Current view: Text account
Site description (2001 baseline):
Site location and context
Akanyaru wetlands are located in the south of Rwanda, north-east of Butare, on the international border with Burundi, and lie close to Rwihinda Lake Nature Reserve in Burundi (BI001). The vegetation consists of a variety of marshy habitats and papyrus swamp. Early successional stages are occupied by floating vegetation dominated by
Pistia stratiotes,
Leersia hexandra and
Oryza barthii. Intermediate stages are a mixture of
Typha australis,
Miscanthidium violaceum,
Cladium jamaicense and some papyrus. More complex habitats are occupied by
Typha australis,
Miscanthidium violaceum,
Cyperus denudatus,
C. latifolius and
Echinochloa pyramidalis. There are expanses of papyrus, either as pure stands or combined with shrubby vegetation. Average annual rainfall is estimated to be c
.800 mm.
See Box and Table 3 for key species. At least 54 species of wetland habitats have been recorded from Akanyaru and include migrant
Ardeola idae,
Circus macrourus and
Gallinago media.
Falco naumanni has been reported. In addition, one species of the Guinea–Congo Forests biome (A05) and three of the Afrotropical Highlands biome (A07) have been recorded (see Table 3).
Non-bird biodiversity: The mammal Tragelaphus spekii (LR/nt) is known to occur.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Akanyaru wetlands are unprotected and are under pressure from agriculture. Marsh vegetation is cut and burned during the dry season, resulting in progressive habitat degradation. A management programme is necessary for the conservation of Akanyaru, which must involve local communities.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Akanyaru wetlands (Rwanda). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/akanyaru-wetlands-iba-rwanda on 23/12/2024.
