An assessment for improved water management of the Upper Imatong Mountain Watershed, South Sudan

An assessment for improved water management of the Upper Imatong Mountain Watershed, South Sudan. This project aimed to identify major impacts to hydrological systems in the Upper Kinyeti River watershed brought about through land use changes in the catchment, as well as, identify vulnerabilities associated with these impacts and climate change. Much of the upper catchment is located on the slopes of the highest peak in South Sudan (3,100 masl), Mount Kinyeti in the largely forested Imatong Mountains. The vulnerability of the Kinyeti watershed is only anecdotally known. However, during recent years, significant land use changes and deforestation have reportedly taken place which is likely to have altered the flows and the provision of ecosystem services essential for human well-being. Clearing of this forest and other vegetation on the lower slopes for predominantly agricultural purposes threatens to impact the currently perennial flow of the Kinyeti River and other rivers draining off the Imatong Mountains. This project was overseen by Ecosystem Services.