Sustainable mountain development in East Africa in a changing climate

Transboundary collaboration in the Greater Virunga

The Greater Virunga Landscape is one of the most biologically diverse mountainous landscapes in the world containing three World Heritage Sites (the Virunga, Rwenzori Mountain and Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks), one Ramsar Site (Lake George and Lake Edward) and one Biosphere Reserve (Queen Elizabeth National Park). The landscape, which covers an area of 15,155 km², has been recognized as an area of global importance. The Greater Virunga Landscape (GVL) provides goods and services to local communities, and contributes to the national economies through different sectors such as tourism, agriculture, energy and fisheries. The large and growing human population of the area relies on the rich natural capital. The Greater Virunga Landscape provides millions of people with freshwater for drinking and farming. However, overexploitation due to the high population density (600 individuals per km², one of the highest in the region) (Pavageau et al., 2013) has had a severe effect on ecosystem services. In addition, changes in climatic conditions have led to an increase in extreme events such as floods and landslides, as well changes in hydrological cycles, which affect ecosystem services and the communities that depend on them. Changes in mountain hydrology also have consequences for downstream communities and are likely to be highly significant to economic activities dependent on this water (Beniston and Fox, n.d.). Key challenges for Greater Virunga The vulnerability of Greater Virunga to climate change is related, to a large extent, to the anthropogenic characteristics of the region such as high levels of poverty; rapid population growth and high population density; dependence on, and

overexploitation of, natural resources; as well as the geophysical characteristics of this mountainous landscape. This is exacerbated by the effects of climate change which include water scarcity, falling agricultural yields, erosion and floods. This, in turn, affects food security in the region and could increase poverty levels and dependency on natural resources. Climate change also directly impacts on biodiversity. Climate change is already a reality in GVL and the effects are being felt by communities experiencing an increase in extreme natural events. This requires a response from neighbouring countries to develop and implement mitigation and adaptation measures. This is hindered by weak coordination and collaboration between the countries (including the lack of harmonized policies, practices, and priorities), inadequate information and information management, the actions of extractive industries and political instability. Countries sharing the Greater Virunga ecosystems face a number of specific challenges, including: • A lack of vulnerability data and information. Some research has been conducted but the findings are not available to the public. • Conflicts between the countries and the insecurity in DRC impede collaboration. The presence of the military camps in some areas of the landscape does not allow access. • There is a lack of communication between the institutions and organizations operating in the landscape which hampers transboundary cooperation in tackling common issues. • There is a limited number of local experts in the regionwith an understanding of the local dynamics.

Agroforestry in the Virunga Mountains, Rwanda

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