<
https://theconversation.com/africas-famous-serengeti-and-maasai-mara-are-being-hit-by-climate-change-a-major-threat-to-wildlife-and-tourism-238378>
"The Mara-Serengeti ecosystem, which includes Kenya’s Maasai Mara and
Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, is one of the most famous and wildlife-rich
areas in Africa.
Every year, millions of animals move across the land in search of fresh grass
and water, creating an incredible spectacle known as the Great Migration. This
migration sustains hundreds of predators and scavengers like vultures. The
wildlife is also important for local governments and communities that rely on
funds from tourism and conservation efforts.
All this activity – the well-being of wildlife, the water they drink and the
vegetation they feed on – depends on weather patterns. Extreme weather
phenomena, therefore, can wreak havoc on the workings of the ecosystem.
I’m part of a team from the universities of Hohenheim and Groningen, Free
University of Berlin, the IUCN, the Indian Institute of Management in Udaipur
and the Kenya Meteorological Department which has been studying weather
patterns in the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem since 1913. Our new study has found
that it has been experiencing major changes.
Over the past six decades, rainfall has been above average and there have also
been recurrent severe droughts, erratic extremely wet conditions and a
temperature rise of 4.8°C to 5.8°C.
These events are having a significant impact on wildlife populations and
biodiversity in the area. Vegetation and water are gradually drying.
Competition between wildlife, livestock and people for resources is increasing.
Wildlife numbers are falling and there are changes in patterns of migration and
breeding."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
