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Cause for Concern in Africa
Afrotropics
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Tropical and Subtropical Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands
Northern Congolian forest-savanna mosaic
Growing human populations in this ecoregion are putting more and more pressure on the natural landscape. Overgrazing of cattle as well as slash and burn agriculture have degraded much of this wilderness. The wildlife here also suffers from the political instability of the region, with rebel groups active in Central African Republic and civil wars in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo leaving refugee camps that place increasing pressures on the forest edge. Poaching and desertification also create problems.
Afrotropics
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Tropical and Subtropical Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands
Sahelian Acacia savanna
Large mammals of this ecoregion have declined considerably due to constant pressure from commercial hunting and poaching. Agriculture adds to the pressure, as farming and grazing can damage native vegetation, eventually turning the area into desert.
Afrotropics
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Tropical and Subtropical Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands
Serengeti volcanic grasslands
In this ecoregion, significant amounts of protected habitat can be found in the Masai Mara National Reserve, Serengeti National Park, and Lake Manyara National Park. Outside protected areas, however, the shortgrass plains face increasing pressures from the growing human population. Greater numbers of people translate into a need for more farms and ranches, resulting in more cattle grazing on the plains and more threats from large-scale farming. There is also an increased use of unsustainable slash and burn practices by smaller scale farmers, leaving the land infertile.
Afrotropics
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Tropical and Subtropical Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands
Somali Acacia-Commiphora bushlands and thickets
Human population density is low here, so most of the wild habitats of this region are unfragmented and intact. The greatest threats to the region include livestock grazing and fuelwood collection, especially close to towns. And illegal hunting has taken a big toll on some of the region's mammals following decades of political instability and open warfare in the region.
Afrotropics
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Tropical and Subtropical Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands
Southern Acacia-Commiphora bushlands and thickets
Outside of protected areas, most of the land in this ecoregion has been converted to farms and livestock areas. These land uses make it incredibly difficult for large mammals to find their way among isolated islands of protected habitat. Furthermore, when migrating animals move outside of the protected areas, conflict with farmers is inevitable. Many woodland areas are also threatened by cutting of trees for making charcoal that is used for daily cooking needs and for drying the tobacco grown on farms. Of increasing concern is the illegal killing of animals for food, trophies, and even medicines. For example, in areas where people rely on bushmeat as a major source of protein, populations of ungulates have declined at alarming rates. Most black rhinoceroses in this region have already been killed by trophy hunters and poachers seeking their valuable horns.
Afrotropics
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Tropical and Subtropical Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands
Southern Africa bushveld
Many small areas of natural habitat in this ecoregion have been protected to support the ecotourism industry. One of the greatest threats to the biodiversity of this region is cattle ranching. Cattle ranchers often hunt natural predators to protect their livestock. Cattle also overgraze the savanna, reducing the grasses that help fuel fires and causing soil erosion. Another threat is urban expansion from the Pretoria-Witwatersrand Vereeniging complex in South Africa. Increasing political instability in Zimbabwe may threaten national parks and private wildlife conservancies.
Afrotropics
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Tropical and Subtropical Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands
Southern Congolian forest-savanna mosaic
People have modified the vegetation here since pre-agricultural times, setting fires to help catch prey. When agriculture first started, people shifted their crops from site to site, giving vegetation a chance to recover. Today, large-scale clearings for agriculture, urban development, logging, and mining create conditions in which many trees can no longer regenerate. Antelope populations have been severely affected by hunting for "bushmeat." Poaching, soil erosion and water pollution are also threats, while conflicts between elephants and subsistence farmers threaten elephant populations.
Afrotropics
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Tropical and Subtropical Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands
Southern Miombo woodlands
Many of Zimbabwe's largest cities and most of its large-scale farms are located in this ecoregion. For that reason, habitats have been altered and wildlife eradicated in many areas. Other threats include poaching of black rhinos, hunting of "bushmeat," and growing conflicts between ranchers and wild animals.
Afrotropics
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Tropical and Subtropical Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands
St. Helena scrub and woodlands
Human activities on the island have greatly affected this ecoregion's biodiversity. Clearing land for agriculture has resulted in large-scale habitat loss and localized climate change. For example, the loss of tree cover can increase exposure to winds and decrease moisture from the sea that condenses on plants and provides necessary water, also referred to as mist interception. Introduced plants such as acacia and eucalyptus trees are also a threat as they compete with the native plants for space and resources.
Afrotropics
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Tropical and Subtropical Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands
Victoria Basin forest-savanna mosaic
Over the past few centuries, the forest habitats of this ecoregion have been mostly replaced by savanna, farmland, and pasture. It is rare to find any forest outside of protected areas such as Queen Elizabeth National Park. And even within protected areas, the remaining forests patches are small and fragmented. People continue to exploit these forests in several ways: Trees are cut for fuelwood, timber, and building materials, wild game is hunted for food, and wild plants are collected for food and medicines.
