This book constitutes a pioneering and unique work on Lake Victoria. It is the world’s second largest fresh-water lake and supports the livelihood of more than 30 million people. Surprisingly, there has been no comprehensive book addressing its problems and potentials. Ecology, environmental pollution and resource management are some of the issues addressed by this comprehensive insight into the limitations, challenges and opportunities facing Lake Victoria.

This Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) was conducted to provide information for strategic action and an investment program addressing key environmental issues, poverty alleviation and sustainable development in Lake Victoria Basin. The study was based on primary survey data and empirical secondary information analyzed using the Global International Waters Assessment (GIWA) model and results validated by stakeholders at all levels. A number of transboundary major perceived problems and issues and their impacts are evaluated, focusing on root causes, specific sources, locations and sectors. They include; Decline in endemic and commercial fish stocks, threats to biodiversity, declines in aquatic environmental quality, climatic change and variability, degradation of catchments landscapes and habitats, invasive and introduced species, deteriorating infrastructure and amenities, decline in human health and conflicts in resource use. This TDA is distinct as the first and most comprehensive analysis of water-related issues on the Lake Victoria basin, which provides a benchmark for future monitoring of the health of the basin ecosystem.

Growing human populations and higher demands for water impose increasing impacts and stresses upon freshwater biodiversity. Their combined effects have made these animals more endangered than their terrestrial and marine counterparts. Overuse and contamination of water, overexploitation and overfishing, introduction of alien species, and alteration of natural flow regimes have led to a 'great thinning' and declines in abundance of freshwater animals, a 'great shrinking' in body size with reductions in large species, and a 'great mixing' whereby the spread of introduced species has tended to homogenize previously dissimilar communities in different parts of the world. Climate change and warming temperatures will alter global water availability, and exacerbate the other threat factors. What conservation action is needed to halt or reverse these trends, and preserve freshwater biodiversity in a rapidly changing world? This book offers the tools and approaches that can be deployed to help conserve freshwater biodiversity.