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Simba LD, Te Beest M, Hawkins HJ, Larson KW, Palmer AR, Sandström C, Smart KG, Kerley GIH, Cromsigt JPGM. Wilder rangelands as a natural climate opportunity: Linking climate action to biodiversity conservation and social transformation. Ambio 2024; 53:678-696. [PMID: 38296876 PMCID: PMC10991972 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-023-01976-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
Rangelands face threats from climate and land-use change, including inappropriate climate change mitigation initiatives such as tree planting in grassy ecosystems. The marginalization and impoverishment of rangeland communities and their indigenous knowledge systems, and the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services, are additional major challenges. To address these issues, we propose the wilder rangelands integrated framework, co-developed by South African and European scientists from diverse disciplines, as an opportunity to address the climate, livelihood, and biodiversity challenges in the world's rangelands. More specifically, we present a Theory of Change to guide the design, monitoring, and evaluation of wilder rangelands. Through this, we aim to promote rangeland restoration, where local communities collaborate with regional and international actors to co-create new rangeland use models that simultaneously mitigate the impacts of climate change, restore biodiversity, and improve both ecosystem functioning and livelihoods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lavhelesani D Simba
- Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Nelson Mandela University, P.O. Box 77000, Gqeberha, 6031, South Africa.
| | - Mariska Te Beest
- Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Nelson Mandela University, P.O. Box 77000, Gqeberha, 6031, South Africa
- Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON), Grasslands, Forests and Wetlands Node, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - Heidi-Jayne Hawkins
- Conservation International, Forrest House, Belmont Park, Rondebosch, Cape Town, 7700, South Africa
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Private Bag X1, Cape Town, 7701, South Africa
| | - Keith W Larson
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Climate Impacts Research Centre, Umeå University, 901 87, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Anthony R Palmer
- Institute for Water Research, Rhodes University, Makhanda, 6139, South Africa
| | - Camilla Sandström
- Department of Political Science, Umeå University, 90187, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Kathleen G Smart
- Institute for Water Research, Rhodes University, Makhanda, 6139, South Africa
- Expanded Freshwater and Terrestrial Environmental Observation Network (EFTEON), Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - Graham I H Kerley
- Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Nelson Mandela University, P.O. Box 77000, Gqeberha, 6031, South Africa
| | - Joris P G M Cromsigt
- Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Nelson Mandela University, P.O. Box 77000, Gqeberha, 6031, South Africa
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 901 83, Umeå, Sweden
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