Sudan-South Sudan

Sudan and South Sudan encompass diverse ecosystems spanning the transition from Saharan desert to equatorial wetlands. The region hosts the world's largest wetland system, the Sudd in South Sudan, alongside the Blue and White Nile confluence zones that support unique riparian forests. The Imatong Mountains harbor Afromontane forests with endemic species, while the Red Sea Hills contain specialized arid-adapted flora. According to IUCN Red List 2025 data, all five assessed plant species are threatened, indicating severe conservation challenges despite limited taxonomic coverage. The most pressing threats include large-scale agricultural conversion along the Nile corridors, particularly mechanized farming schemes that fragment riverine ecosystems. Oil extraction activities in South Sudan's Unity and Upper Nile states directly impact wetland integrity. Prolonged conflict has disrupted protected area management, leading to uncontrolled resource extraction in national parks like Dinder and Radom. Climate variability affects the Sudd's seasonal flooding patterns, altering vegetation dynamics critical for endemic species survival. Conservation infrastructure remains limited due to ongoing political instability. However, the Sudd wetlands retain much of their ecological function, and traditional pastoral systems in some regions continue to support biodiversity. International partnerships are beginning to establish baseline ecological assessments, though comprehensive species inventories remain incomplete across both countries.