Revealed: 75% of Kilimanjaro’s Native Plants at Risk – Discover the Surprising Threats Beyond Climate Change

Mount Kilimanjaro, often seen as a symbol of beauty in Tanzania, tells a different story at its base. Here, scientists find a rich ground for exploring how human activity impacts nature. The mountain’s surroundings include forests, farms, and towns, making it an ideal spot to study landscape changes.

As a researcher focused on East Africa for over 36 years, I’ve collaborated with scientists to analyze maps, satellite images from 1976 to 2022, and census data dating back to 1911. We aimed to understand how the biodiversity of Kilimanjaro is changing and the reasons behind it.

Our research uncovered a startling reality: 75% of the mountain’s native plants have disappeared from populated areas. The main drivers? Intensive farming, urban development, and the rise of invasive plant species. Our findings indicate that people, not climate change, are the primary cause of biodiversity loss here.

In 1911, 90% of Kilimanjaro’s lower slopes were natural habitats. Fast forward to today, and only 19% remains untouched due to agricultural expansion and urban growth. The population around Kilimanjaro has surged from about 50,000 in 1890 to over 1.4 million now, a staggering 28-fold increase.

This explosion in human activity threatens not only plant and animal life but also local communities that rely on these ecosystems. As farming and construction replaced natural habitats, the region’s biodiversity declined steeply.

Interestingly, while Kilimanjaro’s climate is warming and its glaciers are retreating, the main losses are occurring in areas converted for agriculture and habitation. Despite the climate challenges, some sectors like farming and agroforestry have thrived.

Climate change does play a role, but the real culprit is land-use change driven by population growth. In places where habitats have been protected, plant diversity remains higher than in intensive farming areas. For example, community-based conservation efforts in Tanzania, like the Rau Forest Reserve, show that safeguarding native vegetation is possible and beneficial.

The good news is there are sustainable approaches in place. The indigenous Chagga people cultivate home gardens that blend native plants with crops, creating environments where biodiversity can flourish alongside farming.

To preserve Kilimanjaro’s ecosystem, we need to prioritize protecting its remaining natural areas. Supporting agroforestry and compensating local communities for conservation efforts could make a significant difference. Moreover, urban planning should incorporate environmental preservation as a core value, not an afterthought.

Understanding the plight of Kilimanjaro shifts our perception of biodiversity loss. It’s not just about melting ice caps; it’s about local actions and community choices. If we want to protect our natural world, we must focus on preserving the land where these species live, proving that human development can co-exist with nature.

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