Lake Tanganyika and Lake Victoria are two of the largest freshwater lakes in the world, with vast and unique environments. Their size and importance to both the local and international ecosystem has made them invaluable resources. However, despite being geographically close and sharing many features, there are some significant differences between Lake Tanganyika and Lake Victoria.
Lake Tanganyika is the second deepest lake in the world and has been identified as the world’s oldest. It is estimated to be 14,500 to 15,000 years old and supports many unique species. It is located in Tanzania, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zambia. In contrast, Lake Victoria, located in Tanzania and Uganda, is shallow, with an average depth of only 40 feet, making it the world’s second-largest lake, but the largest lake in Africa.
Geologists suggest that Lake Victoria formed due to a seismic event which caused a fault line in the Rift Valley system and allowed the lake to fill with water from the Nile. Lake Tanganyika, however, had a different origin, thought to be connected to volcanic activity and erosion of its basin over thousands of years.
Lake Tanganyika has a much wider array of aquatic life than Lake Victoria. The lake is home to over 250 species of cichlid fishes, the largest number of any freshwater body in the world. The lake is also home to numerous other rare and unique species such as the African lungfish, elephant shrimp, and the freshwater crab. On the other hand, Lake Victoria is not as diverse, with only seven species of cichlid fish, as well as other common species such as catfish, tilapia, and eels.
Nutrient levels are also extremely different between the two lakes, with Lake Tanganyika having much higher nutrient concentrations than Lake Victoria. This is largely due to the extensive sediment loads from the surrounding catchment and the presence of volcanic activity in the lake’s catchment area. While Lake Victoria has some nutrient concentrations from the catchment, the lake’s nutrient concentration is much lower than that of Lake Tanganyika.
Human Activity
Human activity also differs between Lake Tanganyika and Lake Victoria. Lake Tanganyika is less affected by human activity than Lake Victoria, largely due to the lake’s remote and sparsely populated nature. For example, while fishing is conducted in the lake, it is widely regarded as a sustainable activity in comparison to the unsustainable large-scale fishing taking place in Lake Victoria.
In addition, Lake Tanganyika is much less polluted than Lake Victoria due to its lack of large industrial populations and its remote location. This has meant that it has experienced much less pollution of its surface waters and its tributaries compared to Lake Victoria.
Biodiversity
One of the most striking differences between Lake Tanganyika and Lake Victoria is their respective biodiversity. Lake Tanganyika is home to a range of unique aquatic organisms including rare species of fishes, molluscs, mammals, and crustaceans. On the other hand, the previously mentioned seven species of cichlid fishes is the defining characteristic of Lake Victoria.
Because of their distinctive biodiversity, the two lakes have been classified as separate international water bodies. Lake Tanganyika is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the International Convention for the Conservation of the aquatic Environment of Lake Tanganyika (ICCAT) was set up in 1996 for the conservation of its many species. Lake Victoria also has its own regional body, the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC), which promotes the sustainable use of its resources.
Climate Change
Climate change has had a major impact on both Lake Tanganyika and Lake Victoria. In the case of Lake Tanganyika, prolonged periods of drought and increased water demand have led to water level drops of up to 10 metres over the past three decades. Lake Victoria has also seen large water level drops, with the lake shrinking by an estimated 13 cu km between 2010 and 2011.
Furthermore, more recent studies have highlighted increasing salinity levels in both lakes as a result of global warming, which threatens to disrupt their respective ecosystems and alter their species compositions. Both lakes supply essential water resources to the surrounding populations and the effects of climate change will have a major impact on their economies.
White Spot Disease
Both Lake Tanganyika and Lake Victoria have also been affected by the devastating White Spot Disease outbreak which has impacted the fishes within their ecosystems. White Spot Disease is caused by a type of virus which attacks the soft bodies of fishes and is particularly dangerous to the unique cichlid and other native species in both lakes. Unsustainable and illegal fishing practices, in addition to climate change, have exacerbated the effects of this virus.
In an effort to combat the disease and protect their native species, authorities in both countries have set up sustainable fisheries programmes, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has recognised the outbreak as a major global concern.
Water Quality
Water quality is another crucial difference between the two lakes, with Lake Tanganyika having far superior water quality to Lake Victoria. The absence of large industrial populations and limited agricultural activity in the basin of Lake Tanganyika has ensured much cleaner water, and the lake is far less eutrophic than Lake Victoria. This has led to improved biodiversity and greater environmental protection in the lake.
In addition, the presence of sediment and other particles in the lake is lower than in Lake Victoria – allowing far greater visibility in the lake which promotes clearer views and greater clarity. Similarly, the water in Lake Tanganyika is much colder and of higher salinity than that of Lake Victoria due to its much greater depth.
Fauna
The faunal species present in the two lakes are also very different. Lake Tanganyika is home to a wide variety of large mammals, including hippopotamus, crocodiles, and some antelope, while Lake Victoria has none. This is quite remarkable as the two lakes are geographically close and share many of the same species.
Additionally, while both lakes are communities of fish, Lake Victoria’s species are not nearly as abundant as those in Lake Tanganyika. This is primarily due to the fact that Lake Victoria is shallower and warmer than Lake Tanganyika and therefore does not support the same types of fish species.
Local Communities
The local communities around the two lakes are also dramatically different. Lake Tanganyika is relatively isolated, with the majority of the shoreline being uninhabited and the few communities located on the lake being quite small. On the other hand, Lake Victoria is home to much larger communities, with extensive fishing activities and various industries established around the lake.
Local communities are also largely reliant on the lake for their livelihoods and resources. This is especially true in Lake Tanganyika, where the fish population provides a vital food source and income for many households. In Lake Victoria, fishing activities are an essential source of livelihood and income, as well as providing food security to millions of people in the region.
Conclusion
Lake Tanganyika and Lake Victoria are two of the world’s largest and most iconic freshwater lakes. Despite their close proximity and sharing many of the same species, the two lakes have many distinct differences, ranging from their individual geology and biodiversity to their respective water quality and local communities. Understanding their differences is essential in order to both protect and preserve these vital resources for future generations.
