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Bridging the divide between intuitive social-ecological value and sustainability in the Manica Highlands of southern Africa (Zimbabwe-Mozambique)
Abstract
Southern African mountains remain poorly studied as social-ecological systems (SES) and are poorly represented in the global mountain discourse. However, these mountains provide essential ecosystem services (ES) that underpin local and regional development. Quantitative data on ES, their representation in policy, and the political will for sustainable management are limited. We demonstrate this using the Manica Highlands (MH; Zimbabwe—Mozambique): benefiting one million immediate and five million downstream beneficiaries, the seven identified ES are supported in the literature but lack recent quantitative data needed to persuade policymakers for action to promote sustainability. The ES are most at risk from mining, alien invasive species, rapid land transformation, and climate change – yet fine-scale quantitative data to inform mountain-specific policy on these are also lacking. We recommend a ‘science to policy to action’ agenda for the MH, but highlight that the greatest challenge to achieving sustainability is a lack of effective governance; therefore it may be difficult to change ‘immediate benefits’-thinking to higher ideals that would render the ES of the MH sustainable. As a result, academics, civic society, policy makers and governance instruments should work closely together to quantify the value of the MH, and to formulate specific policy for the MH.
... Rich deposits of precious minerals including diamonds and gold support commercial and artisanal mining activities in the EZH. Alluvial gold extraction, in particular, is carried out mainly along rivers and small streams leading to the destruction of the riparian vegetation, increased sediments loads, altered flow regimes and often mercury contamination (Ndunguru et al. 2006;Clark et al. 2019). Exacerbating the situation is the need for better enforcement of regulations to enable sustainable use of the mineral resources in the EZH (Ndunguru et al. 2006;Spiegel 2015;Clark et al. 2019;Kachena and Spiegel 2019). ...
... Alluvial gold extraction, in particular, is carried out mainly along rivers and small streams leading to the destruction of the riparian vegetation, increased sediments loads, altered flow regimes and often mercury contamination (Ndunguru et al. 2006;Clark et al. 2019). Exacerbating the situation is the need for better enforcement of regulations to enable sustainable use of the mineral resources in the EZH (Ndunguru et al. 2006;Spiegel 2015;Clark et al. 2019;Kachena and Spiegel 2019). Additionally, climate change, large scale monoculture plantations and riverbank cultivation often alter physiochemical parameters of river systems negatively impacting aquatic biodiversity in the EZH (Clark et al. 2017(Clark et al. , 2019Mafuwe and Moyo 2020). ...
... Exacerbating the situation is the need for better enforcement of regulations to enable sustainable use of the mineral resources in the EZH (Ndunguru et al. 2006;Spiegel 2015;Clark et al. 2019;Kachena and Spiegel 2019). Additionally, climate change, large scale monoculture plantations and riverbank cultivation often alter physiochemical parameters of river systems negatively impacting aquatic biodiversity in the EZH (Clark et al. 2017(Clark et al. , 2019Mafuwe and Moyo 2020). Furthermore, rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum 1792) was introduced into the rivers of the EZH for angling and this species negatively influences both the distribution and abundance of native fish and macro-invertebrate species in the rivers of this region (Kadye et al. 2013). ...
Growing evidence indicates that species diversity within the genus Chiloglanis Peters 1868 is poorly resolved and major taxonomic revisions are required. By integrating genetic and morphological analyses, this study describes two new Chiloglanis species from the Eastern Zimbabwe Highlands (EZH) freshwater ecoregion, a region that, until only recently, had been poorly-explored in terms of its ichthyological diversity. Chiloglanis asperocutis Mutizwa, Bragança & Chakona, sp. nov. is distinguished from other southern African congeners by a combination of characters, including ridge-like tubercles distributed on the dorsal and lateral surfaces of the head and body giving the skin a conspicuously rough texture, ten closely packed mandibular teeth, deeply forked caudal fin and a high number of primary premaxillary teeth (68–128). Chiloglanis compactus Mutizwa, Bragança & Chakona, sp. nov. , attains the smallest size (> 46 mm SL) of all currently known congeners in southern Africa. It is distinguished from all the other congeners from the region by a combination of characters; the possession of seven pectoral fin rays, conical tubercles distributed across the dorsal and lateral surface of the head and body, eight widely spaced mandibular teeth, a shallow forked caudal fin with rounded lobes, a low number of primary premaxillary teeth (31–53) and fewer dorsal fin rays (5). These two species are distributed in both the Buzi and Pungwe River systems. The study is the first in a series of publications that will provide formal descriptions of a number of deeply divergent lineages (candidate species) identified in previous studies from southern Africa. The persistence of the unique riverine fauna in the EZH is threatened by multiple impacts that are altering the hydrological regime of the rivers and streams as well as habitat degradation and excessive sedimentation from gold panning and agricultural activities.
... Southern Africa's mountains-here treated as those occurring south of the Congo Rainforests and Lake Rukwa ( Fig. 13.1)-represent some of the most iconic and biologically diverse ecosystems in Southern Africa, but are generally understudied and underrepresented in African mountain research and policy (e.g., Clark et al., 2011aClark et al., , 2019. Most Southern African mountains are associated with the post-Gondwana erosional Great Escarpment, southern Rift Valley, and Cape Fold Mountains (Birkenhauer, 1991;Burke & Gunnell, 2008;Partridge & Maud, 1987). ...
... (McCarthy & Rubidge, 2005), many mountains have mineral wealth, leading to various forms of extraction and associated livelihoods (including artisanal and commercial) that have varying impacts on the landscape (e.g., Dondeyne et al., 2009). Southern African mountains provide essential ecosystem services to the region (e.g., Clark et al., 2019;Turpie et al., 2008)-the benefits of which are tangible well beyond the mountains themselves-and include fresh water, recreation/tourism, climate amelioration, and certain forms of agriculture (including pastoral). There is extensive human migration to and from mountains in Southern Africa that forms part of the complex socialÀecological fabric of these mountains (see Box 13.2). ...
... Threats to Southern African mountains are numerous, given the diverse nature of Southern Africa climatically, economically, politically, and culturally. Key threats are afforestation of mesic montane grasslands for timber and alien invasive species (the topics of this piece); widespread rangeland degradation through overgrazing in both arid and mesic mountains (see the special issue Montane Rangelands in a Changing World led by Clark et al. (2021)); mining (a complex socialÀecological topic given the wealth of minerals in Southern Africa and the resultant mixed cost-benefit matrix; Clark et al., 2019;Edwards et al., 2014); agricultural expansion (cultivation) in mesic tropical mountains (see Box 13.3); inadequate/inappropriate fire management in natural grassy systems (see Box 13.4, and the Fire Special Issue led by Govender et al. (2022)); and the pervasive effects of climate change-the latter a complex topic across such a large FIGURE 13.3 The Chimanimani mountains (Zimbabwe), showing classic mesic Southern African mountain interplay between Grassland and Forest. ...
... For example, almost the entire Cape Fold Mountains falls within the Fynbos biome which is a biodiversity hotspot (Goldblatt & Manning, 2000), while most of the eastern Great Escarpment falls into the endangered Grassland Biome ). Yet these montane habitats are often marginalised regions, and are under threat from detrimental land-uses, unsustainable use of natural resources, climate change, poor governance, and invasive alien plants (IAPs) (Clark et al., 2019). Invasive alien plants are direct drivers of change in these ecosystems and threaten their role in the provision of nature's contributions to people (NCP). ...
... This lack of knowledge is a reflection of the fact that SA's mountains have been poorly studied. No mountain range in southern Africa has been comprehensively assessed for the purposes of valuing ecosystem services (ES), assessing threats or making policy recommendations (Clark et al., 2019). ...
... Furthermore, SA shares its major mountain range, the Maloti-Drakensberg, with the Kingdom of Lesotho and most of the water reserve Records from iNaturalist were filtered to only include Research Grade observations that were indicated to be out of cultivation lies within the latter's territory (Hoag, 2019). The potential for IAPs to reduce the country's already limited water resources is therefore a major regional geopolitical issue (see case study of the Manica Highlands, in Clark et al. (2019)). ...
... For example, almost the entire Cape Fold Mountains falls within the Fynbos biome which is a biodiversity hotspot (Goldblatt & Manning, 2000), while most of the eastern Great Escarpment falls into the endangered Grassland Biome ). Yet these montane habitats are often marginalised regions, and are under threat from detrimental land-uses, unsustainable use of natural resources, climate change, poor governance, and invasive alien plants (IAPs) (Clark et al., 2019). Invasive alien plants are direct drivers of change in these ecosystems and threaten their role in the provision of nature's contributions to people (NCP). ...
... This lack of knowledge is a reflection of the fact that SA's mountains have been poorly studied. No mountain range in southern Africa has been comprehensively assessed for the purposes of valuing ecosystem services (ES), assessing threats or making policy recommendations (Clark et al., 2019). ...
... Furthermore, SA shares its major mountain range, the Maloti-Drakensberg, with the Kingdom of Lesotho and most of the water reserve Records from iNaturalist were filtered to only include Research Grade observations that were indicated to be out of cultivation lies within the latter's territory (Hoag, 2019). The potential for IAPs to reduce the country's already limited water resources is therefore a major regional geopolitical issue (see case study of the Manica Highlands, in Clark et al. (2019)). ...
... For example, almost the entire Cape Fold Mountains falls within the Fynbos biome which is a biodiversity hotspot (Goldblatt & Manning, 2000), while most of the eastern Great Escarpment falls into the endangered Grassland Biome ). Yet these montane habitats are often marginalised regions, and are under threat from detrimental land-uses, unsustainable use of natural resources, climate change, poor governance, and invasive alien plants (IAPs) (Clark et al., 2019). Invasive alien plants are direct drivers of change in these ecosystems and threaten their role in the provision of nature's contributions to people (NCP). ...
... This lack of knowledge is a reflection of the fact that SA's mountains have been poorly studied. No mountain range in southern Africa has been comprehensively assessed for the purposes of valuing ecosystem services (ES), assessing threats or making policy recommendations (Clark et al., 2019). ...
... Furthermore, SA shares its major mountain range, the Maloti-Drakensberg, with the Kingdom of Lesotho and most of the water reserve Records from iNaturalist were filtered to only include Research Grade observations that were indicated to be out of cultivation lies within the latter's territory (Hoag, 2019). The potential for IAPs to reduce the country's already limited water resources is therefore a major regional geopolitical issue (see case study of the Manica Highlands, in Clark et al. (2019)). ...
Significance Statement
Globally, marine ecosystems and indigenous cultures continue to collapse, prompting a need for a paradigm shift in conservation and marine planning. While top-down processes of marine and cultural conservation have widely been shown to be unsuccessful, this chapter shows how to carry out participatory methods for marine conservation planning, through eliciting traditional ecological knowledge and mapping with fisheries communities. Drawing on work in Manquemapu and Caulin Indigenous Marine Areas located in Chile, it considers how different communities identify ecological threats from overfishing and aquaculture, and how researchers can advance the integration of their evidence through participatory GIS. The chapter explores how different valuations of nature are expressed, specifically in Mapuche -Huichille first nation culture and conservation science; and how they can work together.
... For example, almost the entire Cape Fold Mountains falls within the Fynbos biome which is a biodiversity hotspot (Goldblatt & Manning, 2000), while most of the eastern Great Escarpment falls into the endangered Grassland Biome ). Yet these montane habitats are often marginalised regions, and are under threat from detrimental land-uses, unsustainable use of natural resources, climate change, poor governance, and invasive alien plants (IAPs) (Clark et al., 2019). Invasive alien plants are direct drivers of change in these ecosystems and threaten their role in the provision of nature's contributions to people (NCP). ...
... This lack of knowledge is a reflection of the fact that SA's mountains have been poorly studied. No mountain range in southern Africa has been comprehensively assessed for the purposes of valuing ecosystem services (ES), assessing threats or making policy recommendations (Clark et al., 2019). ...
... Furthermore, SA shares its major mountain range, the Maloti-Drakensberg, with the Kingdom of Lesotho and most of the water reserve Records from iNaturalist were filtered to only include Research Grade observations that were indicated to be out of cultivation lies within the latter's territory (Hoag, 2019). The potential for IAPs to reduce the country's already limited water resources is therefore a major regional geopolitical issue (see case study of the Manica Highlands, in Clark et al. (2019)). ...
Significance Statement
In the management of natural resources and biodiversity, humans and nature have traditionally been considered as two distinct systems, one controlling the other. The concept of socio-ecosystems allows a more integrated approach, in which humans and nature are recognized as interdependent. However, this new perspective does not necessarily eliminate a distinction between humans and nature, or even a hierarchy of humans over nature. This chapter aims to raise awareness of the potential human–nature dualism in socio-ecosystem approaches. Other research fields have adopted different approaches regarding human–nature integration versus dualism, offering a window on the advantages and limitations of various positions. We also discuss how methodological choices are important to translate human–nature integration or dichotomy depending on the study aim.
... For example, almost the entire Cape Fold Mountains falls within the Fynbos biome which is a biodiversity hotspot (Goldblatt & Manning, 2000), while most of the eastern Great Escarpment falls into the endangered Grassland Biome ). Yet these montane habitats are often marginalised regions, and are under threat from detrimental land-uses, unsustainable use of natural resources, climate change, poor governance, and invasive alien plants (IAPs) (Clark et al., 2019). Invasive alien plants are direct drivers of change in these ecosystems and threaten their role in the provision of nature's contributions to people (NCP). ...
... This lack of knowledge is a reflection of the fact that SA's mountains have been poorly studied. No mountain range in southern Africa has been comprehensively assessed for the purposes of valuing ecosystem services (ES), assessing threats or making policy recommendations (Clark et al., 2019). ...
... Furthermore, SA shares its major mountain range, the Maloti-Drakensberg, with the Kingdom of Lesotho and most of the water reserve Records from iNaturalist were filtered to only include Research Grade observations that were indicated to be out of cultivation lies within the latter's territory (Hoag, 2019). The potential for IAPs to reduce the country's already limited water resources is therefore a major regional geopolitical issue (see case study of the Manica Highlands, in Clark et al. (2019)). ...
Significance Statement
The Peruvian Upwelling ecosystem is highly productive. El Niño variability affects species abundance and distribution, and thus marine activities. Climate change is modifying El Niño patterns, compromising the strategies of marine organisms and human activities to cope with its variability. We focus on three marine social-ecological systems to identify weaknesses and leverage points for adaptation and resilience. We find that (1) the Peruvian artisanal fishery and aquaculture sectors urgently need an institutional framework for adaptation to future environmental changes; (2) bottom-up adaptation strategies require institutional support, tailored to socio-ecological specificities; and (3) additional research on socio-ecological tipping points and their effects for human-nature interactions and societal repercussions is necessary. These finding may be useful in other systems undergoing similar challenges.
... For example, almost the entire Cape Fold Mountains falls within the Fynbos biome which is a biodiversity hotspot (Goldblatt & Manning, 2000), while most of the eastern Great Escarpment falls into the endangered Grassland Biome ). Yet these montane habitats are often marginalised regions, and are under threat from detrimental land-uses, unsustainable use of natural resources, climate change, poor governance, and invasive alien plants (IAPs) (Clark et al., 2019). Invasive alien plants are direct drivers of change in these ecosystems and threaten their role in the provision of nature's contributions to people (NCP). ...
... This lack of knowledge is a reflection of the fact that SA's mountains have been poorly studied. No mountain range in southern Africa has been comprehensively assessed for the purposes of valuing ecosystem services (ES), assessing threats or making policy recommendations (Clark et al., 2019). ...
... Furthermore, SA shares its major mountain range, the Maloti-Drakensberg, with the Kingdom of Lesotho and most of the water reserve Records from iNaturalist were filtered to only include Research Grade observations that were indicated to be out of cultivation lies within the latter's territory (Hoag, 2019). The potential for IAPs to reduce the country's already limited water resources is therefore a major regional geopolitical issue (see case study of the Manica Highlands, in Clark et al. (2019)). ...
Significance Statement
Urban green spaces fulfil multiple functions. Next to their function as areas for leisure, recreation, perception of nature or improvement of physical and mental health, they are also operating as spaces of social contact, encounter, communication and interaction. This social function of urban green spaces becomes a challenge in heterogeneous neighbourhoods where many different groups of residents having different backgrounds of origin, socialization and social daily routines and practices live together and use the same public space. This chapter looks at the social functions of urban green spaces in heterogeneous urban areas, so-called urban spaces of arrival how we find them in many European cities, with a focus on encounter, communication and interaction.
... For example, almost the entire Cape Fold Mountains falls within the Fynbos biome which is a biodiversity hotspot (Goldblatt & Manning, 2000), while most of the eastern Great Escarpment falls into the endangered Grassland Biome ). Yet these montane habitats are often marginalised regions, and are under threat from detrimental land-uses, unsustainable use of natural resources, climate change, poor governance, and invasive alien plants (IAPs) (Clark et al., 2019). Invasive alien plants are direct drivers of change in these ecosystems and threaten their role in the provision of nature's contributions to people (NCP). ...
... This lack of knowledge is a reflection of the fact that SA's mountains have been poorly studied. No mountain range in southern Africa has been comprehensively assessed for the purposes of valuing ecosystem services (ES), assessing threats or making policy recommendations (Clark et al., 2019). ...
... Furthermore, SA shares its major mountain range, the Maloti-Drakensberg, with the Kingdom of Lesotho and most of the water reserve Records from iNaturalist were filtered to only include Research Grade observations that were indicated to be out of cultivation lies within the latter's territory (Hoag, 2019). The potential for IAPs to reduce the country's already limited water resources is therefore a major regional geopolitical issue (see case study of the Manica Highlands, in Clark et al. (2019)). ...
Significance Statement
Given the diverse ways that people value nature and the lack of an all-encompassing methodology able to capture such diversity, we call for the acceptance of plural methodologies for the comprehensive and inclusive evaluation of nature. The chapter provides a primer of five different evaluation approaches of nature: (i) economic/instrumental, (ii) ecological/biophysical, (iii) ethical/intrinsic, (iv) social/shared, and (v) relational. While leveraging the strengths and weaknesses of different evaluation methods is challenging, we suggest that defining the different normative assumptions of each approach (for example, the purposes of evaluation, how values and preferences can be expressed, and the positionality for those who recognise and give voice to different values) will provide a robust foundation for communication and learning across disciplinary and practitioner boundaries.
... For example, almost the entire Cape Fold Mountains falls within the Fynbos biome which is a biodiversity hotspot (Goldblatt & Manning, 2000), while most of the eastern Great Escarpment falls into the endangered Grassland Biome ). Yet these montane habitats are often marginalised regions, and are under threat from detrimental land-uses, unsustainable use of natural resources, climate change, poor governance, and invasive alien plants (IAPs) (Clark et al., 2019). Invasive alien plants are direct drivers of change in these ecosystems and threaten their role in the provision of nature's contributions to people (NCP). ...
... This lack of knowledge is a reflection of the fact that SA's mountains have been poorly studied. No mountain range in southern Africa has been comprehensively assessed for the purposes of valuing ecosystem services (ES), assessing threats or making policy recommendations (Clark et al., 2019). ...
... Furthermore, SA shares its major mountain range, the Maloti-Drakensberg, with the Kingdom of Lesotho and most of the water reserve Records from iNaturalist were filtered to only include Research Grade observations that were indicated to be out of cultivation lies within the latter's territory (Hoag, 2019). The potential for IAPs to reduce the country's already limited water resources is therefore a major regional geopolitical issue (see case study of the Manica Highlands, in Clark et al. (2019)). ...
Significance Statement
A Multi-Use Platform can integrate different maritime activities into a single sea area. We propose an analytical framework to investigate the socio-ecological benefits and impacts of potential Multi-Use Platforms designs in the Mediterranean and North Sea. The framework uses a marine ecosystem services matrix that has the aim to facilitate knowledge sharing on the ecosystem goods and services a Multi-Use Platform can potentially support and interact with. The results highlight that Multi-Use Platforms provide multiple opportunities for energy generation, food provisioning (e.g. recreational fishing, extractive aquaculture) and cultural services (e.g. coastal recreation, diving, research and monitoring). Further research suggests application of quantitative socio-ecological analysis techniques to measure potential synergies and trade-offs among the multiple activities of the platform.
... For example, almost the entire Cape Fold Mountains falls within the Fynbos biome which is a biodiversity hotspot (Goldblatt & Manning, 2000), while most of the eastern Great Escarpment falls into the endangered Grassland Biome ). Yet these montane habitats are often marginalised regions, and are under threat from detrimental land-uses, unsustainable use of natural resources, climate change, poor governance, and invasive alien plants (IAPs) (Clark et al., 2019). Invasive alien plants are direct drivers of change in these ecosystems and threaten their role in the provision of nature's contributions to people (NCP). ...
... This lack of knowledge is a reflection of the fact that SA's mountains have been poorly studied. No mountain range in southern Africa has been comprehensively assessed for the purposes of valuing ecosystem services (ES), assessing threats or making policy recommendations (Clark et al., 2019). ...
... Furthermore, SA shares its major mountain range, the Maloti-Drakensberg, with the Kingdom of Lesotho and most of the water reserve Records from iNaturalist were filtered to only include Research Grade observations that were indicated to be out of cultivation lies within the latter's territory (Hoag, 2019). The potential for IAPs to reduce the country's already limited water resources is therefore a major regional geopolitical issue (see case study of the Manica Highlands, in Clark et al. (2019)). ...
Significance Statement
Open Green Spaces (OGS) provide a range of cultural ecosystems services including health benefits through recreational and tourism opportunities. Rapid and oftentimes unplanned urbanization can result in the loss of OGS, negatively affecting urban dwellers’ health and wellbeing. An example is the rapidly expanding city of San Carlos de Bariloche, located in the Argentinean Patagonia, surrounded by the iconic Nahuel Huapi National Park. The study reported here sought to assess the availability and distribution equity of public OGS in Bariloche. The study found inequalities in access and distribution; ‘wealthier’ neighbourhoods offered more OGS than poorer neighbourhoods. Better regulation of development is required and future land use plans need to preserve and protect future OGS sites and improve access points to existing OGS to ensure more equitable access to diverse natural landscapes.
... For example, almost the entire Cape Fold Mountains falls within the Fynbos biome which is a biodiversity hotspot (Goldblatt & Manning, 2000), while most of the eastern Great Escarpment falls into the endangered Grassland Biome ). Yet these montane habitats are often marginalised regions, and are under threat from detrimental land-uses, unsustainable use of natural resources, climate change, poor governance, and invasive alien plants (IAPs) (Clark et al., 2019). Invasive alien plants are direct drivers of change in these ecosystems and threaten their role in the provision of nature's contributions to people (NCP). ...
... This lack of knowledge is a reflection of the fact that SA's mountains have been poorly studied. No mountain range in southern Africa has been comprehensively assessed for the purposes of valuing ecosystem services (ES), assessing threats or making policy recommendations (Clark et al., 2019). ...
... Furthermore, SA shares its major mountain range, the Maloti-Drakensberg, with the Kingdom of Lesotho and most of the water reserve Records from iNaturalist were filtered to only include Research Grade observations that were indicated to be out of cultivation lies within the latter's territory (Hoag, 2019). The potential for IAPs to reduce the country's already limited water resources is therefore a major regional geopolitical issue (see case study of the Manica Highlands, in Clark et al. (2019)). ...
Significance Statement
Urban green infrastructure (GI) is one of the key strategies to respond to environmental problems. It helps to support biodiversity, adaptation to climate change and ensure the provision of ecosystem services (ES). Scientific literature suggests that there are thresholds for minimum viable green area patch sizes. Besides the size, accessibility is another important factor for the supply of ES. This work assesses how demand and accessibility can be improved addressing fragmentation of GI in Vilnius, Lithuania. The analysis shows that climate adaptation policy should guide the development of GI addressing simultaneously the demand of ES and fragmentation of the GI, for instance, by reconnecting existing natural areas in this way increasing accessibility and reducing the risk of further habitat fragmentation.
... For example, almost the entire Cape Fold Mountains falls within the Fynbos biome which is a biodiversity hotspot (Goldblatt & Manning, 2000), while most of the eastern Great Escarpment falls into the endangered Grassland Biome ). Yet these montane habitats are often marginalised regions, and are under threat from detrimental land-uses, unsustainable use of natural resources, climate change, poor governance, and invasive alien plants (IAPs) (Clark et al., 2019). Invasive alien plants are direct drivers of change in these ecosystems and threaten their role in the provision of nature's contributions to people (NCP). ...
... This lack of knowledge is a reflection of the fact that SA's mountains have been poorly studied. No mountain range in southern Africa has been comprehensively assessed for the purposes of valuing ecosystem services (ES), assessing threats or making policy recommendations (Clark et al., 2019). ...
... Furthermore, SA shares its major mountain range, the Maloti-Drakensberg, with the Kingdom of Lesotho and most of the water reserve Records from iNaturalist were filtered to only include Research Grade observations that were indicated to be out of cultivation lies within the latter's territory (Hoag, 2019). The potential for IAPs to reduce the country's already limited water resources is therefore a major regional geopolitical issue (see case study of the Manica Highlands, in Clark et al. (2019)). ...
Significance Statement
Allotment gardens (AG) are valuable elements of communities that provide substantial ecosystem services. An AG as a type of community garden is a plot of land made available for individual, non-commercial gardening or growing food plants. Beside the provision of urban ecosystem services, AG’s deliver an ecological potential to habitat connectivity in the urban realm as well a substantial contribution to human health. The role of AG’s in the frame of urban ecosystems is manifold and multifunctional. Beside their purpose for food production and recreation, AG’s offer crucial benefits for public health and wellbeing, social inclusion, environment, and as cultural archive. Their intrinsic purpose is connectivity, for habitats, people, ecosystem services and circular flux management. The contribution is based on a literature review supported by a field survey that was performed in the period 2017–2020 in Ecuador, Germany, Sweden, Uganda, and Vietnam.
... For example, almost the entire Cape Fold Mountains falls within the Fynbos biome which is a biodiversity hotspot (Goldblatt & Manning, 2000), while most of the eastern Great Escarpment falls into the endangered Grassland Biome ). Yet these montane habitats are often marginalised regions, and are under threat from detrimental land-uses, unsustainable use of natural resources, climate change, poor governance, and invasive alien plants (IAPs) (Clark et al., 2019). Invasive alien plants are direct drivers of change in these ecosystems and threaten their role in the provision of nature's contributions to people (NCP). ...
... This lack of knowledge is a reflection of the fact that SA's mountains have been poorly studied. No mountain range in southern Africa has been comprehensively assessed for the purposes of valuing ecosystem services (ES), assessing threats or making policy recommendations (Clark et al., 2019). ...
... Furthermore, SA shares its major mountain range, the Maloti-Drakensberg, with the Kingdom of Lesotho and most of the water reserve Records from iNaturalist were filtered to only include Research Grade observations that were indicated to be out of cultivation lies within the latter's territory (Hoag, 2019). The potential for IAPs to reduce the country's already limited water resources is therefore a major regional geopolitical issue (see case study of the Manica Highlands, in Clark et al. (2019)). ...
Significance Statement
Invasive alien plants (IAPs) in South African mountains are both threatening and supporting ecosystem services and human well-being for local communities, as well as those in nearby lowland areas. Higher elevation mountain areas have distinct IAP compositions compared to lower elevation mountains due to their unique climatic conditions. Management of IAPs in these montane settings presents many challenges and needs to work on multi-value-based approaches that ensure the inclusion of communities in the decision making. We advocate for more mountain-specific research that can guide and upscale National Resource Management to implement programmes that are relevant to the socio-ecological circumstances in these high elevation areas.
... For example, almost the entire Cape Fold Mountains falls within the Fynbos biome which is a biodiversity hotspot (Goldblatt & Manning, 2000), while most of the eastern Great Escarpment falls into the endangered Grassland Biome ). Yet these montane habitats are often marginalised regions, and are under threat from detrimental land-uses, unsustainable use of natural resources, climate change, poor governance, and invasive alien plants (IAPs) (Clark et al., 2019). Invasive alien plants are direct drivers of change in these ecosystems and threaten their role in the provision of nature's contributions to people (NCP). ...
... This lack of knowledge is a reflection of the fact that SA's mountains have been poorly studied. No mountain range in southern Africa has been comprehensively assessed for the purposes of valuing ecosystem services (ES), assessing threats or making policy recommendations (Clark et al., 2019). ...
... Furthermore, SA shares its major mountain range, the Maloti-Drakensberg, with the Kingdom of Lesotho and most of the water reserve Records from iNaturalist were filtered to only include Research Grade observations that were indicated to be out of cultivation lies within the latter's territory (Hoag, 2019). The potential for IAPs to reduce the country's already limited water resources is therefore a major regional geopolitical issue (see case study of the Manica Highlands, in Clark et al. (2019)). ...
Significance Statement
Natural resource planners face the challenging task of sustaining the diverse range of human-nature relationships supported by mountain systems. Planners of the Flathead Wild and Scenic River system cannot reasonably consider and communicate each individual human-nature relationship in the planning process. We present a social science approach that facilitates public engagement by having members of the interested public prioritize human and ecological meanings and services. Statistical analysis distills the diverse range of human-nature relationships into a limited number to be considered by river planners. Six typified human-nature relationships are explored, and through an understanding of synergies and tensions, planners gain knowledge to support both decision-making and communication for sustaining the integrated mountain system.
... For example, almost the entire Cape Fold Mountains falls within the Fynbos biome which is a biodiversity hotspot (Goldblatt & Manning, 2000), while most of the eastern Great Escarpment falls into the endangered Grassland Biome ). Yet these montane habitats are often marginalised regions, and are under threat from detrimental land-uses, unsustainable use of natural resources, climate change, poor governance, and invasive alien plants (IAPs) (Clark et al., 2019). Invasive alien plants are direct drivers of change in these ecosystems and threaten their role in the provision of nature's contributions to people (NCP). ...
... This lack of knowledge is a reflection of the fact that SA's mountains have been poorly studied. No mountain range in southern Africa has been comprehensively assessed for the purposes of valuing ecosystem services (ES), assessing threats or making policy recommendations (Clark et al., 2019). ...
... Furthermore, SA shares its major mountain range, the Maloti-Drakensberg, with the Kingdom of Lesotho and most of the water reserve Records from iNaturalist were filtered to only include Research Grade observations that were indicated to be out of cultivation lies within the latter's territory (Hoag, 2019). The potential for IAPs to reduce the country's already limited water resources is therefore a major regional geopolitical issue (see case study of the Manica Highlands, in Clark et al. (2019)). ...
Significance Statement
People engage with nature in a range of ways, including sharing their experiences, values and concerns about specific landscapes on social media. For instance, on Twitter, governments, news, conservation, management, tourism and other organizations, as well as individuals share short 280-character microblogs (tweets) about a range of issues. We assessed public debate on Twitter about the Blue Mountains National Park in Australia to illustrate the benefits, but also limitations and concerns with the use of this, still novel, method for public engagement. Using a quantitative analysis of the tweets-content we identified common topics and emotions, including similarities and differences between the tweets posted by Australians and those from other countries regarding this globally important and popular mountain landscapes.
... For example, almost the entire Cape Fold Mountains falls within the Fynbos biome which is a biodiversity hotspot (Goldblatt & Manning, 2000), while most of the eastern Great Escarpment falls into the endangered Grassland Biome ). Yet these montane habitats are often marginalised regions, and are under threat from detrimental land-uses, unsustainable use of natural resources, climate change, poor governance, and invasive alien plants (IAPs) (Clark et al., 2019). Invasive alien plants are direct drivers of change in these ecosystems and threaten their role in the provision of nature's contributions to people (NCP). ...
... This lack of knowledge is a reflection of the fact that SA's mountains have been poorly studied. No mountain range in southern Africa has been comprehensively assessed for the purposes of valuing ecosystem services (ES), assessing threats or making policy recommendations (Clark et al., 2019). ...
... Furthermore, SA shares its major mountain range, the Maloti-Drakensberg, with the Kingdom of Lesotho and most of the water reserve Records from iNaturalist were filtered to only include Research Grade observations that were indicated to be out of cultivation lies within the latter's territory (Hoag, 2019). The potential for IAPs to reduce the country's already limited water resources is therefore a major regional geopolitical issue (see case study of the Manica Highlands, in Clark et al. (2019)). ...
Significance Statement
In the last decades, many coastal areas have observed dramatic changes in marine ecosystems, due to anthropogenic and environmental alterations. The general absence of long-term data sets in the marine environment and, more specifically, on benthic and demersal communities represents a severe issue for management and conservation. We propose to incorporate the small-scale fishers’ knowledge and science for better policy recommendations, both in terms of fisheries optimization and resource conservation. Based on two different cases of study with diverse ecosystems, we explore the combination of quantitative and qualitative tools, and participative techniques used to incorporate fishers’ local ecological knowledge. The results highlight fishers’ capacity to identify coastal and marine landscapes resources and changes, reinforcing and complementing the scientific assessment.
... For example, almost the entire Cape Fold Mountains falls within the Fynbos biome which is a biodiversity hotspot (Goldblatt & Manning, 2000), while most of the eastern Great Escarpment falls into the endangered Grassland Biome ). Yet these montane habitats are often marginalised regions, and are under threat from detrimental land-uses, unsustainable use of natural resources, climate change, poor governance, and invasive alien plants (IAPs) (Clark et al., 2019). Invasive alien plants are direct drivers of change in these ecosystems and threaten their role in the provision of nature's contributions to people (NCP). ...
... This lack of knowledge is a reflection of the fact that SA's mountains have been poorly studied. No mountain range in southern Africa has been comprehensively assessed for the purposes of valuing ecosystem services (ES), assessing threats or making policy recommendations (Clark et al., 2019). ...
... Furthermore, SA shares its major mountain range, the Maloti-Drakensberg, with the Kingdom of Lesotho and most of the water reserve Records from iNaturalist were filtered to only include Research Grade observations that were indicated to be out of cultivation lies within the latter's territory (Hoag, 2019). The potential for IAPs to reduce the country's already limited water resources is therefore a major regional geopolitical issue (see case study of the Manica Highlands, in Clark et al. (2019)). ...
Significant Statement
Climate change and an increasing urbanisation create pressure on cities in terms of extreme weather events, deteriorated public health and wellbeing and a loss of biodiversity. Urban green spaces, such as parks and street trees, can help to reduce vulnerability and improve living conditions. Planning tools can support decisions on where, what and how much urban green space to save or implement. If used appropriately, planning tools can capture citizens’ needs and foster a more just planning and implementation of urban green spaces. This demands knowledge about the tools, their efficiency and appropriate application, as well as knowledge about the ecosystem and human needs. It also demands adequate technical, time and economic resources, as well as organisational and communication structures that can include citizens in the planning process.
... For example, almost the entire Cape Fold Mountains falls within the Fynbos biome which is a biodiversity hotspot (Goldblatt & Manning, 2000), while most of the eastern Great Escarpment falls into the endangered Grassland Biome ). Yet these montane habitats are often marginalised regions, and are under threat from detrimental land-uses, unsustainable use of natural resources, climate change, poor governance, and invasive alien plants (IAPs) (Clark et al., 2019). Invasive alien plants are direct drivers of change in these ecosystems and threaten their role in the provision of nature's contributions to people (NCP). ...
... This lack of knowledge is a reflection of the fact that SA's mountains have been poorly studied. No mountain range in southern Africa has been comprehensively assessed for the purposes of valuing ecosystem services (ES), assessing threats or making policy recommendations (Clark et al., 2019). ...
... Furthermore, SA shares its major mountain range, the Maloti-Drakensberg, with the Kingdom of Lesotho and most of the water reserve Records from iNaturalist were filtered to only include Research Grade observations that were indicated to be out of cultivation lies within the latter's territory (Hoag, 2019). The potential for IAPs to reduce the country's already limited water resources is therefore a major regional geopolitical issue (see case study of the Manica Highlands, in Clark et al. (2019)). ...
Significance Statement
Key differences exist between how rural and urban people receive benefits from nature (termed ecosystem services; ES). In rural areas, people are thought to have relatively direct relationships with local ecosystems (e.g. growing food on your subsistence farm). By contrast, within urban areas, people often have more indirect access to distant ecosystems (e.g. obtaining food from hundreds of miles away via supermarket value chain). However, this leaves many questions unanswered: e.g., What natural benefits are present within cities? When do nature’s benefits flow into cities? When do the people travel out to directly receive nature’s benefits? Here, we explore this issue – breaking down ES flows into two components (i.e. the movement of natural goods and the movement of beneficiaries [people]).
... For example, almost the entire Cape Fold Mountains falls within the Fynbos biome which is a biodiversity hotspot (Goldblatt & Manning, 2000), while most of the eastern Great Escarpment falls into the endangered Grassland Biome ). Yet these montane habitats are often marginalised regions, and are under threat from detrimental land-uses, unsustainable use of natural resources, climate change, poor governance, and invasive alien plants (IAPs) (Clark et al., 2019). Invasive alien plants are direct drivers of change in these ecosystems and threaten their role in the provision of nature's contributions to people (NCP). ...
... This lack of knowledge is a reflection of the fact that SA's mountains have been poorly studied. No mountain range in southern Africa has been comprehensively assessed for the purposes of valuing ecosystem services (ES), assessing threats or making policy recommendations (Clark et al., 2019). ...
... Furthermore, SA shares its major mountain range, the Maloti-Drakensberg, with the Kingdom of Lesotho and most of the water reserve Records from iNaturalist were filtered to only include Research Grade observations that were indicated to be out of cultivation lies within the latter's territory (Hoag, 2019). The potential for IAPs to reduce the country's already limited water resources is therefore a major regional geopolitical issue (see case study of the Manica Highlands, in Clark et al. (2019)). ...
Significance Statement
Meeting global challenges requires regional and local alignment of institutional and business practices. The purpose of our work is to understand, using qualitative systems analysis, how the Sustainable Development Goals can be achieved through local, cross-sectoral solutions. In this chapter, we start by reviewing the status quo of marine and coastal management in Norway and contrast with the United Nations’ expectations for localization of the Sustainable Development Goals. One key finding is that despite vast knowledge on ocean and coastal use and management, Norway has very few examples of actual localization of the Sustainable Development Goals. We present a case study from Andøy Municipality where we use Social-Ecological Systems mapping to spawn awareness and spur local businesses to harness relevant sustainability targets at the local level.
... For example, almost the entire Cape Fold Mountains falls within the Fynbos biome which is a biodiversity hotspot (Goldblatt & Manning, 2000), while most of the eastern Great Escarpment falls into the endangered Grassland Biome ). Yet these montane habitats are often marginalised regions, and are under threat from detrimental land-uses, unsustainable use of natural resources, climate change, poor governance, and invasive alien plants (IAPs) (Clark et al., 2019). Invasive alien plants are direct drivers of change in these ecosystems and threaten their role in the provision of nature's contributions to people (NCP). ...
... This lack of knowledge is a reflection of the fact that SA's mountains have been poorly studied. No mountain range in southern Africa has been comprehensively assessed for the purposes of valuing ecosystem services (ES), assessing threats or making policy recommendations (Clark et al., 2019). ...
... Furthermore, SA shares its major mountain range, the Maloti-Drakensberg, with the Kingdom of Lesotho and most of the water reserve Records from iNaturalist were filtered to only include Research Grade observations that were indicated to be out of cultivation lies within the latter's territory (Hoag, 2019). The potential for IAPs to reduce the country's already limited water resources is therefore a major regional geopolitical issue (see case study of the Manica Highlands, in Clark et al. (2019)). ...
Significance Statement
Reconciling nature conservation and cultural ecosystem services (CES) has become fundamental to manage mountain protected areas. The timely monitoring of CES opportunities at large scales is therefore a pressing need. We combined social media data and Earth observations (EO) into a multi model inference framework to assess CES opportunities in two contrasting mountain Biosphere Reserves in Southern Europe: Peneda-Gerês (Portugal) and Sierra Nevada (Spain). EO indicators expressing people’s accessibility to leisure elements and landscape visual-sensory characteristics appear to be effective candidates for the monitoring of attributes underlying CES. Our findings recognise EO as complementary tools to socio-cultural approaches for the evaluation of CES, aiding stakeholders in their management decisions focused on the resilience and sustainability of mountain protected areas.
... For example, almost the entire Cape Fold Mountains falls within the Fynbos biome which is a biodiversity hotspot (Goldblatt & Manning, 2000), while most of the eastern Great Escarpment falls into the endangered Grassland Biome ). Yet these montane habitats are often marginalised regions, and are under threat from detrimental land-uses, unsustainable use of natural resources, climate change, poor governance, and invasive alien plants (IAPs) (Clark et al., 2019). Invasive alien plants are direct drivers of change in these ecosystems and threaten their role in the provision of nature's contributions to people (NCP). ...
... This lack of knowledge is a reflection of the fact that SA's mountains have been poorly studied. No mountain range in southern Africa has been comprehensively assessed for the purposes of valuing ecosystem services (ES), assessing threats or making policy recommendations (Clark et al., 2019). ...
... Furthermore, SA shares its major mountain range, the Maloti-Drakensberg, with the Kingdom of Lesotho and most of the water reserve Records from iNaturalist were filtered to only include Research Grade observations that were indicated to be out of cultivation lies within the latter's territory (Hoag, 2019). The potential for IAPs to reduce the country's already limited water resources is therefore a major regional geopolitical issue (see case study of the Manica Highlands, in Clark et al. (2019)). ...
Significance Statement
Coastal and marine ecosystems face historical deterioration worldwide. This negatively affects the provisioning of ecosystem services to society. The UN has recently approved a statistical standard for ecosystem accounting to measure the contribution of ecosystem services to the national economy and track changes in the value of naturel capital. It has been suggested that ecosystem accounting can also be used to support policy and management at regional and local level. This study presents an exploratory assessment of ecosystem accounting’s role in supporting integrated coastal zone planning using the Oslofjord in Norway as a case. We discuss how ecosystem accounting, and ecosystem service use and monetary accounts in particular, could be useful to support various aspects of integrated coastal zone planning, nature conservation and financing.
... For example, almost the entire Cape Fold Mountains falls within the Fynbos biome which is a biodiversity hotspot (Goldblatt & Manning, 2000), while most of the eastern Great Escarpment falls into the endangered Grassland Biome ). Yet these montane habitats are often marginalised regions, and are under threat from detrimental land-uses, unsustainable use of natural resources, climate change, poor governance, and invasive alien plants (IAPs) (Clark et al., 2019). Invasive alien plants are direct drivers of change in these ecosystems and threaten their role in the provision of nature's contributions to people (NCP). ...
... This lack of knowledge is a reflection of the fact that SA's mountains have been poorly studied. No mountain range in southern Africa has been comprehensively assessed for the purposes of valuing ecosystem services (ES), assessing threats or making policy recommendations (Clark et al., 2019). ...
... Furthermore, SA shares its major mountain range, the Maloti-Drakensberg, with the Kingdom of Lesotho and most of the water reserve Records from iNaturalist were filtered to only include Research Grade observations that were indicated to be out of cultivation lies within the latter's territory (Hoag, 2019). The potential for IAPs to reduce the country's already limited water resources is therefore a major regional geopolitical issue (see case study of the Manica Highlands, in Clark et al. (2019)). ...
Significance Statement
In a rapidly urbanizing world, urban wilderness areas offer unique opportunities to connect with raw nature. After examining social demand for urban wilderness in one of the fastest growing cities in the United States, we found that high levels of naturalness positively influence visitors’ use and perception of natural areas. Age and youth experiences with nature were the most significant, positive correlates with perception of wildlife. Regardless of race/ethnicity, income, and education, visitors recognized the importance of wildlife in urban wilderness. Overall, this study found that social demand for urban wilderness is a multi-dimensional balance between natural amenities and cultural conveniences. This knowledge is useful to city planners to properly plan and protect the natural areas within urban environments.
... For example, almost the entire Cape Fold Mountains falls within the Fynbos biome which is a biodiversity hotspot (Goldblatt & Manning, 2000), while most of the eastern Great Escarpment falls into the endangered Grassland Biome ). Yet these montane habitats are often marginalised regions, and are under threat from detrimental land-uses, unsustainable use of natural resources, climate change, poor governance, and invasive alien plants (IAPs) (Clark et al., 2019). Invasive alien plants are direct drivers of change in these ecosystems and threaten their role in the provision of nature's contributions to people (NCP). ...
... This lack of knowledge is a reflection of the fact that SA's mountains have been poorly studied. No mountain range in southern Africa has been comprehensively assessed for the purposes of valuing ecosystem services (ES), assessing threats or making policy recommendations (Clark et al., 2019). ...
... Furthermore, SA shares its major mountain range, the Maloti-Drakensberg, with the Kingdom of Lesotho and most of the water reserve Records from iNaturalist were filtered to only include Research Grade observations that were indicated to be out of cultivation lies within the latter's territory (Hoag, 2019). The potential for IAPs to reduce the country's already limited water resources is therefore a major regional geopolitical issue (see case study of the Manica Highlands, in Clark et al. (2019)). ...
Significance Statement: This work addresses a research gap that exists when it comes to Green Infrastructure planning as a new spatial planning approach to develop multifunctional green networks. I introduce a typology for spatial planning to integrate peri-urban farmland in Green Infrastructure, supporting the development of a multifunctional open space network. This typology is based on a two-tiered approach, involving an inter- and transdisciplinary approach and an evidence synthesis. It contributes to the conceptual understanding of multifunctionality planning, provides evidence that peri-urban farmland bears potentials to address urban challenges, such as biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation, green economy development, and social cohesion, and reveals research gaps that still need to be addressed in future.
... For example, almost the entire Cape Fold Mountains falls within the Fynbos biome which is a biodiversity hotspot (Goldblatt & Manning, 2000), while most of the eastern Great Escarpment falls into the endangered Grassland Biome ). Yet these montane habitats are often marginalised regions, and are under threat from detrimental land-uses, unsustainable use of natural resources, climate change, poor governance, and invasive alien plants (IAPs) (Clark et al., 2019). Invasive alien plants are direct drivers of change in these ecosystems and threaten their role in the provision of nature's contributions to people (NCP). ...
... This lack of knowledge is a reflection of the fact that SA's mountains have been poorly studied. No mountain range in southern Africa has been comprehensively assessed for the purposes of valuing ecosystem services (ES), assessing threats or making policy recommendations (Clark et al., 2019). ...
... Furthermore, SA shares its major mountain range, the Maloti-Drakensberg, with the Kingdom of Lesotho and most of the water reserve Records from iNaturalist were filtered to only include Research Grade observations that were indicated to be out of cultivation lies within the latter's territory (Hoag, 2019). The potential for IAPs to reduce the country's already limited water resources is therefore a major regional geopolitical issue (see case study of the Manica Highlands, in Clark et al. (2019)). ...
Significance Statement
The structure of the city and related composition and configuration of green infrastructure (GI) translate into supply and distribution of ecosystem services (ES). Therefore, we aimed to recognize the social perception of ES at the background of the spatial structure (from the dense centre to the rural-like suburbs) based on a case study of Poznań city in Poland. The findings revealed that although distribution and types of GI vary among main urban zones, inhabitants appreciate the cultural ES of GI regardless of its type or location. They expressed the demand for enhancement of recreational ES and the importance of accessibility to the green spaces. The study also emphasised the complex trade-offs between cultural and regulating ES highlighting the role of ES-oriented planning.
... Despite the increase in the spatial coverage of protected areas, it seems that protected areas often fall short of mitigating the negative impacts on ES caused by global change (Clark et al., 2019;Gaglio et al., 2020;Li et al., 2020b;Ramel et al., 2020). This can be explained by spatial mismatches between areas important for the conservation of biodiversity and areas of high ES supply (Li et al., 2020b;Ramel et al., 2020), in addition to challenges related to invasive species and climate change (Clark et al., 2019). ...
... Despite the increase in the spatial coverage of protected areas, it seems that protected areas often fall short of mitigating the negative impacts on ES caused by global change (Clark et al., 2019;Gaglio et al., 2020;Li et al., 2020b;Ramel et al., 2020). This can be explained by spatial mismatches between areas important for the conservation of biodiversity and areas of high ES supply (Li et al., 2020b;Ramel et al., 2020), in addition to challenges related to invasive species and climate change (Clark et al., 2019). Accordingly, sites with lower protection status were found to be those most exposed to anthropogenic pressures, although they often provide high levels of ES (Egarter Vigl et al., 2021). ...
... Mountain regions have to cope with multiple anthropogenic threats and challenges, mostly related to invasive species, land use-change, climate change, and overexploitation (Clark et al., 2019;Egarter Vigl et al., 2021). Such pressures on ecosystems and ES are being applied at accelerating rates and make it difficult for socio-ecological systems to adapt quickly or to find sustainable solutions to mitigate negative effects on human well-being. ...
Mountain regions provide crucial ecosystem services (ES) to their inhabitants and to the surrounding lowland populations. However, multiple anthropogenic drivers, such as land-use change, climate change, over-exploitation, and population growth severely affect mountain socio-ecological systems, with huge effects on ES provision. This Special Issue (SI) collects 29 contributions addressing (i) current research gaps in our understanding of landscape dynamics and their effects on ES, (ii) ES in protected areas, and (iii) new approaches to a holistic assessment of socio-ecological systems. This introduction to the SI summarizes major findings related to (i) the impacts of global change on ES, (ii) the role of protected areas, and (iii) the challenges and research requirements to develop sustainable management strategies for mountain landscapes in the light of current and future challenges. The findings emphasize the specific environmental and cultural characteristics of mountain regions as well as their importance to a large part of the global population. Due to regional differences in socio-ecological characteristics, the needs and values of local communities need to be better integrated into decision-making, supported by inter-and trans-disciplinary cooperation, which would also lead to improved ES provision at the global level.
... Vernonanthura polyanthes was introduced into Mozambique by Portuguese commercial farmers in the 1990s for apiculture (Sukhorukov et al. 2017;Hyde et al. 2016). The species has been invading the eastern highlands of Zimbabwe and central Mozambique for over 2 decades (Mujaju et al. 2021;Clark et al. 2019). While limited scientific research and The impact of the invasive alien plant Vernonanthura polyanthes on conservation and… media reports are hinting at the capacity of the species to invade different social-ecological landscapes along the Zimbabwe and Mozambique borderland (Timberlake et al. 2016;Lisboa et al. 2022;Gonye 2019), the governments of the two countries are yet to officially declare it as an invasive alien plant. ...
... In this paper we assessed the social-ecological impacts of V. Polyanthes, an emerging invasive alien plant which is believed to have been introduced into central Mozambique in the early 1970s by Portuguese farmers as bee fodder (Clark et al. 2019;Timberlake et al. 2020;Lisboa et al. 2022). Invasion science often prioritises quantitative methodologies to numerically reflect impacts and trends of invasive alien plants (Shackleton et al. 2019), but in this article we extend the outlook through adopting participatory designs to explore lived experiences and local ecological knowledge of communities exposed to invasive alien plant species. ...
Biological invasions can have major social-ecological consequences for rural communities across the world. However, the dimensions (characteristics, infestation and socio-ecological impacts) of emerging invasive alien plants are often less known and urgent information is needed to guide policy and management. In light of this, this paper assesses the social-ecological impacts of Vernonanthura polyanthes, an emerging invasive alien plant found in a Zimbabwean upland landscape which supports conservation and livelihoods. The paper employs qualitative methods—community mapping, time series analysis, and key informant interviews—involving individuals from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, to examine the socio-ecological and economic implications of V. polyanthes and its management in Chimanimani, Zimbabwe. We found that there are nuanced perspectives regarding this invasive alien plant among different socio-economic groups in the region who have different experiences of living with V. polyanthes. Some are embracing it for apiculture, firewood, and ethnomedicine while, on the other hand, some see the tree as negatively affecting key livelihoods (crop farming, pastoralism, and tourism) that are common in the region. Local people also identified that V. polyanthes is associated with ecological impacts that include loss of biodiversity, promoting pests, and negatively affecting watersheds and associated water sources. These mixed experiences concerning the plant are leading to different management practices, in turn inducing some conflicts among various actors. Based on our findings, we suggest more should be done to better manage this invasive alien plant in the region before negative impacts become too great, particularly in protected areas.
... While mostly not as high, as long, or as rugged as many other mountains around the world, southern Africa's ancient mountains (Partridge and Maud, 1987;McCarthy and Rubidge, 2005) contain highly diverse geologies, landforms, complex vegetation mosaics, provide critical ecosystem services, and harbour exceptionally rich biodiversity (Cowling and Hilton-Taylor, 1994;Bristow 1985;van Wyk and Smith, 2001;Mucina and Rutherfordm, 2006;Clark et al., 2011;Mzumara-Gawa et al., in press). In addition, many southern African mountains are poorly explored or poorly researched in most disciplines (Clark et al., 2011(Clark et al., , 2019Bayliss et al., 2014;Delves et al., 2021;Huntley and Ferrand, 2019;Mzumara-Gawa et al., in press)especially in terms of the context of transboundary co-operation (DeMotts 2017; Clark et al., 2019). In addition, policy representation is very limited, and southern African mountains remain largely marginal to national and regional (e.g. ...
... While mostly not as high, as long, or as rugged as many other mountains around the world, southern Africa's ancient mountains (Partridge and Maud, 1987;McCarthy and Rubidge, 2005) contain highly diverse geologies, landforms, complex vegetation mosaics, provide critical ecosystem services, and harbour exceptionally rich biodiversity (Cowling and Hilton-Taylor, 1994;Bristow 1985;van Wyk and Smith, 2001;Mucina and Rutherfordm, 2006;Clark et al., 2011;Mzumara-Gawa et al., in press). In addition, many southern African mountains are poorly explored or poorly researched in most disciplines (Clark et al., 2011(Clark et al., , 2019Bayliss et al., 2014;Delves et al., 2021;Huntley and Ferrand, 2019;Mzumara-Gawa et al., in press)especially in terms of the context of transboundary co-operation (DeMotts 2017; Clark et al., 2019). In addition, policy representation is very limited, and southern African mountains remain largely marginal to national and regional (e.g. ...
Guest Editorial on Special Issue emanating from the 1st Southern African Mountain Conference (SAMC2022).
... Water is an essential resource that sustains almost all life on Earth. Southern Africa's water towers support millions of people in the region [40,41]. While climate scenarios show a significant decline in available water resources, socio-economic trajectories show an increase in water demand [42]. ...
... Southern Africa's third-world context necessitates a sensitive and strategic approach to addressing change in its mountain regions. Embracing its social environment through social engagement [133], public-assisted monitoring [32], and the crafting of innovative solutions for mountain futures [134] are key features to consider in future LTSER, given that mountains and their associated ecosystem services are critical for people [24,41,135,136] and are cradles of cultural and ethnic diversity [137,138]. The first pioneering form of mountain LTSER in South Africa took place in the impoverished rural Okhombe and Obonjaneni communities in the upper Tugela catchment of the northern Maloti-Drakensberg [139]. ...
Southern Africa is an exceptionally diverse region with an ancient geologic and climatic history. Its mountains are located in the Southern Hemisphere mid-latitudes at a tropical–temperate interface, offering a rare opportunity to contextualise and frame our research from an austral perspective to balance the global narrative around sustainable mountain futures for people and biodiversity. Limited Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) was initiated more than a century ago in South Africa to optimise catchment management through sound water policy. The South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) has resurrected many government LTER programmes and added observatories representative of the country’s heterogeneous zonobiomes, including its mountain regions. LTER in other Southern African mountains is largely absent. The current rollout of the Expanded Freshwater and Terrestrial Environmental Observation Network (EFTEON) and the Southern African chapters of international programmes such as the Global Observation Research Initiative in Alpine Environments (GLORIA), RangeX, and the Global Soil Biodiversity Observation Network (Soil BON), as well as the expansion of the Mountain Invasion Research Network (MIREN), is ushering in a renaissance period of global change research in the region, which takes greater cognisance of its social context. This diversity of initiatives will generate a more robust knowledge base from which to draw conclusions about how to better safeguard the well-being of people and biodiversity in the region and help balance livelihoods and environmental sustainability in our complex, third-world socio-ecological mountain systems.
... In addition, an account of all the endemic and near-endemic plants from Mozambique has recently been published (Darbyshire et al. 2019b), some of which occur in these border areas. Despite these advances, ongoing biodiversity research in southern African mountains remains a key regional need (Clark et al. 2011(Clark et al. , 2019CEPF 2012), and there remains a substantial lag in the production of fundamental biodiversity and taxonomic data compared to other mountains in Africa. ...
... obs.). Clark et al. (2019) postulate that Cyclone Idai (March 2019) might have encouraged the spread of this wind-dispersed species even further afield, although it had earlier also been encountered on the Ribáuè mountains in northern Mozambique (I. Darbyshire, pers. ...
The first comprehensive plant checklist for the Bvumba massif, situated in the Manica Highlands along the Zimbabwe-Mozambique border, is presented. Although covering only 276 km ² , the flora is rich with 1250 taxa (1127 native taxa and 123 naturalised introductions). There is a high proportion of Orchidaceae and Pteridophyta, with both groups showing a higher richness than for adjacent montane areas, which may be due to the massif’s relatively high moisture levels as a result of frequent cloud cover. However, in contrast to other mesic montane regions in southern Africa, there are relatively few near-endemic or range-restricted taxa: there is only one local endemic, Aeranthes africana , an epiphytic forest orchid. This is likely to be an effect of the massif having limited natural grassland compared to forest, the former being the most endemic-rich habitat in southern African mountains outside of the Fynbos Biome. Six other near-endemic taxa with limited distribution in this portion of the Manica Highlands are highlighted. The high number of invasive species is probably a result of diverse human activities in the area. The main species of concern are Acacia melanoxylon , a tree that is invading grassland and previously cultivated land, the forest herb Hedychium gardnerianum which in places is transforming forest understorey with an adverse effect on some forest birds, and the woody herb Vernonanthura polyanthes which invades cleared forest areas after fire. Future botanical work in the massif should focus on a more detailed exploration of the poorly known Serra Vumba on the Mozambican side and on the drier western slopes. This will allow for a more detailed analysis of patterns of endemism across the Manica Highlands.
... This trend reversed during COVID-19, with people preferring rural locations (Roggema, 2019;Haupt and Azevedo, 2020). Clark et al. (2019), Ujunwa et al. (2021), and Ncube et al. (2021) found that a growing population of adult people create housing needs because of the migration from their parents' houses to start their homes. Mavhura (2020), Ncube et al. (2021), and Kativu and Oskarsson (2021) affirmed that the housing shortage impact is putting the Zimbabwean Municipal Councils under pressure regarding the housing needs of the growing population. ...
Purpose
In the era of climate change, the need to ensure that buildings are energy efficient cannot be overemphasised. Studies have shown that building retrofitting can improve energy efficiency (EE) and sustainability. There may be hindrances to retrofitting for energy efficiency. Extant literature and policy documents on Zimbabwe suggest a better framework to help stakeholders manage their existing buildings by addressing challenges and policy inconsistencies. This study appraises and critically discusses the challenges facing retrofitting Zimbabwe’s buildings for energy efficiency.
Design/methodology/approach
The research adopted a quantitative research design using a questionnaire survey distributed to the respondents knowledgeable in building retrofitting and energy efficiency in Zimbabwe. The data were analysed through various statistical approaches (descriptive and inferential). The inferential tests include the Shapiro–Wilk test, Kruskal–Wallis H -test, exploratory factor analysis and heterotrait-monotrait ratio analysis to develop the structural equation model that validated the challenges for retrofitting buildings.
Findings
The results revealed the challenges of retrofitting buildings for EE in Zimbabwe, and a structural equation model was developed that clustered the key challenges into three main groups. This includes inadequate finance to invest in energy, outdated building by-laws and the unavailability of raw materials to achieve energy efficiency.
Originality/value
By appraising the challenges facing retrofitting buildings for energy efficiency in Zimbabwe, this study provides insights into the contextual factors that can enhance energy efficiency and sustainability in other developing countries. The study’s practical implications will positively impact the Green Building Council and other stakeholders interested in improving energy efficiency in the built environment.
... In this paper we assessed the social-ecological impacts of V. Polyanthesan emerging invasive alien plant which is believed to have been introduced into central Mozambique in the early 1970s by Portuguese farmers as bee fodder (Clark et al. 2019, Lisboa et al. 2022). Invasion science often prioritises quantitative methodologies to numerically re ect impacts and trends of invasive alien plants (Shackleton et al. 2019), but in this article we go a bit deeper and adopted participatory designs to explore lived experiences and local ecological knowledge of communities exposed to invasive alien plant species. ...
Biological invasions can have major social-ecological consequences for local communities across the world. However, the dimensions (characteristics, infestation and socio-ecological impacts) of emerging invasive alien plants are often less well known but urgent information is needed to guide policy and management. In light of this, this paper assesses the social-ecological impacts of Vernonathura Polyanthes an emerging invasive alien plant, in a Zimbabwean upland landscape which supports conservation and livelihoods. Informed by exploratory participatory qualitative methodologies we discussed the socio-ecological and economic implications (benefits and impacts) of Vernonathura Polyanthes and how it is managed in the eastern parts of Chimanimani, Zimbabwe. We found that there are nuanced perspectives of this invasive tree among different socio-economic groups in the region who have different experiences of living with Vernonathura polyanthes . Some are embracing it for apiculture, firewood, and ethnomedicine, on the other hand for others the tree is negatively affecting key livelihoods (crop farming, pastoralism and tourism) that are common in the region. Local people also identified that Vernonathura Polyanthes is associated with ecological impacts that include loss of biodiversity, promoting pests and negatively affecting watersheds and associated water security. Mixed experiences on the plant are leading to different management practices, in turn inducing some conflicts among various actors. Based on our findings we suggest more should be done to better manage this invasive plant in the region before negative impacts become too great, particularly in the protected areas in the region.
... Aside from these past studies that have combined ecosystem services, value mapping and sustainability data, ecosystem service assessment and sustainability achievement have largely taken place independently based on food (Ward et al., 2018;Du Preez et al., 2020;Jeranyama et al., 2020), energy (Gissi et al., 2016;Picchi et al., 2019), and water (Hackbart et al., 2017;Nel et al., 2017) perspectives. Schröter et al. (2017) and Clark et al. (2019) explored sustainability strategies and related them to ecosystem services, indicating that effective governance ensuring the sustainability of these ecological services remains the most elusive hurdle. Wood et al. (2018) emphasized ecosystem services could make important contributions to achieving synergistic outcomes across multiple SDGs using a questionnaire survey. ...
The maintenance of the total natural capital stocks has received increased attention worldwide for its ability to achieve sustainable development. However, the claim that ecosystem services (ES) contribute to sustainability has not been sufficiently verified. In this study, we explore how major ecosystem functions affect food, energy, and water (FEW) sustainability. This research addresses the importance of ecosystems and services provided, which sustainability depends on. Specific types of sustainability – food, energy, water, and fundamental ES with regional GDP are chosen to exam this relationship using the pressure-state-response framework. The results show that ecosystem services are indispensable keys to successfully achieving sustainable development goals. The research findings also illustrate a scheme for emphasizing how economic development can be a factor contributing to a multi-objective case study. Our approach may help guide future cooperative applications to achieve food, energy, and water sustainability while protecting ecosystem services.
... The growth in ASGM in Manica after the end of the civil war was spurred on by economic hardship and a rapid growth of migration from Zimbabwe this century, as men, women and children have fled the (often highly politicized) economic malaise there (see Rutherford and Chemane-Chilemba 2020). With the Manica highlands forming a key water source for the region (Clark et al. 2019), the main environmental harm government leaders and NGOs associated with ASGM in the region is sedimentation in the rivers. ...
This paper considers the apparent confluence of three policy developments: the Sustainable Development Goals, as the latest international commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment; the growing push to formalize the artisanal and small-scale mining sector; and the call to address environmental concerns of ASM through increased regulation, including formalization. Informed by feminist political economy and political ecology scholarship, we consider the kinds of gendered meanings about gold ASM (ASGM) and the environment made possible through the points where formal policy commitments to ASGM, environmental protection and women’s inclusion intersect, or fail to intersect. We explore three contexts in which environment narratives have been framed and/or mobilized: the 2014 Minamata Convention on Mercury, followed by two brief case studies examining the consequences of the enforcement of gender-blind environmental initiatives on the livelihoods of women artisanal gold miners in central Mozambique and eastern Ghana. The paper concludes with three recommendations for future work on the intersection of environmental protection programs and women’s empowerment agendas for the ASGM sector.
Harmonizing human activities with the natural environment has received much attention as a development goal and is a longstanding pursuit of human society. In this study, we investigated the sustainability of green development from the perspective of the coordination between economic and environmental subsystems at the place-based scale, with 290 cities in China as research objects. An interdisciplinary method combining an improved data envelopment analysis model and Lotka-Volterra model was conducted to examine the two subsystems’ development efficiency and their correlation (i.e., mutualism, commensalism, amensalism, sacrifice, competition, independence). The results indicate that one-third of the cities’ economic and environmental subsystems are in a mutualistic state, with a relatively stable social-ecological system. However, the two subsystems are in a state of competition in one-fourth of the cities, with rather intense vulnerability, where the harmonious coexistence of humans and nature is facing more significant challenges. In addition, vulnerability of the social-ecological system in economically developed cities shows substantial polarization. The two subsystems in most of these cities are in mutualism or amensalism relations, whereas the social-ecological system in economically underdeveloped cities shows even greater vulnerability.
Understanding humanity’s relationship with nature is crucial for the well-being and sustainable development of mankind in the face of global environmental change. Communities depend on landscapes for survival and landscapes determine if sustainable development is to be achieved. The links between landscapes, ecosystem services, livelihoods, and climate change are often complex, misunderstood, and barely studied in rural areas of Africa, where communities live side-by-side with conservation areas. Our study surveyed the perception of the nexus of landscape change, climate change, ecosystem services, and livelihoods in Gonarezhou, a national park in southeastern Zimbabwe. We also used Landsat satellite imagery to map the landscape change over 20 years to validate and to correlate with the survey data. The survey results indicated that people relied on rainfed agriculture as a means of livelihood, but droughts as a result of climate change force communities to engage in other means of livelihoods such as small-scale poaching of small game such as impala and harvesting of natural resources such as edible shrubs. Crops and livestock as provisional ecosystem services have been negatively affected by climate change and landscape change. Landsat data confirmed that there was a negative transformation of the landscape as a result of agriculture, growth in settlements, and large herbivores. However, there was also a positive landscape transformation resulting from the conservation efforts by the Gonarezhou Conservation Trust (GCT). Cultural services about education and awareness of the environment and provisional services such as wild fruits are booming. Challenges such as soil erosion, human–wildlife conflict, and minimal community benefits from conservation efforts hindered sustainable development in the study area. While changes in landscape, climate, livelihoods, and ecosystem services happened at a local scale, the underlying drivers such as politics and the economy were also identified as drivers of landscape change.
Extending over 530 km 2 on both sides of the Mozambique-Zimbabwe border, and primarily defined by its underlying geology, the Chimanimani massif is renowned for its montane vegetation and a high number of endemic taxa. A detailed vascular plant checklist from the area above 1200 m altitude was produced by Goodier and Phipps in 1961, but focussed mostly on the Zimbabwe side. Here we present a revision of that checklist with updated nomenclature and family circumscriptions, incorporating many recent additional records particularly from Mozambique. It is recognised that a fully comprehensive list for the montane area on both sides of the border would probably use a lower limit of 800 m and cover moist forests in more detail. The revised checklist covers 977 taxa, 956 of them native, from 142 families (including ferns and gymnosperms); the 74 Chimanimani strict montane endemics, 7.7% of the flora, are indicated along with 19 near-endemic taxa. Comparison with checklists for other montane massifs in the Flora Zambesiaca area shows that the Chimanimani is not particularly species-rich, however it covers a smaller area with lesser altitudinal range. Despite the lower number of species recorded, the number of endemics on the Chimanimanis is significantly greater. Aspects of the botanical significance of the area are discussed.
Mountain social‐ecological systems (MtSES) are vital to humanity, providing ecosystem services to over half the planet's human population. Despite their importance, there has been no global assessment of threats to MtSES, even as they face unprecedented challenges to their sustainability. With survey data from 57 MtSES sites worldwide, we test a conceptual model of the types and scales of stressors and ecosystem services in MtSES and explore their distinct configurations according to their primary economic orientation and land use. We find that MtSES worldwide are experiencing both gradual and abrupt climatic, economic, and governance changes, with policies made by outsiders as the most ubiquitous challenge. Mountains that support primarily subsistence‐oriented livelihoods, especially agro‐pastoral systems, deliver abundant services but are also most at risk. Moreover, transitions from subsistence‐ to market‐oriented economies are often accompanied by increased physical connectedness, reduced diversity of cross‐scale ecosystem services, lowered importance of local knowledge, and shifting vulnerabilities to threats. Addressing the complex challenges facing MtSES and catalyzing transformations to MtSES sustainability will require cross‐scale partnerships among researchers, stakeholders and decision‐makers to jointly identify desired futures and adaptation pathways, assess tradeoffs in prioritizing ecosystem services, and share best practices for sustainability. These transdisciplinary approaches will allow local stakeholders, researchers and practitioners to jointly address MtSES knowledge gaps while simultaneously focusing on critical issues of poverty and food security.
Recent institutional and policy frameworks prescribe the incorporation of ecosystem services (ES) into land use management and planning, favouring co-production of ES assessments by stakeholders, land planners and scientists. Incorporating ES into land management and planning requires models to map and analyze ES. Also, because ES do not vary independently, many operational issues ultimately relate to the mitigation of ES trade-offs, so that multiple ES and their interactions need to be considered. Using a highly accurate LULC database for the Grenoble urban region (French Alps), we mapped twelve ES using a range of models of varied complexity. A specific, fine-grained (less than 1 ha) LULC database at regional scale (4450 km²) added great spatial precision in individual ES models, in spite of limits of the typological resolution for forests and semi-natural areas. We analysed ES bundles within three different socio-ecosystems and associated landscape types (periurban, rural and forest areas). Such type-specific bundles highlighted distinctive ES trade-offs and synergies for each landscape. Advanced approaches combining remote sensing, targeted field data collection and expert knowledge from scientists and stakeholders are expected to provide the significant progress that is now required to support the reduction of trade-offs and enhance synergies between management objectives.
The extensive use of biological products from forests has become common in providing critical sources of medicine, food, and fodder and cash income, making dry forests the largest natural supermarket for millions of people in sub Saharan Africa. The study examined the role of Non-Timber Forest Products in the enhancement of rural livelihoods in ward 8 of Chirumanzu District. The study identified and evaluated the role of NTFPs using quantitave and qualitative approaches. Data was acquired through the use of questionnaires, interviews, observations and secondary sources of data. The researcher then used Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) to evaluate data. The study results confirmed that the households harvested four categories of NTFPs that include foods, medicinal plants, leafy vegetables and construction materials. Biological products harvested played a pivotal role in the enhancement of rural livelihoods by providing sustainable diets, ethno pharmaceutical uses and ethno veterinary uses. Ethno pharmaceutical uses included the utilisation of Aloe Vera (Zumbani) as a mosquito repellent and Ximenia (mutsvanzvabere) is used for treating livestock ringworms. The researcher observed that each household harvested an average yield of 300kgs of Vitex Payos (tsvubvu), 500kgs of Miombo leaf litter (murakwani) and 400 kgs of thatch grass. Commercialization of NTFPs also enhanced household incomes of US$545 per season which was above the poverty datum line of a family of 5. The researcher found out that the indigenous fruits provided more nutritional benefits than exotic fruits and are important in poverty alleviation for example Strychinos spinosa (matamba) has a K content of 1370d whilst most exotic fruits like oranges have a Kcal content of 400d. This proves that some indigenous fruit trees are more nutritional than exotic trees. The respondents are highly dependent on Miombo leafy litter because of limited access to inorganic fertiliser. This study recommends that Chirumanzu Rural District Council (RDC) should maintain and upgrade the communication infrastructure to enhance NTFPs market base through accessible road networks.Overally, the research findings concluded that NTFPs are pivotal for the enhancement of rural livelihoods.
Context
Place-based transdisciplinary research involves multiple academic disciplines and non-academic actors. Long-Term Socio-Ecological Research (LTSER) platform is one concept with ~ 80 initiatives globally.
Objectives
As an exercise in learning through evaluation we audited (1) the siting, construction and maintenance of individual LTSER platforms, and (2) them as a distributed infrastructure for place-based transdisciplinary research with focus on the European continent.
Methods
First, we defined a normative model for ideal performance at both platform and network levels. Second, four surveys were sent out to the 67 self-reported LTSER platforms officially listed at the end of 2016. Third, with a focus on the network level, we analyzed the spatial distribution of both long-term ecological monitoring sites within LTSER platforms, and LTSER platforms across the European continent. Fourth, narrative biographies of 18 platforms in different stages of development were analyzed.
Results
While the siting of LTSER platforms represented biogeographical regions well, variations in land use history and democratic governance were not well represented. Platform construction was based on 2.1 ecological monitoring sites, with 72% ecosystem and 28% social system research. Maintenance of a platform required three to five staff members, focused mostly on ecosystem research, was based mainly on national funding, and had 1–2 years of future funding secured. Networking with other landscape approach concepts was common.
Conclusions
Individually, and as a network, LTSER platforms have good potential for transdisciplinary knowledge production and learning about sustainability challenges. To improve the range of variation of Pan-European social–ecological systems we encourage interfacing with other landscape approach concepts.
The effects of Brazil's political crisis on science funding necessary for biodiversity conservation are likely to be global. Brazil is not only the world's most biodiverse nation, it is responsible for the greater part of the Amazon forest, which regulates the climate and provides rain to much of southern South America. Brazil was a world leader in satellite monitoring of land-use change, in-situ biodiversity monitoring, reduction in tropical-forest deforestation, protection of indigenous lands, and a model for other developing nations. Coordinated public responses will be necessary to prevent special-interest groups from using the political crisis to weaken science funding, environmental legislation and law enforcement.
The mapping and assessment of ecosystems and their services, an initiative under the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020, sets the basis for national ecosystem assessments in EU Member States, including Greece. The highly diverse and heterogeneous Greek landscape provides multiple ecosystem services (ES) and benefits to society. However, the rich knowledge base corresponds to limited research to support a national ecosystem assessment in Greece. In this paper, we apply a rapid method to map ecosystem types and quantify ES supply provided by mountainous protected areas. Using habitat type level data, we created a detailed ecosystem type map that was used as a baseline to assess the supply of provisioning and regulating and maintenance ES. We also applied a site-oriented approach to record and score the ES supply in each protected area. Summing up individual ES supply resulted in a total ES supply map which was used to identify ES hot spot areas within the Greek Natura 2000 mountainous sites. The results: (1) corroborate the hypothesis that protected areas should be treated as high value bio-physical and social-cultural complexes accounting for a significant part of the national capital; (2) highlight data gaps at the national level and limitations of ES mapping methods under such data restrictions; (3) are intended to provide to stakeholders and decision-makers, baseline information for future applied research and conservation management actions.EDITED BY Matthias Schröter
Amidst the socio-economic meltdown in Zimbabwe, increased illegal mining activities on recently discovered
diamond and gold deposits have given local people a source of livelihood. The problem of illegal gold mining is fast spreading through the Eastern Highlands and other parts of the country, as hundreds of artisanal gold miners swarm to the area, tearing up natural forests and plantations. Illegal mining operations are now rampant in the Chimanimani Mountains, a narrow belt located on the eastern Zimbabwean/western Mozambican border. The hilly and generally inaccessible nature of these mountains has preserved much of the native flora and fauna, including some endemic or near endemic animals and plants, and thus they are an important habitat. The highlands are also a crucial international catchment and a major water source for thousands of families dependent on agriculture and fishing for their livelihoods. However, with an estimated 400 000 miners now operating illegally in Zimbabwe, the cumulative mining activities represent a major threat to people’s livelihood security and to the integrity of this crucial catchment, habitat and associated river systems.
The cave squeaker Arthroleptis troglodytes Poynton, 1963 was first collected in 1961/62, and not observed again for 54 years despite several attempts to locate it. We rediscovered this species near the type locality in the Chimanimani mountain range in eastern Zimbabwe. We describe for the first time the call and colour in life, and highlight several morphological and habitat features not previously recorded for this species.
Sites occupied by Vernonanthura phosphorica in Burma Valley, Zimbabwe tend to be species poor, with the invasive species dominating the flora. An investigation was carried out to establish soil conditions under which V. phosphorica, an invasive alien shrub, thrives. Five randomly selected sites under V. phosphorica invasion were compared to five adjacent sites unoccupied by the species. Plots measuring 20 m × 20 m were randomly placed within each site. Five 1 m × 1 m quadrats were systematically laid at the four corners and centre of each plot and sampled for soil nitrogen, phosphorus, carbon, pH and temperature. An independent t-test was used for the analysis of these variables. Results showed that the invaded sites had significantly higher soil nitrogen and phosphorus content and temperatures than sites unoccupied by the invasive species. Soil pH and carbon were significantly lower on invaded sites. The observed soil physical and chemical differences between each set of sites provided an insight into conditions under which the invasive species thrives. It was, therefore, concluded that the invasive V. phosphorica thrives under high soil temperature, nitrogen and phosphorus content and low soil pH and carbon.
This study briefly reviews the geology of the Manica Highlands followed by a summary of the
geomorphic evolution of southern Africa, with particular focus on eastern Zimbabwe. The Manica
mountain land is a long-lived topographic high, characterized by a diverse range of lithologies
(rock types), including the nutrient-poor Umkondo quartzites. Such nutrient-poor substrates appear
to act as important drivers of speciation by favouring plant specialization to exploit local
favourable ecological niches. Climatic ecotones associated with the Manica Highlands were
exaggerated by the development of the Save rift valley in the rainshadow on their inland margin
shortly prior to disruption of Gondwana. The distribution of climatic ecotones linked to elevation
across the Manica Highlands would have been modulated by global climatic changes, in particular
the cooling associated with the development of the Antarctic ice cap during the Eocene‒Oligocene
(~35 million years or 35 Ma) and successive advances and retreats of ice sheets during the past 3
million years. This, in turn, would promote cross-seeding of plant species across different climatic
belts and lithologies. Local climatic ecotones would have been further modulated by changes in
elevation of the Manica Highlands linked to tectonic processes, enhancing species cross-seeding.
The occurrence of common Proteaceae species along the Mpumalanga‒Drakensberg escarpment
and the Manica Highlands indicate that the ancient (~300 Ma) Limpopo Valley, which predates
evolution of the angiosperms, has not been a barrier to plant dispersal. Long-range plant dispersal
would accordingly be anticipated from the Afromontane archipelago associated with the East
African Rift to the north of the Zambezi. The Great Dyke to the west of the Manica Highlands, and
the Gorongosa massif on the Mozambique plain to the east, are both notable for their biodiversity
and endemism, and represent further plant species reservoirs for seeding the Manica Highlands.
Although the Nyanga massif hosts Zimbabwe's highest peak (Mt Nyangani), forms part of the Chimanimani–Nyanga Centre of Floristic Endemism and is a popular tourist destination, its levels of floristic diversity and endemism have not previously been documented. Here we define the Nyanga massif as a discrete 2181 km 2 northern part of the Manica Highlands of Zimbabwe and adjacent Mozambique. With 1471 species/infra-specific taxa, floristic diversity is just short of Van Wyk & Smith's (2001) minimum estimate of 1500 for the entire Chimanimani–Nyanga Centre of Endemism, and is average for the south-eastern Afromontane region. Hosting 21 (14%) of the c.150 Manica Highlands endemics, Nyanga is confirmed as the second sub-centre within their Chimanimani–Nyanga Centre – albeit a considerably less endemic-rich one than the Chimanimani Sub-centre (with c.90 endemics), and represents only 1.5% of Nyanga's indigenous flora. Lower endemism is likely due to incomplete isolation from the rest of the Manica Highlands (with which it shares c.32 near-endemics) and an absence of unusual substrates and less rugged topography compared to the Chimanimani mountains. Very little ecological data exist for 12 of the endemics, highlighting the need for detailed population and ecological assessments. Although most of the 77 naturalised alien species recorded are benign, impacts on local diversity and ecosystems services by the few aggressive species are cause for concern and warrant research priority for suitable mitigation. Our findings highlight the need for continued biodiversity research even in apparently well-known mountains in southern Africa.
This study briefly reviews the geology and geological history of the Manica Highlands followed by a summary of the geomorphic evolution of southern Africa, with particular focus on eastern Zimbabwe. The Manica mountain land is a long-lived topographic high, characterized by a diverse range of lithologies (rock types), including the nutrient-poor Umkondo quartzites. Such nutrient-poor substrates appear to act as important drivers of speciation by favouring plant specialization to exploit local favourable ecological niches. Climatic ecotones associated with the Manica Highlands were exaggerated by the development of the Save rift valley in the rainshadow on their inland margin shortly prior to disruption of Gondwana. The distribution of climatic ecotones linked to elevation across the Manica Highlands would have been modulated by global climatic changes, in particular the cooling associated with the development of the Antarctic ice cap during the Eocene‒Oligocene (~35 million years or 35 Ma) and successive advances and retreats of ice sheets during the past 3 million years. This, in turn, would promote cross-seeding of plant species across different climatic belts and lithologies. Local climatic ecotones would have been further modulated by changes in elevation of the Manica Highlands linked to tectonic processes, enhancing species cross-seeding. The occurrence of common Proteaceae species along the Mpumalanga‒Drakensberg escarpment and the Manica Highlands indicate that the ancient (~300 Ma) Limpopo Valley, which predates evolution of the angiosperms, has not been a barrier to plant dispersal. Long range plant dispersal would accordingly be anticipated from the Afromontane archipelago associated with the East African Rift to the north of the Zambezi. The Great Dyke to the west of the Manica Highlands, and the Gorongosa massif on the Mozambique plain to the east, are both notable for their biodiversity and endemism, and represent further plant species reservoirs for seeding the Manica Highlands.
Since the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, ecosystem service science has made much progress in framing core concepts and approaches, but there is still debate around the notion of cultural services, and a growing consensus that ecosystem use and ecosystem service use should be clearly differentiated. Part of the debate resides in the fact that the most significant sources of conflict around natural resource management arise from the multiple managements (uses) of ecosystems, rather than from the multiple uses of ecosystem services.
A list of ‘Mines Known in the District of Senna’ was published in Lisbon in 1857 in response to a decree calling for an inventory of mineral resources south of the Zambezi. Compiled by Izidoro Correia Pereira, a Zambezi valley trader, the document represents the mining activities of the Shona dynastic rulers Bocha, Bvumba, Duma, Hera, Manyika, Maungwe, Mbire and Rozvi that existed in the decade of 1500 when the Portuguese invaded the modern country of Zimbabwe to wrest the centuries-old Sofala gold trade from Arab-Swahili hands. Pereira’s list is divided into three headings: mining ‘localities’, their ‘discoverers’ and their ‘workers’. It answers the question, ‘Who was mining in the archaeological landscape 1500-1850? ’ The dynasty of the Manyika is given by far the major billing. Unlike the separate clans listed for the other seven dynasties, the discovers and workers of the Manyika's 21 gold and 10 iron `localities' are all billed under the praise-name ‘Samaita’, with at least four carrying the titles of Manyika houses: Mandeya, Muponda, Nyakasapa, Tsonzo. Most of the names of the 31 mining ‘localities’ are to be found in place-names of rivers and hills in Zimbabwe's Eastern Highlands. They tally with areas where laboratory evidence of assay results from soil samples taken in Ann Kritzinger’s research identify artificial terracing on hillslopes with surface mining of ‘placer’ deposits, and their associated stone-built hydraulic tanks with the recovery of gold by gravity concentration.
Intensification of land use and management over recent decades has resulted in trade-offs between food or timber production and other ecosystem services (ES). Despite an increase in scholarly publications on ES, the temporal aspects of ES trade-offs have largely been neglected to date. Here we explore how past and future land-use trajectories (pathways of change) influence ES over time, using mountain landscapes as a model. Based on a synthesis of 51 cases of temporal changes in ES within mountain landscapes, we analyze how changes in land-use intensity influence the supply of ten key services and we describe six typical examples (archetypes) of ES change. Our analysis reveals that land-use intensity is an important factor shaping these archetypes. Land-use intensification often degrades ES (eg recreation and water regulation), with the exception of services targeted by intensification (food or timber) and with differences between forest and agricultural intensification. Service degradation following intensification is not always reversed by reductions in land-use intensity (termed “extensification”).
Ecosystem services research needs to become more transdisciplinary.•ecoSERVICES will advance co-designed, transdisciplinary ecosystem service research. Ecosystem services have become a mainstream concept for the expression of values assigned by people to various functions of ecosystems. Even though the introduction of the concept has initiated a vast amount of research, progress in using this knowledge for sustainable resource use remains insufficient. We see a need to broaden the scope of research to answer three key questions that we believe will improve incorporation of ecosystem service research into decision-making for the sustainable use of natural resources to improve human well-being: (i) how are ecosystem services co-produced by social-ecological systems, (ii) who benefits from the provision of ecosystem services, and (iii) what are the best practices for the governance of ecosystem services? Here, we present these key questions, the rationale behind them, and their related scientific challenges in a globally coordinated research programme aimed towards improving sustainable ecosystem management. These questions will frame the activities of ecoSERVICES, formerly a DIVERSITAS project and now a project of Future Earth, in its role as a platform to foster global coordination of multidisciplinary sustainability science through the lens of ecosystem services.
A key problem for conservation is the coincidence of regions of high biodiversity with regions of high human impact. Twenty-five of the most threatened centers of plant diversity were identified by Myers et al., and these “hotspots” play a crucial role in international conservation strategies. The primary goal of the hotspots is to cover the most threatened centers of plant diversity, but their efficacy has not yet been tested empirically. For sub-Saharan Africa, our study evaluates the hotspots postulated by Myers and compares them to a set of redefined hotspots proposed on the basis of mapped distribution data for 5985 plant species. The two sets of hotspots overlap by 48%. Our redefined hotspots include 80% of the species and 66% of the range-restricted species of the sub-Saharan flora in areas under high humanimpact, whereas these values are 15% and 11% lower for Myers’s hotspots. Despite having equal size and a considerable spatial overlap with Myers’s hotspots, our redefined hotspots include further highly threatened centers of plant diversity in the Maputaland Pondoland Region, in Katanga, the East African Afromontane region, the Lower Guinea Region, and the Albertine Rift. Many of these redefined hotspots are poorly protected centers of plant and animal diversity. Their conservation is essential for a comprehensive coverage of Africa’s centers of biodiversity.
Africa has the most extensive C4 grassy biomes of any continent. They are highly flammable accounting for greater than 70% of the world's burnt area. Much of Africa's savannas and grasslands occur in climates warm enough and wet enough to support closed forests. The combination of open grassy systems and the frequent fires they support have long been interpreted as anthropogenic artefacts caused by humans igniting frequent fires. True grasslands, it was believed, would be restricted to climates too dry or too cold to support closed woody vegetation. The idea that higher-rainfall savannas are anthropogenic and that fires are of human origin has led to initiatives to ‘reforest’ Africa's open grassy systems paid for by carbon credits under the assumption that the net effect of converting these system to forests would sequester carbon, reduce greenhouse gases and mitigate global warming. This paper reviews evidence for the antiquity of African grassy ecosystems and for the fires that they sustain. Africa's grassy biomes and the fires that maintain them are ancient and there is no support for the idea that humans caused large-scale deforestation. Indicators of old-growth grasslands are described. These can help distinguish secondary grasslands suitable for reforestation from ancient grasslands that should not be afforested.
This article is part of the themed issue ‘The interaction of fire and mankind’.
Forest benefit analysis is vital in ensuring sustainable community-based natural resources management. Forest depletion and degradation are key issues in rural Zimbabwe and strategies to enhance sustainable forest management are continually sought. This study was carried out to assess the impact of forests on communities from Nyanga, Guruve and Zvimba districts of Zimbabwe. It is based on a Big Lottery Fund project implemented by Progressio-UK and Environment Africa. Itfocuses on identifying replicable community forest and landmanagement strategies and the level of benefits accruing to the community. Analysis of change was based on the Income and Food Security and Forest benefits, which also constitutes the tools used during the research. The study confirms the high rate of deforestation and the increased realisation by communities to initiate practical measures aimed at protecting and sustaining forest and land resources from which they derive economic and social benefits. The results highlight the value of community structures (Farmer Field Schools and Environmental Action Groups) as conduits for natural resource management. The interconnectivity among forests, agricultural systems and the integral role of people are recognised as key to climate change adaptation.
Keywords: Forest benefits; sustainability,;livelihoods; farmer field schools
An increasing amount of information is being collected on the ecological and socio-economic value of goods and services provided by natural and semi-natural ecosystems. However, much of this information appears scattered throughout a disciplinary academic literature, unpublished government agency reports, and across the World Wide Web. In addition, data on ecosystem goods and services often appears at incompatible scales of analysis and is classified differently by different authors. In order to make comparative ecological economic analysis possible, a standardized framework for the comprehensive assessment of ecosystem functions, goods and services is needed. In response to this challenge, this paper presents a conceptual framework and typology for describing, classifying and valuing ecosystem functions, goods and services in a clear and consistent manner. In the following analysis, a classification is given for the fullest possible range of 23 ecosystem functions that provide a much larger number of goods and services. In the second part of the paper, a checklist and matrix is provided, linking these ecosystem functions to the main ecological, socio–cultural and economic valuation methods.
During the last century, climate has increasingly become variable and changeable, with significant deviations from the observed normal averages, which often leads to disruptive consequences to ecosystems and livelihoods. Climate change induced environmental challenges are viewed to be particularly severe to economically challenged tropical societies including the Zimbabwean rural communities. We sought to determine local level climate change trends and associated biophysical implications in the Makonde Communal Lands of Zimbabwe. Our findings suggest that there has been significant climate change in the Makonde Communal Lands since 1962. The climate change observed has induced the deterioration of ecosystem productivity, diversity and services, to the detriment of human livelihoods. We provide insights into how to better understand local level dynamics between climate change and local ecosystem goods and services as the basis of livelihood in marginalised rural communities. Among the key reasons for concern about impacts of anthropogenic activities on climate is the fact that changing climate has direct impacts on the biophysical world, which in turn is a vital asset for human livelihoods, economies and general well-being.
Misperceptions about the world's grassy biomes contribute to their alarming rates of loss due to conversion for agriculture
and tree plantations, as well as to forest encroachment. To illustrate the causes and consequences of these misperceptions,
we show that the World Resources Institute and the International Union for Conservation of Nature misidentified 9 million
square kilometers of ancient grassy biomes as providing “opportunities” for forest restoration. Establishment of forests in
these grasslands, savannas, and open-canopy woodlands would devastate biodiversity and ecosystem services. Such undesired
outcomes are avoidable if the distinct ecologies and conservation needs of forest and grassy biomes become better integrated
into science and policy. To start with, scientists should create maps that accurately depict grassy biomes at global and landscape
scales. It is also crucial that international environmental agreements (e.g., the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change) formally recognize grassy biomes and their environmental values.
Amidst the pressing challenges of global climate change, the last decade has seen a wave of forest carbon projects across the world, designed to conserve and enhance forest carbon stocks in order to reduce carbon emissions from deforestation and offset emissions elsewhere. Exploring a set of new empirical case studies, Carbon Conflicts and Forest Landscapes in Africa examines how these projects are unfolding, their effects, and who is gaining and losing. Situating forest carbon approaches as part of more general moves to address environmental problems by attaching market values to nature and ecosystems, it examines how new projects interact with forest landscapes and their longer histories of intervention. The book asks: what difference does carbon make? What political and ecological dynamics are unleashed by these new commodified, marketized approaches, and how are local forest users experiencing and responding to them?
The book’s case studies cover a wide range of African ecologies, project types and national political-economic contexts. By examining these cases in a comparative framework and within an understanding of the national, regional and global institutional arrangements shaping forest carbon commoditisation, the book provides a rich and compelling account of how and why carbon conflicts are emerging, and how they might be avoided in future.
This book will be of interest to students of development studies, environmental sciences, geography, economics, development studies and anthropology, as well as practitioners and policy makers.
This study was carried out in selected districts of Mashonaland East and Central provinces of Zimbabwe in 2011 to determine the effects of soil erosion on arable lands and how this related to catchment management. Results show that the highest contribution is 53% and is obtained from arable land codes 5 and 7. These fields show signs of excessive sheet and gully erosion. The least contribution is 0.8% and this is on arable land codes 3, 4 and 8. These fields have properly done conservation works existing. 33% of the assessed arable lands have conservation works in place whilst 67% are not protected and as such the fields are eroded. Soil erosion results in the washing away of the precious top soil, responsible for plant growth and infiltration of rain or irrigation water. This reduces the usefulness of such affected arable lands as crops grown on it can't thrive due to lack of soil fertility. The paper recommends that government policies focus more on promoting sustainable land use through integrated catchment area management. This will go a long way in achieving sustainable development in Zimbabwe.
There is growing evidence that the rate of warming is amplified with elevation, such that high-mountain environments experience more rapid changes in temperature than environments at lower elevations. Elevation-dependent warming (EDW) can accelerate the rate of change in mountain ecosystems, cryospheric systems, hydrological regimes and biodiversity. Here we review important mechanisms that contribute towards EDW: snow albedo and surface-based feedbacks; water vapour changes and latent heat release; surface water vapour and radiative flux changes; surface heat loss and temperature change; and aerosols. All lead to enhanced warming with elevation (or at a critical elevation), and it is believed that combinations of these mechanisms may account for contrasting regional patterns of EDW. We discuss future needs to increase knowledge of mountain temperature trends and their controlling mechanisms through improved observations, satellite-based remote sensing and model simulations.
Two new species are described in the genus Streptocarpus (Gesneriaceae) from eastern tropical Africa. The first, Streptocarpus mazumbaiensis I.Darbysh. from the Usambara Mts of Tanzania, was treated as Streptocarpus sp. A in the Flora of Tropical East Africa account of the Gesneriaceae. The second, Streptocarpus acicularis I.Darbysh. & Massingue, is known from a single collection from the lower Chimanimani massif in Mozambique, previously misidentified as S. eylesii S.Moore. Both species are illustrated, their likely affinities are discussed and their conservation status is assessed.
http://www.sciencemagazinedigital.org/sciencemagazine/30_january_2015?pg=32#pg32
An illustrative example of street theatre used in international development as an awareness-building tool is Nakai, a drama produced by the United Nation's Industrial Development Organization's Global Mercury Project (GMP) in Zimbabwe to increase knowledge of the hazards of mercury use amongst artisanal gold miners in the Kadoma-Chakari region, Zimbabwe. Nakai performed to almost 9000 people, but its influence on behavioral change in the GMP project area could not be studied due to the extremely unstable political situation at the time in Zimbabwe. Nakai evolved as a non-participatory didactic drama with the belief that a transportable equipment-demonstration school would serve as a more effective platform for participation and empowerment. About 700 miners were trained in these demonstration units and learned how to process gold more efficiently and reduce mercury losses when the whole ore is amalgamated and when the amalgams are burned in open air. Indicators of success were not very evident since the repression of the police on miners and theatre players limited sound assessment of the awareness initiatives. The system of mineral processing centers in the region inhibits behavioral change because the centers' owners reap benefits from recovering gold from tailings using sophisticated techniques such as cyanidation, while rudimentary mercury amalgamation techniques are reserved for the artisanal miners. In practice, national and local elites can easily consolidate power and direct project benefits to themselves, reducing the possibilities empowering the miners.
A recent sampling endeavour of freshwater crabs along the high-lying streams of the Nyanga mountain range in Mutare (Eastern Highlands, Zimbabwe) yielded a morphologically distinct, as yet undescribed species. The novel Zimbabwean species is compared to the 16 described species from southern Africa based on mtDNA sequence data derived from three partial gene sequences (12S rRNA, 16S rRNA and COI). The new Zimbabwean species was found to be a sister taxon to Potamonautes mulanjeensis. These two species are morphologically and genetically easily differentiated. The new species is described as Potamonautes mutareensis, sp. nov. and is compared morphologically to the known freshwater crab species of southern Africa. A dichotomous key to the four described freshwater crab species that occur in Zimbabwe is also provided. Our results suggest that species diversity and endemism of freshwater decapods and other habitat specialists is likely to be high in unsampled mountainous regions.
1. MUDANDO PERSPECTIVA SOBRE O AMBIENTE Questões Focais do Capítulo • Quais são as principais questões que vamos encarar no século vinte e um? • Como a economia pode nos ajudar a entender essas questões? • Como as perspectivas econômicas e ecológicas diferem, e como podemos combiná-las para abordar as questões ambientais? A Economia e o Ambiente Ao longo das últimas três décadas, temos ficado cada vez mais conscientes dos problemas ambientais que enfrentam as comunidades, nações, e o mundo. Durante este período, as questões dos recursos naturais e ambientais têm crescido em escopo e urgência. Nos anos 1970, a Agência de Proteção Ambiental foi criada nos Estados Unidos para responder ao que foi naquele tempo uma preocupação relativamente nova com a poluição do ar e da água. No ano de 1972, a primeira conferencia internacional sobre ambiente, a Conferência das Nações Unidas sobre Ambiente Humano, realizada em Estocolmo. Deste então, a atenção crescente mundial tem sido devotada às questões ambientais. Em 1992, a Conferência das Nações Unidas sobre Ambiente e Desenvolvimento (UNCED) focou nas principais questões globais incluindo a depleção da camada de ozônio da terra, destruição das florestas e alagados tropicais, extinção das espécies, e o aumento permanente do dióxido de carbono e outros gases de "efeito estufa" causando o aquecimento global e mudança climática. Oito anos mais tarde, o Programa Ambiental das Nações Unidas (UNEP) publicou o Observatório Ambiental Global 2000 (Global Environmental Outlook 2000) encontrando que "ganhos ambientais de novas tecnologias e políticas estão sendo empreendidas ao passo e escala do crescimento da população e desenvolvimento econômico". E em 2002 o relatório seguinte Global Environmental Outlook 3 declarava que , enquanto nos anos seguindo a conferência de Estocolmo de 1972 "o mundo tem feito grandes avanços em colocar o ambiente na agenda em vários níveis do internacional ao local...o nível de consciência e ação não tem sido correspondido com o estado do ambiente global hoje; continua a deteriorar." 1 Com exceção da depleção do ozônio, uma área na qual redução importante em emissões tem sido alcançada por acordos internacionais, os relatórios da UNEP oferecem evidências que os problemas ambientais globais identificados pela UNCED em 1992 têm continuado ou piorados. Além disso, UNEP aponta a poluição do nitrogênio na água doce e oceanos, exposição aos químicos tóxicos e resíduos perigosos, danos aos ecossistemas 1 UNEP, 1999, 2000.
This edition of the Arc Journal includes a series of articles summarising the results of a five year ecosystem services research programme called ‘Valuing the Arc’
We used locally-sourced and other relevant information to value ecosystem services provided by South Africa's terrestrial, freshwater and estuarine habitats. Our preliminary estimates suggest that these are worth at least R275 billion per annum to South Africans. Notwithstanding benefits to the rest of the world, natural systems provide a major source of direct income to poor households, and generate significant value in the economy through tourism and property markets, as well as providing considerable non-market benefits. Higher values correspond both to areas of higher biomass, which have higher capacity to supply ecosystem services, and areas of higher population densities, which generate demand as well as threats. The value of regulating services is higher for natural systems closer to population centres. Amenity values are highest in cities and protected areas, with the fragmented green open space areas within cities have among the highest values per ha. Even if the gaps are taken into account, our estimates are far lower than estimates based on average global values, but are likely to be more accurate, relevant and tractable to policymakers. Nevertheless, some services have large global values, the recognition of which is important in developing strategies for financing biodiversity conservation.
The taxonomy of complicated native African taxa, Biscutella maritima (Brassicaceae) and annual species of Sesuvium (Aizoaceae) is discussed. The distribution of B. maritima is widened to the most of the coastal areas of NE Algeria and N Tunisia. Morphological differences with regard to other North African members of Biscutella ser. Biscutella are reported to facilitate the identification of B. maritima. We propose to accept four annual Sesuvium species (instead of the one previously accepted species, S. sesuvioides sensu amplissimo) with different distributions in Africa: S. digynum, S. hydaspicum, S. sesuvioides s.str. and S. nyasicum. A delimitation key based on morphological and carpological characters is provided. Lectotypes of S. digynum, S. digynum var. angustifolium, S. hydaspicum, S. nyasicum, Diplochonium sesuvioides (Sesuvium sesuvioides) and Trianthema polysperma (synonym of Sesuvium hydaspicum) are selected. Other discussed taxa belong to the alien elements of the flora. Atriplex semibaccata (Amaranthaceae-Chenopodiaceae) is reported as a new species for Cape Verde. Gaillardia × grandiflora (Asteraceae) is discovered as a new species for Africa found in Morocco. Prosopis velutina (Fabaceae) is collected for the first time in Northern Africa (Morocco). Mollugo verticillata (Molluginaceae) is recorded as a new species for DR Congo. Its morphology, including seed ornamentation, is discussed in reference to other similar-looking Molluginaceae. Incidence of American species Heterotheca subaxillaris (Asteraceae) in North Africa is discussed. Vernonanthura polyanthes (Asteraceae) is recorded as a naturalized invasive species in eastern Zimbabwe. It seems to be the first documented discovery of this ergasiophyte in Africa.
Keywords: Africa, Biscutella, Gaillardia, Heterotheca, Mollugo, Prosopis, Sesuvium, Vernonanthura.
Mountain ecosystems have been less adversely affected by invasions of non-native plants than most other ecosystems, partially because most invasive plants in the lowlands are limited by climate and cannot grow under harsher high-elevation conditions. However, with ongoing climate change, invasive species may rapidly move upwards and threaten mid-, and then high-elevation mountain ecosystems. We evaluated this threat by modeling the current and future habitat suitability for 48 invasive plant species in Switzerland and New South Wales, Australia. Both regions had contrasting climate interactions with elevation, resulting in possible different responses of species distributions to climate change. Using a species distribution modeling approach that combines data from two spatial scales, we built high-resolution species distribution models (≤250 m) that account for the global climatic niche of species and also finer variables depicting local climate and disturbances. We found that different environmental drivers limit the elevation range of invasive species in each of the two regions, leading to region-specific species responses to climate change. The optimal suitability for plant invaders is predicted to markedly shift from the lowland to the montane or subalpine zone in Switzerland, whereas the upward shift is far less pronounced in New South Wales where montane and subalpine elevations are already suitable. The results suggest that species most likely to invade high elevations in Switzerland will be cold-tolerant, whereas species with an affinity to moist soils are most likely to invade higher elevations in Australia. Other plant traits were only marginally associated with elevation limits. These results demonstrate that a more systematic consideration of future distributions of invasive species is required in conservation plans of not yet invaded mountainous ecosystems.
Present-day vegetation consists of a mosaic of grassland with small patches of montane forest. Previous authors have suggested that this pattern is derived relatively recently and stems from the effects of human influence on the vegetation. This contention is dismissed on the basis of 1) soils, 2) the sedimentary history of the valleys or dambos. Cores from one of the largest dambos on the plateau, Mwala, have been examined palynologically and the results suggest that the contemporary vegetation pattern pre-dates the occupation of the plateau by man and probably extends to around 12 000 BP. -from Author
Concerns over deforestation have led to attempts to identify suitable areas for reforestation around the world ( 1 ). The most ambitious effort to date is the World Resources Institute (WRI) Atlas of Forest and Landscape Restoration Opportunities ( 1 ). This map is linked to a global plan to reforest degraded lands to offset anthropogenic CO2 emissions. The immediate target is the reforestation of 1.5 million km2 by 2020 ( 2 , 3 ). Vast areas of open grassy vegetation have been identified as suitable for reforestation. But are all these grasslands secondary products of deforestations? Recent research shows that grasslands are often ancient and highly biodiverse, but it remains difficult to distinguish between primary and secondary grasslands on a large scale. Reforestation efforts thus risk converting ancient tropical grasslands to plantations.
South Africa has a long history of human-mediated introductions of species from all major taxonomic groups. Close to 9000 alien terrestrial plant species have been introduced, and all of the country's biomes have already been invaded. Invasive species are threatening the country's ecosystems in numerous ways, but the effect of climate change on these invasions is predicted to be complex and cascading and remains poorly understood. The relationship between climate and invasive species biology is well established, and there is no question that climate change will influence the ecology of invasive species significantly. If left un-managed, these effects are expected to increase substantially. Besides terrestrial plants, numerous animals have also invaded the country's landscapes. South Africa's freshwater ecosystems have been invaded by both alien as well as extralimital introductions (indigenous species outside their historical extent of occurrence). The status of invasion in the marine environment remains poorly studied, and knowledge of the status of invasions and predictions regarding the impacts of climate change remain largely speculative. This chapter highlights the current status of invasions in South Africa and discusses some of the direct and indirect effects climate change is likely to have on these invasions.
This paper offers a review and reassessment of the biogeography of the Afromontane region. Much of the montane vegetation of Africa, expecially in the sourthern part of its distribution (the southern Afromontane region) is characterized by a mosaic of forest `islands' in a `sea' of grassland, with or without heathland elements. Controversy has arisen as to the origin of these grasslands and the view has emerged, based on a variety of phytogeographical, zoogeographical, ecological, pedological and historical evidence, that the grasslands element has been derived, or at least markeldy extended, in the recent past by forest clearance through human agency. An alternative hypothesis holds that the grassland is a much older component of the Afromontage landscape. The paper assesses these two opposing viewpoints in the light of published palaeoecological and biogeographical evidence not previously brought to bear on the problem of Afromontane grassland origins in general. The physical environment and vegetation of the southern Afromontane region is reviewed and the suggestions put forward to account for the widespread occurrence of grasslands in the region are presented. The competing hypotheses are then tested against data on plant species richness and diversity from a number of upland areas within the region and against published Quaternary palynological data from the Nyika Plateau, Malawi, the Inyaga Mountains, Zimbabwe and the Winterberg Escarpment area of South Africa. The resulting reassessment offers strong support for the idea that the grasslands have been prominent in the southern Afromontane region since before the permanent occupation of the mountains by people. Environmental changes, especially of the late Quaternary, are suggested as having been important in establishing the vegetation pattern and, while increased magnitude of human impact in recent times is apparent, the so-called `relict' nature of montane forest patches is questionable. It is argued that the southern Afromontane grasslands are themselves relict from a time, around the last glacial maximum, when the climatic conditions were more suited to these formations than to forest.