Climate change: some likely multiple impacts in Southern Africa

This paper examines sensitivity of the Southern African subcontinent to climate change. It shows that the region has particularly sensitive water resources. Aridification of the subcontinent will affect a wide range of ecological processes, due to possible loss of important wetland habitats, reduced stream discharges as well as reduction in extent of shallow lakes. The primary response of terrestrial ecosystems will be a reduction in diversity as sub-humid biomes are replaced by more xeric types with fewer species. Rain-fed agricultural systems will be adversely affected and food security from such systems will be reduced. Other social impacts include impairment of hydroelectric generation, with the attendant economic effects. Populations of disease vectors will multiply more rapidly and the geographical distribution of such vectors could be extended to areas currently free of them. The higher ambient temperature will necessitate high standards of urban sanitation to avoid spread of fly-borne disease such as typhoid, enteritis and meningitis. © 1994.