Deforestation Accelerates Climate Change Impact on African Montane Forests, Threatening Water Resources and Biodiversity

Deforestation Accelerates Climate Change Impact on African Montane Forests, Threatening Water Resources and Biodiversity

(IN BRIEF) A new study highlights the severe impact of deforestation on African montane forests, where the loss of tree cover has led to significant increases in temperature and cloud levels, threatening water resources and biodiversity. The research underscores the need for urgent conservation efforts to protect these critical ecosystems.

(PRESS RELEASE) HELSINKI, 19-Aug-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — A collaborative study by international researchers has revealed that deforestation over the past two decades has intensified climate change effects in Africa’s montane forests, leading to significant increases in temperature and cloud level rise. These changes are having profound consequences on biodiversity and water supply in these vital ecosystems.

The study, published in Nature Communications, shows that deforestation has caused temperatures in Africa’s montane forests to rise by 1.4 degrees Celsius and elevated the cloud base by 230 meters. These changes, driven by the loss of 18% of these forests, are more severe than those caused by global climate change alone, highlighting the critical impact of human activity on these delicate environments.

Impact on Water Harvesting and Biodiversity

Montane forests, often described as the “water towers” of Africa, play a crucial role in capturing moisture from fog and clouds, providing high-quality freshwater to millions of people in the lowlands. The rise in cloud levels, however, reduces the ability of these forests to capture water, as clouds no longer touch the forest canopy. This diminishes the amount of water deposited on the trees and land, exacerbating water scarcity in the region.

“Deforestation is not only increasing temperatures but also raising cloud levels, which in turn decreases the water harvesting capability of these forests,” explained Prof. Petri Pellikka, Director of the Taita Research Station and one of the study’s co-authors. “This has serious implications for water resources and the rich biodiversity that depends on these montane ecosystems.”

The study focused on several highland regions across Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and South Africa. It was spearheaded by the Taita Research Station, which the University of Helsinki has maintained in southern Kenya since 2009.

Widespread Environmental Impact

The loss of forest cover is particularly concerning around iconic sites like Mt. Kilimanjaro, where 50% of the forest has been lost since 1880. “These montane forests are critical for the region’s water supply, and their degradation poses a serious threat to both local communities and wildlife,” said Dr. Andreas Hemp from the University of Bayreuth, who has conducted research in Kilimanjaro for 30 years.

The study also found that deforestation’s warming effects can counteract the natural cooling provided by higher elevations, especially in areas where tree cover loss exceeds 70%. This suggests that even high-altitude regions, typically cooler due to elevation, are becoming more vulnerable to temperature increases.

Call to Action

Given the urgent nature of these findings, the researchers are calling for immediate action to halt deforestation and protect the remaining montane forests. “Our results demonstrate the need for stronger conservation efforts to preserve these ecosystems, which are essential for maintaining biodiversity and ensuring a sustainable water supply,” urged Temesgen Abera, a visiting scholar from the University of Helsinki and postdoctoral researcher at Philipps University of Marburg.

The research was part of the ESSA project (Earth Observation and Environmental Sensing for Climate-Smart Sustainable Agropastoral Ecosystem Transformation in East Africa), funded by the European Commission. The team utilized a comprehensive data-driven approach, combining satellite observations, empirical methods, and on-the-ground measurements to validate their findings.

Reference

Abera, T.A., Heiskanen, J., Maeda, E.E., P. Pellikka et al. Deforestation amplifies climate change effects on warming and cloud level rise in African montane forests. Nature Communications 15, 6992 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-51324-7

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SOURCE: University of Helsinki