LAKE VICTORIA BASIN

Wetlands

MaraWetlands, Tanzania

The Mara Wetlands are associated with the Mara River that originates in Masai Mara in Kenya. The river is 155 km long with a catchment area of 1.35 million ha. The river enters Tanzania through the Serengeti National Park in the Mara Region. It forms the border of Tarime and Serengeti districts as well as Tarime and Musoma districts. It enters Lake Victoria through Mara Bay. Pools and satellite lakes such as Lake Kubigena near Buswahili village are found in theWetlands (Lake Victoria Basin Commission 2007). The area of permanent wetlands is dominated by heavy sedges ( Cyperus papyrus ) and bulrush ( Typha ). Reeds ( Phragmites spp), sesbani, fig trees ( Ficus spp) and grasses are also found in the Wetlands. Bulrushes are

expanding and displacing sedges. They are dominant in areas with salty soils.

TheWetlands support many species of animals. Common species include crocodiles ( Clocodillus niloticus ) and hippopotamuses ( Hippopotamus amphibius ), while sitatunga ( Tragelaphus spekei ) are an endangered species. Others include monitor lizards ( Vanellus spp), otters, turtles and snakes. The Mara Wetlands are an important breeding habitat for fish. Species found in theWetlands include cichlids ( Oreochromis spp and Tilapia spp), lungfish ( Protopterus aethiopicus ), catfishes ( Clarias spp, Schilbe spp and Synodontis spp), and cyprinids ( Labeo spp). (Lake Victoria Basin Commission 2007).

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