There are many endemic and unique animals in this lake. [41], Other factors which may have contributed to the decline of the water hyacinth in Lake Victoria include varying weather patterns, such as El Nio during the last few months of 1997 and first six months of 1998 bringing with it higher levels of water in the lake and thus dislodging the plants. How do you find the rational number between 3 and 4? can only be found in the Lake Victoria basin, small bony fish whose mouth parts have evolved to suit their different eating patterns, occupy different niches within the ecosystem: some feed on fish eggs and others insects, a majority feed on detritus (waste/debris): because of this cichlids are essential to the ecosystem. Visiting a park can be more of a challenge for people with disabilities, however, in Victoria there are a wide range of facilities to help people of all abilities enjoy our wonderful parks around the state. And you would not want to get stuck under one; at up to 2,750kg they can crush a human to death. Among these are the hippopotamus , African clawless otter , spotted-necked otter, marsh mongoose , sitatunga , bohor reedbuck , defassa waterbuck, cane rats, and giant otter shrew. [93] The invasive weed was first attempted to be controlled by hand, removed manually from the lake; however, re-growth occurred quickly. The great river flows through Africa in a northwestern direction, through countries such as Sudan, and ends up passing through Egypt, at the tip of Africa, into the Mediterranean Sea. Henry Morton Stanley later confirmed their discovery, putting it on the map. The lake also had a significant role in Africa's history. [31], The lake is considered a shallow lake considering its large geographic area with a maximum depth of approximately 80 metres (260ft) and an average depth of 40 metres (130ft). [29], Between 2010 and 2022 the surface area of Lake Victoria increased by 15%[30] flooding lakeside communities. There are 17 species of bivalves (Corbicula, Coelatura, Sphaerium, and Byssanodonta), including 6 endemic species/subspecies. You can benefit both mind and body when you get outdoors to explore and experience Victoria's natural places. [37][44] Some of the threatened Lake Victoria cichlid species have captive "insurance" populations in zoos, public aquaria and among private aquarists, and a few species are extinct in the wild (only survive in captivity). Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Due to the colossal size of Lake Victorias basin, it encompasses an additional two countries. Its waters fill a shallow depression in the centre of the great plateau that stretches between the Western and Eastern Rift Valleys. [101] Increased logging and act of deforestation has led to environmental degradation around the region reducing the absorption of polluting chemicals and deteriorating the water quality.[102]. It is situated in the middle of Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya. Ochiel, W. Gitonga and S.W. Hippos and crocodiles in Lake Victoria Lake Victoria is home to large populations of hippo and crocodiles. With the size of 68,800 square kilometers, we can expect that this lake became the house of many different animals. The Kidadl Team is made up of people from different walks of life, from different families and backgrounds, each with unique experiences and nuggets of wisdom to share with you. [14], The lake's area is divided among three countries: Kenya occupies 6% (4,100km2 (1,600sqmi)), Uganda 45% (31,000km2 (12,000sqmi)), and Tanzania 49% (33,700km2 (13,000sqmi)).[15]. Lake Victoria is teeming with wildlife, boasting an impressive ecosystem, which stretches beyond the water itself. Kateregga, E., & Sterner, T. (January 01, 2009). Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. [44] Initially the population of the Nile perch was relatively low, but a drastic increase happened, peaking in the 1980s, followed by a decline starting in the 1990s.[44]. Although it is a part of the same river system known as the White Nile and is occasionally referred to as such, strictly speaking this name does not apply until after the river crosses the Uganda border into South Sudan to the north. With such an abundance of cichlids to choose from, Lake Victoria has long been a hotspot for those looking to catch fish to sell, whether for food or as pets. We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. Mostly, they came to Lake Victoria because this lake is connected with other lakes and river. According to its surface area, Lake Victoria is the largest tropical lake, the second-largest freshwater lake, and home to many different aquatic animals. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Uganda Game and Fisheries Department (UGFD) officials denied that they were involved, but circumstantial evidence suggests otherwise and local Africans employed by UGFD have said that they introduced the species in 195455 under the directive of senior officials. Lake Victoria has something for every visitor. However, since the introduction of predators, such as the Nile Perch, these numbers have dwindled. It is an irregular quadrilateral in shape, and its shores, save on the west, are deeply indented. The Land, the Races and their Customs, with Specimens of Some of the Dialects", "How feud wrecked the reputation of explorer who discovered Nile's source", "Fluvial Differentiation in the Basin of Lake Victoria", "Origin of the Superflock of Cichlid Fishes from Lake Victoria, East Africa", "Deoxygenation of the deep water of Lake Victoria, East Africa", Verhandlungen der Internationale Vereinigung fr Limnologie, "Environmental and Social Management Framework-ESMF", "Rising Water Levels in Kenya's Rift Valley Lakes, Turkwel Gorge Dam and Lake Victoria", "A drowning world: Kenya's quiet slide underwater", 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T60668A97125826.en, "Recovery of cichlid species in Lake Victoria: an examination of factors leading to differential extinction", "Ancient hybridization fuels rapid cichlid fish adaptive radiations", 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T185857A8492470.en, "Prevalence of disruptive selection predicts extent of species differentiation in Lake Victoria cichlids", "Two new species of zooplanktivorous haplochromine cichlids from Lake Victoria, Tanzania", "A pharyngeal jaw evolutionary innovation facilitated extinction in Lake Victoria cichlids". Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Many archipelagos are contained within the lake, as are numerous reefs, often just below the surface of the clear waters. On an expedition to find the Nile River, English explorer John Hanning Speke was the person who discovered Lake Victoria in 1858. By 2006, the water levels in Lake Victoria had reached an 80-year low, and Daniel Kull, an independent hydrologist living in Nairobi, Kenya, calculated that Uganda was releasing about twice as much water as is allowed under the agreement,[106] and was primarily responsible for recent drops in the lake's level. Tourists also like to see the ancient rock paintings created by tribals like the Batwa on Mfangano Island. Haplochromine families are relatively bony and small and were never favored during fishing. Crisman, T.L., Chapman, Lauren J., Chapman, Colin A., & Kaufman, Les S. (2003). [84] UGFD officials argued that Nile perch must have spread to Lake Victoria by themselves by passing through the Owen Falls Dam when shut down for maintenance, but this is considered highly unlikely by many scientists. From lino cutting to surfing to childrens mental health, their hobbies and interests range far and wide. Because of this, most of Lake Victoria's nutrients are thought to be locked up in lake-bottom deposits. Few fisheries, though, have been able to make the switch to catching the Nile perch, since that requires a significant amount of capital resources.[87]. The exception is Lake Kivu, which is part of the present-day Congo River basin, but is believed to have been connected to Lakes Edward and Victoria by rivers until the uplifting of parts of the East African Rift. The Lake Victoria region is one of the most densely populated in Africa; within 50 miles (80 km) of its shores live several million people, nearly all Bantu-speaking. [90][94], Growth of the water hyacinth in Lake Victoria has been tracked since 1993, reaching its maxima biomass in 1997 and then declining again by the end of 2001. Not only does Lake Victoria contain 5 large nations in its drainage basin, but it provides so much for the people who rely on its resources for survival. You can find out more about Lake Victoria facts on this article. The Nile perch was introduced to Lake Victoria for fishing, and can reach up to 2 m (6.6 ft) and 200 kg (440 lb). [12] The lake has a shoreline of 7,142km (4,438mi) when digitized at the 1:25,000 level,[13] with islands constituting 3.7% of this length. The lake in East-Central Africa lies along the equator. It is around 400,000 years old. Geysir and Strokkur: Icelands Geothermal Area, Submarine Volcanoes: Mother Natures Incredible Phenomenon. The Victoria Nile flows through other lakes on its way from Lake Victoria to Lake Albert. Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising. Among these are several types of cichlid, many of which are notable by their vibrantly-coloured scales. Birds How many people are killed by hippopotamus in Africa? They are passionate about turning your everyday moments into memories and bringing you inspiring ideas to have fun with your family. Among these are the hippopotamus , African clawless otter , spotted-necked otter, marsh mongoose , sitatunga , bohor reedbuck , defassa waterbuck, cane rats, and giant otter shrew. McAndrews, R. and D.I. Some of the most notable of these are Entebbe and Jinja (Uganda) on the northern shore, Mwanza, and Bukoba (Tanzania) to the south, and Kisumu and Kendu Bay (Kenya) to the east. [54] The piscivorous (affected by both predation and competition from Nile perch[55]), molluscivorous and insectivorous haplochromines were particularly hard hit with many extinctions. Spiders. [20] During the Miocene era, what is now the catchment area of the lake was on the western side of an uplifted area that functioned as a continental divide, with streams on the western side flowing into the Congo River basin and streams on the eastern side flowing to the Indian Ocean. It's the world's largest tropical lake, where you will find more than 500 different cichlid fish species. This huge lake makes a meandering journey and plays a significant role in the history of Africa. Though having multiple local language names (Dholuo: Nam Lolwe; Luganda: 'Nnalubaale; Kinyarwanda: Nyanza; also Ukerewe),[16][17] the lake was renamed after Queen Victoria by the explorer John Hanning Speke, the first Briton to document it in 1858, while on an expedition with Richard Francis Burton. In Lake Victoria, there is some native wildlife that you can easily found. As a by-product of this the oxygen levels in the deeper layer of water are being depleted. The largest river flowing water into the lake is the Kagera River. However, the most distal source of the Nile Basin, and therefore the ultimate source of the Nile, is more often considered to be one of the tributary rivers of the Kagera River (the exact tributary remains undetermined), and which originates in either Rwanda or Burundi. Minimap of Lake Victoria. In addition to the biogas it produces, its by-product can be used as fertilizer. So, it also can be called as the largest tropical lake in the world. Well send you tons of inspiration to help you find a hidden gem in your local area or plan a big day out. How Can We Conserve the Ocean? It also contains reptiles such as the Nile crocodile and the African helmeted turtle, and many crustaceans, including 4 different species of freshwater crab. In Lake Victoria, there is some native wildlife that you can easily found. At the lakes southeastern corner is Speke Gulf, and at the southwestern corner Emin Pasha Gulf. The fact that Lake Victoria is the world's largest tropical lake is probably why it is such a popular home for cichlid species. pp. Either way, it is clear that the Nile Perch has had a large impact on Lake Victorias ecosystem. One of the African Great Lakes is 276 ft (84 m) at the deepest point, and the average depth is just 135 ft (41 m), but the volume of water sustains a huge ecosystem of fauna and flora.
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