Nature, Biodiversity and Marine Ecosystems
Guidance for Conserving African Biodiversity in a Changing Climate | ASCEND Synthesis Team
This synthesis team examines how climate change is shaping biodiversity conservation in Africa and identifies which conservation actions are most effective for reducing climate-related risks.
Overview
About this synthesis team
This synthesis team examines how climate change is shaping biodiversity conservation in Africa and identifies which conservation actions are most effective for reducing climate-related risks.
The Challenge
Protected area managers must make decisions now about species, fire, water, and corridors under a shifting climate. The biodiversity records, climate projections, and management evaluations they need exist, but are dispersed across institutions, formats, and languages.
Our Approach
The team consolidates species occurrence, climate projection, and management effectiveness data into interactive vulnerability datasets and a single practical guide, developed with national park agencies and conservation practitioners.
Expected Outputs
- National biodiversity conservation guidelines
- Interactive species-vulnerability datasets
- Policy briefs for conservation agencies
People
Team members
Researchers, practitioners, and decision-makers contributing to this synthesis team.
Project leads
3 membersAlan Lee
BirdLife South Africa, University of Cape Town & University of KwaZulu-Natal
Gregor Schuurman
US National Park Service
Wendy Foden
South African National Parks
Project members
11 membersCharles Mpofu
Botswana Wild Bird Trust
Emma Wright
South African National Parks
William Sutherland
University of Cambridge
Denise Okpala
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission
Fahiema Daniels
South African National Parks
Geoffrey Wambugu
Wildlife Works Sanctuary
Mitchell Eaton
US Geological Survey
Nicola van Wilgen
South African National Parks
Njeri Mwagiru
South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA)
Rebecca Smith
University of Cambridge
Simeon (Simmy) Bezeng Bezeng
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds; Department of Life and Consumer Sciences, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of South Africa (UNISA)
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