Life
The potential impact of climate change on South Africa
“Climate change is going to happen,” Mitchell said, adding it’s already too late to influence temperatures and water levels over the next four decades. “What needs to be researched is coping with unmitigated climate change.”
Coping might involve moving vulnerable animals to cooler habitats, or ensuring they’re not so hemmed in by human settlements that they cannot migrate on their own. Park rangers may have to work harder to remove trees to protect savannas. The South African government has called for expanding gene banks to conserve vulnerable species.
Sarshen Marais, a policy expert for Conservation International, says the work her organization is doing to eradicate foreign plants and help farmers better manage their land and water has gained importance.
Climate change experts fear water could become even scarcer in the future, but farmers can take steps that will help cash crops as well as wildlife. Conservation International has encouraged local communities to cut down thirsty foreign plants and sell the debris for fuel, allowing impoverished South Africans to earn while they save native species that are losing in the competition for water.
Researcher Erasmus acknowledges that in a developing country like South Africa, it can be hard to prioritize the plight of plants and animals. But he said an economic argument can be made, including the impact on people living in savannas who supplement their diets with small birds, other animals and wild greens, and who make money selling native fruits.
Tourism also is a consideration.
“Kruger is a cash cow for the whole of SANParks,” he said, referring to the national parks department.
Foden, the plant specialist, said that when she thinks of her native South Africa, she thinks of wide spaces filled with a stunning diversity of plants and animals.
“If we were to lose that,” she said, “we would lose so much of our identity.”
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.
