Environmental Change and Biodiversity Conservation in Sub-Saharan Africa

Environmental Change and Biodiversity Conservation in Sub-Saharan Africa

Volume 2

This two-volume set discusses strategies for sustainable environmental management and biodiversity conservation in sub-Saharan Africa. Agriculture and food production systems continue to take prominence in the region towards improved food security and play important roles in the region’s development agenda. This drive for increased regional agricultural output presents challenges, including forest management where a wide range of ecosystem services important to human well-being are affected. Although the land is in abundance for agricultural production systems, the semi-aridity of most of southern Africa means that water is the main constraining factor. Agriculture in the region is mostly rainfed, and irrigation farming is on the rise despite declining water resources. Therefore, there is a need for the research presented in these books, which offer pragmatic solutions to natural resource utilisation, management, and governance in sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on biodiversity conservation challenges covering rangelands and forest resources, and agricultural and food production systems within the context of limited water resources.

Volume 2 covers agricultural and food production systems as well as the circular economy of water and water resources management. The book addresses why moving toward a circular food system (i.e. the prioritization of plant biomass production for human consumption) is important to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy footprints in the food supply chain, while also adopting ecologically sound waster management practices. The book is intended for policy makers and researchers in sub-Saharan Africa, and will appeal broadly to environmental scientists and conservationists.

This two-volume set discusses strategies for sustainable environmental management and biodiversity conservation in sub-Saharan Africa. Agriculture and food production systems continue to take prominence in the region towards improved food security and play important roles in the region’s development agenda. This drive for increased regional agricultural output presents challenges, including forest management where a wide range of ecosystem services important to human well-being are affected. Although the land is in abundance for agricultural production systems, the semi-aridity of most of southern Africa means that water is the main constraining factor. Agriculture in the region is mostly rainfed, and irrigation farming is on the rise despite declining water resources. Therefore, there is a need for the research presented in these books, which offer pragmatic solutions to natural resource utilisation, management, and governance in sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on biodiversity conservation challenges covering rangelands and forest resources, and agricultural and food production systems within the context of limited water resources.

Volume 2 covers agricultural and food production systems as well as the circular economy of water and water resources management. The book addresses why moving toward a circular food system (i.e. the prioritization of plant biomass production for human consumption) is important to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy footprints in the food supply chain, while also adopting ecologically sound waster management practices. The book is intended for policy makers and researchers in sub-Saharan Africa, and will appeal broadly to environmental scientists and conservationists.

Highlights

• Discusses ecosystem and biodiversity conservation strategies in sub-Saharan Africa Covers the need and methods for sustainable rangeland and forest management Considers societal wellbeing and biodiversity protection for comprehensive environmental management

Über den Autor

Wame Lucretia Hambira is an Associate Professor of Environmental Management at the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN). Prof Hambira has served the Intergovernmental Science- Policy Platform for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) as a scoping expert (the nexus assessment of the interlinkages among biodiversity, water, food and health in the context of climate change as well as the global assessment of the second biodiversity and ecosystem assessment). She is also a United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Review Editor for the Solution pathways for transformation of environmental systems chapter of the seventh Global Environment Outlook report. She holds a PhD in Geography from the University of Oulu, Finland. 

Victor K. Muposhi is a conservation scientist and Associate Professor of Wildlife Conservation in the Department of Wildlife and Aquatic Resources at Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources. His research interests include biodiversity, ecosystems dynamics, spatial ecology, socio-ecological systems, human-wildlife coexistence, and sustainability science.

Ayana Angassa Abdeta is a professor in the Department of Range and Forest Resources-Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources. He received BSc and MSc from Alemaya University of Agriculture, Ethiopia, Ph.D. from Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Department of International Environment and Development Studies, Post Doctorial Training both from the University of Hohenheim (Food Security Centre) and University of Cologne (Botanical Institute) in Germany, Certificate (2015) in Disaster Risk Management from Humboldt University of Berlin and Certificate (2020) in Project Management Foundations from University of Cape Town, Certificate (2022) in Agroforestry Systems from University of Freiburg, Germany.

Ditiro Benson Moalafhi is a hydrologist and water resources management professional with over 20 years of experience. He holds a PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering (Hydro-climatology) from The University of New South Wales in Sydney Australia, MPhil in Environmental Science, Post Graduate Diploma in Education and Bachelor of Science all from University of Botswana. Professor Moalafhi is currently an Associate Professor of water resources management at Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, where he is the Head of Wildlife and Aquatic Resources department. He is also the SASSCAL Research Chair in Water Resource Quantity and Availability.

Ketlhatlogile Mosepele is the Vice Chancellor of the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources. holds the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Fisheries Biology and Management from the University of Bergen, Norway. He also holds the degree of Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Fisheries Biology and Management from University of Bergen, Norway. Professor Mosepele obtained his degree of Bachelor of Science (BS) in Agriculture majoring in Fisheries Science from the New Mexico State University, United State of America.