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

Fig. 9 Mammal survey sites in Opeta – Bisina wetland system
6.1.3 Lake Mburo-Nakivali wetland system
The Mburo-Nakivali system is continuous with the Lake Mburo National Park. The general area was
mapped by Langdale-Brown et al (1964) to comprise of a rather extensive Cyperus papyrus swamp
mixed with Echinocloa grassland on sites with impeded drainage. These two vegetation formations
form the central section of this system. Elsewhere on the other hand the system is largely a dry
Acacia savannah dominated by Acacia-Cymbopogon/Themeda complex with a scattering of other
dry type communities including dry Hyparrhenia and Themeda-Luodetia grass savannas.
Occurring in the same ecosystem as the Lake Mburo National Park, this system would also have been
an important range area for several species of mammals that are unique to this area in Uganda.
The Mburo-Nakivali system lies within the general area of the cattle corridor, implying that it is liable
to facing heavy pressures from livestock. Byaruhanga et al (2001) pointed out that the Lake Mburo
National Park which is a key future of this area receives erratic and unreliable rainfall that causes
shortage of pastures and affecting the behavior of the animal life in the area. Since Lake Mburo,
Nakivali and the other associated water bodies would carry water throughout the year, they should
provide the only sources of water in the dry seasons.
Ecological Baseline Surveys of Lake Bisina, Lake Opeta, Lake Mburo and Nakivali Wetlands Systems 87