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Quantifying Changes in Plant Species Diversity in a Savanna Ecosystem Through Observed and Remotely Sensed Data

Author

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  • Lazarus Chapungu

    (Department of Physics, Geography and Environmental Science, Great Zimbabwe University, Masvingo 1235, Zimbabwe
    Department of Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa (UNISA), Johannesburg 1710, South Africa)

  • Luxon Nhamo

    (Water Research Commission of South Africa, 4 Daventry Road, Lynwood Manor, Pretoria 0081, South Africa
    Centre for Transformative Agricultural and Food Systems, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Scottsville 3209, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa)

  • Roberto Cazzolla Gatti

    (Biological Institute, Tomsk State University, Tomsk 634050, Russia
    Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, 3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria)

  • Munyaradzi Chitakira

    (Department of Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa (UNISA), Johannesburg 1710, South Africa)

Abstract

This study examined the impact of climate change on plant species diversity of a savanna ecosystem, through an assessment of climatic trends over a period of forty years (1974–2014) using Masvingo Province, Zimbabwe, as a case study. The normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) was used as a proxy for plant species diversity to cover for the absence of long-term historical plant diversity data. Observed precipitation and temperature data collected over the review period were compared with the trends in NDVI to understand the impact of climate change on plant species diversity over time. The nonaligned block sampling design was used as the sampling framework, from which 198 sampling plots were identified. Data sources included satellite images, field measurements, and direct observations. Temperature and precipitation had significant ( p < 0.05) trends over the period under study. However, the trend for seasonal total precipitation was not significant but declining. Significant correlations ( p < 0.001) were identified between various climate variables and the Shannon index of diversity. NDVI was also significantly correlated to the Shannon index of diversity. The declining trend of plant species in savanna ecosystems is directly linked to the decreasing precipitation and increasing temperatures.

Suggested Citation

  • Lazarus Chapungu & Luxon Nhamo & Roberto Cazzolla Gatti & Munyaradzi Chitakira, 2020. "Quantifying Changes in Plant Species Diversity in a Savanna Ecosystem Through Observed and Remotely Sensed Data," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-18, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:6:p:2345-:d:333643
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nelson Chanza & Walter Musakwa, 2022. "Indigenous local observations and experiences can give useful indicators of climate change in data-deficient regions," Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Springer;Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences, vol. 12(3), pages 534-546, September.

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