Zambia - Atlas of our Changing Environment

Eight of Zambia’s wetlands are Ramsar sites. Ramsar sites are wetland areas of international significance whose conservation and wise use are promoted under the Convention on Wetlands, which was agreed upon in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971. According to the convention, the wise use of wetlands entails “the maintenance of their ecological character, achieved through the implementation of ecosystem approaches, within the context of sustainable development” (Ramsar Convention Secretariat, 2008). In Zambia, Ramsar sites are areas of wildlife and biodiversity conservation, particularly the conservation of birdlife and aquatic creatures (World Conservation Monitoring Centre, 2010).

Fish traders in the Kafue flats The WorldFish Center, 2001

Box 1.1 Location of Wetlands in Zambia

The Kafue Flats are the vast, open floodplains of the Kafue River, which makes up part of the Zambezi River basin.They are one of Zambia’s most commercially important and agriculturally productive areas, providing both economic and ecological benefits to the country. Kafue Flats are an extensive area of wetlands and floodplains 255 kilometres long and 60 kilometres wide, covering an area of approximately 6,500 sq kilometres and home to about 6 million people (Mumba and Thompson, 2005; Chabwela, 1994;Williams, 1997). The wetlands also host Zambia’s largest bird sanctuary. More than 450 bird species can be found in the Kafue Flats, some throughout the year and others passing through during migration. The Kafue flats are especially important for the wattled crane, which has been classified a threatened species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (Nyambe, 2003).

Bangweulu Swamps McMorrow, B.J., 2010

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Chapter 2 - Zambia’s Changing Environment

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