Biodiversity and Climate Change in Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot

The Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot (EABH) consists of a variety of ecosystems, including broadleaf, pine, and bamboo forests; forest-grassland mosaics; grasslands, bushlands, and high-altitude wetlands; as well as freshwater lakes and rivers. It also supports many indigenous species that provide multiple ecosystem services. However, there remain clear gaps in identifying the diversity of species and the impacts of climate change on biodiversity in EABH regions. Therefore, the objective of this review chapter is to identify the diversity of species and the effects of climate change on biodiversity within hotspot regions. The review shows that EABH supports a total of 10,098 species, of which 24.48% are endemic to the region, according to 2021 records. Of those total species, it contains the highest proportion of vascular plant species (75.45%), followed by bird species (12.91%) within the hotspot regions. The discoveries of endemic species in EABH have increased in the past 10 years by 4.69% across five taxonomic groups: vascular plants, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Among these taxonomic groups, 20% of birds to 70% of reptiles are vulnerable to climate change impacts in some hotspot regions. Small shifts in species distribution ranges, increasing phenology and behavioral changes, increased physiological stress, and reproductive failure have been observed in a few species and taxonomic groups in response to the increasing variability, changes in seasonality, and extremes of temperature and rainfall patterns. In conclusion, the EABH regions support the existence of many species that maintain the structure and functions of ecosystems. However, the impacts of climate change are evident in some individuals, species, and taxonomic groups in the regions, and further detailed studies should be conducted for each taxonomic group. In addition, different organizations, policymakers, intergovernmental 282 bodies, and stakeholders should collaborate to reduce impacts on biodiversity before the extinction of species in the region.