Biodiversity and ecosystem services on the African continent – What is changing, and what are our options?
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Date
2021
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Environmental Development
Abstract
Throughout the world, biodiversity and nature’s contributions to people are under threat, with
clear changes evident. Biodiversity and ecosystem services have particular value in Africa– yet
they are negatively impacted by a range of drivers, including land use and climate change. In this communication, we show evidence of changing biodiversity and ecosystem services in Africa, as
well as the current most significant drivers of change. We then consider five plausible futures for
the African continent, each underlain by differing assumptions. In three out of the five futures
under consideration, negative impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services are likely to persist.
Those two plausible futures prioritizing environment and sustainability, however, are shown as
the most likely paths to achieving long term development objectives without compromising the
continent’s biodiversity and ecosystem services. Such a finding shows clearly that achievement of
such objectives cannot be separated from full recognition of the value of such services.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Biodiversity, Ecosystem services, Africa