 5 meters and a canopy cover of

more than 10 percent, or trees able to reach these thresholds in situ. Area covered by

other wooded land refer to land under forestry or no land use, spanning more than

0.005 km2(0.5 hectares); with trees higher than 5 meters and a canopy cover of 5-10

percent, or trees able to reach these thresholds in situ; or with a combined cover of

shrubs, bushes and trees above 10 percent.

Figure 6 portrays area planted forest trees in hectares by period (2008/2009 to

2012/2013). The highest number of trees planted was observed in 2010/2011

covering an area of 2,700ha while the least was in 2012/2013 covering an area of

1,855ha.

Figure 6: Area Planted Forest Trees in Hectares by Period (2008/2009-2012/2013)

Source: Ministry of Forestry and Land Reclamation

1.6 Built-up and related land

This refers to land under houses, roads, mines and quarries as well as any other

facilities, including their auxiliary spaces, deliberately installed for the pursuit of

human activities. Included are also certain types of open land (non-built-up), which

are closely related to these activities, such as waste tips, derelict land in built-up

areas, junk yards, city parks and gardens. Land occupied by scattered farm

buildings, yards and their annexes is excluded. Land under closed villages or similar

rural localities are included.

1.6.1 Land Under Roads

The lengths of roads were split into surfaced and un-surfaced (gravel and earth

roads).These road lengths are for the roads that link the districts within the country

(municipal roads are not included).

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

2008/2009 2009/2010 2010/2011 2011/2012 2012/2013

Hectares

Period


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Table 1 shows road lengths in square kilometers (km2) by description for the year

2013. It is generally observed from the table that gravel roads had the largest length of

3,036.60km2followed by surface roads with 1,525.90km2. Tracks registered the least

road network length of 131.89km2.

Table 1: Road lengths in Square kilometers (km2) by description for the year 2013

Description

Roads surveyedundergoing equipment-

based maintenance

Roads surveyedundergoing labour-based maintenance

Roads notsurveyed Total kilometers

Surfaced roads1,363.24 - 162.66 1,525.90

Gravel roads 638.55 896.44 1,501.61 3,036.60

Earth roads - - 1,170.15 1,170.15

Tracks - - 131.89 131.89

Total 2,001.79 896.44 2,966.31 5,864.54

Source: Roads directorate

1.7 Summary

Area planted increased by 13.1 percent between 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 periods

and area fallow decreased from 137,439ha to 73,632ha within the same period. From

2008/2009 to 2012/2013, there was an increase of 34.6 percent of area irrigated. The

highest number of trees planted was in 2010/2011 covering an area of 2,700ha and

the least was in 2012/2013 with 1,855ha. It is generally observed that gravel roadsoccupy the largest length of 3,036.60km2


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Chapter 2: Biodiversity Statistics

2.1 Introduction

Biodiversity is the variety of all living things; the different plants, animals and micro

organisms, the genetic information they contain and the ecosystems they form.

The 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) carries an internationally accepted

definition of biodiversity as the variability among living organisms from all sources,

inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and ecological complexes

of which they are part, this includes diversity within species, between species and of

ecosystems (Glowka et,al., 1994).

Number of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) is present in Lesotho, in some cases out-

competing native species. IASs are acknowledged as chief threat to biodiversity,

although in some cases also have beneficial characteristics (e.g. most of the species

are beneficial in agriculture, forestry and fisheries). The decline in native species haspartly resulted from the introduction and propagation of IASs, while a degree of

interference with the natural environment has also been observed to result in the

invasion of certain species by others (e.g. opportunistic species that set-in in

overgrazed rangelands). The status of IAS in Lesotho report refers to 3 aquatic weed

species; 3 fish species; 15 trees and shrubs species; 1 grass species; 12 terrestrial

weed species; and 6 birds and insect species.

2.2 Scope and Coverage

Data in this report is secondary and was collected from different government

Ministries. The results covered are for the entire country and ranges from 2000 to

2013.

2.3 Results

The results presented in this section indicate species (both animal and plant),

conserved catchment areas and wetlands.

2.4 Species

For the combined species records please refer to Annex B (tables 1, 2 and 3) as there

is no updated data thus far. The last inventory of species in Lesotho was done in the

year 2000 by the National Environment Secretariat.


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2.4.1 Threatened species

There were 60 mammal species identified in Lesotho, of which none are critically

endangered, one endangered, two vulnerable and one near threatened.

Endangered/vulnerable species are due to habitat loss, the result of LHWP capital

works and infrastructure clearing and construction, roadways and noise.

Table 2 shows World Bank indicators-Lesotho-biodiversity and protected areas for the

year 2000. The World Bank indicators show that the highest threatened species were

birds (5) while the least were fish species with 1.

Table 2: World Bank Indicators Lesotho biodiversity and protected areas

Biodiversity and Protected Areas Number

Terrestrial protected areas (number) in Lesotho 5.0

Bird species threatened in Lesotho (bearded vulture) 5.0

Fish species threatened in Lesotho (minnow) 1.0

Mammal species threatened in Lesotho 2.0

Plant species (higher plant species) threatened in Lesotho (spiral aloe) 1.0

CEP Contract

2.5 Conserved Catchment Areas

Silt traps, gabions, diversions, grass sodding and stone line are conservation method

structures that can be used in eroded areas to normalize the originality of such areas.

Such structures can also be used to prevent further soil erosion.

Table 3 indicates rehabilitation of degraded lands for the period 2008/2009 to

2012/2013. It is observed from the table that the highest achievement of gully

structures was in 2012/2013 with 189,825 m3. The general observation is that for

stone lines, diversion furrows, the achievements exceeded more than 100 percent of

what was targeted.

Table 3: Rehabilitation of degraded lands for the period (2008/2009 to 2012/2013)

2008/2009 2010/2011 2011/2012 2012/2013

Target Achievement Target Achievement Target Achievement Target Achievement

Gully structures(m3) N/A 157 146 000 101 266 100 000 98 790.49 109 000 189 825

Stone lines (km) 91 94.25 71 464 80 256.93 86 305Diversion furrows(km) 24.1 31.51 36 51 40 48.78 38 45.61

Grass sodding (m2) N/A 101.708 N/A 8 631 6 000 34 525.6 N/A N/A

Source: Ministry of Forestry and Land Reclamation


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2.6 Wetlands

The Bureau of Statistics monitored the three wetlands sites in Semonkong in 2013.

These sites were selected based on, among others: size, easy to access and capability

of surviving for much longer. There were also wetlands monitored and protected by an

independent organization called Katleho Moho. These wetlands are fenced and the

organization makes sure that there is no interference within these sites.

Table 4 presents dominant species and area of wetlands monitored in Semonkong for

the year 2013. It is observed from the table that wetlands monitored by Bureau of

Statistics covered the highest area of 377,729.50m2. Amongst wetlands monitored by

Katleho Moho, Ha Sekoaeloana had the highest area of 29,142m2. Scirpus spp (Roro)

was a dominating species in all locations except at Ha Phallang.

Table 4: Dominant Species and Area m2of Wetlands monitored in Semonkong for the year 2013

Location Dominant species Area (m2)

Bureau of Statistics

1.Merxmuellera macowanii (Moseha)

377,729.502.Festuca caprina (Joang)

3.Scirpus spp (Roro)

Ha Moahloli

1.Scirpus spp (Roro)

18,0982.Festuca caprina (Joang)

3.Carc spp.(Lesuoane)

4.Eragrostis curvula (Tsa'ane)

Ha Lesala 1.Scirpus spp (Roro) 22,246.95

Ha Phallang 1.Carc spp.(Lesuoane) 18,348.20

2.Merxmuellera macowanii (Moseha)

Ha Sekoaeloana1.Themeda triandra (Seboku)

29,142

2. Scirpus spp (Roro)

2.7 Summary

Approximately 3,093 species of plants have been identified in the country and 30.0

percent of those found in the Maloti/Drakensberg hot-spot areas are endemic. An

inventory of fauna shows 63 species of mammals, 318 of birds, 40 of reptiles, 19 ofamphibians, 14 of freshwater fish, and 1,279 of invertebrates. The highest threatened

species were birds (5). Highest achievement of gully structures was in 2012/2013 with

189,825 m3. Scirpus spp (Roro) was the dominating species in almost all wetlands

monitored in Semonkong.


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ANNEX A: Land Use

Table 1: Area planted for all crops by District and Period (2008/2009 -2012/2013)

District 2008/2009 2009/20010 2010/2011 2011/2012 2012/2013

Botha-Bothe 9,554 10,161 8,734 8,763 8,997

Leribe 30,357 36,201 30,831 18,794 28,931

Berea 34,983 36,970 28,339 13,942 21,888

Maseru 23,030 38,017 35,845 18,934 25,462

Mafeteng 35,261 31,716 38,419 14,031 20,534

Mohale's Hoek 31,376 27,249 24,727 12,666 15,337

Quthing 8,713 12,849 9,588 9,601 12,577

Qacha's Nek 11,769 8,793 15,089 7,605 6,946

Mokhotlong 18,532 25,460 29,820 25,326 18,347

Thaba-Tseka 27,680 16,420 17,133 14,616 14,740

Lesotho 231,255 243,835 238,524 144,278 173,759

Table 2: Area Fallow by District and Period (2008/2009-2012/2013)

District 2008/2009 2009/2010 2010/2011 2011/2012 2012/2013

Botha-Bothe 1,160 1,662 959 2,588 1,208

Leribe 7,312 11,672 7,351 27,682 16,671

Berea 8,030 8,752 15,396 19,063 12,052

Maseru 6,359 9,110 10,863 20,172 7,564

Mafeteng 7,004 17,266 17,156 29,444 19,486

Mohale's Hoek 9,448 15,228 9,105 19,793 7,191

Quthing 3,087 5,142 2,314 8,128 3,927

Qacha's Nek 2,954 1,795 1,805 4,452 1,921

Mokhotlong ,851 4,789 2,261 3,634 2,800

Thaba-Tseka 2,055 2,242 2,014 2,187 813

Lesotho 48,260 77,658 69,224 137,143 73,632


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Table 3: Fertilizer Application by Type of Inorganic Fertilizer Used, Quantity (`000) in Metric Tonnes(mt) or Liters (l), Area in Hectares (ha) and Period (2010/2011-2011/2012)

Type of Inorganic Fertilizer

2010/2011 2011/2012

Quantity Area Quantity Area

Double supers 65 1,058 1,909 1,147

Single Supers 108 991 588 718

3:2:1(35) 165 900 2,745 2,500

3:2:1(25) 2,254 13,012 28,162 13,186

LAN 28 169 0 0

2:3:2(22) 1,185 6,999 16,412 7,916

Lime 27 64 0 0

Urea 5 4 74 29

3:2:1(32) 876 3,237 13,855 4,542

3:2:1(30) 254 1,146 597 439

Other (EM, combination) 105,557 4,613 10,267 4,445

Total 32193 34922

Table 4: Pesticide Application by Type of Pesticides Used, Quantity (`000) in Milliliters (ml) or MetricTonnes (mt), Area in Hectares (ha) and Year (2011/2012)

Type of Pesticides Quantity Area

Malathion 2,402 2,445

Metasystox 723 188

Ripcort 0 0

Karate 15,148 2,625

Lanacol 295 3,186

Alphicides 108 154Dithane 1,055 181

Cutworm bait 99 96

Fastac 0 0

Avalanche 53,162 11,948

Alphethrin 111 130

Camprin 91 173

Combination 0 0

Other 2,359 1,806

Table 5: Area Irrigated in Hectares (ha) by Period (2008/2009-2012/2013)

Land useYear

2008/2009 2009/2010 2010/2011 2011/2012 2012/2013

Land Irrigated 778 844 929 1,100 1,189


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Table 6: Area Covered in Hectares (ha) and Percentage by Type of Land Cover for the Year 1988

Land Cover Type Coverage (ha) Percentage

Rangeland 1,981,896 64.8

Cropland 754,002 24.7

Villages 98,802 3.2

Rock 103,798 3.4

Gullied 59,572 1.9

Water 33,179 1.1

Other 1,581 0.8

Lesotho 3,057,066 100


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ANNEX B: Biodiversity

Table1: Animal Species by Type and Number 2000

Type of Animal Species Number of current species Number of historical species

Mammals 63 19

Birds 318 22

Reptiles 40 3

Amphibians 19 *

Fish 14 *

Invertebrates 1,279 *

Total 1,733 44

Table 2: Vertebrates Status by Type - 2000

Status

VertebratesType Abundant Common Uncommon Rare Single Record Historical Total

Mammals 3 10 15 27 8 19 82

Birds 30 86 81 80 41 22 340

Reptiles 3 11 1 16 9 3 43

Amphibians 6 2 4 5 2 * 19

Fish 1 8 5 * * * 14

Table 3: Plant Species by Type and Number 2000

Type of Plant Species Number of species Number of subspecies

THALLOPHYTES (Algae and Fungi) 132 *

BRYOTHYTES- (Mosses, Liverworts and Hornworts) 279 3

PTERIDOPHYTES (ferns and fern allies) 85 1

GYMNOSPERMS 62 1

ANGIOSPERMS- (Monocotyledons and Dicotyledons) 2,535 172

TOTAL 3,093 177


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Table 4: Wetlands Monitored in Semonkong by Bureau of Statistics and Katleho Moho for the Year 2012/2013

LocationVegetationcover (%)

DominantSpecies

Barespace(%)

Rillsanddongas Rodents Area (m2)

BOS Thaba- Putsoa 95 Moseha 5 Present Present 170,301

Litelleng 100 Joang 0 Present Absent 29,710.50

Letlapeng Masuoaneng 92 Roro 8 Present Present 177,718

Ha Moahloli Makheka 98 Roro 2 Absent Absent 5,928.90

Mabote 100 Joang 0 Absent Present 8,210.30

Mabitleng 90 Joang 10 Absent Absent 1,919.75SekhutlongMokhoabong 97

Roro andLeshoane 3 Present Present 7,66.35

Sekhutlong 100 Tsa'ane 0 Present Absent 2,039.05

Ha Lesala Maluke-luke nokeng 90 Roro 10 Absent Absent 11,462.50

Sekoatlelane 95 Roro 5 Absent Absent 5,785.60

Selibeng sa bale 95 Roro 5 Present Absent 1,676.70

Masapong 100 Roro 0 Present Absent 3,322.15

Ha Phallang Selibeng sa basione 99 Lesuoane 1 Absent Absent 3,342.20

Makhoalipana 98 Moseha 2 Present Absent 15,006

HaSekoaeloana Lekhalong 70 Seboku 30 Present Absent 15,786

Sekoting 98 Roro 2 Present Absent 4,083.30

Ka mora motse 100 Roro 0 Present Absent 4,109.10

Ha Beleme/near Lodge 60 Roro 40 Present Absent 5,164

2013 Biodiversity Land Use and Cover

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