Impacts of landuse and climate change on the dynamics and biodiversity in the Thornbush Savanna Biome

Abstract

In this chapter we summarise results of the long-term interdisciplinary BIOTA study investigating the impacts of landuse and climate change on the dynamics and sustainable use of biodiversity in the Thornbush Savanna Biome of southern Africa. This study successfully integrated remote sensing methods, eco-hydrological approaches, and ecological research with socio-economic aspects by combining empirical and modelling approaches. Based on a summary of current knowledge and key challenges, we describe in-depth analyses of the causes and mechanisms of vegetation dynamics in the focal thornbush savannas and the consequences of the resulting vegetation patterns for animal diversity and a single medicinal plant species. These analyses provided risk assessments of vegetation and animal diversity based on future environmental scenarios, and enabled the formulation of recommendations for landusers and conservation planners and the identification of future research needs.