The report evaluates how wild mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians, macro-crustaceans (especially crabs and crayfish), and molluscs shape lakes, rivers and streams, as well as saltmarshes, seagrass meadows, estuaries, coastal lagoons, deltas and mudflats, mangroves, coral reefs, and kelp forests – all wetland types recognised by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. This is a special follow-up report of “Taking Animals into Account”, featuring the African continent, based on a literature review and a set of case studies. The report highlights the ecological and functional importance of a wide spectrum of species, some strongly associated with inland and coastal wetlands such as hippos, Nile crocodiles, dugongs, Mediterranean monk seals, otters, sharks, and many fishes and waterbirds; and others with a more indirect connection, such as the African buffalo, elephant, and the Striped and Spotted hyenas.
