Dunga swamp (6427)
Kenya, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2001
National site name: Dunga swamp
Central coordinates: Latitude: -0.1667, Longitude: 34.7833
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 1130 to 1130
Area of KBA (km2): 4.98477
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Dunga (or Tako river mouth) is a wetland situated about 10 km south of Kisumu town on the shores of Winam Gulf, Lake Victoria. At the western limit is a beach, used as a major fish landing point. Papyrus Cyperus papyrus stands stretch south-eastwards along the shore from here for c.1.5 km, in a strip that varies in width from about 50 to 800 m. A number of streams drain into the lake through the swamp, the main one being Tako river.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Additional biodiversity: See Box and Table 3 for key species. This is one of the most reliable sites in Kenya for the scarce and threatened Chloropeta gracilirostris, which is often seen along the lakeward side of the swamp. All but one of Kenya’s nine Lake Victoria Basin biome species have been recorded here, and it is especially important for Laniarius mufumbiri (relatively common), Bradypterus carpalis and Serinus koliensis, all papyrus endemics. Non-bird biodiversity: No information is available. Wetlands around the shores of Lake Victoria are known to be important refuges for a number of the lake’s endemic haplochromine fish species.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | fisheries/aquaculture
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Dunga is close to a major town, and this puts particular strain on the wetland. Papyrus harvesting is often excessive and unsustainable. The incoming streams bring pollution in the form of sewage and solid wastes from nearby residential estates. Lake Victoria’s papyrus swamps are under increasing pressure in general. Water-hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes has infested much of the Winam Gulf. By preventing fishermen from fishing, it forces them to seek other forms of livelihood. Often, the only alternative available is to harvest papyrus, or to clear it in order to cultivate crops. Dunga urgently requires formal protection, as it has no conservation status at present. The site is already a popular area for recreation. Its proximity to Kisumu gives it potential for environmental education and bird tourism focused on the papyrus endemics.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Marine & freshwater aquaculture | Industrial aquaculture | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources | Intentional use: large scale (species being assessed is the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Gathering terrestrial plants | Unintentional effects (species being assessed is not the target) | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Sewage | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Industrial & military effluents | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Ongoing | |
| Energy production & mining | Mining & quarrying | Ongoing | |
| Energy production & mining | Renewable energy | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Shipping lanes | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Pollution | Garbage & solid waste | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Storms & flooding | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Johnstone and Githongo (1997), Nasirwa and Njoroge (1997).