Assessing the Impact of Wetland Restoration Practices on Ecosystem Services: Evidence from Nyandungu Ecotourism Park, Kigali, Rwanda

Abstract

Wetlands play a critical role in sustaining ecosystem services, particularly within rapidly urbanising environments where natural systems are increasingly under pressure. In Rwanda, urban wetland degradation is intensifying due to unplanned settlement expansion, pollution, and infrastructure development. In response, the Government of Rwanda established Nyandungu Ecotourism Park as a flagship urban wetland restoration project. However, limited empirical evidence exists assessing the actual impacts of restoration practices on ecosystem service provision. This study aimed to assess the impact of wetland restoration practices on ecosystem services in Nyandungu Ecotourism Park. The study adopted a mixed-methods research design integrating spatial analysis with socio-economic assessment. Remote sensing and GIS were used to analyse land cover and vegetation changes using satellite imagery from 2008 and 2024. Primary data were collected through questionnaires administered to 399 households and key informant interviews with 25 informants from park management officials, village leaders, and environmental experts. The findings revealed that restoration practices have been highly effective. Land use analysis showed a 92 percent reduction in cropland, while NDVI analysis revealed an 86 percent reduction in bareland and a 139 percent increase in high-quality vegetation cover, all statistically significant. These spatial changes were accompanied by remarkable biodiversity recovery, including 523 plant species, 158 bird species (a 90 percent increase), the Near-Threatened spotted-necked otter, and 41 aquatic macroinvertebrate families. Household survey results showed that 87.2 percent of respondents agreed that biodiversity increased, while 75.5 percent agreed that soil quality improved. However, only 19.5 percent believed the wetland contributes to food-related resources, reflecting the trade-off between conservation success and reduced community resource access.