Dunga Swamp and its Conservation in Kenya

Abstract

Dunga swamp (KE 037), one of the 60 Endemic Bird Areas in Kenya is located on the South Eastern shores of lake Victoria at (01 10S, 34 47’E). The swamp is predominantly Papyrus (Cyperus papyrus) which forms distinctive habitat type for papyrus specialist birds. The birds include the restricted range endemics like the globally threatened Papyrus Yellow Warbler (Chloropeta gracilirostris), the near threatened Papyrus Gonolek (Linarius mufumbiri), White Winged Warbler (Bradypterus carpalis), Carruthers’s Cisticola (Cisticola carruther) and Papyrus Canary (Serinus koliensis) (IUCN RED-DATA LIST and the Kenya IBA directory). The swamp is also a filter to sediment entering lake Victoria, it controls flooding in the area among others. The major threats to Dunga swamp and associated biodiversity include: