Threatened Ecosystems in Africa

Right now, we are sadly experiencing numerous threatened ecosystems in Africa and their future may determine the safety of endless flora and fauna species.

Here are just four threatened ecosystems in Africa that you may have already visited or be planning to visit on your next African safari holiday.

Deserts

Deserts are home to some 300 species of wildlife from cheetah, hyrax, ostrich and giraffe to African wild dog, elephant and rhino. It is a valuable ecosystem and in Southern Africa it’s the Kalahari and Damaraland area that see threats that could impact wildlife.

Rivers

Rivers run through Africa from the Congo River (the deepest) to the Nile (widely regarded as the longest river in the world), Luangwa and Zambezi.

Each and every one of Africa’s river systems teem with wildlife and a diversity of fish plus hippo and crocodile. Rivers are the lifeblood of the continent and are at threat from pollution, over fishing and poor management.

Savannas

Savanna ecosystems are tropical grasslands in areas that are mostly warm throughout the year. It’s the quintessential African landscape with rolling low grasses that blow in the breeze on a horizon dotted with trees. The most famous are the Serengeti and Masai Mara national parks.

Here you have the prized wildlife species like elephant, lion, cheetah, gazelles plus some of the greatest migrations. The threat on savanna areas are climate change, encroachment on the land from human population growth and agriculture demands.

Wetlands

Wetlands are well known in Africa, particularly the Okavango Delta. This and other wetlands around the continent are under threat from climate change, human encroachment, poaching and draining from agricultural demands.