Climate Variability and Its Impacts on Wildlife Ecosystems: A Study of Meru Conservation Area, Kenya

Abstract

Climate variability is currently a major concern not only to conservationist but also to several other disciplines such agriculture and production sectors. The world’s climate continues to change at rates that are projected to be unprecedented in recent human history. Climate change adds to the impact of land use change on species and ecosystems. Rising temperatures, rainfall variability, and new climatic regimes pose threats to biodiversity and human livelihoods alike. A study conducted at Meru Conservation area, Kenya established that that has been a climate variability which has over time affected wildlife populations, wildlife ecosystems and human livelihoods within and around the protected areas. This has however exposed wildlife conservation at a higher risk due to continuous loss of preferred habitats, movement corridors, dispersal areas and population decline. Keywords: Climate Variability, Wildlife Populations, Wildlife Ecosystems, Human Livelihoods