Wetlands & Water Resources Programme of IUCN - The World Conservation Union

Wetlands & Water Resources


A just world that values and conserves nature

A Directory of African Wetlands

by R.H. Hughes and J.S. Hughes

The conservation of Africa's wetlands is a vital aspect of general water resource management. Increasing pressure is being brought to bear on African wetland ecosystems. Many have been destroyed or degraded in recent times, and it seems likely that many more will be damaged within the next few years. Conservation action has been hampered to date by the lack of a complete review of the conservation status of African Wetlands.

This book provides such a review and describes the important wetland systems of each of the 47 African countries, providing a basis for both further research and conservation planning. Within each section, physical, biological and human characteristics of wetland systems and each important wetland are described.

817pp, ISBN 2-88032-949-3, 1992. Price : £25/US$50

Table of Contents

Foreword; Authors’ Preface
Region 1: NORTH WEST AFRICA
Introduction
Climate
Wetlands
Vegetation
Wetlands Vegetation
Wetlands Fauna
1.1. Algeria
Introduction
Climate Wetlands
List of Wetlands Described: 1. Coastal Wetlands; 2. The Oued Saoura; 3. The Chotts; 4. Oases; 5. Artificial Impoundments
1.2. Libya
Introduction
Climate
Vegetation
Wetlands
List of Wetlands Described: 1. Coastal Wetlands; 2. Oases
1.3. Mauritania
Introduction
Climate Wetlands
List of Wetlands Described: 1. Tidal Swamps; 2. Coastal Swamps & Marshes; 3. The Floodplain of the Senegal River; 4. The Senegal River Delta; 5. Natural Lakes; 6. Interior Pans - Sebkhets; 7. Oases - Oueds, Gueltas & Springs; 8. Artificial Impoundments
1.4. Morocco
Introduction
Climate Wetlands
List of Wetlands Described: 1. Tidal Wetlands; 2. Coastal Pans & Marshes; 3. River Systems; 4. Natural Lakes; 5. Artificial Impoundments
1.5. Tunisia
Introduction
Climate Wetlands
List of Wetlands Described: 1. Coastal Wetlands; 2. Chotts of the Central Basin; 3. Other Wetlands & Impoundments
1.6. Western Sahara
Introduction
Climate Wetlands
List of Wetlands Described: 1. Tidal Wetlands; 2. Coastal Wetlands; 3. Interior Wetlands - Pans & Oases
Region 2: NORTH EAST AFRICA
Introduction
Climate
Drainage
The Nile
Other Drainage Systems
Vegetation
Wetlands
Wetland Flora
Wetland Fauna
2.1. Burundi
Introduction
Vegetation
Climate
Wetlands List of Wetlands Described: 1. the Ruzizi Plain; 2. Natural Lakes; 3. Riverine Swamps & Floodplains
2.2. Djibouti
Introduction
Climate Wetlands
List of Wetlands Described: 1. Natural Lakes; 2. Interior Pans; 3. Tidal Wetlands
2.3. Egypt
Introduction
Climate
Wetlands List of Wetlands Described: 1. Wetlands of the Nile Delta; 2. The Lower Nile Valley; 3. The Suez Canal & Associated Lakes; 4. The Gulfs of Aqaba & Suez, & the Red Sea; 5. Oases; 6. Lake Nasser/Nubia
2.4. Ethiopia
Introduction
Climate Vegetation
Wetlands
List of Wetlands Described: 1. Tidal & Coastal Wetlands; 2. Lake Tana; 3. Wetlands of the Bale Mountains; 4. Lakes of Bishoftu; 5. Lakes of the SW Rift Valley; 6. Lakes & Swamps of the Awash River System; 7. Lakes of the Danakil (Afar) Depression; 8. River Floodplains; 9. Artificial Impoundments; 10. Other Wetlands
2.5. Kenya
Introduction
Drainage Climate
Vegetation
Wetlands List of Wetlands Described: 1. Tidal Wetlands; 2. The Lotikipi Plain; 3. Riverine Swamps & Floodplains; 4. Natural Lakes; 5. Isolated Swamps & Pans; 6. Minor Lakes; 7. Artificial Impoundments
2.6. Rwanda
Introduction
Climate
Vegetation
Wetlands List of Wetlands Described: 1. The Nyawarungu /Akanyaru River System; 2. Lake Kivu; 3. The Mushaka Swamp; 4. The Kamiranzovu Swamp; 5. Crater Lakes & Swamps of the Virunga Volcanoes; 6. The Rugezi Swamp; 7. Lakes Bulera & Luhondo; 8. The Tshohoha Lakes; 9. Lake Mohasi; 10. The Mugesera/Rugwero Lake/Swamp Complex; 11. The Kaera Swamps & Lakes; 12. The Northeastern Rivers
2.7. Somalia
Introduction
Climate
Vegetation
Wetlands List of Wetlands Described: 1. Tidal Wetlands; 2. Wetlands of the Shabeelle-Jubba Rivers; 3. Wetlands of the Lachs District; 4. Bullehs, Tugs & Dholos; 5. the Central Districts; 6. Artificial Impoundments
2.8. Sudan
Introduction
Climate
Vegetation
Wetlands
List of Wetlands Described: 1. Coastal Wetlands; 2. Permanent Swamps & Seasonal Floodplains; 3. Natural Lakes; 4. Artificial Impoundments
2.9. Tanzania
Introduction
Drainage
Climate
Vegetation
Wetlands List of Wetlands Described: 1. Tidal Wetlands; 2. Riverine Wetlands; 3. Basins of Internal Drainage; 4. Natural Lakes; 5. Artificial Impoundments
2.10 Uganda
Introduction
Drainage
Climate
Vegetation
Wetlands List of Wetlands Described

1. Natural Lakes & Lacustrine Swamps

a) Lake Victoria

b) The Kyoga/Kwania Lake/Swamp Complex

c) Lake George

d) Lake Edward

e) Lake Albert

f) The Bunyoni Lake/Swamp Complex

g) The Kijanebalola Lake/Swamp Complex

h) Lakes Bisina & Opeta

i) Lake Wamala

j) Minor Lakes

2. Riverine Swamps & Floodplains

a) The Okere System

b) The Kafu System

c) The Nile

Region 3: WEST AFRICA

Introduction
Climate
Vegetation
Wetlands
Vegetation
Wetlands Fauna
3.1. Benin
Introduction
Climate
Vegetation
Wetlands
List of Wetlands Described

1. Wetlands of the Coastal Plain

a) The Coastal Lagoons

b) The Mono River Swamps

c) Lake Ahémé and the Couffo River

d) Lakes Nokoué & Porto Novo & the Oueme Delta

e) Minor Lakes & Other Wetlands

2. Wetlands on the Niger River
3. Wetlands on the Pendjari River System

3.2. Burkina Faso
Introduction
Climate
Vegetation
Wetlands
List of Wetlands Described

1. Riverine Wetlands

a) Floodplains of the Komoé River System; b) Floodplains of the Niger River System; c) Wetlands of the Volta River System; d) Wetlands of the Pendjari Drainage Basin; e) Natural Lakes; f) Artificial Impoundments
3.3. Chad
Introduction
Climate
Vegetation
Wetlands
List of Wetlands Described

1. The Bahr Aouk & Bahr Salamat Floodplains
2. The Chari River Floodplain
3. The Logone Floodplain
4. Wetlands of the Mayo Kebbi System
5. Natural Lakes

a) Lake Chad

b) Djikaré, Moilo & Rombou Lakes

c) The Ounianga Lakes

d) Rock Pools of the Ennedi Massif

e) Lake Fitri

f) Lake Iro

g) Lake Fianga

h) Lake Tikem

i) Lake N’Gara

j) The Léré Lakes

6. Wadis & Oases of the Tibesti Massif

a) The Mare of Zoui; b) The Oases of Borkou District; c) Other Oases
3.4. Côte d’Ivoire
Introduction
Climate
Wetlands
List of Wetlands Described

1. Major Lagoons

a) The Ebrié Lagoon Complex

b) The Tadio Lagoon Complex

c) The Aby Lagoon Complex

2. Minor Lagoons

a) Petit Digoué Lagoon

b) Digoué Lagoon

c) Katibo Lagoon

d) Hebé & Kodioboué Lagoons

3. Riverine Wetlands

a) Minor Western Rivers

b) The Cavally & Sassandra Rivers

c) The Bandama River

d) The Komoé River

e) The Gbanhala, Baoulé & Bagoé Rivers

4. Artificial Impoundments

a) Lake Kossou; b) Lake Buyo; c) Lake Ayamé; d) Minor Impoundments
3.5. Gambia
Introduction
Climate
Wetlands
List of Wetlands Described

1. Coastal Wetlands
2. Swamps & Marshes of the Gambia River

3.6. Ghana
Introduction
Climate
Wetlands
List of Wetland Described

1. Coastal Wetlands

a) The Western Border

b) The Amansuri Wetlands

c) Ankwao River

d) Cape Three Points to Takoradi

e) Krobu River - Cape Coast District

f) Amisa River & Lagoon

g) Nakwa River & Lagoon

h) Sumina & Apabaka Lagoons

i) The Winneba Wetlands

j) Wetlands of the Accra District

k) The Volta Delta

2. Floodplains of the North

a) The North East; b) The North West; c) Other Impoundments
3.7. Guinea
Introduction
Climate
Vegetation
Wetlands
List of Wetlands Described

1. Coastal Wetlands
2. Riverine Wetlands
3. Lakes
4. Artificial Impoundments

3.8. Guinea-Bissau
Introduction
Climate
Vegetation
Wetlands
List of Wetlands Described

1. Coastal Swamp Forests
2. Interior Wetlands

3.9. Liberia
Introduction
Climate
Wetlands
List of Wetlands Described: Coastal Wetlands; a) The Mano River; b) Lake Piso; c) The Lofa River; d) The St Paul River; e) Bassa Bwa Lagoon; f) St John River & Buchanan District; g) The Cestos River; h) The Sehnkwehn River to Greenville; i) Greenville to the Cavalla River
3.10. Mali
Introduction
Vegetation
Climate
Wetlands
List of Wetlands Described

1. the Internal Delta of the Niger

a) The Delta

b) Tributary Rivers

2. Minor Wetlands

a) Wetlands of the Senegal River System

b) Daias

3. Artificial Impoundments
4. Oases

3.11. Niger
Introduction
Climate
Vegetation
Wetlands
List of Wetlands Described

1. Wetlands of the Niger Valley
2. Wetlands of the Korama & Komadougou Yobe Systems
3. Natural Lakes

a) Lake Chad

b) Other Lake

4. Fossil Watercourses
5. Oases

a) Oases of the Aïr Mountains; b) Oases of the Djado, Kaouar & Fachi Massifs
3.12. Nigeria
Introduction
Climate
Vegetation
Wetlands
List of Wetlands Described

1. Coastal Wetlands

a) Lagos & Lekki Lagoons & Affluents

b) The Niger Delta

c) Wetlands of the Cross River

2. Riverine Wetlands

a) The Niger/Benue River System

b) The Komodugu Yobe

c) The Ngadda, Ydseram & El Beid Rivers

3. Lake Chad
4. Other Interior Wetlands
5. Artificial Impoundments

a) Lake Kainji; b) Other Impoundments
3.13. Senegal
Introduction
Climate
Wetlands
List of Wetlands Described

1. The Senegal River Floodplain
2. The Senegal River Delta Complex
3. The Saloum River & Delta
4. The Gambia River Floodplains
5. The Casamance Estuary
6. Minor Coastal Wetlands

3.14. Sierra Leone
Introduction
Climate Vegetation
Wetlands
List of Wetlands Decribed

1. Coastal Wetlands
2. Riverine Wetlands
3. Lake Confon or Sonfon
4. Artificial Impoundments

3.15. Togo
Introduction
Climate
Wetlands
List of Wetlands Described

1. Coastal Wetlands
2. Riverine Wetlands

a) Wetlands of the Mono River

b) Wetlands of the Oti River

3. Minor Wetlands

Region 4: CENTRAL AFRICA
Introduction
Climate
Vegetation
Wetlands
Wetland Flora & Fauna
4.1. Cameroon
Introduction
Climate
Vegetation
Wetlands
Wetland Flora
Wetland Fauna
List of Wetlands Described

1. Tidal Swamps
2. Wetlands of the Coastal Plain
3. Floodplains of the North

a) The Logone/Chari/el Beid System

b) The Faro/Benoue/Kebbi System

4. Floodplains of the Central Districts

a) The Upper Sangha System

b) The Upper Sanaga System

c) The Nyong River System

5. Natural Lakes

a) The Crater Lakes

b) Lake Chad

c) Lake Fianga

d) The Coastal Lakes

6. Artificial Impoundments

4.2. Central African Republic
Introduction
Climate
Wetlands
Wetland Flora
Wetland Fauna
List of Wetlands Described

1. Wetlands of the Southern Region
2. Wetlands of the Northern Region

4.3. Congo
Introduction
Climate
Wetlands
Wetland Flora
Wetland Fauna
List of Wetlands Described

1. The Cuvette Congolaise
2. The Ivindo/Djoua Headwater Basin
3. The Dihésé Plain & Niari Valley
4. Wetlands of the Coastal Plain
5. Wetlands of the Lower Congo River

4.4. Equatoral Guinea
Introduction
Climate
Wetlands
Wetland Flora
Wetland Fauna
4.5. Gabon
Introduction
Climate
Wetlands
Wetland Flora
Wetland Fauna
List of Wetlands Described

1. Wetlands of the Coastal Plain
2. Wetlands of the Ivindo River Headwater Basin
3. Wetlands of the Upper Ogoué Valley
4. Wetlands of the Nigounié River

4.6. Zaire
Introduction
Climate
Wetlands
Flora & Fauna
List of Wetlands Described

1. Wetlands of Bas-Zaire
2. Wetlands of South Bandundu, Kasai Occidental
3. Wetlands of Shaba Province

(a) the High Plateau Country

(b) Lake Mweru

(d) Lake Tshangalele & the Upper Lualaba River

4. Wetlands of the Central Zaire Basin

(a) Riverine Swamps & Forests

(b) Lake Tumba (c) Lake Mai Ndombe

5. Wetlands of the Eastern Highlands
6. Lake Tanganyika & the Ruzizi Plain

(a) Lake Tanganyika

(b) The Ruzizi Plain

7. Lake Kivu
8. Lake Edward
9. The Semliki River Valley
10. Lake Albert

Region 5: SOUTHERN AFRICA
Introduction
Climate
Drainage
Wetlands
The Southeast African Coastal Plain
The Zambezi Basin
Vegetation
Wetland Flora & Fauna
5.1. Angola
Introduction
Drainage
Climate
Vegetation
Wetlands
Wetland Flora
Wetland Fauna
List of Wetlands Described

1. Wetlands of the Cunene River System
2. Wetlands of the Cubango River System
3. Wetlands of the Southeastern Interior

(a) The Cuando River System

(b) Interior Regions of Impeded Drainage

4. Wetlands of the Central Eastern Interior
5. Wetlands of the Upper Cuanza System
6. Coastal Lakes and Floodplains
7. Tidal Wetlands (Mangoves & Saltmarshes)
8. Wetlands of Uige & North Lunda Provinces
9. Wetlands of Cabinda

5.2. Botswana
Introduction
Climate
Wetlands
Wetland Flora
Wetland Fauna
List of Wetlands Described

1. The Okavango Delta
2. Lake Ngami
3. The Makgadikgadi Pans
4. Savuti Marsh & the Mababe Depression
5. Wetlands of the Linyanti/Chobe Rives
6. The Nogatsau Pans
7. Artificial Impoundments

5.3. Lesotho
Introduction
Climate
Wetlands
Wetland Flora
Wetland Fauna
Human Impact & Utilisation
Conservation Status
5.4. Malawi
Introduction
Climate
Wetlands
Wetland Flora
Wetland Fauna
List of Wetlands Described

1. Marshes of the Ruwenya Hills
2. Marshes of Fort Hill Plain
3. Wetlands of the South Rukuru River System

(a) Northern Tributaries

(b) Vwaza Marsh

4. Marshes of Kasungu Plain & Bua River

(a) Northern Tributaries

(b) Vwaza Marsh

5. Marshes of the Lilongwe Plain
6. Lake Malawi
7. Wetlands associated with Lake Malawi

(a) Karonga Lakeshore Plain

(b) Limpasa Dambo

(d) Salima Lakeshore Plain

8. Lake Malombe
9. The Shire Marshes
10. Lake Chilwa
11. Lake Chiuta

5.5. Mozambique
Introduction
Climate
Wetlands
Wetland Flora
Wetland Fauna
List of Wetlands Described

1. Tidal (Mangrove) Swamps
2. Coastal Lakes & Lagoonal Systems
3. Riverine Swamps & Floodplains

(a) The Rivers of Maputaland

(b) The Limpopo System

(d) The Save, Gorongose, Buzi and Pungue Rivers

(e) The Lower Zambezi River

(f) Rivers of Zambezia Province

(g) Rivers of the NE Coast

4. Lake Cahora Bassa
5. Interior Lakes

(a) Lake Malawi; (b) Lake Amaramba; (c) Lake Chiuta; (d) Lake Chilwa
8.6. Namibia
Introduction
Climate Wetlands
Flora & Fauna
List of Wetlands Described

1. Coastal Wetlands

(a) Walvis Bay

(b) Sandwich Harbour

(d) Cunene River Mouth

(e) The Orange River Mouth

2. Oshakati Pan System
3. The Caprivi Wetlands

(a) The Cubango Wetlands

(b) The Cuando-Linyanti-Chobe-Zambezi System

4. Etosha Pan
5. Lakes Guinas and Otjikoto
6. Other Floodplains and Pans
7. Sossusvlei & Tsondabvlei
8. Periodic Streams

9. Artificial Impoundments; (a) Hardap Dam; (b) Augeigas Dam; (c) Sartorius von Bach Dam; (d) Naute Dam
5.7. South Africa
Introduction
Climate
Wetlands
Wetland Flora
Wetland Fauna
List of Wetlands Described

1. Tidal Wetlands

(a) Minor Systems

(b) The Kosi Lake System

2. Coastal Lakes & Swamps

(a) Minor Systems

(b) The St Lucia Lake System

3. Riverine Floodplains & Swamps

(a) Minor Systems

(b) The Pongolo River Floodplain

4. Lakes & Pans of the Interior

(a) Minor Pans

(b) Barberspan

5. Montane Wetlands
6. Artificial Impoundments

(a) Hendrik Verwoerd Dam; (b) Vaal Dam; (c) Bloemhof Dam; (d) P.K. le Roux Dam; (e) Pongolapoort Dam
5.8. Swaziland
Introduction
Climate
Wetlands
Wetland Flora
Wetland Fauna
5.9. Zambia
Introduction
Climate
Wetlands
Wetland Flora
Wetland Fauna
List of Wetlands Described

1. Wetlands of the Upper Zambezi Valley

(a) Swamps of the Kabompo River

(b) Swamps of the Lungue-Bungo River

(d) Nyengo Swamps

(e) The Lueti & Lui Swamps

(f) The Barotse Floodplain

(g) The Sesheke-Maramba Floodplain

2. Wetlands of the Kafue Basin

(a) Swamps of the Upper Catchments

(b) Busanga Swamp

(d) The Kafue Flats

3. Wetlands of the Luangwa Valley
4. Wetlands of the Bangweulu Basin
5. The Lake Mweru System

(a) Lake Mweru & the Luapula Floodplain

(b) Lake Mweru Wa Ntipa

6. Lake Tanganyika
7. Lakes Lusiwasi & Ishiba Ngandu
8. Artificial Impoundments

(a) Lake Kariba; (b) Kafue Gorge Dam; (c) Lake Itezhitezhi; (d) Mita Hills & Mulungushi Dams
5.10. Mozambique
Introduction
Climate
Wetlands
Wetland Flora & Fauna
list of Wetlands Described

1. The Mid-Zambezi Valley and Mana Pools
2. Wetlands of the Save River System
3. Gorhwe and Manjinji Pans
4. Pans of the Western Districts
5. Artificial Impoundments

(a) Lake Kariba; (b) Lake Kyle; (c) Impoundments of the Hunyani River; (d) Other Impoundments
Region 6: MADAGASCAR
Introduction
Climate
Wetlands
Vegetation
Wetland Fauna
List of Wetlands Described

1. Tidal Swamps
2. Wetlands of the Coastal Plain

(a) Pangalances-East Lagoon Complex

(b) Loza Lagoon

(d) Other Coastal Lagoons

3. Floodplains and Inland Swamps

(a) The Betsiboka River System

(b) The Sofia River System

(d) Anketraka Swamp

4. Natural Lakes

(a) Lake Alaotra

(b) Lake Kinkony

(d) Lake Itasy

(e) Lake Tsimanampetsotsa

(f) Other Natural Lakes

5. Artificial Impoundments

(a) Tsiazompaniry Reservoir

(b) Mantasoa Reservoir