T<\/span>he Mara River is the only year-round source of water in the Serengeti ecosystem. It arises in Kenya where the Mau forests form the catchment of several rivers. Deforestation and damming of rivers endanger this important source of freshwater and ecosystem services.<\/p>\n A number of rivers run through the Serengeti ecosystem. Gallery forests line the rivers that spread across the plains like green ribbons. But most of them are actually only seasonal. It is only the Mara River that has some water all through the dry season when all others dry up to form series of ponds or leave only sandy riverbeds.<\/p>\n<\/div>