Project
Djoudj National Park
Safeguarding the Djoudj National Park
Nestled in the heart of Senegal’s Senegal River Delta, the Djoudj National Park (also known as the Djoudj Bird Sanctuary) is a 16,000-hectare wetland sanctuary and one of West Africa’s most critical habitats for migratory birds. Each year, it hosts over 1.5 million migratory birds, including iconic species such as the Great White Pelican, Purple Heron, African Spoonbill, and Cormorant, and is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1981) and a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance. The Djoudj is also a vital wintering site for migratory birds that breed in Europe, such as the Black-tailed Godwit.
The park’s wetland ecosystem is defined by a network of shallow basins that are interconnected through channels and receive water from the Senegal River via three manually operated water gates. These gates regulate fresh water inflow during the flood season, controlling salinity, sediment, and nutrient levels to maintain optimal habitat conditions. However, the current water management system faces growing challenges due to climate change and agricultural development.
With the support of the Lower Saxony Bingo Environmental Foundation (Niedersächsische Bingo-Umweltstiftung) and under the LIFE IP GrassBirdHabitats framework, we launched a three-year project to develop practical, realistic recommendations for the hydrological management of the Djoudj, called Development of integrated ecosystem-based water management recommendations for Djoudj National Park, Senegal (2026–2028). The goal is to ensure the optimal management of this bird sanctuary and to safeguard the wintering habitat of migratory species like the Black-tailed Godwit.
Project goals
- Model the hydrology: understand how Djoudj’s basins and wetlands function in the context of climate change.
- Develop scenarios: analyse the impacts of different hydrological scenarios on the park’s ecosystem, particularly its bird biodiversity.
- Inform a sustainable water management strategy: integrate ecological, cultural, and social considerations to secure Djoudj’s future.
Key partners
- Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal and Nature Protection Agency (NLWKN): Project initiator, overseeing development and execution, and providing scientific and technical support.
- Université Gaston Berger (UGB): Lead for scientific research.
- Nature Communautés Développement (NCD): Lead for implementation and engagement with Senegal’s Direction des Parcs Nationaux (National Parks Authority).
Contact
