Leverage Points for Decelerating Wetland Degradation: A Case Study of the Wetland Agricultural System in Uganda

Indiscriminate expansion of agricultural activities into wetlands affects the sustainability of wetland-dependent livelihoods. Systems research is an important tool for identifying and dealing with the underlying drivers of wetland degradation; however, there is limited research employing system tools in Sub-Saharan Africa. This research employed causal loop diagrams and system archetypes to characterize common wetland resource systems in Sub-Saharan Africa, using the wetland agricultural system of Uganda as a case study. Mental models of wetland users were indirectly elicited by interviewing 66 wetland users. Causal loop diagrams were generated to illustrate the multiple, interdependent feedback linkages within the system. The case study wetland is mainly used for farming (40%), vegetation harvesting (26%), and fishing (24%), while other activities like hunting and grazing are carried out by 10% of wetland users. A reinforcing feedback loop was dominant, illustrating how initial encroachment on the wetland to meet livelihood needs can accelerate further encroachment. Based on the dominant loop and current interventions, we characterized the system using three archetypes: tragedy of the commons, shifting the burden, and fixes that fail. A two-pronged approach was proposed, where solutions for decelerating wetland degradation, like restoration activities, can be implemented in the short term while planning long-term measures that take into account the need for alternative livelihoods for wetland-dependent communities and targeting a paradigm shift through continuous sensitization of stakeholders on the benefits of sustainable wetland management.