biodiversity - The African Mirror

Aug

2022

How politics has subverted conservation efforts to protect Kenya’s Mau Forest

THE Mau Forest Complex is the largest montane tropical forest in East Africa. This is an ecosystem with rich biodiversity and is characterised by high rainfall. Composed of 22 forest sectors, the Mau is located in Kenya’s Rift Valley, the heart of the country’s fertile and rain-fed highlands. The forest plays a pivotal role in feeding a large part of the country’s water network. The Mau Forest’s 380,000 hectares have witnessed a long and tormented history of human habitation. It’s a territory hotly contested. Authors STEFANIA ALBERTAZZI, Postdoctoral fellow, University of Milan FRANCESCA DI MATTEO, Researcher, French Institute for Research…

Jul

2022

By The African Mirror

Saving East Africa’s wildlife from recurring drought

ENVIRONMENT

OVER the past two decades, the Horn of Africa – specifically Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya – has experienced more intense and frequent droughts. The affected areas in the three countries include vast rangelands, home to millions of people, livestock and wildlife. These areas are classified as arid and semi-arid lands. Author ABDULLAHI ALI, Fellow, Zoological Society of London These drylands also constitute a biodiversity hotspot. They harbour endangered species like the hirola antelope, African wild dog, Somali giraffe and Grevy’s zebra. But these species face an uncertain future due to severe and recurring droughts. I’m a Kenyan scientist and conservationist.…

Feb

2021

By The African Mirror

New targets to protect biodiversity must include farmers and agriculture

ENVIRONMENT

THE UN Convention on Biological Diversity is a treaty that aims to develop national strategies for the conservation and sustainable use of a country’s natural resources, or biological diversity. This is a general strategy that all countries must then adopt at the local level. ANJA GASSNER, Global Landscapes Forum science advisor and Senior Scientist, World Agroforestry (ICRAF) PHILIP DOBIE, Senior Fellow, World Agroforestry (ICRAF) TERRY SUNDERLAND, Professor in the Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia The Convention – a legally-binding international treaty – is currently negotiating new targets for the next 30 years. Decisions are made by parties to…

Oct

2020

By The African Mirror

Why microplastics found in Nigeria’s freshwaters raise a red flag

ENVIRONMENT

EMMANUEL O. AKINDELE, Senior Lecturer, Obafemi Awolowo University FRESHWATER ecosystems are a priority for environmental scientists because they affect the health of animals and plants on land too – as well as people. They provide food, water, transport and flood control. Freshwater ecosystems also keep nutrients moving among organisms and support diverse forms of life. Freshwater systems make a big difference to the quality of life in any human society. But they are under great pressure. Freshwater biodiversity is declining faster than terrestrial biodiversity. Among the three major types of habitats – terrestrial, freshwater and marine – freshwater accounts for…

Sep

2020

By The African Mirror

Fear of more coronavirus-like pandemics as land rights ‘under siege’

HUMAN RIGHTS

GOVERNMENTS' failure to recognise the land rights of indigenous communities and their role in protecting biodiversity could lead to more coronavirus-like pandemics, researchers said on Tuesday. A study of more than 40 countries found many local people's land claims were being ignored, amid increasing deforestation and wildlife exploitation, which may be contributing to a rise in diseases, like COVID-19, that pass from animals to humans. "Despite compelling evidence that indigenous peoples, local communities, and Afro-descendants protect most of the world's remaining biodiversity, they are under siege from all sides," said Andy White of the Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI). "Our…

Sep

2020

By The African Mirror

U.N. says global goals to protect nature need women to succeed

ENVIRONMENT

LAURIE GOERING WOMEN - who gather much of the world's wood and water, and carry out a large share of its farming - have too little say in how land is used, one key reason countries are failing to halt rapid losses of nature, environmental officials said on Tuesday. Giving women a bigger voice in decision-making "is essential to achieve our biodiversity goals", said David Cooper, deputy executive director of the U.N. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The United Nations released a sobering update on global efforts to protect forests, plants, wildlife, fish and other forms of nature, noting that none of…