Climate change impacts on ecosystems and adaptation options in nine countries in southern Africa: What do we know?. Issue 12 (9th December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kapuka, Alpo; Hlásny, Tomáš
• Is Part Of: Ecosphere. Volume 12:Issue 12(2021)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-12-09
• Subjects: biodiversity -- climate change adaptation -- ecosystem management -- extinction -- monitoring -- nature conservation; Ecology -- Periodicals; Ecology; Periodicals; 577.05
• DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3860
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2150-8925

Abstract

Abstract: Southern Africa harbors exceptional biodiversity that is increasingly threatened by climate change, land use, and other pressures. However, risks to the regional ecosystems and quality and consistency of adaptation strategies remain understudied, making conservation and restoration efforts challenging. Here, we reviewed scientific articles published during the period 2000–2020, which (1) addressed observed and projected impacts of climate change on different species, populations, and ecosystems in nine southern African countries, and (2) formulated management and policy responses aiming to mitigate these impacts. We identified and evaluated 28 papers meeting these search criteria. We found that the three components of our investigation, that is, ecosystem type, type of impact, and management and policy responses, were covered by research rather fragmentarily. However, the reviewed publications addressed a large variety of species and ecosystems and a variety of processes, from local extinction, range contraction, and increased mortality to modified inter‐specific interactions. The identified human responses included active vegetation and animal management, improved conservation policies, and monitoring. Most of the publications highlighted severe data limitations, lacking coordination of conservation policies, and insufficient consideration of transient environmental conditions in management and policy planning. We conclude that the current level of understanding of climatic threats to species and ecosystems is limited in southern Africa, and new coordinated research and monitoring actions are needed. This review characterized the high diversity of climate change risks to ecosystems and related social responses, potentially helping to attract further research attention and inform regional adaptation strategies.