Wetland fragmentation associated with large populations across Africa

Sani Idris Garba (), Susanna K. Ebmeier, Jean-François Bastin, Danilo Mollicone and Joseph Holden
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Sani Idris Garba: University of Leeds
Susanna K. Ebmeier: University of Leeds
Jean-François Bastin: Université de Liège
Danilo Mollicone: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Joseph Holden: University of Leeds

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Wetlands provide essential ecosystem services in Africa, yet their extent and fragmentation remain poorly understood. Here we classify African wetlands at 10 m resolution, using seasonal composite imagery and a random forest algorithm. We estimate a total wetland area of 947,750 km² (10% of global wetlands), comprising 46% marshes, 25% swamps, 22% peatlands, 5% seasonal wetlands, and 2% mangroves. Wetland fragmentation is strongly associated with high population densities in countries such as Nigeria, Liberia, Guinea, Egypt, Algeria, and Kenya. African wetlands store an estimated 54 ± 11 Gt of carbon, surpassing Europe’s 12–31 Gt. If drained, they could release 260 MtC yr−¹, nearly ten times the carbon sequestration of pristine wetlands (27 MtC yr−¹). These findings provide a crucial foundation for sustainable wetland management and policy development.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-59373-2

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