Tracking the effect of climate change on ecosystem functioning using protected areas: Africa as a case study

► This work addresses the impact of climate change on vegetation dynamics in Africa. ► Focusing on protected areas, we assessed changes in dynamics over the last 27 years. ► Our results support current expectations regarding the impacts of climate change. ► We found no correlation between changes in vegetation dynamics and human activity. ► Protected areas can help track climate change effects on ecosystem functioning.