Koguta swamp (6428)
Kenya, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2012
National site name: Koguta swamp
Central coordinates: Latitude: -0.3167, Longitude: 34.7667
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 1130 to 1130
Area of KBA (km2): 10.0789
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Koguta swamp is a wetland at the mouth of the Sondu-Miriu river, a few kilometres south-west of the Nyando river mouth on the shores of Lake Victoria. The vegetation consists mainly of reeds Phragmites spp. interspersed with patches of papyrus Cyperus papyrus and Vossia cuspidata. Koguta is flooded during the wet season, while during the dry season the area is heavily grazed and trampled by cattle and hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius.
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. Chloropeta gracilirostris has been recorded here (but appears to be uncommon), one of six Lake Victoria Basin biome species that are known to occur, including the papyrus endemics Laniarius mufumbiri (relatively abundant), Bradypterus carpalis and Cisticola carruthersi. Non-bird biodiversity: Little information is available. The ungulate Tragelaphus spekii (LR/nt) and the snake Python sebae occur, but their status is unknown. Like other wetlands around the shores of Lake Victoria, Koguta is probably an important refuge for a number of the lake’s endemic haplochromine fish species.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The site is almost inaccessible from the lakeward side due to dense mats of water-hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes. As in many part of Lake Victoria, infestation by this exotic weed has prevented fishermen from fishing, forcing them to seek alternative forms of livelihood. This adds greatly to the human pressure on papyrus swamps and other wetlands. Unsustainable cutting of papyrus, and overgrazing by cattle during the dry season when the water level recedes threatens Koguta. It requires formal protection, and a community conservation programme that will work towards controlled, sustainable use of the wetland.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Shifting agriculture | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Agro-industry farming | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Marine & freshwater aquaculture | Subsistence/artisinal aquaculture | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources | Unintentional effects: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Only in the future | |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Only in the future | |
| Energy production & mining | Renewable energy | Only in the future | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Only in the future | |
| Pollution | Garbage & solid waste | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Storms & flooding | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Johnstone and Githongo (1997), Nasirwa and Njoroge (1997).