What Increased Land Use Means for Mount Kilimanjaro’s Already Isolated Ecosystem
At the base of Mount Kilimanjaro, people took up residence and have grown tremendously over the generations. The community has developed so much that almost the whole base of the mountain has been colonized or used for farmland. This generates a lot of problems for the wildlife living on the mountain. Since most of the base is covered, animals have fewer opportunities to migrate properly. This directly causes a decrease in genetic variation, meaning that the wildlife will not be able to adapt well to the changing environment. It also strains the landscape in the area because these creatures stay longer than what is usually expected.
A study was underway to determine how the future will affect the surrounding wildlife from the pressures placed by humans. The study took under consideration the various factors of migration before colonization in the area happened and once it had already been colonized. It was concluded that the animals had migration patterns that allowed them to travel to the different mountainous regions in the area. With the demand for farmland in the area, it is becoming more difficult for the animals to travel. The long-term effects could even mean extinction for these animals.