Rugezi Marsh Biodiversity Survey: New Discoveries and Conservation Insights

The Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association (RWCA), in collaboration with the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), on September 20, 2024, released the preliminary findings from the first-ever comprehensive biodiversity survey conducted on Rugezi Marsh in Rwanda.

Rwanda’s research on Rugezi Marsh, an internationally recognized Ramsar-protected site, has revealed new insights into its unique ecosystem and biodiversity, highlighting its critical importance for conservation.

In 2023, RWCA partnered with Rwandan and East African researchers for a comprehensive biodiversity survey at Rugezi Marsh. The survey covered different biodiversity groups, including plants, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and insects. From the preliminary analysis of findings, the team documented a total of 638 different species with 433 new records that had not been previously documented at Rugezi Marsh. The team has also discovered two species that have not previously been recorded in Rwanda: The Hydrilla Leafcutter Moth (Parapoynx diminutalis) and a climbing plant (Zehneria tridactyla).

Additionally, the survey identified 9 globally threatened species, according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and 14 Albertine Rift endemic species, with further molecular analysis and further research expected.

During his speech at the “Rugezi Marsh Unveiled” event, Faustin MUNYAZIKWIYE, the Deputy Director General of Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), who was also on behalf of the Minister of the Environment, said that the Rwandan government expresses its deep gratitude for partnerships with organizations like the Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association (RWCA).

He said, “The RWCA’s biodiversity survey has not only enhanced the understanding of Rugezi Marsh but also bolstered the capacity of Rwandan researchers. The survey’s findings have sparked excitement and emphasized the importance of protecting and conserving Rugezi for future generations.”

He recounted an electricity shortage in 2001-2002 due to the mishandling of Rugezi Marsh, with most generators imported at the business community level, revealing that the Rwandan government, after analyzing the destruction of the Rugezi wetland, which provided water for the hydropower dam, made three decisions.

He said, “The first decision was to nominate the wetland as one of the Ramsar sites in the world in the Ramsar conventional wetland in 2005, making it a fully protected area, which means different people living there couldn’t go inside and do whatever they wanted as it used to be.”

Munyazikwiye stated that the government rehabilitated the wetland over four years from 2006 to 2010, including demarcating the buffer zone and protecting the entire watershed, as it was crucial for its protection.

He said, “So if the government couldn’t make those decisions, we couldn’t have this story today. So, the wetland is vital not only for filtrating water but also at the international level. So, this work that was done here is adding value to what is to the uniqueness of Rugezi.”

He concluded that they’re working with a team to revise the buffer zone in Rugezi wetland, as the buffer zone has been demarcated since 2009. They aim to involve the community in the project’s progress.

Dr. Olivier NSENGIMANA, the Founder and Executive Director of the Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association (RWCA), explained the organization of this research, which involved government assistance and team collaboration. Although not the best in the world, the team consisted of 99% Rwandans and one Kenyan, collaborating with numerous researchers and professors.

He said, “We greatly appreciate the collaboration that made this research possible, including support from the Government of Rwanda, National Geographic Society, researchers, local leaders, and most importantly the communities whose local knowledge guided our team throughout the whole research journey. This reinforces the idea that science and conservation cannot succeed without the involvement of local communities.”

He added, “We ensured every team was made with a primary investigator and young researchers. And this is how we can build a generation of researchers and conservationists for the future.”

He highlighted the significance of the research, which was conducted entirely in Rwanda, and the analysis of the data is currently underway, revealing several exciting findings. He revealed the plans to collaborate with the government, REMA, and the Ministry of Environment to develop an information management plan for Rugezi Marsh, focusing on micromanaging unique species without neglecting local communities.

Dr. Laura RURANGWA, Scientist, Rugezi Wetland. She is a biodiversity researcher who assisted in tracking the research team in Rugezi Marsh, but she particularly focused on the birds there.

She stated that they conducted extensive research in Rugezi, focusing on various plant and animal species, including mammals and invertebrates. They set up a group of about 99% Rwandans to learn about the Marsh and its unique features, resulting in exciting discoveries.

“Thus, we found more than 600 species of animals and plants in the river, of which 433 species have not been found before,” said Dr. Laura.

She highlighted that research is ongoing to confirm discoveries on a global level through DNA analysis related to other potentially groundbreaking phenomena.

Some key records that they recorded include; 197 plant species, with 109 newly documented, and 149 arthropod species, including 49 butterfly species, with further analysis expected to increase, 82 aquatic macroinvertebrate species, 29 of which indicate good water quality, while three fish species, Enteromius alberti and Pseudocrenilabrus multicolor, were documented for the first time.

The survey also recorded 14 species of amphibians in Rugezi Marsh, including 8 newly documented species, and 13 reptile species, including chameleons, snakes, and lizards, with 10 new species recently documented.

Moreover, The Rugezi Marsh has recorded 127 bird species, with 28 new species recently documented. The number of bird species recorded in and around Rugezi has been increased to 222 with the addition of new records, and 53 mammal species, including 51 newly documented, and 22 bat species, accounting for 40% of known bat species in Rwanda.

Dr. Olivier insisted that the research highlights the significance of Rugezi Marsh, a diverse ecosystem, and provides crucial data for conservation actions and long-term management plans to ensure its full protection.