The Nile Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action Program (NELSAP) has initiated an action research project to increase the knowledge base and strengthen the capacity to integrate green infrastructure in river basin planning in three transboundary wetlands: Semliki Delta (DRC-Uganda), Sango Bay-Minziro (Tanzania-Uganda) and Sio-Siteko (Kenya Uganda). This project builds upon existing and previous plans and programs and aims to pave the way and create drivers to improve governance, promote conservation and sustainable livelihoods in the Semliki Delta wetland landscape which directly or indirectly involve the wetlands. This Wetland Monograph presents a detailed study of the physical context, biodiversity and ecosystems, policies and institutions, socio-economics and livelihoods, and social dimensions of the Semliki Delta wetland landscape. In addition, it identifies challenges the wetland landscape faces and on which to develop successful management plans and investment portfolios. The Semliki Delta supports considerable biodiversity of flora and fauna with endemic mammals, birds, amphibians, and plants. The delta habitat contains 325 species of bird, more than 19 fish species, 253 species of butterflies and 72 species of dragonflies, amongst others. The tall vegetation along the marshy shores is home to the Shoebill Balaeniceps rex and other wetland birds. The Semliki Delta wetland further plays an important role in regulating the hydrological system and storage of potable water as well as supporting livelihoods through the provision of fish, medicinal plants, grazing land and building and craft materials. The main challenges include encroachment and deforestation, over-exploitation of natural resources, and unclear and changing wetland boundaries. The root causes of these challenges include rapid population growth, weak institutional capacity, low community awareness, and climate change. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of floods and droughts, but will also continue the loss of glacier ice in the Rwenzori Mountains, ultimately causing a shift in Semliki River flows. Another future threat is the possibility of oil extraction, which will have environmental and socio-economic impacts. Water resources are likely to be increasingly strained in the future climatic and socio-economic conditions of the wider Semliki Delta area. Wetlands are an effective sink for carbon, thereby buffering the effects of climate change and supporting climate resiliency. Therefore, the Semliki Delta wetland landscape needs better protection from human induced and climatic changes to protect the ecosystem and local livelihoods. In order to develop successful and sustainable management and investment plans, it is crucial to understand the environmental and socio-economic system of the wetland landscape and the main threats it faces. Therefore, the first step and cornerstone of this approach is this Wetland Monograph, which serves as the baseline and reference for the Semliki Delta Wetland Management and Conservation Investment Plans. The Nile Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action Program (NELSAP) has initiated an action research project to increase the knowledge base and strengthen the capacity to integrate green infrastructure in river basin planning in three transboundary wetlands: Semliki Delta (DRC-Uganda), Sango Bay-Minziro (Tanzania-Uganda) and Sio-Siteko (Kenya Uganda). This project builds upon existing and previous plans and programs and aims to pave the way and create drivers to improve governance, promote conservation and sustainable livelihoods in the Semliki Delta wetland landscape which directly or indirectly involve the wetlands. This Wetland Monograph presents a detailed study of the physical context, biodiversity and ecosystems, policies and institutions, socio-economics and livelihoods, and social dimensions of the Semliki Delta wetland landscape. In addition, it identifies challenges the wetland landscape faces and on which to develop successful management plans and investment portfolios. The Semliki Delta supports considerable biodiversity of flora and fauna with endemic mammals, birds, amphibians, and plants. The delta habitat contains 325 species of bird, more than 19 fish species, 253 species of butterflies and 72 species of dragonflies, amongst others. The tall vegetation along the marshy shores is home to the Shoebill Balaeniceps rex and other wetland birds. The Semliki Delta wetland further plays an important role in regulating the hydrological system and storage of potable water as well as supporting livelihoods through the provision of fish, medicinal plants, grazing land and building and craft materials. The main challenges include encroachment and deforestation, over-exploitation of natural resources, and unclear and changing wetland boundaries. The root causes of these challenges include rapid population growth, weak institutional capacity, low community awareness, and climate change. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of floods and droughts, but will also continue the loss of glacier ice in the Rwenzori Mountains, ultimately causing a shift in Semliki River flows. Another future threat is the possibility of oil extraction, which will have environmental and socio-economic impacts. 16 Water resources are likely to be increasingly strained in the future climatic and socio-economic conditions of the wider Semliki Delta area. Wetlands are an effective sink for carbon, thereby buffering the effects of climate change and supporting climate resiliency. Therefore, the Semliki Delta wetland landscape needs better protection from human induced and climatic changes to protect the ecosystem and local livelihoods. In order to develop successful and sustainable management and investment plans, it is crucial to understand the environmental and socio-economic system of the wetland landscape and the main threats it faces. Therefore, the first step and cornerstone of this approach is this Wetland Monograph, which serves as the baseline and reference for the Semliki Delta Wetland Management and Conservation Investment Plans