Western Zambia: Did you know that the Barotse floodplain, located in Zambia’s western province’s upper Zambezi basin, is home to approximately 339 bird species and 129 recognised fish species? When flooded, it can cover over 550 000 hectares, acting as a sponge that gently releases water to surrounding low-rainfall areas. The Kariba dam provides hydroelectric power to Zambia and Zimbabwe, as well as water to villages downstream.

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However, due to the area’s high temperatures, the Barotse loses around 1,500mm of water per year from evaporation, decreasing the water availability along the Zambezi River system. This week, Dr. Machaya Chomba, Upper Zambezi Programme Manager at the World Wide Fund for Nature Zambia, discusses its significance, key challenges, and long-term conservation solutions.