African environmental researchers and scientists say they seek to drive forward and close critical gaps in data-sharing, capacity-building and governance in forest management in many African countries to allow the continent to better use its resources to foster development.
The need to enhance human capacity in environmental data management and strengthen data-driven solutions for biodiversity and forest management in Africa has become imperative as the continent wrestles with environmental and climate challenges, the experts say.
This was one of the key objectives of the first annual meeting of the Regional Centres of Excellence for Biodiversity and Forests in Africa which took place in Dakar, Senegal from 8-11 October 2024.
Africa’s environmental resources, forests, biodiversity and ecosystems are central to the continent’s economic growth and the well-being of its population, the organisers said in a press release on 8 October. These vital resources are increasingly threatened by deforestation, land degradation, climate change, human-wildlife conflict, and environmental pollution.
Sharing data is crucial
It is against this backdrop that research organisations, leading forest scientists and other key environmental stakeholders are charting a transformative road map for the sustainable management of the continent’s vast environmental resources and rich biodiversity (including forests, water bodies and wildlife) through data-driven, science-backed solutions and approaches, the release reads.
The Regional Centres of Excellence (RCoE), organised the initiative that is funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the Centre for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF) in collaboration with, among others, the Ecological Monitoring Centre, or CSE, in West Africa, the Central Africa Forest Observatory, or OFAC, in Central Africa and the Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) in Eastern and Southern Africa.
Professor Daouda Ngom, the Senegalese minister of the environment and ecological transition, said during the opening session: “This is a great initiative by scientists that will enable African countries to access quality data and share best practices for the effective management of the continent’s environmental resources, forests, biodiversity and ecosystems that are vital for our well-being and economic development.”
This will enable them to continue providing essential services such as food, water, fuel and shelter that contribute to the well-being of local populations while supporting rapid economic growth and sustainable development across the continent, he said.
RCoE activities are pivotal
Experts expressed the wish that the RCoE strengthen the Africa-EU partnership on capacity-building in science, technology and innovation, with a special focus on the science-policy interface.
“We are keen on enhancing the technical capacity of experts and young research students at the centres to deliver data, knowledge and expertise across thematic areas that include biodiversity, forests, food security, agroecology, water, oceans, as well as climate and disaster resilience,” said Jean-Marc Pisani, the current ambassador and head of the EU delegation to Senegal.
The activities the RCoE are implementing align with global, African and European policies and strategies. These activities play a pivotal role in contributing to key international agreements such as the UN Convention on Biodiversity, the Sustainable Development Goals and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
In addition, they advance the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and are aligned with the European Green Deal, Europe’s strategy for achieving climate neutrality by 2050 through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions which are the major drivers of climate change.
The release says that, by providing comprehensive regional datasets encompassing the latest trends and threats to forests, seascapes and biodiversity, the centre seeks to empower African countries to enhance their conservation efforts significantly.
Empowerment shows commitment
Forest experts say empowering African forest stakeholders with data-driven solutions for biodiversity and forest management symbolises a concerted commitment towards safeguarding the invaluable natural resources of the region.
The efforts by the RCoE complement similar initiatives by the East and Southern Africa Forest Observatory, or OFESA, Forests News reported on 15 August 2024.
A pivotal initiative in environmental conservation and sustainable forest management by OFESA spanning 2020-23, aimed to deal with critical gaps in forest monitoring and management across Eastern and Southern Africa, with support from the EU and implementation led by the CIFOR-ICRAF and the Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development, or RCMRD.
The project established a sustainable governance framework for forest observatories and enhanced human capacity in environmental data management. RCMRD served as the implementing partner and host institution, overseeing activities ranging from stakeholder mapping to the development of a comprehensive forest data portal, Forests News said.
However, it noted that, although the project made strides in fostering a culture of data-sharing, further efforts were needed to overcome the remaining obstacles.
Climate change devastating to forests
According to a concept note of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN and the African Forest Forum, the devastating impact of climate change has profoundly affected Africa’s rich biodiversity and the lives of millions of vulnerable people, highlighting the need for deep knowledge and expertise sharing to overcome these challenges.
The report estimates that nearly 99% of Africa’s 624 million hectares of forest, which is mostly natural, are affected by climate change, affecting a substantial number of wildlife populations. “It is crucial for all stakeholders to intensify their efforts to address climate change, restore Africa’s forests, including those in delicate drylands and islands, and protect its diverse biodiversity.”
The concept note calls on scientists and other forest stakeholders to conduct peer-to-peer sharing of countries’ knowledge, experiences, expertise and lessons learned on past and ongoing interventions, and initiatives to deal with climate change in forestry and wildlife sectors, for sustainable forest management in Africa.
Forest actors say forest data knowledge is not only for the experts but also important for the local communities. The near absence of data-driven knowledge-sharing with local communities undermines their determination and the success with which they could contribute to and participate in sustainable forest management.
Communities should monitor ecosystems
“Forest communities need to know their resource potential, statistics on their forest and wildlife degradation. They need to be empowered on how to monitor the evolution of their forest resources using different forest monitoring applications, and this will help them better safeguard their resources,” Harrison Ajebe Nnoko Ngaaje, executive president-CEO of grantee AJEMALEBU Self Help, or AJESH, an NGO working in the Ebo Forest region, told University World News.
He said that the neglect in enhancing local community forest knowledge in Africa is regrettable, especially in data collection to permit opportunities for inclusive forest management. “Enriching local forest community knowledge in forest management permits participative and sustained management,” he said.
University World News
