Research in development: learning from the CGIAR Research Program on Aquatic Agricultural Systems

This working paper aims to synthesize and share learning from the experience of adapting and operationalizing the Research in Development(RinD) approach to agricultural research in the five hubs under the The CGIAR Research Program on Aquatic Agricultural Systems. It seeks to share learning about how the approach is working in context and to explore the outcomes it is achieving through initial implementation over 3 ½ years. This learning can inform continuation of agricultural research in the second phase of the CGIAR research programs and will be useful to others aiming to implement research programs that seek to equitably build capacity to innovate in complex social-ecological systems. Each of the chapters in this working paper have shown that RinD has produced a range of outcomes that were often unexpected and broader in scope than might result from other approaches to agricultural research. RinD also produces innovations, and there is evidence that it builds capacity to innovate.

The major aquatic systems of the Victoria and Kyoga lake basins

The Victoria and Kyoga lake basins form the major aquatic system of this study (Fig. I). The two lake basins share a common evolutionary history and have similar native fish faunas (Graham 1929, Worthington 1929). The two main lakes have also had similar impacts by introduction of Nile perch Lates niloticus and therefore these two lakes can be considered to be similar for ichiogeographical purposes. These lake basins have many satellite lakes isolated from one another and from the main lakes Victoria and Kyoga by swamps and other barriers. Some of these satellite lakes still possess stocks of endemic fish species which are almost extinct from the main water bodies. It was therefore considered that understanding of these lakes would contribute to the knowledge base required to solve some of the problems experienced in Lake Victoria and Kyoga especially the loss in trophic diversity arising. The study was carried out in these two main water bodies (Kyoga and Victoria) and on other satellite lakes e.g Wamala, Kachera, Mburo, Kayanja and Kayugi in the Victoria lake basin and lakes Nawampasa, Nyaguo, Agu, Gigate, Lemwa and Kawi in the Kyoga lake basin (Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6).

The diversity of aquatic flora and their importance in the Victoria and Kyoga lake basins

A great part of Uganda is endowed with water bodies in the forms of rivers and open water lakes. These bodies are never alone. They are either flanked or associated with plants, which are adapted to the wet conditions. They are so characteristic that they are part and parcel of the aquatic ecosystems. They occupy various positions depending on the amount of water in the relevant habitats.

The diversity of macro invertebrates in the Victoria and Kyoga lake basin and their relationship to ecosystem functioning

Aquatic macro-invertebrates encompass all those organisms that be seen with unaided eyes. Most macro-invertebrates are categorised as semi-aquatic in that they are aquatic in early stages, but live as terrestrial organisms as adults, while others like gastropods, bivalves, Oligochaetae, Hirudinae and ostracods are exclusively aquatic. Some of them such as mayflies lay eggs in water and subsequent stages also live in water until adulthood when they emerge to live a terrestrial life. In others, eggs are laid near the water, while some like members of Tendipedidae (midges) lay their eggs on the leaves of aquatic macrophytes and after hatching their larvae creep into water

Aquatic ecology monitoring: water quality, fish, fish catch, sanitation and disease vectors: monitoring no. 10 and reservoir baseline, 23rd – 30th April 2012

The results reported on were from a monitoring survey No. 10 undertaken between 23 rd and 29th April 2012 during construction period of the Bujagali Hydropower Project (BHPP). Two pre-construction, baseline surveys in April 2000 and April 2006 were conducted and so far, during construction phase of the project, nine monitoring surveys have been undertaken i.e. in September 2007, April 2008, April 2009, October 2009, April 2010, September 2010, April 2011, September 2011and the present one, in April 2012. Since 2009 biannual monitoring surveys have been conducted at an upstream and a downstream transect of the BHPP with emphasis on the following aspects: water quality determinants biology and ecology of fishes and food webs fish stock and fish catch including economic aspects of catch and sanitation/vector studies (bilharzias and river blindness) During this survey, baseline assessment of the above mentioned studies was conducted in the reservoir behind the dam, including studies on algae, zooplankton and benthic macroinvertebrates which had been restrained since April 2008. The findings of baseline assessment of the reservoir are also contained in this report and are compared with those obtained from Transect 1(Upstream) and Transect 2 (Downstream).

Aquatic ecology monitoring, water quality, fish, fish catch, sanitation and disease vectors: monitoring no. 11, 4th – 9th September 2012

This monitoring survey No. 11 undertaken between 4th and 9th September 2012 is the second one to be conducted after completion of construction of Bujagali Hydropower Dam. Two pre-construction baseline surveys in April 2000 and April 2006 were conducted and during construction phase, eight monitoring surveys (September 2007, April 2008, April 2009, October 2009, April 2010, September 2010, April 2011, September 2011) were conducted.

Capture fisheries in Uganda: why Bujagali hydro-power project and ecological monitoring?

Human use of water resow-ces in Uganda has grown and intensified along with population growth and increasing demand to meet the diverse human needs. In the case of Uganda's rivers, the main uses include fisheries, hydropower generation, abstraction for potable water supply, discharge of sewage and navigation. All these uses can disrupt the integrity of the aquatic ecosystem and may affect the survival of the diversity of organisms. In consideration of the need to increase electricity to meet demand, the Bujagali Hydro-power Project (BHPP) and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) recognised the importance of safeguards to mitigate impacts of the project. The National Fisheries Resources Research Institute (NaFIRRI) was assigned the role of providing baseline information on the aquatic ecosystem of the Upper Victoria Nile and to follow up the findings with a monitoring framework during construction and post-commissioning phases.

Invertebrate communities of Lake Nabisojjo

Invertebrates are organisms without a backbone on the basis of body size. Aquatic invertebrates can be divided into two broad categories: micro-and macro-invertebrates. The former commonly known as zooplankton, ranging in size from < 100um 10 ca.1500um and are mainly planktonic (i.e living suspended in the water column). The latter, also known as benthos, (bottom dwelling) are associated with bottom sediments(ie, living on sediment surface or burrowing in sediments), are much bigger organism greater than 1500um in body size.

Aquatic ecology monitoring: water quality, fish, fish catch, sanitation and disease vectors: monitoring No.7, 4-7th September 2010

The results reported on were from a monitoring survey No.7 undertaken between 4 th and 7th September 2010 during construction period of the Bujagali Hydropower Project (BHPP). Two pre-construction, baseline surveys in April 2000 and April 2006 were conducted and so far, during construction phase of the project, six monitoring surveys have been undertaken i.e. in September 2007, April 2008, April 2009, October 2009, April 2010 and the present one, in September 2010. Since 2009 biannual monitoring surveys have been conducted at an upstream and a downstream transect of the BHPP with emphasis on the following aspects: I. water quality determinants 2. biology and ecology of fishes and food webs 3. fish stock and fish catch including economic aspects of catch and 4. sanitation/vector studies (bilharzias and river blindness)

Aquatic and fisheries survey of the upper Victoria Nile: a report prepared for AES Nile Power Bujagali hydropower project, final report

The aquatic ecosystem of the Upper Victoria Nile is part of a wider complex of water bodies (lakes and rivers) in Uganda that is of immense socioeconomic importance, especially the fisheries. A source of food, income, energy, irrigation and drinking water, the protection, sustainable use and management of the Upper Victoria Nile water resources are vital to Uganda's economy. The Upper Victoria Nile,due to its abundance of socio-economic benefits,provides a significant contribution to Uganda's economy. The fisheries contribute to the sector as a major source of the export earnings, second to coffee (NEMA,1996), sustain small fishing villages,provide income and generally improve nutrition. Apart from the socio-economic significance of the fisheries,the riverine features of the Upper Victoria Nile, especially its hydropower potential,distinguish this river from the rest of the aquatic ecosystems in the country.

The first quarter survey of the aquatic system and fisheries of the upper Victoria Nile, 6th -13th April 2006

The purpose of this present study therefore is to provide and update the AES Nile Power EIA baseline information on the ecology of the river ecosystem prior to the construction of the dam. The study is intended to provide a basis for evaluating the impact of the project on the river environment, the biological resources associated with it and fisheries socia-economics and the vector/sanitation status. This report presents the findings of the first sampling regime which was conducted between the dates of 6th-13th April 2006 and compared with the AESNP Environmental Impact Assessment findings of the second quarter carried out during 5th-14th April 2000.

Aquatic ecology monitoring: water quality, fish, fish catch, sanitation and disease vectors: monitoring no.12, 25th-30th April 2013

Bujagali hydropower dam construction is now completed and a reservoir behind the dam has been created, extending all the way up to Kalange-Makwanzi, an upstream transects. During the 10th monitoring survey-April 2012, a third transect was established in the mid of the reservoir where it runs up to 30 m deep and sampled similarly as at the two original sampling transects, Kalange-Makwanzi and Buyala-Kikubamutwe for comparative purposes. This monitoring survey No. 12 undertaken between 25th and 30th April 2013 is the third one to be conducted after completion of construction of Bujagali Hydropower Dam. Two pre-construction baseline surveys in April 2000 and April 2006 were conducted and during construction phase, eight monitoring surveys (September 2007, April 2008, April 2009, October 2009, April 2010, September 2010, April 2011, September 2011) were conducted. Since 2009 biannual monitoring surveys have been conducted at an upstream and a downstream transect of the BHPP with emphasis on the following aspects: water quality determinants, biology and ecology of fishes and food webs, fish stock and fish catch including economic aspects of catch and sanitation/vector studies (bilharzias and river blindness). In the post-construction monitoring surveys, the assessments of algae, zooplankton and benthic macro-invertebrates which had been restrained since April 2008 were also included.

Aquatic ecology monitoring: water quality, fish, fish catch and parasites: monitoring no.4, 3rd-7th April 2009

The survey covered by this report was undertaken between 3rd and 7th April 2009 as a follow-up on the during construction surveys. Two pre-construction baseline surveys were undertaken in April 2000 and April 2006. During the construction phase which started in 2007, three surveys including the current one have been undertaken i.e. in September 2007, April 2008 and the present one, in April 2009. Unlike in all previous surveys in which monitoring was conducted at one transect upstream and three downstream transects, in the current survey, two transects, one upstream and the other,downstream of the BHPP were sampled with emphasis on the following aspects: 1. water quality determinants 2. biology and ecology of fishes and food webs 3. fish stock and fish catch including economic aspects of catch and 4. sanitation/vector studies (bilharzias and river blindness)

The fish stocks in Uganda aquatic systems: opportunities and challenges for transformation

The status of fish stocks in a water body at any one time is a function of several factors affecting the production of fish in that water body. These include: total number (abundance) and biomass(weight) present, growth (size and age), recruitment (the quantity of fish entering the fishery) including reproduction, mortality which is caused by fishing or natural causes, Other indirect factors of major importance to the status of the stocks include production factors (water quality and availability of natural food for fish), the life history parameters of the different species making up the stocks (e.g. sex ratios, condition of the fish, reproductive potential (i.e. fecundity) etc), Changes in fish stocks do occur when any of the above listed factors directly influence aspects of growth, reproduction and mortality and therefore, numbers and standing stock (biomass). In the exploited fisheries, major research concerns regarding stocks relate to the listed factors especially: estimates of stock abundance/biomass, the quantity of fish being caught,where the fish are caught, which species are caught (relative abundance)when the fish are caught, how the fish are caught. The balance between stock abundance and amount of fish caught provides the basis for intervention. Due to the diverse characteristics of the physical water environment, fishes are in general, not evenly distributed throughout a water body. Shallow and vegetated areas tend to support higher abundance and diversity of fish species. In addition, seasonal variations in fish abundance are so strong that fluctuations in catch have to be expected at fish landings.