Background information on Nyando Wetland.
This chapter addresses the geological, geomorphological, climatic and hydrological conditions prevailing in the Nyando Wetland and the surrounding area. Nyando Wetland is part of the many papyrus dominated wetlands in the Lake Victoria Basin. The wetland is located at the mouth of Nyando River but it is contiguous with other lakeshore wetlands forming the second largest wetland (14,400ha) on the Kenyan side of the Lake Victoria Basin. Within it are a number of small wetlands whose major sources of water include direct precipitation, runoff from upland areas, inflow from rivers, recharge from aquifers and backflow from the lake during flooding. The wetland is incised within the Kano Plains, which is a floodplain riparian zone transitional between the surrounding upland areas on one end and the Lake Victoria at the other extreme end. Land-use activities in the upper Nyando River Basin have a strong bearing on the Nyando Wetland through their influences on water quantity and water quality. Because of deforestation activities in the upper basin, water quality has been deteriorating and quantity fluctuating in the river, with increased peak flows during the rains resulting in widespread flooding in the lowlands. During the dry season, base flows in the rivers and streams are considerably reduced, resulting in the drying up of large sections of the wetlands. The wetlands are rich with diverse plants and animal life. The common species of macrophytes, macroinvertebrate, amphibians, reptiles, fish, birds found in the wetlands are also presented together with their conservation status. The Nyando Wetland has undergone changes as a result of climatic and human-induced perturbations within the wetlands themselves and in the catchment of rivers draining into or through the wetlands. These activities continue to compromise the ecological integrity of this fragile ecosystem. The sustainable conservation and management of the wetlands would benefit greatly from concerted efforts by all stakeholders.
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Book Section biblioteca |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Kenya Disastern Concern - VIRED - UNDP
2012
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| Subjects: | Wetlands, Inland waters, Geomorphology, Climatic changes, Land use, Resource management, |
| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/1834/7723 |
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