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Home ITCGlobal impactWater hyacinths: Use them or lose them?

Water hyacinths: Use them or lose them?

TimelineFrom October 2023 to 30 October 2027
ThemeResource security
CountriesZimbabwe
Funded byNWO

Water hyacinth (WHY) is an invasive species in (sub-)tropical inland waterbodies that clogs waterways and intakes and affects aquatic life and human activities, and may facilitate the spread of diseases. On the other hand, WHY can be exploited for biofuel production and other sources of income. A sustainable solution to water hyacinth infestation “uses” WHY instead of only attempting to “lose” them. This project uses scientific research, satellite data, and stakeholder experiences to co-create such solutions for Lake Chivero, the main source of drinking water to Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe.

Figure 1: Schematic of the holistic approach of the WHYimprove project

Figure 1: Schematic of the holistic approach of the WHYimprove project

To be effective and sustainable, new strategies to manage WHY must be developed with a holistic view that accounts for humans and the ecosystem, users and managers, scientists and stakeholders. Our approach is composed of four elements:

  1. Fundamental scientific research into causes and effects of WHY and degraded water quality, in which we recognize WHY both as a symptom and as a biomarker of degraded water quality. The research rests on the two pillars of satellite data and local fieldwork
  2. Collection of stakeholder perspectives – particularly those of local farmers, fishermen, and women, but also, e.g., water managers and healthcare professionals – and integration into the development process of WHY management strategies
  3. Engaging stakeholders by co-creation efforts from the beginning throughout the project up to and including its end and evaluation; and by participatory science projects that provide ownership of the WHY management challenge and potential solutions
  4. Knowledge sharing by providing open-access data, tools (mobile phone apps and a dashboard), open-access journal articles, a low-level newsletter, and by educating women on water quality and hygiene

Workpackages

These elements are addressed in six workpackages:

  • Workpackage 1: Development of a satellite algorithm for WHY detection and monitoring
  • Workpackage 2: Investigation of causes of WHY infestation and development of prediction model
  • Workpackage 3: Investigation of effects of WHY on WEF nexus
  • Workpackage 4: Water hyacinth, water quality, and human health
  • Workpackage 5: Exploration of methods of valorisation (“using WHY”)
  • Workpackage 6: Co-creation of WHY management strategies

Contact

  • Project lead
    • Dr. Marloes Penning de Vries, Assistant Professor at ITC, University of Twente, Netherlands
      m.j.m.penningdevries@utwente.nl
    • Dr. Timothy Dube, Professor at University of the Western Cape, South Africa
      tidube@uwc.ac.za
  • ITC project members
    • Dr. Carmen Anthonj, Assistant Professor at ITC, University of Twente, Netherlands
    • Prof. Lisette De Senerpont Domis, University of Twente, Netherlands (also at NIOO-KNAW)
    • Finn Münch, PhD student at ITC, University of Twente, Netherlands
    • Mgcini Ncube, PhD student at ITC, University of Twente, Netherlands
    • Dr. Frank Badu Osei, Assistant Professor at ITC, University of Twente, Netherlands.
    • Tom Postmus, MSc student at ITC, University of Twente, Netherlands
    • Prof. Daphne van der Wal, Professor at ITC, University of Twente, Netherlands (also at NIOZ)
  • External project members
    • Dr Thomas Marambanyika, Human Geography Lecturer, Midlands State University, Zimbabwe
    • Dr. Piet Lens, IHE-UNESCO Institute for Water Education, Delft, Netherlands
    • Mr. Ntandokamlimu Nondo, Principal Research Officer, Environmental Management Agency, Zimbabwe
    • Dr. Frank Badu Osei, Assistant Professor at ITC, University of Twente, Netherlands.
    • Dr. Cletah Shoko, Geospatial Science Senior Lecturer, University of Witwatersrand, South Africa
    • Prof. Daphne van der Wal, Professor at ITC, University of Twente, Netherlands

Contact persons

dr.ing. M.J.M. Penning de Vries
Project leader
Global impact
Resource security

The world on which we live provides a fascinating palette of vital resources and services. How can people use these resources in a responsible way? ITC, as a knowledge partner, supports society in answering this question, through scientific research and collaboration with data providers and users of geoinformation.

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