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Environmental problems of Lake Victoria (East Africa): What the international community can do
Author(s) -
Muli Jones R.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
lakes and reservoirs: research and management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.296
H-Index - 39
eISSN - 1440-1770
pISSN - 1320-5331
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1770.1996.tb00047.x
Subject(s) - eichhornia crassipes , cichlid , biota , biodiversity , ecology , water quality , benthic zone , fishery , endangered species , fauna , environmental science , macrophyte , geography , biology , aquatic plant , habitat , fish <actinopterygii>
Lake Victoria has recently undergone immense biological changes. These have led to the extinction of indigenous ecosystems and biota. Decrease in biodiversity has been characterized by mass extinction of cichlid fishes and benthic macroinvertebrates, especially insects. Increasing pollution and/or eutrophication has resulted in the deterioration of water quality and an increase in water‐borne diseases. Infestation of the water hyacinth ( Eichhornia crassipes ), which occurred recently, is the latest problem. These problems suggest several responses. A genebank of the remaining fish species should be created. Cage and/or open sea farming of the endangered fishes in Lake Victoria is a viable option in captive breeding of the remaining cichlids. Rehabilitating sewage pumping plants and extending treatment to unsewered urban areas would control organic pollution. Filtration systems based on macrophytes could be used in small urban centres to decrease pollution. Special attention to the taxonomy of the benthic group of insects is needed since undescribed species are being lost.