Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Papyrus wetlands creation, a solution to improve food security and save Lake Victoria

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Wetlands Ecology and Management Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A demonstration project was set up to create two small papyrus wetlands in villages on the shores of Lake Victoria near Rubondo Island National Park, aimed at helping the community to replenish the fish stock in the lake and to improve socio-economics. The wetlands were constructed by using locally available means and they are owned and successfully managed by the villages to support community-based activities. We describe the approach, methodology and design of these plots. 2 years after the wetlands were created, the above-ground papyrus biomass was found to be comparable with that of pristine papyrus wetlands at Mlaga Bay in Rubondo Island National Park. Light trap data shows increased fish around the area. This correlated well with the results of questionnaire survey from the community around the created wetland. Our study shows that the degraded wetlands around Lake Victoria can be recreated by using locally available means, to restore most of the vital functions of those wetlands as they were before destruction, and improve the socio-economics of the local communities.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abebe YD (2003) Wetlands of Ethiopia: an introduction. In: Abebe YD, Geleb YDK (eds) Proceedings of a seminar on the resources and status of Ethiopia’s wetlands. International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), Addis Ababa, pp 1–11

  • Appleton C, Madsen H (2012) Human schistosomiasis in wetlands in southern Africa. Wetl Ecol Manag 20:253–269

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Asaeda T, Nam LH, Hietz P, Tanala N, Karunaratne S (2002) Seasonal fluctuations in live and dead biomass of Phragmites australis as described by growth decomposition model; implications of duration of aerobic conditions from litter mineralization and sedimentation. Aquat Bot 73:223–239

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Awange JL, Ong’ang’a O (2006) Lake Victoria ecology, resources and environment. Springer, Berlin, pp 243–257

    Google Scholar 

  • Azza NGT, Kansiime F, Nalubega M, Denny P (2000) Differential permeability of papyrus and Miscanthidium root mat in Nakivubo swamp, Uganda. Aquat Bot 67:167–178

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bacon PR (1997) Wetlands and biodiversity. In Hailas JJ (ed) Wetlands, biodiversity and the ramsar convention. Ramsar Convention Bureau, USA. http://www.ramsar.org

  • Barbier EB (1994) Valuing environmental functions: tropical Wetlands. Land Econ 70:155–173

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boar RR (2006) Responses of a fringing Cyperus papyrus L. swamp to changes in water level. Aquat Bot 84:85–92

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyd J, Banzhaf S (2007) What are ecosystem services? The need for standardized environmental accounting units. Ecol Econ 63:616–626

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • COWI (2002) Integrated water quality/limnology study for Lake Victoria, Final Report Part II: LVEMP, Dar es Salaam Gaudet JJ (1979) Seasonal changes in nutrients in a tropical swamp: North Swamp, Lake Naivasha, Kenya. J Ecol 67:953–981

    Google Scholar 

  • Dale PER, Connelly R (2012) Wetlands and human health: an overview. Wetl Ecol Manag 20:165–171

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dale PER, Knight JM (2012) Managing mosquitoes without destroying wetlands: an eastern Australian approach. Wetl Ecol Manag 20:233–242

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gaudet JJ (1979) Seasonal changes in nutrients in a tropical swamp: North Swamp, Lake Naivasha, Kenya. J Ecol 67:953–981

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gichuki JW, Triest L, Dehairs F (2005) The fate of organic matter in a papyrus (Cyperus papyrus L.) dominated tropical wetland ecosystem in Nyanza Gulf (Lake Victoria, Kenya). Isotopes Environ Health Stud 41:379–390

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Griffin LF, Knight JM (2012) A review of the role of fish as a biological control agents of disease vector mosquitoes in mangrove forests: reducing human health risks while reducing environmental risk. Wetl Ecol Manag 20:243–252

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kairu JK (2001) Wetland use and impact on Lake Victoria, Kenya region. Lakes Reserv Res Manag 6:117–125

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kansiime F, Nalubega M (1999) Wastewater treatment by a natural wetland: the Nakivubo Swamp, Uganda. Process and implications. PhD Thesis, Agricultural University of Wageningen

  • Kansiime F, Oryem-Origa H, Rukwago S (2005) Comparative assessment of the value of papyrus and cocoyams for the restoration of the Nakivubo wetland in Kampala, Uganda. Phys Chem Earth 30:698–705

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kansiime F, Nalubega M, Bruggen JJA van, Denny P (2003) The effect of wastewater discharge on biomass production and nutrient content of Cyperus papyrus and Miscanthidium violaceum in the Nakivubo wetland, Kampala Uganda. Water Sci Technol 38:233–240

  • Kassenga GR (1997) A descriptive assessment of the wetlands of the Lake Victoria basin in Tanzania. Resour Conserv Recycl 20:127–141

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kipkemboi J (2006) Fingerponds: seasonal integrated aquaculture in East African freshwater wetlands. Exploring their potential for wise use strategies. PhD Dissertation. Taylor & Francis/Balkema

  • Kipkemboi J, Van Dam AA, Denny P (2006) Biophysical suitability of smallholder integrated aquaculture-agriculture systems (Fingerponds) in east Africa’s Lake Victoria freshwater wetlands. Int J Ecol Environ Sci 32(1):75–83

    Google Scholar 

  • Kiwango YA, Wolanski E (2008) Papyrus wetlands, nutrients balance, fisheries collapse, food security, and Lake Victoria level decline in 2000–2006. Wetl Ecol Manag 16:89–96

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kyambadde J, Kansiime F, Gumaelius L, Dalhammar G (2004) A comparative study of Cyperus papyrus and Miscanthidium violaceum-based constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment in a tropical climate. Water Res 38:475–485

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • LVEMP (Lake Victoria Environment Management Project) (1999) Review of progress on implementation of water hyacinth control (July 1997–June 1999). Paper presented at a regional workshop on LVEMP implementation, Mwanza, 1–5 November 1999, pp 1–15

  • Mafabi P (2000) The role of wetland policies in the conservation of waterbirds: the case of Uganda. Ostrich 71:96–98

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mnaya B, Wolanski E (2002) Water circulation and fish larvae recruitment in papyrus wetlands, Rubondo Island, Lake Victoria. Wetl Ecol Manag 10:133–143

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mnaya B, Wolanski E, Kiwango Y (2006) Papyrus wetlands as a lunar-modulated refuge for aquatic fauna. Wetl Ecol Manag 14:359–363

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mnaya B, Asaeda T, Kiwango Y, Ayubu E (2007) Primary production in papyrus (Cyperus papyrus L.) of Rubondo Island, LakeVictoria, Tanzania. Wetl Ecol Manag 16:269–275

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • NEMA (2012) Wetland monitoring and assessment strategy for Kenya. National Environmental Management Authority, Nairobi

    Google Scholar 

  • Neogi SB, Islam MS, Nair GB, Yamasaki S, Lara RJ (2012) Occurrence and distribution of plankton-associated and free-living toxigenic Vibrio cholerae in a tropical estuary of a cholera endemic zone. Wetl Ecol Manag 20:271–285

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Obiero KO, Raburu PO, Okeyo-Owuor JB, Raburu E (2012) Community perceptions on the impact of the recession of Lake Victoria waters on Nyando. Wetl Sci Res Essays 7:1647–1661. doi:10.5897/SRE11.324

    Google Scholar 

  • Odada EO, Olago DO, Kulindwa K, Ntiba M, Wandiga S (2004) Mitigation of environmental problems in Lake Victoria, East Africa: causal chain and policy options analyses. Ambio 33:1–2

    Google Scholar 

  • Osumba JJL, Okeyo-Owuor JB, Raburu PO (2010) Effect of harvesting on temporal papyrus (Cyperus papyrus) biomass regeneration potential among swamps in Winam Gulf wetlands of Lake Victoria Basin, Kenya. Wetl Ecol Manag 18:333–341

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Owino AO, Ryan PG (2007) Recent papyrus swamp habitat loss and conservation implications in western Kenya. Wetl Ecol Manag 15:1–12

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rochlin I, James-Pirri M, Adamowicz SC, Wolfe RJ, Capotosto P, Dempsey ME, Iwanejko T, Ninivaggi DV (2012) Integrated marsh management (IMM): a new perspective on mosquito control and best management practices for salt marsh restoration. Wetl Ecol Manag 20:219–232

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rutagemwa DK, Semili P, Waya R, Mwanuzi F (2006) Water quality synthesis report—eutrophication. Lake Victoria Environmental Project, Dar es Salaam

    Google Scholar 

  • Scheren PA, Zanting HA, Lemmens AMC (2000) Estimation of water pollution sources in Lake Victoria, East Africa: application and elaboration of the rapid assessment methodology. J Environ Manag 58:235–248

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor DS (2012) Removing the sands (sins?) of our past: dredge spoil removal and saltmarsh restoration along the Indian River Lagoon, Florida (USA). Wetl Ecol Manag 20:213–218

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van der Weghe JP (1981) Avifauna of papyrus in Rwanda and Burundi. Gerfaut 71:489–536

    Google Scholar 

  • World Bank (1996) Final project funding proposal for Lake Victoria Environmental Management Programme

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by Tanzania National Parks.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lake Manyara National Park, P.O. Box 12, Mto wa Mbu, Tanzania

    Yustina Kiwango

  2. Mahale Mountains National Park, P.O. Box 1374, Kigoma, Tanzania

    Gadiel Moshi

  3. Rubondo Island National Park, P.O. Box 111, Geita, Tanzania

    Wickson Kibasa

  4. Tanzania National Parks, P.O. Box 3134, Arusha, Tanzania

    Bakari Mnaya

Authors
  1. Yustina Kiwango
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Gadiel Moshi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Wickson Kibasa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Bakari Mnaya
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yustina Kiwango.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kiwango, Y., Moshi, G., Kibasa, W. et al. Papyrus wetlands creation, a solution to improve food security and save Lake Victoria. Wetlands Ecol Manage 21, 147–154 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11273-013-9286-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11273-013-9286-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation