Wetlands

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Wetlands were the first ecosystem to receive international attention through the "Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Habitats for Waterfowls", opened for signature at Ramsar, Iran, in February 1971. The convention defines wetlands as: areas of marsh, fen, peat land or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six meters. These areas may incorporate riparian and coastal zones adjacent to the wetlands, and islands or bodies of marine water deeper than six meters at low tide lying within the wetlands.

Kenya has through the National Wetlands Standing Committee (NWSC) defined Kenyan wetlands as areas of land that are permanently seasonally or occasionally waterlogged with fresh, saline, brackish or marine waters at a depth not exceeding six meters, including both natural and man-made areas that support characteristic biota. These wetlands occupy about 3% to 4%, which is approximately 14,000 km2 of the land surface and fluctuates up to 6% in the rainy seasons.

2.0 TYPES OF WETLANDS IN KENYA

Kenya has a variety of wetlands that stretch from coastal and marine wetlands to inland freshwater lakes, rivers, dams and swamps as well as the saline lakes of the Rift Valley system, constructed (man-made) wetlands in the irrigation schemes, and the mountain bogs, peat and glacier lakes. Some of these wetlands are recognized as important conservation areas such as National parks, National reserves, Ramsar sites, Important Bird Areas and World Heritage Sites.

3.0 IMPORTANCE OF WETLANDS IN KENYA

Ecological - Flood and erosion control, water discharge and recharge, water purification, nutrient and toxic retention, wildlife habitats and centers of biodiversity, prevention of saline water intrusion and climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Socio-economic- Energy...