This project will implement a much-needed ecological monitoring, assessment, and management plan for the Kafue Flats wetlands in Southern Zambia. The plan aims to monitor important freshwater biodiversity indicators including threatened and endangered species, mammals, waterbirds, wetland vegetation, and other wetland parameters, as well as document human threats/management challenges such as invasive species, fire, water, and livestock density. Results will inform and drive the adaptive management of the Kafue Flats, especially the conservation of vital wetland biodiversity in this globally important ecosystem.

The ecological monitoring plan will lead to a Kafue Flats Wetlands Information system, a comprehensive compilation of the ecological data and information generated from diverse local partners. This system will provide critical information to stakeholders and the public about the Kafue Flats wetlands, databases and inventories, education and research outputs, to guide restoration and mitigation actions.

Through partnership with local universities and with the Zambian Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW), ICF aims to deepen local capacity for the Kafue Flats and across Zambia for wetland/freshwater biodiversity monitoring, science-based adaptive management, and provide a platform for efficient information generation and sharing amongst partners and stakeholders.

Goals for the Designing and Implementing a Wetland Information System for the Kafue Flats Wetlands, Zambia project include:

Goal 1
A fully operational ecological monitoring plan for the adaptive management of the Kafue Flats. Indicators:
A peer-reviewed, science-based ecological monitoring and evaluation plan is operational (year 1).
Indicator data are collected and analyzed in accordance with the monitoring and evaluation plan (years 2 and 3)
Monitoring results feed into an adaptive management system and are used to evaluate and adjust project results and assumptions as appropriate through the Collaborative Management Partnership that governs the project (year 3)

Goal 2
A wetland information system is established for the compilation and management of, and open access to, ecological data, publications, and other information generated from our work and partners.
Indicators:
Develop a database with expert input (year 1)
Test database with monitoring data (years 2 and 3).
Establish the Kafue Flats website to provide open access to data and provides protocols for data access and use in research and publications (years 1-3).

Goal 3
Enhance Zambian capacity of ecologists, university students, community members, and DNPW in the design and implementation of a Wetland Information System.
Indicators:
DNPW Ecologists and university students trained to collect data and input the data into the information system (years 2 and 3)
Zambian community members, including community scouts, trained in field techniques to collect and process data (years 2 and 3)
DNPW staff (serving protected areas nationwide) are trained in the operation of an ecological monitoring and evaluation plan (years 2 and 3).

Griffin Shanungu has 18 years of work experience in the environmental and conservation sector in Southern Africa. His work explores the interactions between wetland vegetation, threatened wetland birds, and large mammalian herbivores with environmental conditions in Zambian freshwater wetlands. These environmental conditions include aspects of hydrology, nutrient cycling, and spread of invasive plant species such as Mimosa pigra. In this project, Griffin will lead a specialized team to explore the biodiversity status of the Kafue Flats including lesser-known taxa of molluscs, invertebrates and amphibians and design an ecological monitoring framework on which other biodiversity will be monitored over a long-term study period. Resulting data will inform management decisions concerning the Kafue Flats to ensure that it remains a thriving wetland in perpetuity.