Ecosystems in Africa and throughout the world provide the geographical space that allows biodiversity to thrive. Currently there are severe pressures on the health of ecosystems, as human populations in most countries expand. Drivers generating
these pressures include high levels of poverty and rapid growth in human populations on the continent.

Already, increases in appropriation, consumption and disposal of resources to meet the growing demand are not matched by corresponding replenishment and growth in the environmental base. At the same time climate change is posing substantial risks to the health of ecosystems and compromising their ability to provide services. In the context of rising population and resource use per capita. Such a combination of environmental, climatic and economic pressures leading to food, water and energy shortages has the potential of brewing into a ‘perfect storm’.

This brief explores an ecosystem management-based set of solutions that the Africa’s society can use to avoid potential future problems, as well as for coping with and adapting to changes we are already experiencing and will likely continue to experience.