Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Kafue Flats in Zambia, Africa: A Lost Floodplain?

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Sustaining the World's Wetlands

Abstract

In parts of sub-Saharan Africa, as well as South America, India, and southeast Asia, interior riverine wetlands are stressed or altered by dams and reservoir projects for hydroelectric, irrigation, and flood control “benefits” (Dugan 1988, Nelson et al. 1989, Scudder 1989). Resultant impacts from hydroelectric alteration and lack of flooding downstream affect both biodiversity and human use of floodplain wetlands for agriculture, fiber, and medicinal plant usage (Duggan 1988, Mathooko and Kariuki 2000, Tockner and Stanford 2002).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Acreman, M. 1994. The role of artificial flooding in the integrated development of river basins in Africa. In C. Kirby and W. R. White (eds.) Integrating River Basin Development, pp. 35–44. Chichester, UK: John Wiley and Sons.

    Google Scholar 

  • Acreman, M. C. 1996. The IUCN Sahelian Floodplain Initiative, networking to build capacity to manage Sahelian floodplain resources sustainably. International Journal of Water Resources Development, 12(4): 429–436.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Backstrom, M. and B. Jonsson. 1996. A Sediment Study in the Kafue River, Zambia. Unpublished Masters Thesis, Lulea University of Technology, Lulea, 96 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bayley, D. B. 1995. Understanding large river systems: Floodplain ecosystems. Bioscience, 45(3): 153–158.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bayley, D. B. 2006. The flood pulse advantage and the restoration of river floodplain systems. Regulated Rivers; Research and Management, 6(2): 75–86.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beilfuss, R. D. and B. R. Davies. 1999. Prescribed flooding and the rehabilitation of the Zambezi Delta, Mozambique. In W. J. Streever, (ed.) An International Perspective on Wetland Rehabilitation, pp. 143–158. The Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Bell, R. H. V., J. J. Grimsdell, L. P. van Lavieren, and J. A. Sayer. 1973. Census of the Kafue Lechwe by a modified method of areal stratified sampling. East African Wildlife Journal 11: 55–75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brock, M. A. and K. H. Rodgers 1998. The regeneration potential of the seed bank of an ephemeral floodplain in South Africa. Aquatic Ecology, 61(2): 123–135.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bruwer, C., C. Poultney, and Z. Nyathi. 1996. Community based hydrological management of the Phongolo floodplain. In M. Acreman and G.E. Hollis (eds.) Water Management and Wetlands in Sub-Saharan Africa, pp. 199–212. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN/The World Conservation Union.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burke, A. 1992. The Cranes Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan, Wattled Crane (Bugeranus carnunculatus). USGS, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Ctr, 23 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chabwela, H. N. W. 1998. Case Study Zambia: Integrating Water Conservation and population Strategies on the Kafue Flats. In A. Sherbinin and V. Dompka (eds.) Water and Population Dynamics: Case Studies and Policy Implications, Washington, DC: AAAS, and http://www.aaas.org/international/ehn/waterpop/zambia.htm

  • Chapman, D. W., W. H. Miller, R. G. Dudley, and R. J. Scully. 1971. Ecology of the Fishes in the Kafue River. Rome: FAO FI: SF/Zam 11: Tech. Rep. 2, 66 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chooye, P. M. and C. A. Drijver. 1995. Changing views on the development of the Kafue Flats in Zambia. In H. Roggeri (ed.) Tropical Freshwater Wetlands, Dordrecht, Netherlands: Kluver Academic Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Douthwaite, R. J. 1974a. An endangered population of Wattled Cranes (Grus carunculatus). Biological Conservation, 6(2): 134–142.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Douthwaite, R. J. 1974b. The Ecology of the Ducks (Anatidae) on the Kafue Flats, Zambia. Lusaka: Final Report to the Kafue Basin Research Committee, Univ. of Zambia, 103 pp. (mimeograph.).

    Google Scholar 

  • Douthwaite, R. J. 1982. Water birds: Their ecology and future on the Kafue Flats. In Howard and Williams, 1982, pp. 137–140.

    Google Scholar 

  • Douthwaite, R. J., and L. P. van Lavieren. 1977. A Description of the Vegetation of Lochinvar National Park Zambia. Nat. Coun. Sci. Res. Tech. Rpt. (Lusaka), 34, 66 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dudley, R. G. and R. J. Sculley. 1980. Changes in experimental gill net catches from the Kafue Floodplain, Zambia, since construction of the Kafue Gorge Dam.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dugan, P. J. 1988. The importance of rural communities in wetlands conservation and development. In D. D. D. Cook et al. (eds.) The Ecology and Management of Wetlands, Volume 1: Management Use and Value of Wetlands, pp. 3–11. Portland Oregon: Timber Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellenbroek, G. A. 1987. Ecology and Productivity of an African Wetland System. Dordrecht/Boston/Lancaster: Dr. W. Junk Pub. / Kluwer Acad. Pub. Group.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Evans, S. Y., K. Bradbrook, R. Braund, and G. Bergkamp. 2003. Assessment of the restoration potential of the Logone floodplain (Cameroon). Water and Environment Journal, 17(2): 123–128.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • FAO. 1968. Multipurpose Survey of the Kafue River Basin, Zambia, Rome: FAO/SF; 35 ZAM, 7 vols.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gammelsrod, T. 1996. Effect of Zambezi River management of the prawn fishery of the Sofala Bank. In M. C. Acreman and G. E. Hollis (eds.) Water Management and Wetlands in Sub-Saharan Africa, pp. 119–124. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN.

    Google Scholar 

  • Giller, P. S. 2005. River restoration: seeking ecological standards. Journal of Applied Ecology 42(2): 201–207.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • GRZ (Government of the Republic of Zambia). 1982. A Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Land Maters of Southern Province. Lusaka, Zambia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Handlos, W. L. 1977. Aspects of Kafue Basin Ecology—. In Williams and Howard, 1977, pp. 29–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Handlos, D. M., W. L. Handlos, and G.W. Howard. 1976. A study of the diet of the Kafue Lechwe (Kobus leche) by analysis of rumen contents. In Proc. Fourth Regional Wildlife Conf. East Central Africa (Dept. NP &WS, Lusaka, Zambia), pp. 197–211.

    Google Scholar 

  • Horowitz, M. M. 1994. The management of an African river basin: alternative scenarios for environmentally sustainable economic development and poverty alleviation. In Koblenz (ed.) Proceedings of the International UNESCO Symposium: Water Resources Planning in a Changing World, pp. 73–82. Karlsrue, Germany: International Hydrological Program of the UNESCO/OHP National Committee of Germany.

    Google Scholar 

  • Howard, G. W. 1977. National Parks in the Kafue Basin. In Williams and Howard, 1977, pp. 47–56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Howard, G. W. and D. R. Aspinal. 1974. Aerial census of Shoebills, Saddlebilled Storks and Wattled cranes at the Bangweulu Swamps and Kafue Flats, Zambia. Ostrich, 55: 207–212.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Howard, G. W. and D. R. Aspinual. 1984. Aerial census of shoebills, saddle billed storks and wattled cranes at the Bangweulu Swamps and Kafue Flats, Zambia. Ostrich, 53: 207–212.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Howard, G. W. and R. C. V. Jeffrey. 1981. Present distribution of Lechwe on the Kafue Flats. Black Lechwe No. 1 NS, pp. 17–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Howard, G. W. and R. C. V. Jeffrey. 1983. Kafue Lechwe population status 1981–1983. Chilangua: Report to the Director NPWS, mimeo.

    Google Scholar 

  • Howard, G. W., R. C. V. Jeffrey, and J. J. R. Grimsdell. 1984. Census and population trends of Black Lechwe in Zambia. African Journal Ecology 22: 175–179.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Howard, G. W., R. C. V. Jeffrey, B. M. Kamweneshe, and C. M. Malambo. 1988. Black Lechwe population Census, Bangweulu Swamps. Chilanga: Report to the Director NPWS (mimeo.).

    Google Scholar 

  • Howard, G. W. and J. A. Sidorowicz. 1976. Geographical variation of the Lechwe (Kobus leche gray) in Zambia. Mammalia 40: 69–77.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Howard, G. W. and G. J. Williams (eds.). 1982. Proceedings of the National Seminar on Environment and Change: The Consequences of Hydroelectric Power Development on the Utilization of the Kafue Flats. Lusaka: Kafue Basin Res. Com., Univ. of Zambia, Lusaka, 159 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jeffrey, R. C. V. 1990. A general appraisal of consumptive wildlife utilization in Zambia. In M. Marchand and H. A. Udo de Haes (eds.) The People's Role in Wetland management: Proceedings of the International Conference [Leiden, the Netherlands, June 5–8 1989], pp. 336–338. Centre for Environmental Studies, Leiden University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jeffrey, R. C. V. and P. M. Chooye. 1990. The people's role in wetland management; The Zambian initiative. In M. Marchand and H. A. Udo de Haes (eds.) The People's Role in Wetland management: Proceedings of the International Conference [Leiden, the Netherlands, June 5–8 1989], pp. 83–91. Centre for Environmental Studies, Leiden University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Junk, W. J., P. B. Bayley, and R. Sparks. 1989. The flood pulse concept in river-floodplain systems. In D. P. Dodge (ed.) Proceedings of the Large River Symposium, pp. 110–127. Canadian Special publications in Fish and Aquatic Science, volume 106.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kasonde, J. 1990. Environmental Pollution Studies on the Copperbelt in the Kafue Basin. Lusaka: National Council of Scientific Research WRRU/ERL/TR.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lagler, K. F., J. M. Kaptezki, and D. J. Stewart. 1971. The Fisheries of the Kafue River Flats, Zambia in Relation to the Kafue Gorge Dam. Rome: FAO FI: SF/Zam 11: Tech. Rpt., 1, 161 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Le Maitre, D. C., B. W. van Wilgen, C. M. Gelderblom, C. Bailey, R. A. Chapman, and J. A. Nel. 2002. Invasive alien trees and water resources in South Africa: case studies of the costs and benefits of management. Forest Ecology and Management, 160(1–3): 143–159.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lehmann, D. A. 1977. The Twa: People of the Kafue Flats. In Williams and Howard, 1977 (qv), pp. 41–46

    Google Scholar 

  • Mathooko, J. M. and S. T. Kariuki 2000. Disturbances and species distribution of the riparian vegetation of a Rift Valley stream. African Journal of Ecology, 38(2): 123–129.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mouafo, D., E. Fotsing, D. Sighomnou, and L. Sigha. 2002. Dam, environment and regional development: Case study of the Logone floodplain in Northern Cameroon. International Journal of Water Resources Development, 18(1): 209–211.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mumba. M. 2003. Vegetation and hydrological changes in the Kafue Flats Zambia associated with the construction of the Itezhitezhi and Kafue Gorge Dams. Geophysical Research Abstracts, 5: 14074.

    Google Scholar 

  • Muyanga, E. D. and P. M. Chipungu. 1982. A short review of the Kafue Flats fishery from 1968 to 1978. In Howard and Williams, 1982, pp. 105–113.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mwase, M., T. Viktor, and L. Norrgren. 1998. Effects on tropical fish of soil sediments from Kafue River, Zambia. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 61(1): 96–101.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Norrgren, L., B. Brunstrom, M. Engwall, and M. Mwase. 1998. Biological impact of lipophilic sediment extracts from the Kafue River Zambia, in microinjected rainbow trout yolk-sac fry and chick embryo livers exposed in vitro. Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management, 1: 91–99.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Norrgren, L., U. Petersson, S. Orn, and P.-A. Bergqvist. 2000. Environmental monitoring of the Kafue River located in the Copperbelt, Zambia. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 38(3): 334–341.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nelson, R. W., R. S. Ambasht, C. Ameros, G. W. Begg, A. A. Begg, A. A. Bonetto, I. R. Wais, E. Dister, E. Wenger, C. M. Finlayson, J. K. Handoo, A. K. Pandst, K. M. Mauuti, D. Parish, and D. Savey. 1989. River floodplain and delta management team: A project of the Worlds Wetland Project. In J. A. Kusler and S. Daley (eds.) Wetlands and River Corridor Management, pp. 75–82, Berne, NY: Association of Wetland Managers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Osborne, T. O. 1973. Additional notes on the birds of the Kafue Flats. Puku, 7: 163–166.

    Google Scholar 

  • Perera, N. P. 1982. Ecological considerations in the management of wetlands of Zambia. In B. Gophal, R. E. Turner, R. G. Wetzel, and D. F. Whigham (eds.) Wetlands Ecology and Management, pp. 21–30. New Delhi: National Institute of Ecology and International Scientific Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pettersson, U. T. and J. Ingri. 2001. The geochemistry of Co and Cu in the Kafue River as it drains the Copperbelt mining area, Zambia. Chemical Geology, 177: 399–414.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pike, E. G. R. and T. G. Corey. 1965. The Fisheries of Zambia, the Kafue floodplain. In M. A. E. Mortimer (ed.) The Fish and Fisheries of Zambia, pp. 76–84. Lusaka: Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.

    Google Scholar 

  • RAMSAR. 2002. A Directory of Wetlands of International Importance: Zambia. Wetlands International and RAMSAR, A Web document found at http://www.wetlands.org/RBB/Ramsar_Dir/Zambia/zm001D02.htm

  • Rees, W. A. 1978a. The ecology of the Kafue Lechwe: The food supply. Journal of Applied Ecology, 15: 177–191.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rees. W. A. 1978b. The ecology of the Kafue Lechwe: Soils, water levels and vegetation. Journal of Applied Ecology, 15: 163–176.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rees, W. A. 1978c. Do the dams spell disaster for the Kafue Lechwe? Oryx, 14: 231–235.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robinette, W. L. and G. F. T. Child. 1964. Notes on the biology of the Lechwe (Kobus leche). Puku, 2: 84–117.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sayer, J. A. and L. P. van Lavieren. 1975. The ecology of the Kafue Lechwe populations in Zambia before the operation of hydroelectric dams in the Kafue River. East African Wildlife Journal, 13: 9–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schelle, P. and J. Pittock. 2005. Restoring the Kafue Flats; A Partnership approach to environmental flows in Zambia. Godalming, UK: Dams Initiative, Global Freshwater program, WWF International, 10 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scholte, P., P. Kirda, S. Adam, and B. Kadiri. 2000. Floodplain rehabilitation in North Cameroon: Impact on vegetation dynamics. Applied Vegetation Science, 3(1): 33–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schuster, R. H. 1980. Will the Kafue Lechwe survive the Kafue dams? Oryx, 15: 476–489.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scudder, T. 1989. River basin projects in Africa. Environment 31(2): 4–9, 27–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scudder, T. and M. C. Acreman. 1996. Water management for the conservation of the Kafue Flats, Zambia and the practicalities of artificial releases. In M. C. Acreman and G. E. Hollis (eds.) Water Management and Wetlands in Sub-Saharan Africa, pp. 101–106. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN.

    Google Scholar 

  • Seyam, I. M., A. Y. Hoekstra, G. S. Ngabirano, and H. H. G. Savenije. 2001. The Value of Freshwater Wetlands in the Zambezi Basin. Globalization and Water Resources Management: The Changing Value of water, AWRA/IWLRI – University of Dundee International Specialty Conference, 10 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sheppe, W. A. 1972. The annual cycle of small mammal populations in a Zambian floodplain. Journal of Mammalia 53(1): 445–460.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sheppe, W. A. 1973. Notes on Zambian rodents and shrews. Puku, 7: 176–190.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sheppe, W. A. 1985. Effects of human activities on Zambia's Kafue Flats ecosystem. Environmental Conservation, 12(1): 49–57.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sheppe, W. A. and T. O. Osborne. 1971. Patterns of use of a floodplain by Zambian mammals. Ecological Monograph, 41(3): 179–205.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sinkala, T. et al. 1977. Control of Aquatic Weeds in the Kafue River – Phase 1: Environmental Impact Assessment of the Kafue River basin between Itezhitezhi Dam and the Kafue Gorge. Lusaka: Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources, Gov. of the Republic of Zambia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Standford, J. A., J. V. Ward, W. L. Liss, C. A. Frisnell, R. N. Williams J. A. Lichatowich, and C. C. Cotant. 1996. A general protocol for restoration of regulated rivers. Regulated Rivers, 12: 391–413.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Subramanian, S. P. 1986. A brief review of the Bangweulu Basin and Kafue Flats. Proceedings of the WWF-Zambia Wetlands Project Workshop. Lusaka.

    Google Scholar 

  • SWECO. 1967. Kafue Gorge Hydroelectric Power Project. Lusaka.

    Google Scholar 

  • SWECO. 1968. Kafue River Regulation: Project on the Main Storage Reservoir. Lusaka, 2 vols.

    Google Scholar 

  • SWECO. 1969. Kafue River Regulation: Water Management Stage I. Lusaka.

    Google Scholar 

  • SWECO. 1971. Kafue River Hydroelectric Power Development Stage III Itezhitezhi Reservoir and Extension of Kafue Gorge Upper Power Station Preliminary Study. Lusaka, 3 vols.

    Google Scholar 

  • Syakalima, M. S. et al. 2001. Bioaccumulation of lead in wildlife dependent on the contaminated environment of the Kafue Flats. Bulletin Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 67(3): 438–445.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas, D. H. L. 1999. Adapting to dams: agrarian change downstream of the Tiga Dam, Northern Nigeria. World Development, 27(6): 919–935.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tiffen, M. and M. S. Mulele. 1993. Environmental Impact of the 1991-2 Drought on Zambia. Zambia Country Office, Lusaka: IUCN.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tockner, K. and J. A. Stanford 2002. Riverine floodplains; present state and future trends. Environmental Conservation, 29: 308–330.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van der Heyden, C. and M. New. 2003. Natural wetland for mine effluent remediation? The case of the Copperbelt. School of Geography and the Environment, Oxford University UK, 24 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ward, J. V. and J. A. Stanford. 2006. Ecological connectivity in alluvial river ecosystems and its disruption by flow regulation. Regulated Rivers, Research and Management, 11(1): 105–119.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Welcomme, R. L. 1995. Relationships between fisheries and the integrity of river systems. Regulated Rivers, 11(1): 121–136.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wesseling, J. W., E. Naah, C. A. Drijver and D. Ngantou. 1996. Rehabilitation of Logone floodplain, Cameroon, through hydrological management. In M. C. Acreman and G. E. Hollis (eds.) Water Management and Wetlands in Sub-Saharan Africa, pp. 158–198. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN.

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams, G. J. 1977. The Kafue hydroelectric scheme and its environmental setting. In Williams and Howard, 1977, pp. 13–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams, G. J. and G. W. Howard. 1977. Development and Ecology in the Lower Kafue Basin in the Nineteen Seventies; Papers from the Kafue Basin Research Committee of the University of Zambia, Lusaka.

    Google Scholar 

  • WWF. 2001. Investing in the Kafue Flats Wetlands to ensure clean water and wildlife for later years. WWF document found at http://www.partnersforwetlands.org/report/report-zmbia-sept.2001.html

  • WWF, KafueFlats, http://www.panda.org/about_wwf/where_we_work/africa/where/zambia/kafue

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Environmental Science and Forestry, State University of New York, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA

    Dr Richard Smardon Dr

Authors
  1. Dr Richard Smardon Dr
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Richard Smardon Dr .

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2009 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Smardon, R. (2009). The Kafue Flats in Zambia, Africa: A Lost Floodplain?. In: Sustaining the World's Wetlands. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-49429-6_4

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation