Predicted changes in distribution and richness of wild edible plants under climate change scenarios in northwestern Kenya

• DOI: 10.1007/s10113-023-02175-3
• Publication Date: 2024-01-08T12:02:37Z
• Authors: Wyclife Agumba Ol...; Christian Borgeme...; João de Deus Vida...; Tobias Fremout; Hannes Gaisberger; Cory Whitney; Christine B. Schmitt
• Keywords: Herbarium; Species distribution

Abstract Wild edible plants (WEPs) can provide diverse and nutrient-rich food sources that contribute to the health well-being of communities worldwide. In northwestern Kenya, WEPs are vital dietary components for nomadic pastoral with limited access cultivated crops. However, increasing impact climate change poses a threat these valuable resources, their sustainable utilization remains precarious. Here, we assessed potentially suitable habitats richness 23 selected in region using species distribution modeling (SDM) approach. We used occurrence points from global databases, national herbarium, field surveys made predictions spanning two future time intervals, 2041–2070 2071–2100, across three shared socioeconomic pathways (126, 370, 585) bioclimatic variables five circulation models. also included soil topographic our calibrated maximum entropy models individually tuned parameters. Our showed predominant decline habitat suitability half studied WEPs. The predicted remain rather stable under projected climates concentrating southern parts Turkana County. Conservation management measures need consider changing availability resources order underpin diversification local communities.