The objective of this consultancy is to support water resources management and planning in South Sudan and the Nile basin through an improved understanding of the Sudd wetland, with a focus on its state, its ecosystem services, including for livelihoods and freshwater biodiversity, and the multiple pressures it faces, covering the states of Jonglei, Unity, Lakes, and Upper Nile. The specific objectives of this assignment are:
• Synthesize data on the extent, characteristics, and state of the Sudd wetland, including its connection with transboundary surface bodies and groundwater flows.
• Assess and map the ecosystem and climate services provided by the Sudd wetland at local and regional scales.
• Pilot innovative monitoring approaches to collect data on freshwater biodiversity that depends on these ecosystem services.
• Assess and map the impact of multiple pressures, such as climate change, land-use change, upstream diversions, pollution, on the Sudd wetland at present and in the future. Identify the main pressures responsible for the recent observed changes in the extent of the Sudd wetlands.
• Develop recommendations and a roadmap to address identified pressures, fill knowledge gaps and enhance the contribution of the Sudd wetland to economic development and water security in South Sudan.
Actual services provided by our staff within the assignment:
Ecosystem mapping and ecosystem services assessment including mapping of wetlands, riparian areas and their states, as well as review and mapping of ecosystem and climate services. Collection of freshwater biodiversity data including review and collection of existing freshwater biodiversity data and collection of targeted freshwater biodiversity data through review and a pilot. Assessment of multiple pressures and responses including assessment of key pressures affecting the Sudd wetlands, review of patterns of impacts and threats at present and in the future, and review of ongoing and potential responses. Capacity-building and dissemination as well as stakeholder engagement.
Name of client: The World Bank
Start date (month/year): 06/2025
Completion date (month/year): 03/2026
