Climate change causes decline in favorable conditions for wildlife species which threatens their continuation and can lead to extinction. The changing climate is characterized by global warming, increased frequency of extreme weather events, and melting of glaciers and snow caps which can be termed climate stress.

Both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems are sensitive to climate stress which is evident in changes in flora and fauna species populations and distribution with the shifting climatic conditions, which can further reduce the availability of resources used for livelihood by humans. (Muhweezi, 2014)

The following are some of the ways in which wildlife is adversely affected under climate stress.

Extreme weather events such as heavy rains ( which can increase frequency of mudslides and landslides), floods, drought and wildfires can kill animals directly or cause food and water insecurity which lead to starvation and disease in animals.

Furthermore, the high frequency and intensity of extreme weather events causes migration of animals to regions that may have a high predation risk and scarce food and space resources available. 

There is increased prevalence of invasive weed species as a result of favorable ecological conditions created by the rising temperatures. A good example is Lantana camarais, an invasive species that displaces animal pastures in grassland wildlife areas and is resilient to dry conditions, which is likely to expand its range under future climate stressors in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda. (Muhweezi, 2014) As a result, food availability to herbivores reduces, which can lead to starvation and further cause scarcity of food for predators. 

The rising temperatures are not suitable for growth and reproduction of some plant life which reduces the plant biomass in the habitats. This decreases the food available for the animals. For instance, in Mt. Karisimbi in Kisoro district, Uganda, landslides and higher temperatures destroy forage biomass such as galium which has reduced food availability to the gorillas that inhabit the region and can cause starvation. (Mwijuke, 2022)

The high temperatures also cause melting of mountain glaciers which reduces annual water flow to water bodies draining from there. For example snow on Mt. Rwenzori reduced by 40% between 1995 and 2011 which decreased the year- round water flow to the rivers and streams draining from it and further affected aquatic biodiversity and human activities that rely on water in the Rwenzori hydrological system. Human activities include hydroelectric power generation on Mubuku River and water-based tourism activities. (Muhweezi, 2014)

The survival of all ecosystems is essential to the development of human health, social and economic systems in various ways. It is therefore critical for policymakers to formulate and implement policies and strategies that improve long-term monitoring of vegetation and natural animal habitats and that also strengthen capacity of wildlife protection bodies like Uganda Wildlife Authority so as to promote effective support response to climate damage in protected areas and enable conservation of flora and fauna.

Mwijuke, A. (2022) Nature's fury threatens Mountain gorillas

https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/magazine/nature-s-fury-threatens-mountain-gorillas-3752632?view=htmlam

Muhweez A. B. , (August, 2014)

AFRICAN AND LATIN AMERICAN RESILIENCE TO CLIMATE CHANGE (ARCC) : CLIMATE CHANGE AND 

BIODIVERSITY IN UGANDA