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Global Change Impacts On Biodiversity

The indirect impacts of climate change on biodiversity, through human responses, have not been sufficiently explored, as most of the work regarding the impacts of climate change on biodiversity focuses on the direct impacts (Pacifici et al. 2015). Studies that fail to consider how people are likely to respond to climate change will be systematically biased- a recent peer-reviewed ABCG study demonstrated that while some species ranges will not diminish due to direct impacts of climate change, they are highly likely to suffer habitat loss from human land use changes (Segan et al 2015).

This task group analyzes the various coping mechanisms of human communities to climate change and the impacts of these responses on biodiversity. It uses this knowledge to provide guidance on adaptation strategies to conservation organizations and African policymakers that will be the most successful for both communities and biodiversity.

Activities & Achievements

In ABCG’s first programmatic phase, the group documented unplanned human responses to climate change and their impacts on biodiversity across sub-Saharan Africa. The group is now working to scale these activities in its second programmatic phase.

Maps are created using survey data to chart human responses in relation to climate and conservation impacts, including potential adaptation strategies. The maps are analyzed to assess regions where people are likely to demonstrate varied coping strategies (with postitive and negative impacts on biodiversity) and compare them with maps of conservation priorities to determine where human responses are most likely to impact conservation.

ABCG uses this knowledge base to prioritize adaptation strategies that improve biodiversity outcomes while helping communities adapt to climate change. ABCG is reaching out within partner organizations and toward African institutions and conservationists to use project results to create effective communication strategies to target audiences that can impact future adaptation strategies.

Climate Change Survey Country Reports

Kenya Summary Report
Zambia Summary Report
Namibia Summary Report
Madagascar Summary Report
Tanzania Summary Report

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