From Upemba to the World: Wetlands, the Congo Basin, and the Lufira Ramsar Site

Communication
20 hours ago
2 min read

Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems on Earth, quietly sustaining life far beyond their shores. They regulate water cycles, store carbon, buffer floods and droughts, and provide breeding grounds for countless species of fish, birds, and mammals. In a world facing accelerating climate change and biodiversity loss, wetlands act as natural infrastructure: purifying water, stabilizing soils, and supporting livelihoods that depend on seasonal rhythms rather than extraction. Yet despite their value, wetlands remain among the most threatened ecosystems globally, often drained, polluted, or misunderstood as wastelands rather than life-sustaining systems.

At the heart of Africa, Upemba National Park, in the DRC, shelters an exceptional mosaic of wetlands that connect directly to the greater Congo Basin, one of the planet’s most important ecological engines. These wetlands feed rivers, sustain grasslands and floodplains, and form vital corridors for wildlife movement across Central and Southern Africa, as it used to be the case. They support fisheries, grazing systems, and cultural practices that have coexisted with nature for generations, while also anchoring regional hydrological stability. What happens in Upemba’s wetlands resonates far beyond the park’s boundaries, influencing water security and biodiversity across the basin.

Within this system, the Lufira Basin stands out for its international recognition as a Ramsar Site, underscoring its global importance as a wetland of international significance. This status reflects not only its rich biodiversity, including migratory birds and endemic species, but also its role in sustaining human and ecological resilience. On World Wetlands Day, Upemba’s wetlands remind us that protecting these landscapes is not a local concern alone – it is a shared responsibility. Safeguarding wetlands means protecting water, climate stability, and life itself, from Upemba to the Congo Basin to the world.