The Biodiversity of Lake Tanganyika

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The Biodiversity of Lake Tanganyika

• By Dr. Muderhwa NSHOMBO
• Director General of the Center for
  Hydrobiological Research in Uvira
• DR Congo

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Biodiversity...

• "Biological diversity" means the variability
  among living organisms from all sources
  including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and
  other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological
  complexes of which they are part this includes
  diversity within species, between species and of
  ecosystems.
• Article 2, Convention on Biological Diversity
  1992)

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Lake Tanganyikas Biodiversity

• There are more than 2,150 species of plants and
  animals in the Lake
• species endemic
• Molluscs
• Gastropoda 64 94
• Bivalvia 15 60
• Arthropod
• Decapoda 15 97
• Ostracoda 84 71
• Copepoda 69 47
• Fish
• Cichlidae 185 97
• Noncichlidae 145 42

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Objectives of Biodiversity Special Study

• Review the current levels of Biodiversity in Lake
  Tanganyika
• Identify the distribution of major habitat types,
  with a focus on existing and suggested protected
  areas
• Suggest priority zones for conservation
• Develop a sustainable monitoring programme for
  biodiversity

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Results I. Review of current levels of
biodiversity

• Literature Database

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Training of National Teams

• National teams were trained in underwater
  research methods (SCUBA) and taxonomy

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Distribution of major habitat types
Substrate type
Dive teams mapped substrates around the lake
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Suggestions for priority zones for conservation
Rusizi

• Burundi
• Rusizi Natural Reserve 65.0
• DRC
• Pemba/Luhanga/Bangwe 76.5
• Tanzania
• Gombe Stream N.P. 73.3
• Mahale Mountains N.P. 56.4
• Zambia
• Nsumbu N.P. 70.8
• Lufubu/Chisala 75.3

Gombe
Mahale
Nsumbu
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Development of monitoring programme

• Biodiversity team at a monitoring site

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Development of monitoring programme

• Key Activities Supporting the monitoring program
• Identification of key indicator groups for
  biodiversity
• Maintenance of a specimen reference collection
• Production of field identification keys for major
  groups
• Collation of relevant literature at all field
  stations
• Maintenance and updating of literature database

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Achievements

• Establishment of databases detailing the current
  levels of Biodiversity in Lake Tanganyika
• Establishment of national dive teams ready to
  collect and analyze and produce reports
• Recommendations of priority zones for
  conservation
• Establishment of a sustainable monitoring
  programme for biodiversity

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Recommendations

• Continue with biological surveys especially in DR
  Congo and Tanzania which have long coastlines
• Research the possibility of developing tourism
  around biodiverisity
• Create new protected areas for conservation of
  diversity identified by BIOSS in each country,
  and assist governments in setting up adequate
  legislation relating to management of these
  areas.