Nyamuriro swamp (7043)
Uganda, Africa

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Year of last assessment: 2011

National site name: Nyamuriro swamp

Central coordinates: Latitude: -1.1370, Longitude: 29.8310

System: freshwater, terrestrial

Elevation (m): 1820 to 1820

Area of KBA (km²): 50.65178

KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: This IBA lies within the Ruhuhuma swamp in Kageyo valley, in which a river from Lake Bunyonyi flows. It is an extensive natural swamp dominated by papyrus Cyperus papyrus and, in parts, herbaceous plants. The drainage from this swamp connects to Lakes Mutanda and Murehe in Kisoro District. The swamp is a remnant of the extensive papyrus swamp system that once covered the whole of the Ruhuhuma valley, but which was extensively drained in the 1970s for vegetable growing and dairy farming. The local Kagunga Cooperative Society has been growing crops in this swamp for over 40 years. This society had tried draining the whole swamp, but failed in some places because of deep flooding during the rainy seasons. The people who belong to this society still attempt to drain the swamp, as seen from the channels.The hill to the south of the swamp belongs to a mining company, Boodle Mining Co. Ltd., that practised open-cast mining of wolfram until the late 1970s when large-scale mining was halted. Small-scale and localized mining continues by a few members of the local community. The mining company constructed a road across the swamp, but it was swept away by heavy rains and now people cross the swamp with small canoes.

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) KBA identified in the process of compiling the CEPF Ecosystem Profile of the East Afromontane Hotspot. Species taxonomy and threat category was based on IUCN Red List 2010-4.

Additional biodiversity: See Box and Table 3 for key species. This swamp is probably the best site in Uganda for a number of papyrus specialists, and may be one of the best in Africa for the conservation of Chloropeta gracilirostris (which is found only in undisturbed papyrus swamps). Other papyrus-dwellers include Acrocephalus rufescens, Cisticola carruthersi, Bradypterus carpalis and Serinus koliensis. Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals of global conservation concern include Tragelaphus spekii (LR/nt) and Aonyx congica (DD).

Habitats

Land use: agriculture | forestry | urban/industrial/transport | water management

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Shrubland	36
Forest	10
Artificial - Terrestrial	53

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Drainage at both ends of the swamp is seriously threatening the habitat. There are no measures in place or planned to protect the swamp except by-laws through the local communities. Because of the terrain, steep-sided hills and V-shaped valleys, the swamps are the only place local people can harvest materials for building and benefit from water-supply for domestic use and animals. Without protection, the swamp could be completely destroyed since it is located in a densely populated area. The lack of awareness of wetland legislation among the people, whether deliberate or otherwise, is a significant issue.

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
Pollution	Agricultural & forestry effluents	Type Unknown/Unrecorded	Ongoing
Energy production & mining	Mining & quarrying		Ongoing
Human intrusions & disturbance	Work & other activities		Ongoing
Natural system modifications	Other ecosystem modifications		Ongoing

Additional information