Introduction to Aquatic Ecosystem Delineation is a practical, field‑oriented course designed to equip learners with the foundational skills needed to identify, classify, and delineate wetlands and riparian areas in South Africa. The course introduces the conceptual, legal, and ecological frameworks that underpin aquatic ecosystem protection, including the roles of hydrology, soils, vegetation, and landscape position in shaping these systems.
Through a structured sequence of desktop and field‑based lessons, participants learn how to interpret aerial imagery, contour data, and time‑series remote sensing; how to recognise key soil and vegetation indicators; how to apply the DWAF (2005 & 2008) delineation methodologies; and how to correctly identify the outer boundaries of wetlands and riparian zones. The course emphasises hands‑on, evidence‑based assessment techniques that support regulatory compliance, sustainable land management, and informed environmental decision‑making.
By the end of the course, learners will understand the full delineation workflow—from initial desktop assessment to in‑field transect sampling and boundary verification—and will be able to confidently and defensibly delineate aquatic ecosystems within a wide range of landscapes and land‑use contexts.
In addition to the theoretical component, all concepts and methods taught in this course are applied during a three‑day practical field session, where learners visit real wetland and riparian sites, practice soil and vegetation sampling, identify hydrological zones, and refine their delineation skills under guided supervision. This practical component ensures that participants leave the course not only with theoretical knowledge, but with the hands‑on confidence required to carry out accurate delineations in the field.
If you have any questions regarding the content of the course, please email the course coordinator Steven on steven@groundtruth.co.za.
Meet the Teacher
Steven Ellery has been in or near wetlands since his feet were small enough to fit into a pair of gumboots. Growing up in a household full of wetland scientists and educators, he was surrounded by peat, pans, and parent‑led field trips from an early age—so it’s no surprise that this apple didn’t fall far from the tree.
Steven completed his Master’s degree at Rhodes University in 2018, where his dissertation explored the origins of depression wetlands in the Eastern Cape. Soon after graduating, he joined GroundTruth, and he’s been part of the team ever since. Today he works as a senior wetland ecologist, leading numerous wetland and riparian delineation projects across the country, and contributing to the research and practice that inform South Africa’s aquatic ecosystem management.
Steven also serves as the current chairperson of the South African Wetland Society, where he helps support collaboration, training, and knowledge-sharing within the wetland professional community.
Whether in the field, the classroom, or the Society boardroom, Steven brings enthusiasm, curiosity, and a deep love for wetlands to everything he does—and he’s excited to share that with you in this course.
