Kilimanjaro Has Lost 75 Percent Of Its Natural Plant Species Over The Last Century – Eurasia Review

Report on Biodiversity Loss on Mount Kilimanjaro (1911-2022) and Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

A comprehensive study conducted between 1911 and 2022 on Mount Kilimanjaro reveals that land-use change, driven by socio-economic factors, was the primary direct cause of a 75% loss in natural plant species on the mountain’s lower slopes. This finding has significant implications for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 15 (Life on Land), and underscores the urgent need to address land management policies in the context of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger). The research indicates that climate change, while a global concern under SDG 13 (Climate Action), was not a significant direct driver of biodiversity loss in this specific region over the past century.

Primary Driver of Biodiversity Loss: Land-Use Change and its Socio-Economic Roots

Impact on SDG 15 (Life on Land)

The study provides critical data for SDG 15, which aims to halt biodiversity loss. The analysis confirmed a severe degradation of terrestrial ecosystems on Kilimanjaro, directly challenging the targets of this goal. Key findings include:

• A 75% loss of natural plant species per square kilometer was recorded on the lower slopes between 1911 and 2022.
• This loss is a direct result of the degradation of natural habitats, a key concern of SDG Target 15.5.
• The primary causes of this habitat conversion were identified as:
  1. Conversion of savanna habitats to agricultural land.
  2. Expansion of urban and peri-urban areas.

Link to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities) and SDG 8 (Economic Growth)

The underlying drivers of land-use change are directly linked to socio-economic development patterns, impacting SDG 11 and SDG 8. The report highlights the challenge of decoupling economic growth from environmental degradation (SDG Target 8.4) and managing sustainable urbanization (SDG Target 11.3).

1. Population Growth: Population density in the region increased from 30 people per square kilometer in 1913 to 430 in 2022.
2. Economic Development: This population growth, coupled with economic development, fueled resource extraction and land conversion, demonstrating an unsustainable model of regional growth.

Re-evaluating Environmental Pressures: The Role of Climate Change

Implications for SDG 13 (Climate Action)

Contrary to prevailing narratives, the analysis showed that climate change was not a significant direct cause of local plant biodiversity loss on Kilimanjaro during the study period. This finding does not diminish the importance of SDG 13 but emphasizes that for this region, conservation policy must prioritize addressing the more immediate and impactful drivers outlined in other SDGs. It highlights the necessity for localized, evidence-based strategies rather than a singular focus on climate-related impacts.

Policy Recommendations for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals

Advancing SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 15 (Life on Land) through Sustainable Practices

The research identifies viable pathways to mitigate biodiversity loss that align with multiple SDGs. These strategies demonstrate that achieving food security under SDG 2 does not have to conflict with the conservation objectives of SDG 15. Recommended mitigation efforts include:

• Sustainable Traditional Agriculture: The success of traditional agroforestry systems in certain locations serves as a model for sustainable food production systems (SDG Target 2.4) that also conserve biodiversity.
• Protected Areas: The establishment and enforcement of protected areas are crucial for halting habitat loss and protecting ecosystems, directly supporting SDG Target 15.1.

The Importance of Data and Partnerships (SDG 17)

The study itself exemplifies the value of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The methodology, which combined historical maps, satellite imagery, and extensive ground-based species data from global herbaria, showcases the power of international scientific cooperation and data sharing (SDG Target 17.6) to inform effective environmental policy.

Analysis of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 15: Life on Land

  This is the most central SDG to the article. The study directly addresses the loss of plant biodiversity (“loss of 75% of natural plant species”) on Mount Kilimanjaro, the degradation of natural habitats due to land-use change, and the importance of ecosystems. It also points to solutions like establishing protected areas and promoting sustainable agricultural practices, which are key components of SDG 15.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The article identifies “expanding urban areas” as a component of land-use change, which is the primary driver of biodiversity loss. It also links this to “rapid population growth,” with population density increasing from 30 to 430 people per square kilometer. This directly connects to the challenges of managing sustainable urbanization and its impact on surrounding environments.

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  The conversion of “savanna habitats to agricultural land” is cited as a major form of land-use change. This highlights the tension between expanding food production to support a growing population and conserving biodiversity. The article also mentions “sustainable traditional agricultural practices” and “agroforestry” as promising mitigation strategies, which aligns with the goal of achieving sustainable food production systems.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.

   The article’s core finding that land-use change caused the “loss of 75% of natural plant species” on Kilimanjaro’s lower slopes directly relates to this target’s call to halt biodiversity loss and reduce habitat degradation.

2. Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements.

   The study focuses on the mountain ecosystem of Kilimanjaro and its declining biodiversity. The mention of mitigation efforts through “establishment of protected areas” is a direct action towards the conservation of terrestrial ecosystems as specified in this target.

3. Target 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries.

   The article identifies “expanding urban areas” and “rapid population growth” as key drivers of the land-use change that harms biodiversity. This points to the need for sustainable planning and management of human settlements to mitigate their environmental impact, as outlined in this target.

4. Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil quality.

   The article highlights the conversion of natural habitats to agricultural land as a problem but also points to “sustainable traditional agricultural practices” and “agroforestry” as solutions. This directly aligns with the goal of implementing sustainable and resilient agricultural systems that can coexist with and help maintain ecosystems.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for Biodiversity Loss (related to Target 15.5): The article provides a specific metric: “a loss of 75 percent of natural plant species per square kilometer” between 1911 and 2022. This quantitative data serves as a direct indicator of the extent of biodiversity loss in the region. Progress could be measured by tracking this percentage over time in the future.
• Indicator for Population Pressure and Urbanization (related to Target 11.3): The study quantifies the increase in “population density rising from 30 to 430 people per square kilometer between 1913 and 2022.” This metric is a clear indicator of the human pressure on land and resources, which drives unsustainable land-use change.
• Indicator for Land-Use Change (related to Targets 15.5 and 11.3): The article mentions the use of “historical maps, census data, satellite imagery” to analyze land-use change, such as the conversion of “savanna habitats to agricultural land” and “expanding urban areas.” The rate and type of land conversion derived from such data serve as an indicator of progress (or lack thereof) in managing land sustainably.
• Indicator for Conservation Efforts (related to Target 15.1): The mention of the “establishment of protected areas” as a beneficial mitigation strategy implies the use of an indicator such as the proportion of land area designated as protected. An increase in this area would signify progress towards conservation goals.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: eurasiareview.com