ALBERT

Description: Large gaps remain in our understanding of the vulnerability of specific animal taxa and regions to climate change, especially regarding extreme climate impact events. Here, we assess African apes, flagship and highly important umbrella species for sympatric biodiversity. We estimated past (1981–2010) and future exposure to climate change impacts across 363 sites in Africa for RCP2.6 and RCP6.0 for near term (2021–2050) and long term (2071–2099). We used fully harmonized climate data and data on extreme climate impact events from the Inter-Sectoral Impact Model Intercomparison Project (ISIMIP). Historic data show that 171 sites had positive temperature anomalies for at least nine of the past ten years with the strongest anomalies (up to 0.56°C) estimated for eastern chimpanzees. Climate projections suggest that temperatures will increase across all sites, while precipitation changes are more heterogeneous. We estimated a future increase in heavy precipitation events for 288 sites, and an increase in the number of consecutive dry days by up to 20 days per year (maximum increase estimated for eastern gorillas). All sites will be frequently exposed to wildfires and crop failures in the future, and the latter could impact apes indirectly through increased deforestation. 84% of sites are projected to be exposed to heatwaves and 78% of sites to river floods. Tropical cyclones and droughts were only projected for individual sites in western and central Africa. We further compiled available evidence on how climate change impacts could affect apes, for example, through heat stress and dehydration, a reduction in water sources and fruit trees, and reduced physiological performance, body condition, fertility, and survival. To support necessary research on the sensitivity and adaptability of African apes to climate change impacts, and the planning and implementation of conservation measures, we provide detailed results for each ape site on the open-access platform A.P.E.S. Wiki.

Description: On August 14, 2011, an earthquake of magnitude 3.2 occurred near a hydroelectric reservoir and open pit limestone mines in Ijaci, SE Brazil. The mainshock was felt (IV-V MM), and was followed by three other events of similar magnitudes within three months. We study the seismicity near Ijaci, and its possible relationship with the reservoir impoundment, the mining activity, and the lowering of the water table. We use data of a local 7-station seismic network, and piezometer measurements. More than 1000 events were detected, of which 500 were classified as tectonic and the rest explosion in four limestone quarries that operate close to the reservoir and daily feed one of the largest cement plants in Brazil. The local karst relief sustains a large aquifer, arising at the bottom of the pits, and is responsible for an average outflow of 350 m〈sup〉3〈/sup〉/hour at Mina Sul pit. The mining activities and the filling of the Funil reservoir occurred in the end of 2002. Focal mechanisms determined by polarities and waveform inversion indicate reverse faults and a compressive tectonic regime in the Ijaci area. Piezometer measurements showed no direct connection between the lake and the bottom of the pit; the pumping that lowers the water table has little influence on the stress regime. The event locations, focal mechanisms, volume of extracted material, and seismicity behavior suggest an association of the seismic activity with the extraction of limestone, which is now equivalent to an approximate 60 million tons (5.9x10N) of load relief.