Climate Change Impact on Wildlife and Eco-tourism

It is clear that there are significant and continuing reduction to the global biological diversity and this is due to several reasons. The most important ones are the environment changes and the misuse of natural resources. Today most of environment changes are related to the climate factors. Sudan has several wildlife habitats distributed along the different ecological zones. Each habitat has its own adaptation wild species. Species are distributed in and outside the protected areas.

Many protected areas are protecting essential habitats and ecosystems of national wealth. The major impacts of climate change on wildlife habitats are changing animals’ range and distribution, habitats quality and the timing of migration. Climate change has potential effects on most migratory bird species and migration route. The climate change had especial impacts on marine mammals when the plankton and sea temperature are influenced by the change in the climate. Also the reptiles which have repetition migration may be faced by many hazards caused by climate change . It is reported that the climate change is expected to alter the distribution and abundance of many species.
Ecotourism means the use of natural resources for the benefits and enjoyment of human beings, but in a sustainable ways. The tourism industry in Sudan is till a new business. The diverse ecosystem, many protected areas, which are rich with fauna and flora, and the diverse traditional cultural folklore aspects could contribute positively to the development of ecotourism investment in Sudan. The sectors related to ecotourism industry are also affected by climate change. It is reported that the climate change is impacting most forms of nature based tourism experiences and destinations.
Several areas of research .including wildlife ecology, biology, food habits, behavior ,wildlife management ,wildlife habitat ,watershed management ,diseases, socio-economics studies ,etc;  had been conducted by the Wildlife Research Center and other research institutes and universities, in the different ecosystems and protected areas of Sudan.

Recently studies conducted in Al Sabaloga Game reserve concluded that: Indices of climate fluctuations (for 30 years period) and changes are observed, consequently the habitats were deteriorated, some wild animals disappeared and some are threatened with extinction.

Wildlife Research Priorities include: Inventory studies of the current status of habitats, factors of climate change and their impact on the different taxonomic groups, identification and assessment of possible adaptive responses and the use of remote sensing techniques in studies of climate change changes habitats and ecosystems. Wildlife management and proper adaptive programs should be one among the main priorities of the government strategies and policies towards the sustainability of these resources.

The paper ended by a number of recommendations, the main were:

1. Studies should focus on inventory, monitoring and assessing the available wildlife resources. Assessing the management problems and measures of risks in the region and formulate certain measures for adaptation and mitigation as related to CBD and Climate Change Convention.

2. More focus should be put on the important role of the Media.

3. The need for land use plans incorporating climate change mitigation and adaptation should incorporate sufficient coordination among the different natural resources institutions including Wildlife Administration.

4. Wildlife management and proper adaptive program should be one among the main priorities of the government strategies and policies towards the sustainability of these resources for the economic and recreational values.

5. Addressing climate change requires unprecedented global cooperation across borders. The international organizations are helping and supporting developing countries and contributing to a global solution by step up policy research .knowledge, and capacity building. Seeking the international support to develop strategies to mitigate climate change and protect biodiversity is a must.

6. Joint research programmes are needed to cover gaps in wildlife research topics linked to other disciplines. Wildlife research (especially in climate change issues) should be among the first priorities in government strategies that could be enhanced through capacity development of humans and institutes.

By Alula Berhe Kidani,

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