A Ecological Baseline Surveys Of: - Lake Bisina - Nature Uganda

4.1.7.4 Monitoring indicators and regimes
The indicators and regimes will be monitored indirectly through, water quality changes, soil erosion
levels and plant species diversity change. Any environmental changes must be observed and
reacted upon.
4.1.8 Discussions
Lake Nakivali wetland as a representation of Lake Mburo-Nakivali system is highly degraded due
to human activities. Natural vegetation has been cleared for farming. This might be partly due to
overpopulation, poverty and lack of enforceable policies and reasonable management measures.
According to Sisk et al. (1994); McCracken and Abaza (2001); and Reynolds and Smith (2002)
ecosystem degradation phenomena are a worldwide environmental problem limiting the ecosystems
sustainability. Seriously damaged lands not only lose control over resources, but also lose the
capacity for self-repair and are unable to prevent additional degradation. As these degrading
processes continue, a threshold can be crossed exceeding the ability for the ecosystem to recover
and desertification results, a dynamic and self-perpetuating process. There is need therefore to
restore this ecosystem. This restoration will bring back native species and their habitats. Seedlings
of many species are expected to emerge, survive and establish reproducing populations, and then
populations are expected to assemble into a community similar to the original system. Species
composition can reflect the process of vegetation succession and be used as one of the objectives
of vegetation restoration and improvement.
4.1.9 Conclusions and recomendations
The different degradation treatments had significant effects on species composition, plant cover and
species diversity, and thus affect the ecological function of plant communities. Therefore, decisions
and regulations related to strategies, such as re-vegetation planning, species selection, seedling
management should be carefully considered. Reforestation with native dominant plant species
or natural restoration is a reasonable choice for reforestation. A landscape approach should be
condidered for community mobilization, awareness programmes and restoration of various zones.
Ecological Baseline Surveys of Lake Bisina, Lake Opeta, Lake Mburo and Nakivali Wetlands Systems 61