Kenya Wetlands Atlas
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WetlandsKENYA ATLAS KENYA WETLANDS ATLAS i Copyright ©2012, Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources, Kenya. ISBN: 978-9966-21-178-1 This publication may be produced in whole or in part and in any form for educational or non-profit purposes without special permission from the copyright holder, provided acknowledgement of the source is made. The Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources (MEMR) would appreciate receiving a copy of any publication that uses this report as a source. No use of this publication may be made for resale or for any other commercial purpose whatsoever without prior permission in writing of the Ministry. This is a Government of Kenya Publication. For bibliographic and reference purposes this publication should be referred to as: “MEMR (2012). Kenya Wetlands Atlas“ Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources P.O. Box 30126-00100, Nairobi, Kenya. To obtain copies of this publication, please contact: The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources P.O. Box 30126-00100 Nairobi Tel +254202730808/9 Fax +254202734722 Email: psoffi[email protected] Website: www.environment.go.ke Printed by Progress Press Co Ltd, Malta. This report was prepared using funds provided by the Government of Kenya and DANIDA with technical support from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the agencies cooperating in this project. The designations employed and the presentations do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of MEMR or cooperating agencies. Mention of a commercial company or product in this report does not imply endorsement by MEMR. The use of information from this publication for publicity or advertising is not permitted. Trademark names and symbols are used in an editorial fashion with no intention of infringement on trademark or copyright laws. We regret any errors or omissions that may have been unwittingly made. UNEP promotes environmentally sound practices globally and in its own activities. This publication is printed on 100 per cent chlorine free paper from sustainably managed forests. Our distribution policy aims to reduce UNEP’s carbon footprint. Cover photos: Lauren Pressley/Flickr (front) ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Foreword .....................................................................................................................iii The Tana Basin .........................................................................................................32 Preface ..........................................................................................................................iv The Tana Delta ...........................................................................................34 Production and Editorial Teams ...........................................................................v The Athi River Basin ...............................................................................................37 Acronyms ....................................................................................................................vi Lake Amboseli ...........................................................................................38 List of Figures, Tables and Boxes ........................................................................vii Nairobi River ...............................................................................................43 Conclusion ................................................................................................................43 CHAPTER 1: AN OVERVIEW OF KENYA’S WETLANDS References .................................................................................................................44 AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK CHAPTER 3: TRANSBOUNDARY WETLANDS Introduction ................................................................................................................1 Introduction .............................................................................................................47 Characteristics of Wetlands....................................................................................1 Lake Victoria .............................................................................................................47 Hydrology ......................................................................................................1 Threats ..........................................................................................................48 Biological Community ...............................................................................2 Fluctuating Water Levels ............................................................48 Vegetation ..........................................................................................2 Population Growth ......................................................................48 Animals ...............................................................................................3 Invasive Alien Plant Species ......................................................50 Soils ..................................................................................................................3 Sedimentation and Siltation ....................................................50 Categories of Kenya’s Wetlands ............................................................................4 Transboundary Initiatives ....................................................................................50 Riverine ...........................................................................................................7 The Sio-Siteko Wetland System .........................................................................51 Lacustrine .......................................................................................................7 Threats ..........................................................................................................51 Palustrine ........................................................................................................9 Changes in Hydrological Conditions .....................................51 Estuarine .........................................................................................................9 Land Use Changes ........................................................................52 Marine .............................................................................................................9 Conflicts over Resource Use .....................................................52 Human-made .............................................................................................10 Transboundary Initiatives ......................................................................52 Regulatory Framework .........................................................................................12 The Mara River Basin .............................................................................................53 International Policy and Legal Framework .....................................12 Threats ..........................................................................................................53 Domestic Policy and Legal Framework ............................................13 Population Pressure .....................................................................53 Policy Framework .........................................................................13 Resource Utilization and Conflicts .........................................54 Legal Framework ..........................................................................13 Lake Jipe ....................................................................................................................54 Conclusion ................................................................................................................15 Threats ..........................................................................................................54 References .................................................................................................................15 Shrinking Surface Area and Water Depth ............................54 Overgrazing and Siltation .........................................................54 CHAPTER 2: INTERNAL WETLANDS Declining Fisheries .......................................................................56 Human-Wildlife Conflict .............................................................56 Introduction .............................................................................................................17 Water Pollution and Solid Waste Management .................56 Lake Victoria North Basin Wetlands .................................................................19 Lake Chala .................................................................................................................57 Kingwal Swamp ........................................................................................22 Lake Turkana ............................................................................................................57 Lake Victoria South Basin Wetlands .................................................................23 Threats ..........................................................................................................59 Nyando (Kusa) Swamp ...........................................................................24 Conflict Due to Food Insecurity...............................................60