Impacts of Climate Change and Climate Variability on Wildlife Resources in Southern Africa: Experience from Selected Protected Areas in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Climate change and variability pose a threat to wildlife resources in semi-arid savannahs. With examples from selected protected areas in Southern Africa, this chapter highlights studies on detected climate changes particularly rainfall and temperature, outlines the predicted and observed impacts of climate change and variability on wildlife resources in savannah ecosystems and highlights the adaptation and mitigation strategies and implications for conservation. Literature indicates that Southern Africa is characterised by highly variable, erratic and unpredictable rainfall and increasing temperature coupled with an increasing trend in climate-related extreme events such as frequent droughts, cyclones and heat waves. Drought, in particular, has led to death in several wildlife species. This has implications on long-term survival of the species. Changes in rainfall and temperature patterns influence habitat quality and consequently abundance of distribution of wildlife species. Large herbivores such as elephants and hippopotamus in particular are vulnerable to climate change due to their ecology, whereas other species are less vulnerable. Climate-related extreme events, coupled with other anthropogenic stressors, interact to influence changes in abundance and distribution of wildlife resources. Understanding the influence of these climatic factors on wildlife resources is vital for adaptive management and protection of biodiversity.

Towards Sustainable Community Conservation in Tropical Savanna Landscapes: A Management Intervention Framework for Ecotourism Projects in a Changing Global Climate

“…Other studies have also noted the negative effect of increasing drought incidences on vegetation production and wildlife populations in tropical savanna ecosystems [28][29][30][31][32]. Increasing drought incidences also have potentially adverse impacts on ecosystem integrity as wild animals concentrate on dwindling perennial watering points triggering erosion and siltation [33].…”

Climate change impacts on ecosystems and adaptation options in nine countries in southern Africa: What do we know?

“…The study region represents one of the global climate change hot spots due to its erratic climatic regimes and high observed and projected climatic risks (Hoegh-Guldberg et al 2019). Climate extremes, particularly droughts, regularly trigger wildlife mortality, cause habitat degradation, reduce the abundance of different species, and place conservation objectives at risk (Kupika et al 2017, Sintayehu 2018. Climate-mediated risks in the region include deforestation and desertification, forest fires, floods, and recurring droughts.…”

Effects of Climate Change and Variability in Africa: A Review of Concepts and Evidence

“…Climate-related events coupled with other anthropogenic stressors interact to influence changes in abundance and distribution of wildlife resources [70]. There is likelihood of climaterelated extremes such as heat waves, droughts, floods, cyclones and wildfires will expose some ecosystems rendering them vulnerable to climate variability [42].…”