How many countries is lake tangayika surrounded by

Instead, evidence shows that underwater habitat degradation is taking place adjacent to hill slopes. They are being rapidly deforested — converted to agricultural lands or for urban expansion —in the fast growing population centres around the lake.

This activity has led to a rapid increase in the amount of loose sand and mud being washed into the lake which is smothering the lake floor. The biodiversity of Lake Tanganyika can be imagined like a thin bathtub ring. It hugs the shallow zones around a deep and steep bottomed lake, up to m in its deepest parts. The hundreds of species that inhabit the sunlit shallows give way to a dark expanse of water lacking oxygen and, so, animal life.

This narrow strip of extraordinary biodiversity is on the front line. Eroded sediments are being carried into the lake, affecting this strip. Researchers have begun to document where the impact is being felt. Crocodiles inhabit most of the shoreline, except around Mpulungu, probably due to the noise of people and motorboats.

Swimming in the lake in the Mpulungu area only! Warm, clear, salt free water that changes from silky stillness, to high waves for a great body surf — usually with no apparent reason for the change. Storms from way up north probably cause the still waters in the south to agitate. Ndole Bay Lodge. This website uses cookies, Some of the cookies we use are essential for the site to work.

By continuing to use our site you agree to us using cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy. Approximately species are endemic to the lake, including morphologically diverse and colourful cichlid fish species Snoeks, ; Genner et al. Moreover, a large diversity of endemic ostracods, gastropods, shrimp, crabs e. The lake is valuable not only for the presence of these unique species, but also as a microcosm in which to study the processes of evolution that have led to this diversity. The Lake Tanganyika Basin faces multiples challenges, resulting from the activities of rapidly expanding human populations in the riparian countries.

The most immediate threats are:. The transboundary environmental problems in Lake Tanganyikabasin have the potential to impact the livelihoods of millions people.

Okavango Delta. Lake Ossa. Sonfon Lake. Lake Victoria. National Networks. Living Lakes Webinars.