Deforestation amplifies climate change effects on warming and cloud level rise in African montane forests

Temesgen Alemayehu Abera (), Janne Heiskanen, Eduardo Eiji Maeda, Mohammed Ahmed Muhammed, Netra Bhandari, Ville Vakkari, Binyam Tesfaw Hailu, Petri K. E. Pellikka, Andreas Hemp, Pieter G. Zyl and Dirk Zeuss
Additional contact information
Temesgen Alemayehu Abera: Philipps-Universität Marburg
Janne Heiskanen: University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 68
Eduardo Eiji Maeda: University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 68
Mohammed Ahmed Muhammed: Philipps-Universität Marburg
Netra Bhandari: Philipps-Universität Marburg
Ville Vakkari: P.O. Box 503
Binyam Tesfaw Hailu: University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 68
Petri K. E. Pellikka: University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 68
Andreas Hemp: University of Bayreuth
Pieter G. Zyl: North-West University
Dirk Zeuss: Philipps-Universität Marburg

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Tropical montane forest ecosystems are pivotal for sustaining biodiversity and essential terrestrial ecosystem services, including the provision of high-quality fresh water. Nonetheless, the impact of montane deforestation and climate change on the capacity of forests to deliver ecosystem services is yet to be fully understood. In this study, we offer observational evidence demonstrating the response of air temperature and cloud base height to deforestation in African montane forests over the last two decades. Our findings reveal that approximately 18% (7.4 ± 0.5 million hectares) of Africa’s montane forests were lost between 2003 and 2022. This deforestation has led to a notable increase in maximum air temperature (1.37 ± 0.58 °C) and cloud base height (236 ± 87 metres), surpassing shifts attributed solely to climate change. Our results call for urgent attention to montane deforestation, as it poses serious threats to biodiversity, water supply, and ecosystem services in the tropics.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51324-7

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