Impact of Domestic Animals on Ecosystem Integrity of Lesotho High Altitude Peatlands

Research on the Changes in Distribution and Habitat Suitability of the Chinese Red Panda Population

“…In addition, collection activities are also common in the mountains [3]. Although there is no direct competition for food resources between livestock and Chinese red pandas [14], grazing behavior will cause Chinese red pandas' avoidance behavior [72,73], and grazing activities will also aggravate habitat degradation through trampling [74,75]. In summary, grazing activities may be the main reason for the decline in Chinese red panda habitat quality in the central region of the Liangshan mountains.…”

Africa's First Alpine and Transboundary Long-Term Socioecological Research Platform

“…The soil is primarily humified with high organic carbon content and effectively sequesters carbon, thus acting as a sink (Kotzé and van Tol 2023). The mature drainage patterns in the alpine zone (Moore and Blenkinsop 2006; Knight and Grab 2015) are exceptionally important in the Maloti–Drakensberg's crucial role of supplying water to southern Africa (Taylor et al 2016): the gentle topography has encouraged large alpine wetlands on the deep alluvial or colluvial and peat soils (Du Preez and Brown 2011). Combined with regular snowfalls, this enables slow percolation of ground and surface water into catchments that supply more than 30 million people—as well as industry—in South Africa, Lesotho, and Namibia (Taylor et al 2016).…”

“…Despite the recognized value of the Maloti–Drakensberg regionally, the alpine zone is one of the mountain system's least-understood components (Carbutt 2019). In addition, it is under increasing pressure from climate change and direct land use impacts (notably intensive subsistence rangeland use, open-cast mining, and development of infrastructure, such as roads; eg Du Preez and Brown 2011; Knight and Grab 2015; Delves et al 2021; Mathinya et al 2022). This has put at risk nearly 30% of the endemic flora—mostly alpine endemics—of the Maloti–Drakensberg (Carbutt and Edwards 2006; Carbutt 2019).…”

“…This has put at risk nearly 30% of the endemic flora—mostly alpine endemics—of the Maloti–Drakensberg (Carbutt and Edwards 2006; Carbutt 2019). Alpine wetlands are particularly affected, impacting water supply and carbon stocks when degraded or eroded out (Du Preez and Brown 2011; Kotzé and van Tol 2023).…”