Introduction: Biodiversity and biodiversity-based ecosystems services are intrinsically dependent on the climate. During the twentieth century, climate change has posed major threats to biodiversity in Africa, and impacts are expected to increase as climate change continues and perhaps even accelerates. Outcomes: Our review shows that the multiple components of climate change are projected to affect all levels of biodiversity, from genes over species to biome level. Loss of biodiversity as a result of climate change can alter the structures and functions of African ecological systems. As a result, the provision of biodiversity-based ecosystem services and the well-being of people that rely on these services are being modified. Of particular concerns are “tipping points” where the exceedance of ecosystem thresholds will possibly lead to irreversible shifts of the structure of ecosystems and their services. In recent years, climate prediction models have portended continued warming and more frequent extreme weather events across the region. Such weather-related disturbances such as El Niño will place a premium on biodiversity and biodiversity-based ecosystem services that people rely on. Conclusion: As biodiversity underlies all goods and services provided by ecosystems that are crucial for human survival and well-being, this paper synthesizes and discusses observed and anticipated impacts of climate change on biodiversity and biodiversity-based ecosystem service provision and livelihoods, and what strategies might be employed to decrease current and future risks on the well-being of human in Africa.

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) infection is generally correlated with individual cattle’s age, sex, body condition, and with husbandry practices such as herd composition, cattle movement, herd size, production system and proximity to wildlife—including bTB maintenance hosts. We tested the correlation between those factors and the prevalence of bTB, which is endemic in Ethiopia’s highland cattle, in the Afar Region and Awash National Park between November 2013 and April 2015. A total of 2550 cattle from 102 herds were tested for bTB presence using the comparative intradermal tuberculin test (CITT). Data on herd structure, herd movement, management and production system, livestock transfer, and contact with wildlife were collected using semi-structured interviews with cattle herders and herd owners. The individual overall prevalence of cattle bTB was 5.5%, with a herd prevalence of 46%. Generalized Linear Mixed Models with a random herd-effect were used to analyse risk factors of cattle reactors within each herd. The older the age of the cattle and the lower the body condition the higher the chance of a positive bTB test result, but sex, lactation status and reproductive status were not correlated with bTB status. At herd level, General Linear Models showed that pastoral production systems with transhumant herds had a higher bTB prevalence than sedentary herds. A model averaging analysis identified herd size, contact with wildlife, and the interaction of herd size and contact with wildlife as significant risk factors for bTB prevalence in cattle. A subsequent Structural Equation Model showed that the probability of contact with wildlife was influenced by herd size, through herd movement. Larger herds moved more and grazed in larger areas, hence the probability of grazing in an area with wildlife and contact with either infected cattle or infected wildlife hosts increased, enhancing the chances for bTB infection. Therefore, future bTB control strategies in cattle in pastoral areas should consider herd size and movement as important risk factors.

Background: Current theories on biodiversity-carbon sequestration relationship describe biodiversity as an important factor influencing carbon storage, either through complementarity effect or by mass ratio effect. So far, the expected form of biodiversity-carbon relationships in tropical ecosystems has not been known with certainty. Therefore, we explored the relationship between aboveground carbon stock and different biodiversity measurement indices (i.e., species richness, species diversity, species evenness, and functional diversity) in different land cover types of Eastern Ethiopia. A total of 48 plots were established using stratified random sampling. Vegetation parameters such as diameter at breast height, diameter at stump height, tree height, and species type were recorded. Results: We found that the average aboveground carbon stock of the study area is 147.6 ± 17.2 t ha⁻¹ (mean, SE) across land cover types. Species richness, Shannon index, and functional diversity together explained 73.5%, 61.4%, 58.9%, and 52.0% of the variation in aboveground carbon storage in woodland, riparian forest, bushland, and farmland, respectively. Functional diversity was a significant predictor explaining the total aboveground carbon stocks (26.7%) across the land cover types. The effects of biodiversity on aboveground carbon storage were mediated by functional diversity and presence and dominance of species. This shows that both the selection effects and the niche complementarity are important for carbon storage. However, the impact of functional diversity effects (niche complementarity) was higher than that of functional dominance effects (selection effects). Conclusions: Implementation of protected area-based ecosystem conservation practices in the country seems feasible to mitigate climate change and Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) programme should emphasize on biodiversity conservation.

Prosopis juliflora is a serious invader, causing great ecological and economic damage in Ethiopia. Thus, it is imperative to examine potential invasion dynamics of P. juliflora at national level under climate change scenario to better influence decision making processes on the management of this invasive species. We derived a consensus model from five modeling approaches to examine the current and future (2050 and 2070) climatic suitability for P. juliflora under two climate scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) in Ethiopia. Under the current climatic scenario, 94.8% of the country was non-suitable for P. juliflora establishment and invasion while 0.4% (4.56 million ha) was highly suitable. In 2050, highly suitable area for P. juliflora is expected to increase by 55.6% and 63.6%, while moderately suitable area is projected to increase by 33.3% and 42.9% under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 climate scenarios, respectively. Compared to the current climatic condition, in 2070, highly suitable area for the species is projected to increase by 73.3% (3.43 million ha) and 80.0% (3.65 million ha) under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenario, respectively. With the current cover, this invasive species had already caused significant impact on rangelands in many parts of the country. Its further expansion would worsen the problem, leading to great environmental and economic damage, thereby threatening the livelihood of the community. Negative environmental and economical impacts caused by the species will be high if preventive and effective management measures are not earnestly taken, and it becomes one of the major challenges for the 21st century pastoralism and their livelihoods. We recommend a national effort be organized towards combating P. juliflora expansion to new areas, especially in regions and protected area predicted as frontiers of potential expansion.

Extreme climate events are increasing in severity and frequency and affecting the livelihood of pastoralists. Understanding these impacts is crucial for developing effective management strategies. Thus, this study examines the effects of drought on livestock production and market dynamics in semi-arid Ethiopia and explores the adaptation strategies employed by Borana pastoralists. Both the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) were used to calculate indicators of drought severity between 1993 and 2022. Surveys were also conducted in 244 selected households. In addition, focus group discussions and field observations were conducted to investigate the adaptation practices of Borana pastoralists to drought. A line graph was used to illustrate the relationship between the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and livestock market prices. The study found extreme drought in 1985, 2000, and 2011, with the most severe to moderate dryness occurring in the Arero, Elwaya, Dubuluk, Guchi, and Yabelo areas. The study found that severe droughts are increasing, affecting pastoralists’ livelihoods. The recurring drought led to a shortage of feed and water, which resulted in the starvation and death of livestock and jeopardized the livelihoods of pastoralists. In addition, the decline in milk production and falling market prices are said to have had a negative impact. Diversification of livelihood sources, mobility of livestock to seek out forage and water resources, and diversification of herd composition to take advantage of varying drought tolerance have been the usual long-term adaptation strategies of Borana pastoralists. Given the multiple negative impacts of climate change, development interventions in pastoral and agro-pastoral areas of Ethiopia should focus on proactive measures to reduce the impacts of climate change on livestock production.