Abstract:
In this paper, we explore the role of wildlife in climate change adaptation, especially in areas used
predominantly for livestock production in South Africa. Using a sample of 3 449 wildlife and livestock
ranches, we estimate a multinomial choice model of various ranching options in these areas. The
results indicate that mixed wildlife-livestock ranches are less vulnerable to climate change when
compared to ranches with only wildlife or only livestock. However, given the ranching options, the
revenues of ranches with only wildlife are higher compared to other ranches. The results further show
that an increase in temperature will influence more livestock farmers, especially those farming with
cattle, to change their land use from livestock to wildlife ranching. Using climate models, we establish
that livestock farmers in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa will be affected most by climate
change and will subsequently change their land use.
