Climate change may alter the availability of wild food plants in the Brazilian semiarid

• Published in: Regional environmental change Vol. 24; no. 2; p. 86
• Main Authors: da Silva, Amanda Stefanie Sérgio, Arnan, Xavier, de Medeiros, Patrícia Muniz
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.06.2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Availability; Climate Change; Climate Change/Climate Change Impacts; Climate effects; Community composition; Composition; Earth and Environmental Science; Economic development; Environment; Food; Food availability; Food plants; Food security; Geographical distribution; Geography; Local communities; Natural resources; Nature Conservation; Nutrition; Oceanography; Original Article; Regional/Spatial Science; Semi arid areas; Semiarid lands; Species richness; Wildlife conservation; Beta diversity; Food and nutrition security; Species distribution modeling; Habitat suitability; Wild edible plants
• ISSN: 1436-3798; 1436-378X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10113-024-02250-3

Wild food plants (WFPs) are important components of the diet and a source of income for local communities in semiarid regions, given that these populations are commonly characterized by high socioeconomic vulnerability and dependence on natural resources for subsistence. In periods of food scarcity and crop failure, WFPs emerge as strategic resources for ensuring food and nutrition security. However, these little-researched plants may also be affected by climate change. Here, our objective was to determine the spatiotemporal dynamics of WFPs in the Brazilian semiarid and evaluate their potential availability in future climate change scenarios. We constructed habitat suitability models for economically and nutritionally important WFPs used in this region and projected future scenarios (2041–2060). Furthermore, we determined the geographical distribution, species richness, and composition (on local and regional scales) of WFPs in current and future scenarios. Our results showed that WFPs exhibited varied responses to climate change. The more pessimistic the future scenario, the greater the negative effects. Most WFP species exhibited a reduction in climatically suitable areas in future scenarios, resulting in a shrinkage of geographical ranges, a reduction in species richness, and alterations in community composition. These changes could have important implications for economic development, subsistence, and food and nutrition security in the region. Our findings offer insights that can guide actions for adaptation and mitigating the effects of climate change and promoting species conservation not only in the Brazilian semiarid but also in other semiarid regions worldwide.