Rationale
The Lukanga Swamps area is an example of a wetland area within a large river system, that acts as a
sponge and fulfills a range of functions for the local and regional communities. Not only is the area a
wetland of major importance (Ramsar Site), it also plays a key role in water retention (flood water
storage), water storage (for agriculture, consumption and hydropower) and the livelihood of communities. These kind of wetlands play a large role in maintaining the resiliency of landscapes, a
resiliency that is strongly needed for climate adaptation. However, they can only play this role when in a
healthy state.
Various functions of the Lukanga Swamps are under threat by the influx of sediments into the basin and
by the abundant growth of vegetation. As a result, large floods occur during the wet season, while more
and more droughts occur during the dry season. In addition to Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) in the
hinterland (which are already being studied, see also section 3), the extraction of sediment and
vegetation could help to restore the full retention capacity and aid all functions that are coupled to the
water body (e.g. fishing, irrigation, drinking water, transport and energy supply). The sediments and
vegetation from the swamps may find beneficial applications, for instance in raising agricultural areas,
improve the fertility of soils, use as mitigation measures for erosion or in the production of clay blocks
or bricks.
The Lukanga swamps are a key example of where Nature-based solutions are necessary to protect
livelihoods, stable economics, and biodiverse ecosystems. The swamps, by their nature, play a critical
economic role to the population and industry in the lower Kafue River basin. For instance, the Kafue River
is the source on which the energy factory downstream is running, but the Kafue River is also the source
for agricultural development, fisheries and transport. Through its sponge effect, the swamps hold water
from the upper Kafue River and slowly release it back into the system to the lower Kafue river system.
During this period of storage, the water is purified through natural processes and vegetation. By restoring
and protecting the Lukanga Swamps as a natural water sponge system, we can ensure that there will be
continued energy and water supply to Lusaka and Kafue town downstream. Economically, if we don’t act,
if only 10% of the Lukanga’s sponge capacity is reduced, there is an estimated yearly loss of over 41.5
million USD (Deltares, 2021).
The Project
Full-scale extraction of sediments and vegetation from the Lukanga Swamps for beneficial use requires,
first of all, a good understanding of all aspects in the system (natural system ánd societal system). In
order to understand how to extract the sediments and how to use them in the best way we need to
understand the physics of the swamp and the soil characteristics, but we also need to understand the
local needs and issues in which sediments could help, the local legislation and governance context and
how to achieve longevity related to the use of sediments and the way of living of the local community.
An overview of the key knowledge gaps is a first step towards implementation. The next step then
consists of developing the required know-how by research and pilots. The final step should focus on
upscaling and implementation. The, for this TKI, proposed research study covers the first step and the
second step up to pilot implementation.
Knowledge development for upscaling
The new knowledge that is developed through this project is not only favorable for enabling further
implementation at Lukanga Swamps but also favorable for the partners within this project as it enables
upscaling and implementation worldwide. Worldwide, there are various wetlands systems, like Lukanga
Swamps, and most of them face similar challenges, with a variety of issues (sedimentation, land use
changes, climate change) that threaten their functioning and their values/services within the larger
scale systems they interact. Nature-based Solutions and interventions are necessary to revamp the
natural functioning of these systems and assure a future-proof continuation of the values they deliver.
The problems within the Lukanga Swamps area and the approach towards the solutions (NBS) that are
being considered and developed provide the potential to further the knowledge development on
learning how to deal with these situations. Developing this knowledge by furthering the Lukanga
Swamps example for NBS implementation is the core of the project proposed.

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