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T1 Getting Climate-smart with the Mountain Gorilla in the Greater Virunga Landscape: A Species and Climate Change Brief for the Vanishing Treasures Programme
A1 United Nations Environment Programme, 
K1 climate change
K1 ecosystem
K1 mountain ecosystem
K1 forest ecosystem
K1 biological diversity
YR 2020
FD 2020
LK https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/34368
UL https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/34368
NO This brief examines how climate change affects the mountain gorilla in the Greater Virunga Landscape in a variety of ways. It affects its physiology, the ecosystems it depends on and the behaviour of people in the area, with direct implications for conservation. It details how rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, prolonged droughts and increased disease risks are exacerbating existing threats such as habitat loss, poaching and human encroachment. Although the population has recovered to just over 1,000 individuals, the species remains endangered due to its limited range, slow reproduction and limited genetic diversity. Communities surrounding protected areas face food insecurity, water stress and declining agricultural productivity, which increases pressure on forests and raises the risk of conflict and disease transmission. The brief identifies major knowledge gaps and outlines the Vanishing Treasures programme’s approach to strengthening climate-resilient conservation, piloting sustainable livelihood initiatives and improving buffer zone management to promote human-gorilla coexistence.
DS UN Environment Document Repository
RD Sep 17, 2026