Comparing flow regime, channel hydraulics, and biological communities to infer flow–ecology relations ips in the Mara River of Kenya and Tanzania

Project: Climate Service for Infrastructure

Theme: Climate Change

Goal: Climate Change

Program: Basin-wide Program

Ownerships: Nile Basin Initiative

Authors: Michael E. McClain, Amanda L. Subalusky, Elizabeth P. Anderson, Shimelis Behailu Dessu, Assefa M. Melesse, Preksedis M., Joseph O.D. Mtamba, Rashid A. Tamatamah & Cosmas Mligo ,
Date Of Publication:01 Jan 2014
Accessibility :Open Access
Language:English
Type:E-flow Study
Abstract:uatorial rivers of East Africa exhibit unusually complex seasonal and inter-annual flow regimes, and aqua adapted to cope with this flow variability. This study examined the annual flow regime over the past 40 years for three gauging stations on the Mara River in Kenya and Tanzania, which is of international importance because it is the only perennial river traversing the Mara- Serengeti ecoregion. Select environmental flow components were quantified and converted to ecologically relevant hydraulic variables. Vegetation, macroinvertebrates, and fish were collected and identified at target study sites during low and high flows. The results were compared with available knowledge of the life histories and flow sensitivities of the riverine communities to infer flow–ecology relationships. Management implica- tions are discussed, including the need to preserve a dynamic environmental flow regime to protect ecosystems region. The results for the Mara may serve as a useful model for river basins of the wider equatorial East frica region.
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