Freshwater biodiversity is critically understudied in Rwanda, and there is no efficient mechanism to integrate freshwater biodiversity information and make it accessible to decision-makers, researchers, private sector or communities, where it is needed for planning and management and the implementation of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. A framework to capture and distribute freshwater biodiversity data is crucial to understand how economic transformation and environmental change is affecting freshwater biodiversity and resulting ecosystem services. To optimize conservation efforts for freshwater ecosystems, detailed information is needed regarding current and historical species distributions and abundances across the landscape. From these data, specific conservation concerns can be identified, analyzed and prioritized.
The goal of this project is to establish and implement a long-term strategy for freshwater biodiversity data mobilisation, sharing, processing and reporting in Rwanda. The outcome of the project will support the achievement of the mandate of the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), the national agency in charge of environment monitoring and the implementer of the Rwanda’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) together with the Center of Excellence in Biodiversity and Natural Resources Management (CoEB). To find out more about this project please see the Fact Sheet (link to pdf).