Optimising hydropower development and ecosystem services in the Kafue River, Zambia

Cowx, Ian G.; Lungu, Alphart; Kalonga, Mainza

Abstract

Fisheries are an important resource in Zambia, but are experiencing overexploitation and are under increasing pressure from external development activities that are compromising river ecosystem services and functioning. One such system is the Kafue Flats floodplain, which is under threat from hydropower development. This paper reviews the impact of potential hydropower development on the Kafue Flats floodplain and explores mechanisms to optimise the expansion of hydropower whilst maintain the ecosystem functioning and services the floodplain delivers.
Since completion of the Kafue Gorge and Itezhi-tezhi dams, seasonal fluctuations in the height and extent of flooding have been suppressed. This situation is likely to get worse with the proposed incorporation of a hydropower scheme into Itezhi-tezhi dam, which will operate under a hydropeaking regime. This will have major ramifications for the fish communities and ecosystem functioning and likely result in the demise of the fishery along with destruction of the wetlands and associated wildlife. To redress the problem it is recommended that an environmental flows study is conducted, as initiated by World Wildlife Fund, to protect the existing ecosystem services provision and optimise hydropower development, thus ensuring sustainability of the aquatic resources of the Kafue Flats for future generations.

Citation

Cowx, I. G., Lungu, A., & Kalonga, M. (2018). Optimising hydropower development and ecosystem services in the Kafue River, Zambia. Marine and Freshwater Research, 69(12), 1974-1982. https://doi.org/10.1071/MF18132

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 21, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Sep 24, 2018
• Publication Date: Sep 24, 2018
• Deposit Date: Oct 29, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 29, 2018
• Journal: Marine and Freshwater Research
• Print ISSN: 1323-1650
• Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 69
• Issue: 12
• Pages: 1974-1982
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1071/MF18132
• Keywords: Ecology; Aquatic Science; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Oceanography
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/1136508
• Publisher URL: http://www.publish.csiro.au/mf/MF18132