Climate‐Driven Vegetation Characteristics Shape Phytophagous and Carnivorous Insect Diversity in South African Savannahs DOI
Fernando P. Gaona, Sylvain Delabye, Pavel Potocký

и другие.

Journal of Biogeography, Год журнала: 2024, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Дек. 31, 2024

ABSTRACT Aim Despite the evidenced importance of insects in savannah ecosystems, drivers their diversity patterns remain poorly understood, particularly Afrotropical region. This study addresses part this gap by investigating effects climate, habitat, disturbance and vegetation variables on species richness community composition phytophagous predatory South African savannahs. Location Kruger National Park (KNP), Africa. Taxon Phytophagous (moths) carnivorous (mantises). Methods Moths mantises were light‐trapped 60 plots distributed across KNP during two seasons. Direct indirect environmental insect analysed using structural equation models, through distance‐based redundancy analyses (db‐RDA). Results Based an extensive dataset 65,593 moth individuals representing 817 3511 mantis 38 species, we identified plant communities as primary driver structure for both groups. The indirectly shaped mean temperature (negatively correlated with precipitation), its richness. Additionally, a complex interplay among bedrock type, water availability from large herbivores further diversity. Main Conclusions Our findings highlight critical role determining ecosystems. We also confirmed region's vulnerability to climate change, decreasing precipitation increasing temperatures alter biomass, consequently affecting communities. Effective conservation strategies should focus managing maintain diverse vegetation, which is crucial supporting Priority be given balancing intensity, preserving health rivers surroundings, mitigate adverse change these

Язык: Английский

Contrasting hydro-climatic trends and drought dynamics in Ethiopia and South Africa under climate change DOI Creative Commons
Achamyeleh G. Mengistu, Weldemichael A. Tesfuhuney, Yali E. Woyessa

и другие.

Climate Dynamics, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 63(2)

Опубликована: Янв. 28, 2025

Язык: Английский

Процитировано

0
Satellite‐Derived Productivity Outputs for Land Degradation Assessment Vary With Biome and Rainfall DOI Creative Commons
Colleen L. Seymour, Dylan Seaton,

S. O. Al Khatieb

и другие.

Land Degradation and Development, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Март 9, 2025

ABSTRACT Estimates of the extent land degradation vary dramatically. To quantify and location globally, United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) asks member countries report on every four years, providing crucial baseline change data. Finding remotely sensed products that best capture is central this reporting. Here, we compare assessments for South Africa's Trajectory Land Productivity using Trends.Earth tool, which allows use various data climate inputs (Land Degradation Models, LPDMs). These differ in how they account precipitation, allowing choose most appropriate their context. We degraded, stable or improved indicator pixels as identified by five different LPDMs country over UNCCD 2022 reporting period (2016–2019), whether varied with biome. The differed percentage area degraded. pessimistic 35% degraded 4% improved, optimistic, 15% > 70% improved. also where was identified. Models rainfall were more likely classify a favorably than those did not rainfall, particularly shrubland biomes. Grasslands less other biomes be classified Between 59%–78% country's experienced drought period, may have accentuated differences between LPDM outputs. Mapping monitoring space time crucial; achieve this, all outputs should carefully assessed ecologists working knowledge landscapes interest, supported field validation This approach ensures suitable models are used national

Язык: Английский

Процитировано

0
Trends in heatwaves and associated synoptic conditions across the upper Limpopo Basin of Botswana and South Africa DOI

Peliwe Jubase,

Mark New

Environmental Development, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown, С. 101211 - 101211

Опубликована: Март 1, 2025

Язык: Английский

Процитировано

0
Assessing the subseasonal forecasting skill of extreme agrometeorologically relevant dry spells over Southern Africa DOI Creative Commons
Gibbon I. T. Masukwedza,

Melissa Lazenby,

Emmah Mwangi

и другие.

Climate Dynamics, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 63(4)

Опубликована: Апрель 1, 2025

Язык: Английский

Процитировано

0
Ineffective Agricultural Advisors (AAs) Support on Climate Information and Adaptation Strategies Dissemination in Ugu District, KwaZulu-Natal DOI Creative Commons
Zoleka Ncoyini-Manciya,

Manciya Sixolise

SAGE Open, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 15(2)

Опубликована: Апрель 1, 2025

There is growing concern that climate change will worsen poverty and food insecurity, particularly in developing countries, hindering the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 1 (No Poverty) 2 (Zero Hunger). Rural populations are expected to be severely impacted, as 75% poorest people these areas, especially Africa, depend primarily on agriculture. Although adopting precision agriculture smart farming has been recommended counter adverse effects production, farmers continue face increasing challenges from despite support Agricultural Advisors (AAs). The study intended assess provided by AAs focusing mainly dissemination information farmers. This employed a qualitative research design, collecting data six focus group discussions Ezinqoleni uMzumbe local municipalities Ugu district KwaZulu-Natal. were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis with NVivo14 software. Results indicate while smallholder area aware change, they lack access relevant help them cope adapt. also reveals areas not providing useful or advice assist adapting leaving vulnerable its effects. strongly recommends South Africa currently policy capacity building should priority. By high-quality inclusive sustainable adaptation strategies, better understand importance prioritizing adaptation.

Язык: Английский

Процитировано

0
Low‐Level Urban Anthropogenic Sources Contribute to Strong Aerosol Light Absorption on the South African Highveld DOI Creative Commons
Clarissa Baldo, Brigitte Language, Tommaso Isolabella

и другие.

Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 130(10)

Опубликована: Май 22, 2025

Abstract This study investigated the chemical composition and shortwave absorption coefficient, β abs ( λ ), of aerosols collected from sites on Highveld, a major industrial highly polluted region South Africa. Local anthropogenic mineral dust was found to be dominant component, accounting for (53 ± 14)% aerosol mass concentrations. Carbonaceous (34 12)%, mainly domestic waste biomass burning, secondary inorganic (13 6%) combustion sources were also found. High ) observed at all sites, with an estimated efficiency, MAE( (1,296 472) 10 −3 m 2 g −1 375 nm (621 239)10 850 nm. The contributions primary light‐absorbing determined using tracers two optical clusters identified based MAE black carbon (BC). BC contributor wavelengths (>60%). brown contribution decreased (8–40) % (1–23) 532 nm, higher in Cluster 1 than 2. Anthropogenic appeared more light absorbing pure desert significant constant wavelength ∼16%. levels have implications radiation budget atmospheric stability. Although dominates African contributes significantly concentrations enhanced light‐absorption.

Язык: Английский

Процитировано

0
State of the Environmental Challenges on Changing Climate in Southern Africa DOI

Ziphozakhe Theophilus Shasha

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2025

The world faces serious environmental issues like climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss, and landscape changes, which affect all countries. These challenges are particularly severe in Southern African Development Community (SADC) This study highlights major problems the region, including land degradation, deforestation, lack of clean water sanitation, poor urban conditions, threaten Sustainable Goals (SDGs). Despite progress management, more action is needed. SADC governments, NGOs, private sector, other stakeholders must work together to address root causes these problems. Strengthening coordination implementing key interventions across different sectors crucial. Beyond concerns, geopolitical economic challenges, weak international trade, political instability, poverty, declining performance, debt. findings suggest that policymakers should develop enforce policies promote change adaptation from a broad, interdisciplinary, cross-border perspective.

Язык: Английский

Процитировано

0
Spatiotemporal Rainfall Variability and Trends Analysis over the Enkangala Escarpment of South Africa (1972–2022) DOI Creative Commons

Hadisu Bello Abubakar,

Mary C. Scholes, François Engelbrecht

и другие.

Atmosphere, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 16(4), С. 414 - 414

Опубликована: Апрель 3, 2025

This study explores rainfall variability and trends in the Enkangala Escarpment of South Africa using station data from 1972 to 2022 (51 years). The coefficient variation (CV) is indicative pronounced inter-annual seasonal totals across region. trend-free pre-whitening Mann–Kendall (TFPWMK) test innovative trend analysis (ITA) were used determine presence monotonic records, despite time series. Sen’s slope estimator was quantify magnitude trends. For a given season, ITA test, general, allocates local statistical significance series for more stations compared TFPWMK test. winter, spring summer, there spatial coherency decreasing Escarpment. These also exhibit at most stations, are less favorable growing conditions crops during this season. Reduced likely translate later planting dates (a shorter season) longer burning Trends autumn generally weak lack or coherency.

Язык: Английский

Процитировано

0
Towards effective weather and/or climate services in South Africa: profiling sectoral needs and constraints DOI Creative Commons
Lindumusa Myeni, Sarah J. Roffe

Environmental Development, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown, С. 101240 - 101240

Опубликована: Май 1, 2025

Язык: Английский

Процитировано

0
The crossroads of tradition and modern technology: integrative approaches to studying carnivores in low density ecosystems DOI Creative Commons
Genevieve E. Finerty, Natalia Borrego,

Sky K. Alibhai

и другие.

Frontiers in Conservation Science, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 5

Опубликована: Июнь 7, 2024

The study of large carnivores in semi-arid ecosystems presents inherent challenges due to their low densities, extensive home ranges, and elusive nature. We explore the potential for synthesis traditional knowledge (i.e. art tracking) modern technology address conservation wildlife research these challenging environments. Our focuses on African lion ( Panthera leo ) Central Kalahari region Botswana as a model system demonstrate this integrative approach. Combining GPS tracking San trackers’ expertise, we present two case studies: (1) individual identification lions via combination footprint analysis (2) monitoring territorial behavior through collars handheld devices) non-invasive tracking. These approaches enhance our understanding carnivore ecology well support efforts by offering non-invasive, cost-effective, highly accurate means populations. findings underscore value merging skills with contemporary analytical technological developments offer new insights into This approach not only improves data collection accuracy efficiency but also fosters deeper wildlife, ensuring sustainable management species. work advocates inclusion indigenous science, highlighting its relevance applicability across various disciplines, thereby broadening methodologies used monitor populations, inform strategies.

Язык: Английский

Процитировано

1