Private

FS 3.158

African Mountains

Details

Full Title
FS 3.158: Navigating Africa's mountains in new Global Change territory
Scheduled
TBA
Location
TBA
Convener
Vincent Ralph Clark
Co-Conveners
Stefan Schneiderbauer, Rob Marchant, Christine Schmitt, Aida Cuni Sanchez, Jessica Thorn,
Assigned to Synthesis Workshop
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Thematic Focus
Adaptation, Conservation, Socio-Ecology, Sustainable Development, Water Resources
Keywords
Africa, Global Change, Societal Impact, Continental Co-operation, Global Knowledge Economy

Description

On the global platform, Africa’s mountains are unique. Africa’s mountains are scattered “archipelago-like” systems different from continents that are characterized by continental, linear mountain systems. Disjunction over 35oN to 35oS has allowed for a rich assemblage of unique mountain biodiversity, widely varying mountain climates and vegetation, and diverse local mountain cultures and livelihoods. One of the characteristic features of African mountains is that – perhaps, with the exception of some eastern African mountains – they are relatively poorly studied in all disciplines (notably the humanities), and hardly feature at a continental scale in co-ordinated global mountain data initiatives. While the historical mystique of Africa’s mountains may still hold sway over the public, there is nothing mysterious about the risks and challenges facing African mountains, their people, their biodiversity, and the essential goods and services they provide. We propose a Focus Session for better integrating African mountains into the global knowledge and policy economy, as well as for stronger African continental co-operation, building on successes at regional level.

Submitted Abstracts

ID: 3.7597

Estimating the residential population and population density of QwaQwa (South Africa) using remote sensing

Stefan Schneiderbauer
Delves, Jess; Schomacker, Ronny; Terzi, Stefano; Hansen, Melissa

Abstract/Description

Accurate data on population size and density is essential for effective urban planning, disaster risk reduction, and climate change adaptation. This is particularly pertinent in mountain regions which are exposed to specific natural hazards as well as in regions of high socioeconomic vulnerability. However, in many such regions a lack of reliable population data poses significant challenges to risk management and planning in a broader sense. This study therefore develops and applies a low-cost, replicable methodology that integrates remote sensing and household surveys to estimate both the residential population and its spatial distribution. The study takes as a case region the semi-urban mountainous area of Qwaqwa, South Africa. The study area, encompassing approximately 200 km², includes the former homeland of Qwaqwa, which is characterised by dispersed, small, single-story buildings across hilly and mountainous terrain. Our approach involved the manual identification of all residential buildings (n=80,907) using high-resolution satellite imagery, followed by stratification of the area into six strata based on building- and spatial characteristics. A household questionnaire (n=439) provided data on occupancy rates and the residential use of additional buildings, which was used to refine population estimates. This methodology offers a significant improvement over previous approaches, particularly in areas with complex topography and informal urban spatial pattern. The resulting population estimates not only fill a critical data gap for Qwaqwa but also provide a methodology that can be adapted for similar regions worldwide, supporting more effective resource allocation, service delivery and risk management in challenging mountainous environments.

ID: 3.8345

Risks and vulnerabilities to and from Africa’s major mountain ranges

Vincent Ralph Clark
Martin, Grant

Abstract/Description

On the global platform, Africa’s mountains are unique – characterized by disjunction: Africa’s mountains are mostly scattered, “archipelago-like” systems widely separated by great plateaux, basins, and coastal plains. One of the characteristic features of African mountains is that— perhaps with the exception of some eastern African mountains—they are relatively poorly studied, in all disciplines (notably the humanities), and hardly feature at a continental scale in co-ordinated global mountain data initiatives. While the historical mystique of Africa’s mountains may hold sway over the public, there is nothing mysterious about the risks and challenges facing African mountains, their people, their biodiversity, and the essential goods and services they provide. While each mountain system and geographic region has its unique challenges, there are several common themes across African mountains: 1. Major biodiversity erosion, with historical and modern mega-faunal extinctions; 2. Alien invasive species, especially mountains with natural, mesic grassland; 3. Rapid landscape change through direct human activity; 4. Lack of evidence for improved sustainability from existing transboundary co-operation agreements; 5. Endemic—and at times seemingly epidemic—political conflict and poor governance; 6. Climate change may aggravate all of the above challenges, in addition to creating its own sets of challenges. What will ensure the protection of African mountains and indigenous communities into the future, and thus secure the sustainability of precious water production? Most central is the need for stable governments that cooperate across political divides and co-own mountain management. Second, a greater profiling of the value of mountains at a national level, at the regional level, and at the African Union level. To achieve these, there needs to be a major investment in and buy-in from a robust and diverse indigenous community of practice for African mountains, that can increase the impact of a science-policy-action feedback system for African mountains. While this has been most well established in eastern Africa, and increasingly in southern Africa it is desperately needed for the entire continent, and most especially for northern Africa. Finally, active research—with a strong capacity-building component—should be a major intervention in the short- to mid-term.

ID: 3.8865

Malagasy Mountain Programme

Vincent Ralph Clark
Goodman, Steve; le Roux, Jay; Ratsoavina, Fanomezana; Rakotoarinivo, Mijoro; Taylor, Peter; Soarimalala, Voahangy; Rakotoarivelo, Andrinajoro

Abstract/Description

Worldwide, high-elevation and high-latitude systems are experiencing the effects of global change faster than elsewhere, but there are limited data on the rate and impact of this change in Malagasy mountains. Reaching 2876 m, these mountains are some of the least-studied areas on the island of Madagascar. The Malagasy Mountain Programme aims to attract greater national and international interest in Malagasy mountains as social-ecological systems and is designed as a net for cooperative research, practitioner interventions, and policy impacts. As a small start, the Programme is a collaborative partnership between the Afromontane Research Unit (University of the Free State, South Africa), Association Vahatra (Madagascar), and the University of Antananarivo (Departments of Plant Biology & Ecology and Zoology & Animal Biodiversity, Madagascar). Additional partnerships are being developed, and more are welcomed.

ID: 3.9148

Prospects and limitations of church forest conservation in Northern Ethiopia

Christine B. Schmitt
Assaye, Habtamu; Biedermann, Andreas; Cosman, Liesa; Ganguly, Debarati; Girmay, Solomon; Legesse, Solomon A.; Ndwiga, Joeta B.P.; Sabisch, Zora; Teucher, Mike

Abstract/Description

The dry Afromontane forests of the northern Ethiopian highlands have long been degraded with remnant patches almost exclusively found around the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo churches. These church forests hold great spiritual value, which has resulted in so-called shadow conservation, i.e., the forests are conserved using a spiritual rather than ecological outlook. This study combined several methodological approaches in order to assess the conservation status of Afromontane forest in the South Gondar Zone and to get an insight into the governance of church forest management and conservation. A remote sensing analysis over the time period from 1984 to 2024 (Landsat, Sentinel-2) confirmed the contribution of church forests to maintaining dry Afromontane forest cover in the South Gondar Zone. Zooming into one of the largest church forests in the region, the Tara Gedam church forest (86ha), we further investigated woody species diversity and aboveground carbon (AGC) based on 30 study plots (r = 15 m). While all of the church forest showed disturbance by human activities and cattle grazing, the forest area near the monastery was best conserved, as indicated by characteristic old-growth species (e.g., Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata) and highest AGC stock (121 ± 48 Mg ha⁻¹). Finally, a total of 24 semi-structured interviews were conducted with local stakeholders such as members of the local Tara Gedam Monastery as well as employees of governmental and non-governmental organizations. The qualitative results underpinned the unbroken spiritual importance of the Tara Gedam church forest. However, considering the livelihood needs of the ca. 200 monastery members as well as the surrounding communities, traditional conservation mechanisms are at their limit. Meanwhile formal protection interventions have not yielded the desired results and are complicated by the overlapping responsibilities of different organizations. Overall, our study showed that the Tara Gedam church forest urgently requires conservation interventions to maintain species diversity and forest functions. Our results provide a basis for stimulating the development of participatory forest management system together with key local stakeholders as well as a baseline for further monitoring.

ID: 3.9900

Applying Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) to restore mountain biodiversity and ecosystems in Africa

Mohammed Sghir Taleb

Abstract/Description

Africa mountains cover an estimated 3 million Km2. Approximately half of African countries have mountains higher than 2000 m. Africa mountains are home to significant richness in biodiversity and ecosystems (8 of the world’s 34 biodiversity hotspots are in Africa (including Morocco)). This richness is currently subject to many natural (climate change, erosion etc.) and anthropogenic (deforestation, overgrazing etc.) pressures. To overcome this problem of degradation and loss of biodiversity, many actions have been carried out in Africa taking into account Nature-based Solutions approach. Thus, Africa is applying Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) tools in mountain biodiversity and ecosystems for restoring ecosystem, conserving biodoiversity and ecosystem services and for combating desertification and mitigating the effects of climate change. This work will be focused on how Africa draw inspiration from nature to implement transformative change for the restauration, conservation and sustainable management of mountain biodiversity and ecosystem services for human well-being and to achieve the 2050 vision “Living in harmony with nature”. Key words: Mountain, biodiversity, ecosystem, Nature based Solutions, restauration, Africa

ID: 3.11186

Building resilience to CC through mountain nature-based community enterprises in Africa

Yvonne Bigengimana

Abstract/Description

Africa Mountains cover 3 million km² of Africa surface, with heights varying between 1,500 m and over 5,000. Africa mountains are hotspots for biodiversity conservation and essential sources of food, medicine, raw materials, and water (water towers). Mountains play vital role in climate monitoring, offering favorable conditions compared to the drier lowlands. Mountains serve also as home to most of Africa communities. In return, mountain communities have a notable role in sustainable mountain ecosystems conservation and development. They are key actors, reliable partners and implementers, sources of knowledge and best conservationists. However, Africa mountains and communities, face significant challenges such as vulnerability to climate change, land degradation, unsustainable agriculture, limited access to sustainable finance, and poverty. As contribution to sustainable mountain ecosystems and community development, the Albertine Rift Conservation Society (ARCOS) is implementing an Africa Mountains Programme, aiming to promote policies and knowledge based activities for sustainable mountain development in Africa. This poster will particularly focus on ARCOS’ initiatives to build mountain communities resilience to climate change through mountain nature-based community enterprises. We will showcase how an integrated approach called BEST (B: Building leadership and sustainable community institutions; E: Enhancing environmental re silience; S: Sustainable business solutions and T: Transforming and inspiring others), developed by ARCOS, is successfully transforming mountain community livelihoods and build their resilience to climate change.

ID: 3.12730

The future of mountain biodiversity data in Africa

Davnah Urbach
Howard, Alexandra; Mashiane, Kathlego; Thorn, Jessica P. R.

Abstract/Description

The unique and rich biodiversity of African mountains has remained relatively unscathed by modern societal impacts. However, the alarming effects of unprecedented land use changes, demographic shifts, climate change, and rising per capita GDP on biodiversity are becoming increasingly evident and action is needed to halt ongoing species loss and ecosystem degradation and safeguard the mere fabric of human life and wellbeing. To inform policy, investments, and management strategies, mountain biodiversity data and ecological monitoring are essential. Unfortunately, data and knowledge about the current status of and long-term trends in African mountain species and ecosystems is largely insufficient. Here we present the outcomes of an effort to (i) identify the challenges associated with data collection, access, sharing, and usage in African mountains, (ii) assess their severity across various respondent groups and geographic locations, and (iii) evaluate possible solutions as well as (iv) clarify responsibilities for addressing them. Data gathered at the first Southern African Mountain Conference in 2022, as well as a horizon scanning exercise and an online survey were rich in information and perspectives. Analyses indicated persistent technical, financial, and institutional challenges, including a lack of coherence and collaboration among institutions working on mountain biodiversity data, exacerbated by insufficient legislative frameworks that hinder cross-border cooperation. Financial constraints in turn impede data collection and the capacity of research institutions, particularly in areas such as museum curation, taxonomic repositories, and connectivity mapping. Additionally, there is a disconnect between expertise and employers’ needs, alongside difficulties in building capacities and attracting students to well-paid careers in the natural sciences. Finally, important challenges reside in the fair and just involvement of traditional and indigenous knowledge holders and communities in the collection, sharing and use of data.
Opportunities to address these challenges are plentiful. Our work contributes to identifying short- to long-term actions to address them as a collaborative effort across borders and across academic as well as governmental, non-governmental, and other non-academic institutions.

ID: 3.12854

Climate and plant traits are the primary drivers of soil multifunctionality across a pan-biome gradient of Kilimanjaro

Dickson Mauki

Abstract/Description

A large body of recent research has examined how soil multifunctionality, typically defined as high rates of multiple soil processes and high stocks of soil resources, is driven by a range of biotic, management and climatic factors. Much of this work identifies factors that would promote multifunctionality but does not consider how individual functions trade-off and limit multifunctionality. Using data from a pan-biome study of soil functions across Mt Kilimanjaro we show that at the level of functions that here are inherent trade-offs in soil functioning and that these are likely driven by climate, land use and vegetation properties. At the level of ecosystem services these trade-offs limit the overall multifunctionality of soils but instead mean that bundles of desirable soil properties are found together. These findings question the utility of current standard definitions of soil multifunctionality by showing that inherent trade-offs limit its possibilities. Instead, we recommend the identification of soil functional types and the bundles of services related to these as a means of framing the function and utility of soils.

ID: 3.13053

Long-term monitoring of plant-animal interactions and wildlife camera by-catch within a global montane climate-change experiment in the northern Maloti-Drakensberg, South Africa.

Stephanie Payne-Smith
Steenhuisen, Sandy-Lynn; Alison, Jamie; Høye, Toke; Gwate, Onalenna; Alexander, Jake; Clark, Vincent Ralph

Abstract/Description

Climate change is a significant driver of the range-expansion of plant and invertebrate species. Although such range-expansions are also mediated by plant-animal interactions, range-expanding species can have an impact on existing plant-animal interactions in the newly occupied area. However, in montane regions, many of the baseline data required to measure the impacts of climate change and range-expanding species on the ecosystem are lacking, usually due to logistical difficulties of accessing these regions for long-term monitoring. As such, we are unable to accurately predict and mitigate the effects of range-expanding species on the ecosystem and wider biodiversity. The development of wildlife camera technology has allowed for constant remote monitoring of the environment, providing us with new information, at both temporal and spatial scales, on animal abundance, plant phenology and plant-animal interactions. Recently, advancements in deep learning machine models have enabled rapid processing of these camera trap images, providing access to data at an unprecedented rate. The globally collaborative “RangeX” project, replicated in five countries, aimed to better understand the processes and impacts of range-expanding plants following climate warming in montane environments. The South African RangeX component was situated in the relatively unexplored northern Maloti-Drakensberg. Twenty-five time-lapse wildlife cameras were deployed at two sites spanning a large elevational gradient, set to take photographs every five minutes for the duration of the three-year project. We reflect and report on three years of long-term remote camera trap monitoring of animal diversity and plant-animal interactions within an alpine context, focusing on visitor/pollinator timing and pollinator-pollinator interactions within the Maloti-Drakensberg, as well as plant phenology. We demonstrate how camera trap image by-catch can provide meteorological data at fine temporal and spatial scales, where ensemble deep learning models were trained to identify conditions as overcast, sunshine, hail or snow in camera trap images from three RangeX sites, and the resultant model was able to rapidly classify these conditions on unseen images with a 91-96% accuracy. Ultimately, we showcase how technological advancements can provide valuable ecological data for regions where such data were previously unavailable.

ID: 3.13949

Degradation of the cryosphere in the high Drakensberg Mountains under past and future climate change

Sophie Biskop
Fernandes, Marcelo; Vivero, Sebastian; Engelbrecht, Francois; Grab, Stefan

Abstract/Description

A wide variety of periglacial and possible glacial landforms in the high Drakensberg Mountains exhibit evidence for Late Pleistocene (last 130 ka) cold climate conditions in southern Africa. Recent studies suggest that moisture supply during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) was a critical determinant for the existence of small and restricted glaciers in the mid-latitude Drakensberg Mountains. However, little is known about the absolute chronology of the glacial and periglacial evolution in the high Drakensberg Mountains. Detailed quantifiable paleoclimate data are fundamental to resolve ongoing controversies regarding temperature change and moisture availability during the LGM in southern Africa. Understanding how glacial and periglacial environments have responded to climate change in the past can provide an important testbed for climate models, and help to constrain projected changes of future climate in these regions.

The overall goal of this study is to assess the impact of climate change on past and future degradation of the cryosphere in the high Drakensberg based on an innovative and interdisciplinary approach, combining geomorphological mapping using high-resolution topographic information and visual satellite imagery, field surveys validation and cosmic-ray exposure (CRE) dating techniques, high-resolution dynamic climate modelling and cryospheric modelling. The following objectives are addressed:

1. Reconstruction of the spatial and temporal glacial and periglacial evolution in a portion of the high Drakensberg escarpment based on i) geomorphological mapping using mid (1:25000) and high- resolution orthoimages and Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) derived from satellite imagery (validated in field work) and detailed Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) surveys, and ii) CRE

2. Quantitative impact assessment of climate change on glaciation and deglaciation at the last glacial-interglacial transition based on glacier-mass balance modelling driven by high-resolution paleoclimate projections.

3. Quantitative impact assessment of climate change on the future transformation of the periglacial environment, especially seasonal frost, and snow distribution in the high Drakensberg, based on cryospheric modelling and high-resolution regional climate simulations.

ID: 3.13972

Plants and microclimates at the Drakensberg mountain range

Julia Kemppinen

Abstract/Description

Microclimates are crucial for understanding plants and how they respond to climate change and land use change, however, microclimates are often overlooked in many ecological studies and assessments. Here, we analysed how microclimatic temperatures and soil moisture influence plant diversity in mountain grasslands in southern Africa. We used field-quantified data on taxonomic and functional diversity and microclimates, and we show that plant diversity is influenced by these microclimates that vary at high spatial and temporal scales. These findings are based on our field data from thousands of plots across three distinct grasslands on a 1-km elevational gradient at the Drakensberg mountain range. We recorded continuous microclimate observations that cover a range of typical mountain grassland conditions, including frost and fire events and diurnal ranges of over 40 C. Our findings indicate that the detected plant diversity patterns are influenced by microclimates in various ways. Our results strengthen the ecological and microclimatic understanding of these mountain grasslands where biodiversity is at severe risk due to rapid climate change and land use change.

FS 3.157: Agritourism in Mountain Areas in the Era of Overtourism

FS 3.159: Understanding and managing mountain ecosystems in a changing climate: integrating long-term data for action

#IMC: September 14 - 18 2025

FS 3.158

African Mountains

Details

Full Title

Scheduled

Location

Convener

Co-Conveners

Assigned to Synthesis Workshop

Thematic Focus

Keywords

Description

Submitted Abstracts

Abstract/Description

Abstract/Description

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