Search

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.

International audience; In complex coffee-based agroforestry systems, quantifying the impact of shade trees on coffee disease regulation and coffee yield is crucial for improving these systems and designing more sustainable ones. To this end, we analyzed interactions amongst shade trees, coffee plants (cv. Catimor), the coffee foliar disease complex and soil characteristics. We studied systems characterized by 40 variables measured in 60 plots located on three farms (monitored for 2 years) in Nicaragua. These variables characterized six system components grouped in six statistical blocks: shade trees (shade percentage and species abundancy), soil characteristics (fertility), foliar diseases, coffee plant characteristics (age and size), coffee growth and yield. We used partial least square path modelling (PLS-PM), i.e. a structural equation modelling approach used to understand and quantify interactions between the six blocks. Shade trees (mostly the associated shade percentage) had direct positive effects on foliar disease severity and incidence and soil quality, while having negative effects on coffee growth and yield. Soil characteristics (carbon, nitrogen, litter index, water infiltration potential) were negatively correlated with foliar diseases. An excessive shade percentage then had an indirect negative effect on coffee growth and yield due to the increased prevalence of foliar diseases. Finding the optimal shade cover can help reduce foliar diseases and enhance coffee berry production. The 'dose effect' of shade cover must also be considered because excessive shade, as well as lack of shade, have negative impacts on coffee growth and yield. Overall, effective shade management requires an analysis of trade-offs between soil quality, disease regulation and yield gains. In conclusion, PLS-PM turned out to be a good tool for studying agroecosystem networks and enabled us to put forward some foliar disease management and coffee yield enhancement guidelines.

We highlight the overlap in Ecosystem Services frameworks and the developing One Health approach, and assert that better integration and communication between these could provide a platform for synergistic research with greater benefits for resilience and health in socioecological systems. Furthermore, we propose that soil stewardship could act as the nexus for such integration and present potential research avenues with existing positive examples.