Research from this working group is published today within the well-renowned scientific journal Global Chance Biology. In our publication titled “Natural and Human Disturbances Have Non-Linear Effects on Whole-Ecosystem Carbon Storage in an African Savanna“ we assessed carbon storage in Namibian savanna vegetation and soils across steep land-use gradients. We found that not only land-use change through agricultural intensification, but also through wildlife conservation can have the un-intended consequence of decreasing carbon storage. However, intermediate levels of disturbance factors such as elephant browsing and woodcutting are actually beneficial for carbon storage in vegetation and in the entire ecosystem.
This research was conducted within project Future Carbon Storageas part of the Collaborative Research Centre Future Rural Africa. For further information also see press release (in german language ) and press release (in english language) by University of Potsdam.
Publication: Kindermann, L., Sandhage-Hofmann, A., Amelung, W., Börner, J., Dobler, M., Fabiano, E. C., Meyer, M., Linstädter, A. (2025): Natural and human disturbances have non-linear effects on whole-ecosystem carbon storage in an African savanna, Global Change Biology, Volume 31, Issue 4, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gcb.70163
Contact:
E-Mail: Liana.kindermann@uni-potsdam.de
