Impact of climate and land use change on plant diversity patterns in Burkina Faso between 2000 and 2050

Future climate and land use changes are predicted to have a strong impact on the distribution patterns of plant species in West Africa as shown by Heubes et al. (2013). Heubes et al. (2013) showed that the flora of Burkina Faso will be primarily negatively impacted by future climate and land use changes. The more humid regions in southern Burkina Faso were stronger affected by species loss than the Sahel. Climate change was more important than land use change. However, for a profound understanding of the causes and effects of degradation for the local population it is not enough to investigate only the general patterns of plant diversity, but to get into detail with specific species groups which for example are of high value for human wellbeing in the savannas. The objective of this study is to analyze the influence of climate and land use changes on the diversity patterns of different species groups occurring in Burkina Faso. Considered are highly valued species (food plants and medical plants) and species of different life form groups (Phanerophytes, therophytes, annual and perennial grasses). The temporal frame is 2000 and 2050.