To be confirmed: Unlocking biodiversity information for ecosystem assessments in the southern Africa region
Project title |
To be confirmed: Unlocking biodiversity information for ecosystem assessments in the southern Africa region |
Implementing Institutions |
South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) |
Country/Countries |
Botswana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe |
Abstract |
Noting the capacity needs relating to data mobilisation and ecosystem assessments in the southern Africa region, this Project Development Phase aims to draw from South Africa's long-term experience in conducting ecosystem assessments to design a project that could transfer tools, technology and expertise to South Africa's neighbouring countries in this critical field. Allowing this Project Development Phase will ensure alignment with the various IPBES initiatives, and ensure that the project is impactful and cost-effective. |
Project Description |
South Africa has quite an advance set of expertise and systems in place to undertake ecosystem assessments relevant to policy and decision-making. Through several multi-national projects run by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), we have identified that several of our neighbouring countries need support in conducting their own ecosystem assessments. The current paucity of ecosystem assessments in the southern Africa region is as a result of a lack of human, financial and technological capacity. Neighbouring countries require support ranging from identifying the minimum requirements of data for ecosystem assessments, and data mobilisation (including the repatriation of data, citizen science projects to capture data, digitization of existing records, etc.), through to applying such information to conduct ecosystem assessments. Prioritising key policy-relevant questions is a prerequisite for ecosystem assessment, and must be considered as part of the envisaged capacity building. |
Project Objectives and expected Achievables |
Objective of Project Development Phase: |
Timeframe |
< 1 year |
Geographic Scale |
Multinational |
Seeking Resources for: |
Project development |
Type of Resources/Support needed: |
Financial, Technical |