Africa
African environmental researchers and scientists are advancing and closing critical gaps in data sharing, capacity building, and governance in forest management in many African countries, and helping the continent better utilize its resources for development. He said he would like to be able to promote this.
As the African continent grapples with environmental and climate challenges, the need to strengthen human capacity in environmental data management and enhance data-based solutions for biodiversity and forest management in Africa has become essential. say experts.
This was one of the key objectives of the 1st Annual Conference of the African Biodiversity and Forest Regional Center of Excellence, held from 8 to 10 October 2024 in Dakar, Senegal.
Africa’s environmental resources, forests, biodiversity and ecosystems are central to the continent’s economic growth and the well-being of its people, organizers said in a press release on October 8. These vital resources are increasingly threatened by deforestation, land degradation, climate change, human-wildlife conflict, and environmental pollution.
Sharing data is very important
Against this backdrop, research institutions, leading forest scientists and other key environmental stakeholders are leveraging data-driven data to explore the continent’s vast environmental resources and rich biodiversity. It charts an innovative roadmap for the sustainable management of forests, water bodies, and wildlife, including forests, water bodies, and wildlife. The release says it includes science-backed solutions and approaches.
Regional Centers of Excellence (RCoE) is organizing this initiative, funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the International Center for Forest Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF) in collaboration with the Center for Ecological Monitoring and others. I did. West Africa has the Central African Forest Observatory (CSE), Central Africa has the Central African Forest Observatory (OFAC), and eastern and southern Africa has the Regional Center for Mapping Resources for Development (RCMRD).
Professor Dauda Gon, Senegal’s Minister of Environment and Ecological Transition, said in the opening session: “This is a great initiative by scientists that will give African countries access to high-quality data and share best practices for effectively managing the continent’s environmental resources.”Our Well-Being and forests, biodiversity and ecosystems that are essential for economic development. ”
This will enable us to support rapid economic growth and sustainable development across the continent, while continuing to provide essential services such as food, water, fuel and shelter that contribute to the well-being of local populations, he said. said.
RCoE activities are extremely important
The experts expressed the hope that the RCoE would strengthen Africa-EU partnership on capacity building in science, technology and innovation, with a particular focus on the science-policy interface.
“We are working with the Center to provide data, knowledge and expertise across thematic areas including biodiversity, forests, food security, agroecology, water and oceans, as well as climate and disaster resilience. We are keen to strengthen the technical capabilities of our experts and young researchers,” said Jean-Marc Pisani, current Ambassador and Head of the EU Delegation to Senegal.
The activities carried out by the RCoE are consistent with global, African and European policies and strategies. These activities play a vital role in contributing to key international agreements such as the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, the Sustainable Development Goals and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Furthermore, they promote the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and are also known as the European Green Deal, Europe’s strategy to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the main driver of climate change. We are collaborating.
The center aims to help African countries significantly strengthen their conservation efforts by providing comprehensive regional datasets covering the latest trends and threats to forests, seascapes and biodiversity. , the release states.
Empowerment shows commitment
Forestry experts say providing Africa’s forest stakeholders with data-driven solutions for biodiversity and forest management represents a concerted effort to protect the region’s precious natural resources. It says that there are.
The efforts by RCoE will complement similar efforts by the Forest Observatory of East and Southern Africa (OFESA), Forests News reported on August 15, 2024.
OFESA’s pivotal initiative in environmental conservation and sustainable forest management for 2020-23 will monitor and manage forests across eastern and southern Africa, with EU support and implementation led by CIFOR-ICRAF and regional organizations. The aim is to address critical gaps in Center for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD).
This project established a sustainable governance framework for forest observatories and strengthened human capacity in environmental data management. As implementing partner and host agency, RCMRD oversaw activities ranging from stakeholder mapping to the development of a comprehensive forest data portal, according to Forests News.
However, it noted that while the project has made progress in promoting a culture of data sharing, more efforts are needed to overcome remaining obstacles.
Climate change has devastating effects on forests
The devastating effects of climate change are having a profound and profound impact on Africa’s rich biodiversity and the livelihoods of millions of vulnerable people, according to a concept note from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the African Forest Forum. It highlights the need for sharing knowledge and expertise. to overcome these challenges.
The report found that of Africa’s 624 million hectares of forests, almost 99% of which are mostly natural forests, are being affected by climate change, impacting significant wildlife populations. It is estimated that “It is important for all stakeholders to step up efforts to tackle climate change, restore Africa’s forests, including sensitive drylands and islands, and protect its diverse biodiversity.”
This concept note provides scientists and other forestry stakeholders with information on national knowledge, experience, expertise, lessons learned from past and ongoing interventions, and how forestry and wildlife can maintain sustainable forests. We are calling for peer-to-peer sharing of efforts to address climate change in the animal sector. Forest management in Africa.
Forestry officials say knowledge of forest data is important not only for experts but also for local communities. The near absence of data-based knowledge sharing with local communities undermines their commitment and success in contributing to and participating in sustainable forest management.
Communities need to monitor ecosystems
“Forest communities need to know statistics about resource potential, forest and wildlife degradation. They need to be empowered on how to monitor the evolution of forest resources using various forest monitoring applications. “This will help them better protect their resources,” an NGO working in the Ebo forest area told University World News.
He said it was unfortunate that improving the forest knowledge of local communities in Africa was being ignored, especially data collection to enable opportunities for comprehensive forest management. “Increasing the knowledge of local forest communities about forest management enables participatory and sustainable management,” he said.
