Title: Assessment of changes in wetland ecosystem services in Lubigi wetland, Kampala, Uganda
Author: Claire Turyamuhaki
Supervising Institution: IHE Delft - Institute for Water Education
Year: 2023
Abstract:
Lubigi wetland is an urban wetland neighbouring the districts of Kampala and Wakiso in Uganda. This wetland is mainly composed of papyrus (Cyperus papyrus) as the main vegetation but it has been subjected to various human activities such as urbanisation, agriculture (growing yams, sugarcanes, bananas, vegetables, cassava and many others) and channelization. It receives polluted wastewater from the neighbouring areas and from a wastewater treatment plant. This research was done to understand how ES in different HGMUs change in Lubigi wetland, and to find better means of using the wetland in a friendly manner. The information on ES was obtained by using RAWES method and for drivers was obtained through interviews. Water quality parameters were measured using portable meters. DPSIR chains were developed to analyse the drivers of change, identifying their impacts and suggesting immediate responses that can ensure sustainable use of the wetland.
There were a lot of ES observed. The most degraded part of the wetland (HGMU 1) had more provisioning services but HGMU 3 (the most intact unit) had more regulating services. Most of the ecosystem services benefit the immediate neighbouring community, compared to regional and global scales. A growing population and minimal efforts in enforcing wetlands policy are the major drivers of change. Channelization in HGMU 1 is the strongest pressure resulting in loss of ecosystem services. To use this wetland in a sustainable way, there should be more efforts in enforcing wetland policies and frequent monitoring of the wetland.