The impact of climate change on Alpine plant composition, distribution and edaphic system on the Rwenzori, Uganda
Investigator(s)
Principal investigator:
Bob Nakileza, Mountain Resource Centre, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
E-mail: nakilezab(at)yahoo.com
Abstract
The general objective is to evaluate the sensitivity of Rwenzoris plant species to future climate change impacts by analyzing the composition and distribution of plant species in relation to soils in the Alpine zone of Mt. Rwenzori.
Specifically, we will:
- Characterize the soils, geomorphic processes and landscape aspects that may influence plant pattern at the study sites
- Investigate the changes in the composition and distribution of plants below, at and above the tree line
- Model alpine plant species distribution using Species Distribution Model (SDM) along altitudinal gradients
A combination of methods will be applied; the remote sensing and GIS are used to map the current land use/cover and plant distributions. Field surveys will be used to sample the soils for laboratory analysis, geomorphic processes and plant species for further identification at the herbarium. This data will be integrated in Species Distribution Models (SDM) for predicting trends and patterns in future responses to climate conditions.
URL
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