Zambezi Delta System

Zambezi Delta including Marromeu wetland and mangrove swamps south to Quelimane. The area covered is approximately 12,460 km squared.

Description

A large deltaic complex of integrated ecosystems comprising of mangrove, wetlands, and estuarine and marine systems in the central coastal area of Mozambique. The terrestrial complex includes floodplains, grassland, palm savannah and mangroves intersected by numerous estuaries. The site provides an
important area for globally threatened wetland birds including pelicans and the African skimmer. It has the largest known population of the endangered Wattled crane. The mangroves form part of the largest mangrove complex in the Western Indian Ocean (2,800
km squared), of which a large proportion is in pristine condition. These habitats provide an enormous amount of organic matter that influences nutrient dynamics and productivity of the adjacent (and most likely more remote) marine systems. The marine environment supports concentrations of Risso’s and Humpback dolphins. The area is also a breeding area for sharks (particularly the Zambezi River shark), and for Humpback whales.

Contacts

Inhaca Marine Biological Research Station (UEM) and IIP.

Conservation Status

Most of the natural systems are still of the highest condition but the upstream dams of Kariba and Cabora Bassa have reduced water flow and siltation resulting in saline intrusion and accretion that has reduced the mangrove area and altered wetland systems. There is a large reserve in the Delta, the Marromeu Reserve covering an area of 1500 km squared that extends to the coast (excluding the sea). Enforcement in the Reserve is weak. Much of the delta area was declared a Ramsar site in August 2003.

Summary of threats and information needs

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