Deforestation in the Mara River Basin

Deforestation is a global problem that causes myriad problems for wildlife, water, people, and climate. In the Mara River Basin, deforestation has caused erosion — a process by which topsoil and other materials are washed into tributaries and the river during rains. This sedimentation of rivers causes problems for aquatic species, for people who depend on the water without ability to filter before using, and changes the river bed and wetlands physically.

Deforestation disrupts local hydrological cycles. Trees intercept rainfall, allowing water to soak slowly into the soil rather than running off rapidly into streams. When forests are cleared, runoff increases, causing flash floods during the rainy season and lower flows during the dry season. This "flashier" hydrology makes the Mara River less reliable as a water source for communities, wildlife, and agriculture.

The Mau Forest in Kenya's Mara headwaters region has experienced significant deforestation. Efforts to restore the Mau Forest are underway, but progress is slow. In the lower Mara in Tanzania, riparian forests along the river's edge are also being cleared for agriculture and charcoal production. SELVA documents these changes and their impacts on water quality and availability in the lower basin.