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Rufiji-Mafia Channel - Environment

The defining feature of the Rufiji–Mafia channel ecosystem is the Rufiji delta, created by the Rufiji River, the widest and longest river in Tanzania. It is formed by three main tributaries (the rivers Luwegu, Kilombero and Great Ruaha) and has a mean annual discharge of about 30 x 109 m3. The river and delta create productive estuarine ecosystems in the adjoining coastal waters, including the Mafia Marine Park providing important nurseries and feeding grounds for diverse marine species. The ecosystem’s environment is also influenced by monsoon winds. There are two monsoon seasons: The North East (NE) monsoon blows during the period of November to March and is normally characterized by high air temperatures and low wind speeds with relatively calm seas, while the strong winds of the South East (SE) monsoon occur between May and September. During the South east monsoons, the air temperature is lower, the sky is cloudy, the wind is stronger and the sea is rough. The division between NE and SE monsoons indicates two distinct coastal seasons: wet and dry. These climatic phenomena ultimately affect the physical, chemical and biological oceanographic processes of the ecosystem. The SE monsoon also brings heavy rains and nourishes estuaries and coastal areas with lots of nutrients.