|
|
Palaeoenvironmental perspectives for sustainable development in East Africa
R. Marchant1, J. Finch1,2, R. Kinyanjui2,3, V. Muiruri3, C. Mumbi1,4, P. J. Platts1, and S. Rucina3
1York Institute for Tropical Ecosystem Dynamics (KITE), Environment Department, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, UK
2Department of Environmental and Geographical Science, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7700, South Africa
3Department of Earth Sciences, Palynology and Palaeobotany Section, National Museums of Kenya, P.O. Box 40658, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya
4Tanzanian Wildlife Research Institute, P.O. Box 364, Arusha, Tanzania
|  |
Abstract. East African ecosystems are shaped by long-term interaction with changing
climate, human population, fire and wildlife. There remains today a strong
connection between people and ecosystems, a relationship that is being
strained by the rapidly developing and growing East African population, and
their associated resource needs. Predicted climatic and atmospheric change
will further impact on ecosystems culminating in a host of challenges for
their management and sustainable development, further compounded by a
backdrop of political, land tenure and economic constraints. Given the many
direct and indirect benefits that ecosystems provide to surrounding human
populations, understanding how they have changed over time and space
deserves a special place on the ecosystem management agenda. Such a
perspective can only be derived from a palaeoecology, particularly where
there is high resolution, both through time and across space. The East
African palaeoecological archive is reviewed, in particular to assess how it
can meet this need. Although there remain crucial gaps, the number of
palaeoecological archives from East Africa growing rapidly, some employing
new and novel techniques to trace past ecosystem response to climate change.
When compared to the archaeological record it is possible to disentangle
human from climate change impacts, and how the former interacts with major
environmental changes such as increased use of fire, changing herbivore
densities and increased atmospheric CO2 concentration. With this
multi-dimensional perspective of environmental change impacts it is
imperative that our understanding of past human-ecosystem interactions are
considered to impart effective long term management strategies; such an
approach will enhance possibilities for a sustainable future for East
African ecosystems and maximise the livelihoods of the populations that rely
on them.
Discussion Paper (PDF, 2411 KB) Interactive Discussion (Closed, 3 Comments) Publication in CP not foreseen Special Issue
Citation: Marchant, R., Finch, J., Kinyanjui, R., Muiruri, V., Mumbi, C., Platts, P. J., and Rucina, S.: Palaeoenvironmental perspectives for sustainable development in East Africa, Clim. Past Discuss., 6, 963-1007, doi:10.5194/cpd-6-963-2010, 2010. Bibtex EndNote Reference Manager XML
|
|
