Desertification in the Richtersveld: Biodiversity in acute danger!

Desertification in the Richtersveld: Biodiversity in acute danger!

An international research team led by the University of Hamburg has documented the spread of deserts in sub-Saharan Africa in a comprehensive study. The focus of the study is the South African Richtersveld, a remarkable biodiversity hotspot that is home to around 1,000 endemic plant species. The results were recently published in the renowned journal “Journal of Arid Environments”.

The scientists have collected data over a period of up to 45 years that shows a dramatic decline in vegetation and biodiversity in the Richtersveld. These changes can be compared to the devastation during the “Dust Bowls” in the USA in the 1930s. Particularly alarming is the finding that over 400 of the estimated 1,000 endemic plant species are considered threatened and are increasingly suffering from pressure from climate change and human activities.

Causes and consequences of desertification

In the Richtersveld, the causes of desertification are discussed in many ways. Climate change and human influences, such as the activities of mining companies, contribute significantly to degradation. These societies leave behind open-pit mining sites that destabilize the surrounding landscapes and contribute to the loss of fertile soil. While previous vegetation resilience was observed, the situation has worsened dramatically over the past decade, particularly during the severe drought period between 2012 and 2022.

In addition, research assumes that the fertile soil portion is removed by wind, which leads to the formation of vegetation-free sand areas. Abandoned farmhouses are increasingly disappearing beneath dunes, which only increases the desertification of the area. The analysis, which also includes satellite images, shows a clear trend: first, long-lived, water-storing dwarf shrubs lost in number, followed by a decline in salt-loving plants.

Protective measures and international responsibility

Measures are planned to combat desertification, including strict control of mines and limiting grazing in particularly vulnerable regions. The Richtersveld was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2007 and 194 contracting states, including Germany, have committed to protecting this biologically valuable area. At the same time, the study shows that fewer than 100 endemic plant species are known in Germany, which underlines the global importance of the Richtersveld.

As in Special Report on Climate Change and Land Systems As noted by the IPCC, the challenges associated with desertification and land degradation have become increasingly critical. In particular, climate change is increasing the stress on land systems caused by extreme events, which also threaten the ecological balance in the Richtersveld.

The research results highlight the need for internationally coordinated measures for the sustainable use of land systems in order to stop the increasing desertification and preserve the biological treasures of the Richtersveld.