Natural and Human Disturbances Have Non‐Linear Effects on Whole‐Ecosystem Carbon Storage in an African Savanna DOI Creative Commons
Liana Kindermann, Alexandra Sandhage‐Hofmann, Wulf Amelung

et al.

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 31(4)

Published: April 1, 2025

Uncertainties in carbon storage estimates for disturbance-prone dryland ecosystems hinder accurate assessments of their contribution to the global budget. This study examines effects land-use change on an African savanna landscape, focusing two major pathways: agricultural intensification and wildlife conservation, both which alter disturbance regimes. By adapting tree inventory soil sampling methods conditions, we quantified aboveground belowground woody vegetation (AGC BGC) organic (SOC) across these pathways types (scrub woodland savanna). We used Generalized Additive Mixed Models assess multiple environmental drivers AGC whole-ecosystem (Ctotal). Our findings revealed a pronounced variation vulnerability reservoirs disturbance, depending pathway type. In scrub vegetation, shrub emerged as most vulnerable reservoir, declining average by 56% along conservation 90% compared low-disturbance sites. savanna, was affected, decreasing 95% pathway. Unexpectedly, SOC stocks were often higher at greater levels, particularly under intensification, likely due preferential conversion naturally carbon-richer soils agriculture redistribution through megaherbivore browsing. Strong unimodal relationships between agents, such browsing woodcutting, Ctotal suggest that intermediate levels can enhance ecosystem-level ecosystems. These underline importance locally tailored management strategies-such certification schemes-that reconcile regimes drylands with sequestration goals. Moreover, potential trade-offs objectives goals must be considered.

Language: Английский

Integrated fire management as an adaptation and mitigation strategy to altered fire regimes DOI Creative Commons
Imma Oliveras Menor, Núria Prat-Guitart,

Gian Luca Spadoni

et al.

Communications Earth & Environment, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 6(1)

Published: March 15, 2025

Abstract Altered fire regimes are a global challenge, increasingly exacerbated by climate change, which modifies weather and prolongs seasons. These changing conditions heighten the vulnerability of ecosystems human populations to impacts wildfires on environment, society, economy. The rapid pace these changes exposes significant gaps in knowledge, tools, technology, governance structures needed adopt informed, holistic approaches management that address both current future challenges. Integrated Fire Management is an approach combines prevention, response, recovery while integrating ecological, socio-economic, cultural factors into strategies. However, remains highly context-dependent, encompassing wide array practices with varying degrees ecological societal integration. This review explores as adaptation mitigation strategy for altered regimes. It provides overview progress challenges associated implementing across different regions worldwide. also proposes five core objectives outlines roadmap incremental steps advancing adapt ongoing regimes, thereby maximizing its potential benefit people nature.

Language: Английский

Citations

2
Seven ways to prevent biomism DOI
Fernando A. O. Silveira

AMBIO, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 25, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Natural and Human Disturbances Have Non‐Linear Effects on Whole‐Ecosystem Carbon Storage in an African Savanna DOI Creative Commons
Liana Kindermann, Alexandra Sandhage‐Hofmann, Wulf Amelung

et al.

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 31(4)

Published: April 1, 2025

Uncertainties in carbon storage estimates for disturbance-prone dryland ecosystems hinder accurate assessments of their contribution to the global budget. This study examines effects land-use change on an African savanna landscape, focusing two major pathways: agricultural intensification and wildlife conservation, both which alter disturbance regimes. By adapting tree inventory soil sampling methods conditions, we quantified aboveground belowground woody vegetation (AGC BGC) organic (SOC) across these pathways types (scrub woodland savanna). We used Generalized Additive Mixed Models assess multiple environmental drivers AGC whole-ecosystem (Ctotal). Our findings revealed a pronounced variation vulnerability reservoirs disturbance, depending pathway type. In scrub vegetation, shrub emerged as most vulnerable reservoir, declining average by 56% along conservation 90% compared low-disturbance sites. savanna, was affected, decreasing 95% pathway. Unexpectedly, SOC stocks were often higher at greater levels, particularly under intensification, likely due preferential conversion naturally carbon-richer soils agriculture redistribution through megaherbivore browsing. Strong unimodal relationships between agents, such browsing woodcutting, Ctotal suggest that intermediate levels can enhance ecosystem-level ecosystems. These underline importance locally tailored management strategies-such certification schemes-that reconcile regimes drylands with sequestration goals. Moreover, potential trade-offs objectives goals must be considered.

Language: Английский

Citations

0