The Sudd (South Sudan)

Abstract

The Sudd is one of the largest floodplains in Africa and one of the largest tropical wetlands in the world. It is located in South Sudan, and forms part of the White Nile, or Bahr el Jebel river system, which originates in the African Lakes Plateau. Derived from an Arabic word meaning obstacle or blockage of river channels, the Sudd is composed of a maze of wetland ecosystems. The wetland supports high levels of biodiversity. Located on the eastern flyway between Africa and Europe/Asia, the Sudd is one of the most important wintering grounds in Africa for Palaearctic migrants. While variations in rainfall contribute to annual changes in the extent of the Sudd, long-term variations in the amount of water discharged from the East African lakes are the main source of changes in the system with impacts on habitats and plant composition in the channels, lagoons, and seasonal floodplain areas.