Akanyaru wetlands (6777)
Rwanda, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2012
National site name: Akanyaru wetlands
Central coordinates: Latitude: -2.5000, Longitude: 29.9167
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 1350 to 1350
Area of KBA (km2): 224.80278
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Akanyaru wetlands are located in the south of Rwanda, north-east of Butare, on the international border with Burundi, and lie close to Rwihinda Lake Nature Reserve in Burundi (BI001). The vegetation consists of a variety of marshy habitats and papyrus swamp. Early successional stages are occupied by floating vegetation dominated by Pistia stratiotes, Leersia hexandra and Oryza barthii. Intermediate stages are a mixture of Typha australis, Miscanthidium violaceum, Cladium jamaicense and some papyrus. More complex habitats are occupied by Typha australis, Miscanthidium violaceum, Cyperus denudatus, C. latifolius and Echinochloa pyramidalis. There are expanses of papyrus, either as pure stands or combined with shrubby vegetation. Average annual rainfall is estimated to be c.800 mm.
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. At least 54 species of wetland habitats have been recorded from Akanyaru and include migrant Ardeola idae, Circus macrourus and Gallinago media. Falco naumanni has been reported. In addition, one species of the Guinea–Congo Forests biome (A05) and three of the Afrotropical Highlands biome (A07) have been recorded (see Table 3). Non-bird biodiversity: The mammal Tragelaphus spekii (LR/nt) is known to occur.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 6 | |
| Shrubland | 10 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 82 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Akanyaru wetlands are unprotected and are under pressure from agriculture. Marsh vegetation is cut and burned during the dry season, resulting in progressive habitat degradation. A management programme is necessary for the conservation of Akanyaru, which must involve local communities.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Unintentional effects (species being assessed is not the target) | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Unspecified species | Ongoing |
| Energy production & mining | Mining & quarrying | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Kanyamibwa (1986, 1993), Vande weghe (1981).