Each sub-catchment and river reach of Zambia was characterized for water provisioning, aquatic ecological importance and sensitivity to human impact. The work was supported by an assessment of free-flowing rivers in Zambia.
Highly ranked sub-catchments were found in the Liuwa, Barotse and Bangweulu floodplains and wetlands, and in the headwaters of the upper Zambezi, Kafue, Chambeshi/Luapula and Tanganyika catchments. The Luangwa was the highest-ranked candidate river for protection.