Swaziland's First National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change National Report on Climate Change National Report on Climate Change
1.0 THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY | 2.0 NATIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES | 3.0 GREENHOUSE GAS INVENTORIES | 4.0 VULNERABILITY AND ADAPTATION | 4.2 FORESTRY | 4.3 HYDROLOGY AND WATER RESOURCES | 4.4 AGRICULTURE | 5.0 MITIGATION OPTIONS ANALYSIS | 5.2 ENERGY | 5.3 FORESTRY | 6.0 POLICIES AND MEASURES | REFERENCES | ABBREVIATIONS
Chapter 4 Vulnerability and Adaptation
4.1 INTRODUCTION
The biosphere is characterised by a diversity of ecosystems, which have irregular and asymmetric distribution patterns. Changes in climatic conditions and soil characteristics are responsible for the irregularity in the distribution patterns and floristic composition of ecosystems over time. There is a close relationship between the distribution of organisms, particularly plants and climatic conditions.
Climatic conditions generally vary with latitude and altitude. Of particular importance are the spatial variations in temperature conditions and quantity of precipitation. Authors such as Woodward (1988) note that there is an abundance of evidence that extremes in climate such as drought, low and high temperatures and high winds have an influence on plant distribution. Such evidence is illustrated in studies of pollen records that suggest that the geographical distribution and range of plants have been subject to change with changing climatic conditions over time.
Table 4.1: Some possible climate change impacts on forests and other ecosystems
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