Environmental Policy & Management

Projects

An assessment of global tree inventory completeness at an ecoregional scale

Trees are amongst the most widespread organisms on Earth – providing numerous ecosystem services for humans and supporting a diversity of organisms on land. Additionally, conservation and management of forests are key activities which will help mitigate the effects of climate change and restore various degraded ecosystems. Effective tree conservation relies on our understanding of tree diversity and distribution patterns, but such a fundamental knowledge of species richness and inventory completeness for trees is still lacking. In this study, we use a large dataset derived from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) to identify knowledge gaps in tree biodiversity inventory at an ecoregional scale and determine lost and future sampling opportunities in under-sampled ecoregions. The outcomes of this study will help guide future sampling and management strategies for tree conservation. 

Researchers: Jariya Chanachai and Joseph Maina

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Strengthening the WIO Marine Protected Area Network — Ongoing, 2020 –

Working with WIOMSA, the UNEP Nairobi Convention, conservation organisations and governments, we are supporting multiple projects that aim to review, design, establish and improve the management of MPAs across the WIO region. More specifically, the work with WIOMSA and UNEP Nairobi Convention included publication of the WIO MPA Outlook Report and a storymaps to create a baseline status report of MPAs in the region. There are also upcoming publications that build on the MPA Outlook to aide various governments and organisations in the WIO manage their MPAs and expand to establish national MPA networks. Additionally, we are also working with governments and NGOs to design and establish new MPAs and review and rezone existing ones (see projects in Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique). Lastly, we are providing technical support to WIOMSA on its capacity building initiatives to better equip WIO conservation planners, managers, and enforcers with the skills needed to effectively establish and manage MPAs in the region. 

Researchers: Vera Horigue and Joseph Maina

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Developing the Kenya-Tanzania marine transboundary conservation area — Ongoing, 2020-2024

We are supporting the design of a marine transboundary conservation area in the shared border of Kenya and Tanzania in collaboration with WIOMSA, the Wildlife Conservation Society, and the UNEP Nairobi Convention and relevant government agencies, and financial support from the Blue Action Fund. This project utilises the systematic conservation planning process to co-develop the design for the transboundary conservation area, and is envisioned to serve as the blueprint for establishing transboundary conservation areas in the WIO region. 

Researchers: Vera Horigue and Joseph Maina

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Political economy and institutional effectiveness of coral reef restoration in the Philippines — Ongoing, 2021-2024

Working with the University of Technology Sydney and Southern Cross University in Australia and the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute, this social science research project aims to understand and contribute to the integration of coral reef restoration within the existing policy and governance context in the Philippines. More specifically, this project aims to understand the governance context that underpin the sustainability of restored coral reefs and identify the gaps in marine governance that constrain the effectiveness of reef restoration. The project is supported by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research.

Researchers: Vera Horigue

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Regional Marine Spatial Planning Strategy for the Western Indian Ocean –Concluded and pending publications, 2020 – 2021

One of the mandates of the UNEP Nairobi Convention is to facilitate and encourage the use of marine spatial planning (MSP) to sustain the WIO’s blue economy. In keeping with this mandate and the outcomes of its projects, it was recognised that regional strategy was crucial to align and integrate spatial planning and management across the 10 countries in the WIO. Under the leadership of Nelson Mandela University, South Africa and the MSP Technical Working Group in the WIO, the strategy identified 11 objectives and the nine priorities that needs to be addressed to support MSP implementation. The framework is based on an ecosystem-based approach and also recommends the use of a systems thinking approach to tackle the objectives and strategic priorities. Currently, the technical reports are undergoing review and packaging with the UNEP Nairobi Convention Secretariat.

Researchers: Vera Horigue and Joseph Maina

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Review and rezoning of the Quirimbas National Park, Mozambique –Concluded and pending publications, 2020 – 2021

The Quirimbas National Park (QNP) is located in Cabo Delgado province in Northern Mozambique. It’s a national park that was established for biodiversity conservation and to support rural development of local communities residing within the park. The park has undergone shifting management regimes and is under pressure from increasing human activities and threats (e.g., mining, swidden agriculture). In collaboration with WWF Mozambique, this work entailed a review and rezoning of the QNP to ensure that the conservation and management objectives are still achieved. Further work on the QNP has been affected due to the insurgency in Cabo Delgado and the COVID-19 pandemic, but publications on the review and rezoning process are being prepared.

Researchers: Vera Horigue and Joseph Maina