ID67: Sustainability of mountain social-ecological systems across Africa

Abstract ID 680 | Date: 2022-09-12 10:13 – 10:26 | Type: Oral Presentation | Place: SOWI – Lecture hall HS2 |

Mwesigye, Godfrey (1); Kanyamibwa, Sam (2); Kanyamugenge, Brigitte (3); William, Apollinaire (4)

Introduction

Mountain areas are disproportionately affected by climate change. With global warming, the mountain ecosystems experience more rapid variations in temperatures than the lowlands because of the higher elevations. African continent mountains are endowed with a rich in biodiversity, endemism and a variety of cultures; mountain communities are increasingly experiencing some of the disastrous effects of climate change, including extreme events such as flash floods, landslides, wildfires and droughts. These events have got ramifications on the livelihoods of the mountain people as they predominantly depend on agriculture which largely relies on nature. There has been increasing food insecurity and narrowed sources of income in the mountain communities because of adverse impacts of climate change.

To cope with the changing climate, the mountain people have adopted approaches for adaptation. Most of these interventions are small-scale due to limited resources but have significantly improved the livelihoods of the mountain communities. This paper presents an array of these interventions and how they can be scaled up in the mountain communities.

Methodology

The study adopted a qualitative methodology using a systematic review. Studies related to climate change adaptation in African mountains were selected by performing a broad and detailed literature search. Using clear inclusion and exclusion criteria, the study reduced biases and put aside low quality and irrelevant studies. The abstracts of the selected studies were screened and subsequently the entire texts in the studies. Then a synthesis of the studies was performed to extract necessary and relevant information using a designed protocol.

Results

This paper explores the approaches that have been adopted in the various mountain communities in Africa to adapt to the effects of climate change. These include the indigenous farming techniques that promote resilience, nature-based adaption practices and technological interventions, among others. Climate change affects women, men, the youth and other vulnerable groups differently hence the need to put gender into perspective.

Recommendations

The study recommends that African governments scale up the interventions for climate change adaption in the mountain areas. The African policymakers need to integrate climate change adaption in the policy processes so that it is well streamlined and prioritised. Development partners should support the scaling up of adaption interventions for mountain communities.

Abstract ID 884 | Date: 2022-09-12 10:26 – 10:39 | Type: Oral Presentation | Place: SOWI – Lecture hall HS2 |

Jha, Nisha (1); Twinomuhang, Isaac (2); Bitariho, Robert (2); Berta Aneseyee, Abreham (3); Soromessa, Teshome (3); Mwangi, Ben (4); Olaka, Lydia (4); Nkengurutse, Jacques (5); Nkurunziza, Aline (5); Kaplin, Beth (6); Kamta, Romeo (7); Senghor, Alain (7); Imani, Gerard (8); Kabumba, Ghislain (8); Amani, Rodriguez (8); Batumike, Rodrigue (8); Kaganzi, Kaiza (9); Mcharazo, Fatuma (10); Martin, Emanuel (11); Thorn, Jessica (12); Zafra Calvo, Noelia (13); Cuni-Sanchez, Aida (1)

Mountain environments experience more rapid changes in temperature than lower elevations, which, together with changing rainfall patterns, challenge crop production. However, little is known about the adaptation strategies used by smallholder farmers in Africa, and the determinants of such adaptation options.

Semi-structured interviews were administered to 1,500 household heads living near 10 mountains in 8 countries: Bamboutous Mts (Cameroon), Kagezi Highliands (Uganda), Nyungwe (Rwanda), Kibira (Burundi), Itombwe Mts (DRC), Bale Mts (Ethiopia), Mt Kenya and Aberdares Range (Kenya), Mt Kilimanjaro and Udzungwa Mts (Tanzania), at 150 questionnaires per mountain.

We report similar adaptation strategies (e.g. increased use of improved seeds, inputs, soil conservation techniques) but also differences across and within regions (e.g. irrigation), related to different biophysical, economic and socio-cultural determinants. In all regions, farmers emerged as pro-active agents of everyday adaptation, but access to land, funds and mutual learning opportunities constrained further adaptation options. We highlight the gradual, everyday nature of adaptation among farmers, and the importance to consider context and change agents.

Abstract ID 259 | Date: 2022-09-12 10:39 – 10:52 | Type: Oral Presentation | Place: SOWI – Lecture hall HS2 |

Clark, Vincent Ralph (1); Timberlake, Jonathan (2)

The 8,200 km² Manica Highlands (MH) are defined as the upland areas associated with the Zimbabwe−Mozambique borderlands; it also includes important associated inselbergs, such as Serra Mocuta and Mount Gorongosa. The majority of the area lies above 1,200 m elevation and includes Mt Binga (2,440 m; the highest mountain in Mozambique) and Mt Nyangani (2,592 m; the highest mountain in Zimbabwe). Although the MH has been well-botanised from the late 19–21^st centuries, a comprehensive list of endemic plant species has never been compiled, nor have patterns of endemism been quantitatively determined. Using Flora Zambesiaca, the Flora of Zimbabwe and Flora of Mozambique websites, and “ground-truthing” using herbarium vouchers, we present the first comprehensive treatment of plant endemics in the MH. The MH has 222 strict endemiscs, and 11 near-endemics; being the second-smallest component of southern Africa’s Great Escarpment, this is one of the richest concentrations of endemics in the region. The strict endemics comprise 54 Monocotyledons, 167 Dicotyledons, and one Gymnosperm (a cycad). Five taxa are still to be described. The most endemic-rich families are Fabaceae (26 taxa; 12%), Rubiaceae (21 taxa; 10%), and Asteraceae (20 taxa; 9%). Spatial patterns of endemism are complex: 30% of the endemics occur across the MH – suggesting it is a unified montane Centre of Floristic Endemism (CFE) – while 40% are confined solely to the southernmost portion (i.e. south of the Bvumba). Within this southern portion, and with 79 (36%) strict endemics, the Chimanimani Mountains are the strongest local sub-centre of endemism and have the highest local endemic richness, driven by the unique quartzite substrate; the Nyanga area (Nyanga–Rukotso–Serra Choa) forms the second sub-centre, with 21 (10%) strict endemics. Mount Gorongosa has only two endemics, but shares 11% of the MH endemics with the rest of the MH, suggesting that the 125 km-wide topographic interval between them is as negligible biogeographically as the two narrow (c.10 km-wide) topographic intervals within the MH itself. Open montane habitats are the most important for endemism, hosting 171 (77%) of the endemics, compared to 51 (23%) in forested and wooded habitats. The dominant life form is the perennial herb, with 144 taxa (65%). Of the 152 taxa listed on the IUCN Red List, 47% are not of conservation concern, while 41% are considered threatened at some level. We revise the Chimanimani-Nyanga CFE to include Mount Gorongosa and Serra Mocuta, and call it the Manica Highlands CFE.

Abstract ID 673 | Date: 2022-09-12 10:52 – 11:05 | Type: Oral Presentation | Place: SOWI – Lecture hall HS2 |

Terzi, Stefano (1,2); Delves, Jess (1,2); Cheo, Ambe Emmanuel (2); Schneiderbauer, Stefan (1,2,3); Szarzynski, Joerg (1,2,3)

Mountain regions of the world are experiencing multiple pressures from climate change and anthropogenic activities. While climate change is driving variations in water availability, increases in water demands due to societal dynamics (e.g. urbanization, tourism and agriculture expansion) can make societies vulnerable to future impacts in case of reduced water availability. The interaction of biophysical and socio-economic factors makes water management particularly complex especially in areas with limited capacity for sustainable water management. Therefore, identifying and characterizing the main water user demands, their upstream-downstream interactions and future development is fundamental in developing effective adaptation strategies to build climate resilience into social-ecological systems. . Within this context, the AquaMount project (financed by the Autonomous Province of Bolzano – innovation, research and universities department) aims to support decision-making processes in water management within the context of changing climate- and socio-economic conditions.

Focusing on the Drakensberg mountains in the Free State Province (South Africa), we carry out inductive research to characterize water demands from the main water users, identify their vulnerability factors, and explore the dynamics involved in past and recent water scarcity impacts. Moreover, we apply participatory activities with key water users and local stakeholder to identify and characterize controversial water management dynamics and their potential future worsening, especially in case of reductions in water availability or increases in socio-economic water demands.

Results provide insights on local information on the main macro-users (e.g. agriculture, hydropower and domestic), the vulnerability factors that played a critical role in impacts of past water scarcity conditions, their interactions as well as water demand hotspots to inform local decision-makers on critical areas and factors to leverage adaptation strategies to future conditions. Finally, this application aims to support cross-fertilisation with other African mountains for knowledge transfer and improvements on adaptation strategies to deal with future water scarcity conditions.

Abstract ID 582 | Date: 2022-09-12 11:05 – 11:18 | Type: Oral Presentation | Place: SOWI – Lecture hall HS2 |

Miya, Nkopane (1); Koloba, Habofanwe (1); Johnson, Vicky (2)

The notion of entrepreneurs is not new as the literature dating back to the 18^th century investigates what propels entrepreneurs and their traits are important for the success of their businesses (Kerr et al., 2017). Ndoro and van Niekerk (2019) define traits as “enduring characteristics of an individual that can serve as an explanatory role in accounting for observed consistencies or regularities in behaviour”. Furthermore, Çolakologlu, Göükara (2016) postulate that the basis of various studies on entrepreneurship has been certain personality traits of entrepreneurs, and such studies attempted to pinpoint these traits to ascertain entrepreneurial potential. Also, entrepreneurship is linked with various notions and beliefs that differ according to the dominant culture and values (Javier and Torres, 2021). Thus, culture plays an important role in entrepreneurial behaviours as it refers to the shared values, beliefs and norms that give the blueprint for perceiving, believing, evaluating, communicating, and acting among a collective of interconnected people. Paul and Srivatava (2017) argue that the proactive personality traits of entrepreneurs are strongly influenced by culture as opposed to their innate personality. As such, the objective to this study is to investigate the effects of personality traits on entrepreneurial success and role of culture among the entrepreneurs in Qwa-qwa. This study will use a random sampling method to select the respondents. Random sampling will ensure that the entrepreneurs owning SMEs in Qwa-qwa have an equal chance of being selected to participate in the study (Quinlan, 2011: 209). Furthermore, this study will use the mixed methods research design. Thus, a meeting will be arranged with 15 entrepreneurs (qualitative) to discuss the aim of the study. Consequently, 400 questionnaires will be issued to the entrepreneurs operating businesses in Qwa-qwa (quantitative). Mixed method will be used in this study order to provide a better understanding and more insight into the effects or personality traits on entrepreneurial success, and the role of culture to provide a deeper understand on the behaviour of the entrepreneurs in Qwa-qwa. Moreover, the data for this study is not yet available. As such, it will be collected from October to December 2022. Thus, Nvivo software will be used to analyse data obtained from the respondents. Therefore, this study will provide possible implications and recommendations on how culture can enhance entrepreneurial behaviour among the entrepreneurs in Qwa-qwa.

Abstract ID 248 | Date: 2022-09-12 11:18 – 11:31 | Type: Oral Presentation | Place: SOWI – Lecture hall HS2 |

Clark, Vincent Ralph (1); Burrows, John (2); Turpin, Barbara (2); Balkwill, Kevin (3); Lötter, Mervyn (4); Siebert, Stefan (5)

Climatic, edaphic, and topographic differences between mountains and surrounding lowlands result in mountains acting as terrestrial islands with high levels of endemic biota. Conservation of mountains is thus key to successful biodiversity conservation. The Limpopo–Mpumalanga–Eswatini Escarpment (LMEE) in South Africa and the Kingdom of Eswatini – formerly known as the ‘North-eastern Transvaal Drakensberg’– is one of the largest components of southern Africa’s Great Escarpment. Despite ongoing botanical collecting effort over 150 years, there has never been a holistic and comprehensive synthesis of plant endemics data for the LMEE. For the first time, we define the LMEE as an orographic entity, covering 53,594 km²; it forms a contiguous highland area from the Pongola River (KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa) in the south, north to the Woodbush area (Limpopo province, South Africa), and includes rugged western Eswatini. Using exhaustive literature mining, coupled with combined decades of fieldwork by the authors, and up-to-date taxonomic assessments of the 46 undescribed species, we provide the first robust list of plant endemics for the LMEE. The LMEE has 496 endemic plant taxa, comprising 10.7% of the provisional flora (4,657 taxa). This is more than double the endemic plant taxa in the Drakensberg Mountain Centre (DCM), and may be the richest concentration of montane endemics in southern Africa outside of the Core of the Greater Cape Floristic Region. This extra-ordinary endemism is represented by 52 families and 158 genera. Grassland hosts the largest number of endemics (74.2%), followed by Savanna (26.6%), then Forest (7.7%). The largest number of endemics of conservation concern occur in Grassland (68.4%), in which one is Extinct (an Eswatini endemic) and two are Extinct in the Wild (both being Encephalartos (Zamiaceae) species). Evolutionary partitioning between Grassland, Savanna and Forest is supported by low introgression of Biomes at family and genus level, and by a dominance of life-forms adapted to open habitat environments. High threat statuses for Grassland endemics can be attributed to the historical transformation of almost 20% of Grassland to forestry pre-1990, and ongoing degradation of primary Grassland. With conservation area coverage only 11.1% of the LMEE, the exceptional richness of the endemic flora – combined with major conservation threats – suggest that the LMEE should become a major focus of conservation effort between South Africa and Eswatini as a matter of urgency.

Abstract ID 950 | Date: 2022-09-12 11:31 – 11:44 | Type: Oral Presentation | Place: SOWI – Lecture hall HS2 |

Martin, Grant (1,2); Chikowore, Gerald (1)

Invasive species are a significant concern within the Drakensberg mountain systems of Southern Africa, as they contribute to reduced water availability, loss of biodiversity, encroachment in grazing lands, provide refuge for criminals and increased fire risks. However, they are also a valuable resource to rural livelihoods as they provide resources such as fuelwood, fodder for livestock and timber in a region that is typically considered to be resource-poor. Of consideration is the ongoing work of the government-sponsored national programme, ”Working for Water” which was established, with the expressed purpose of employing people described as being from the poorest and disadvantaged rural communities to clear areas of invasive alien species. Whilst the programme provides employment in poor mountain regions, it may also be jeopardising the livelihoods of the same communities. Here we present data on the ecological and economic impacts of Black locust, Robinia pseudoacacia a widespread and dominant invasive alien tree within the region, and how it has been integrated into the livelihoods of peri-urban inhabitants of the region. Our results showed that R. pseudoacacia displaces natural vegetation which is dominated by grasses due to mechanisms such as Nitrogen fixation and shading. In addition, it disrupts grassland trophic interactions due as arthropod community assembly is significantly altered due to invasion. While the tree is currently being utilised by peri-urban dwellers, we found that it is not the species of choice for major purposes such as firewood and timber. Moreover, its contribution to household incomes is insignificant and is outweighed by its impacts. In this case given its adverse impacts on grassland ecosystems and the limited community dependency on the tree species, and the availability of alternative options we conclude that the species is not a useful natural resource and recommend its management. Furthermore, we motivate that the species be targeted for biological control as it can offer an effective, sustainable and herbicide-free management option which may reduce the aggressive nature of the species but still allows it to be used by communities.

Abstract ID 131 | Date: 2022-09-12 11:44 – 11:57 | Type: Oral Presentation | Place: SOWI – Lecture hall HS2 |

Membretti, Andrea

Localising and realising the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in mountainous areas of the Global South can be a daunting and abstract prospect for policy makers, researchers and practitioners alike. This presentation is built upon a wide range of research contributions from these diverse actors in Phuthaditjhaba, a remote, under-serviced Sotho city in the Maloti-Drakensberg Mountains, on the border between Lesotho and South Africa. These first research results have been collected and discussed in view of their forthcoming publication in a collective book that applies an interdisciplinary and cross-sectional methodology to the study of this burgeoning, yet informal, mountain city. By employing the SDGs as a common lens which can be used by researchers, policy makers and practitioners, it will be presented a practical, yet nuanced, discussion about sustainable development in this city facing multilevel social, political and environmental challenges.

The presentation will therefore investigate various aspects of this informal mountain town and its surrounding areas with the overall objective of shedding light on the challenges faced by the city with regards to sustainable development. These challenges are embedded in the complex environmental, socio-cultural and political contexts of the city. The challenges faced in Phuthaditjhaba are similar to those in many growing cities in the developing world, with some specificities related to the mountain dimension. They include governance, underinvestment, unemployment, migration, poverty and the historical inequality associated with (post)colonialism. In addition, the effects of climate change are still under-researched but will undoubtedly play a role in the future of the city, most notably in water provision and access to common pools of natural resources.

The presentation intends also to draft some indications and reccommendations in terms of supporting a place-sensitive and cultural related approach to the use and application of SDGs framework on mountain contexts in the Global South, avoiding any kind of ethno-centric point of view.

Abstract ID 221 | Date: 2022-09-12 15:15 – 15:17 | Type: Poster Presentation | Place: SOWI – Garden |

Ndeh, Bih Joan; Ndam, Tacham Walter; Andre-Ledoux, Njouonkou

_{Cameroon has great plant diversity with nearly 8000 species documented of which some are used by local communities for centuries. Nowadays, because of modernism, population growth that puts more pressure on the natural ecosystems and the lost of our cultural heritage, many Cameroonian tribes like the people of Bamoun in the Noun division of the West regionare facing a double erosion of knowledge and the loss of plant diversity. This studies aims at contributing to the documentation of floral composition and ethnobotanical knowledge in the Noun division especially Mahoua and Mapou villages in Malentouen subdivision. In this scope, ten plots of 2500m² (50 by 50 m) each were laid randomly in different selected sites in both villages and all species with at least 10 cm of diameter at 1.5 m above ground level were counted. Furthermore subplots of 10 by 10 m were established within the main plots and the saplings and seedlings counted. Samples of all plant species encountered were collected for identification and done usind different floras of Cameroon in the field and at the Cameroon national herbarium in Yaounde. For ethnobotanical survey, the pre-established plots were revisited with local traditional healers and elders who, thanks to semi-structured questionnaires gave the various uses of each plant species present. The uses were grouped into nine use categories including food, fuelwood, medicines, charcoal, arts and crafts, fence, fodder, construction/furniture and a total of 140 plant species belonging to and 117 genera and 51 families were identified. The most used families being the fabaceae (13 species), euphorbiaceae (13 species) and asteraceae (12 species). Medicinal use category recorded the highest number of species with 120 plant species of which 45 were used to treat diseases of the digestive system. The most exploited plants were forest trees such as Sarcocephalus diderrichii, S. latifolia, Pilostigma recticulatum, Alstonei boonei, Rauvollfia vomitoria, Polyscias fulva and Elaeis guinennensis. These plants had many uses.}

Abstract ID 128 | Date: 2022-09-12 15:17 – 15:19 | Type: Poster Presentation | Place: SOWI – Garden |

Nunoo, Isaac

Ghana is one country that comes to mind when cocoa is mentioned. Cocoa production is supported by the natural forest environment, these favourable conditions have aided large tracts of tropical forest in Ghana being cleared to support increasing cocoa cultivation, this situation occurring have made cocoa farming both a direct and indirect driver of deforestation mostly in the mountain areas. Most new cocoa planting has been established without shade or less than 10 percent canopy cover. Despite their higher yield potential, sunlight exposed plantations grown without fertilizer experience rapid yield declines with time and often suffer from early senescence. This current trend of cocoa production is making cocoa farming over time unproductive and degraded systems without the heavy application of chemical inputs, putting the long term future of cocoa farming, and farmers related rural livelihoods in Ghana in some doubt. Cocoa with less than optimum shade has a shorter life cycle and also under certain soil conditions and rainfall regimes shade cocoa may yield for 60-100 years whereas production may last for only 20 years without shade.

Multi stage sampling technique was employed to select 300 cocoa farmers. The yield curve model was also adopted to determine the yield trend under the various cocoa agroforestry systems. From the analysis, the R square value obtained under the no shade, low shade, medium shade and heavy shade is 77%, 61%, 53% and 56%, respectively. The highest average yield per hectare was attained for the no shade in year 16 (794 kg ha^-1), for the low shade in year 22 (696 kg ha^-1), for the medium shade in year 19 (735 kg ha^-1) and for the cocoa under heavy shade in year 15 (546 kg ha^-1). The yield pattern under the no shade system shows a sharp rise in the yield followed by a sharp fall in the yield till the end of the rotation period. This situation is not so in the other cocoa agroforestry systems as the medium shade has a gradual yield till it peaks followed by a gradual fall in yield. The conclusion of the study is that, although the no shade cocoa system has higher yields, it is input demanding, environmentally unfriendly and has short productive life. Therefore the most effective way of maintaining the remaining forest cover in mountain regions, optimizing ecological, economic, and social outcomes and therefore need to be promoted in Ghana.