BIOCULT

DAAD Quality Network

The current biodiversity crisis is particularly pronounced in the tropics, where demographic pressures are high and many ecosystems are vulnerable. Intact ecosystems provide important habitats for animals and plants, as well as various ecosystem services for humans, thus supporting the quality of livelihoods. It is therefore important to conserve biodiversity not only in nature reserves but also in anthropogenic landscapes. In this context, the involvement of local communities plays a central role and strongly influences people’s attitudes and behaviour towards nature and nature conservation. Today, exclaves of remaining natural ecosystems are primarily protected areas such as nature reserves, but often also sites of cultural significance. The conservation of cultural sites combines the protection of people’s culture and biodiversity. Both culture and biodiversity can have a positive impact on the surrounding landscapes. Within the project, we are building a transdisciplinary network of researchers, students and stakeholders to study and learn about the significance of cultural forest sites. Therefore, natural and social science approaches will be closely linked in three successive phases.

Sub-project leader:

Mike Teucher

Project partners:

Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia
Pwani University Kilifi, Kenya
Taita Taveta University Voi, Kenya
University of Passau
University of Vechta
Paris-Lodron University Salzburg
Senckenberg German Entomological Institute Müncheberg

Background and objectives:

Strengthening, further development and consolidation of cooperation between German and East African actors from research and practice.
Support and build capacity at African partner universities to promote important research and curricula in ecology, conservation biology, indigenous knowledge and various aspects of social sciences

Expected results:

Joint research in a transdisciplinary network of European and East African researchers and students.
Assessing ecosystem health, understanding linkages and interactions for selected sites
Identifying relevant stakeholders who can mediate potential improvements
Implement ideas to restore and improve the environment and raise awareness of cultural and traditional values among local people

Publications:

Habel, J.C., Gibru, A., Mulwa, M., Deffersha, H.A., Addisu, S., Teucher, M., Schmitt, T. and Ulrich, W. (2024) Unique Bird Diversity in an Ethiopian Church Forest. Biodiversity and Conservation. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-024-02842-9.

Habel, J.C., Mulwa, M., Wagner, L., Schmitt, T., Teucher, M. and Ulrich, W. (2024) Diverging Responses to Natural and Anthropogenic Habitats in Aftrotropical Birds and Butterflies. Biodiversity and Conservation. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-023-02762-0.

Mokua, R., Nadir, S., Melckzedeck, O. and Teucher, M. (2024) Integration of Remote Sensing in Watershed Studies: A Case Study of Chawia & Fururu Forested Watersheds in Taita Hills, Kenya. Kenya Aquatica Journal, 9, 75–90.

Habel, J.C., Milidakis, M.A., Lindorfer, S., Teucher, M., Schmitt, T. and Eberle, J. (2023) Habitat Specialisation and Resource Availability Determine Dispersal Behaviour in Four Afro‐tropical Butterflies. Ecological Entomology, een.13302. https://doi.org/10.1111/een.13302.

Kung’u, G.N., Cousseau, L., Githiru, M., Habel, J.C., Kinyanjui, M., Matheka, K., Schmitt, C.B., Seifert, T., Teucher, M., Lens, L. and Apfelbeck, B. (2023) Anthropogenic Activities Affect Forest Structure and Arthropod Abundance in a Kenyan Biodiversity Hotspot. Biodiversity and Conservation. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-023-02652-5.

Teucher, M., Habel, J.C., Schmitt, C.B., Rieckmann, M., Maghenda, M., Shauri, H.S., Deffersha, H.A. and Legesse, S. (2023, June 21) BIOCULT -Harnessing Synergies between Cultural Traditions and Biodiversity Protection in Theory and Practice. Ceske Budejovice. https://ecotropica.eu/index.php/ecotropica/article/view/117/38.

Habel, J.C., Schultze-Gebhardt, K., Maghenda, M., Shauri, H., Kioko, E., Mwagura, L. and Teucher, M. (2023) Harmonizing Multi-Stakeholder Interests to Improve Forest Conservation in Southern Kenya. Biodiversity and Conservation. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-023-02591-1.

Habel, J.C., Mulwa, M., Wagner, L., Schmitt, T., Teucher, M. and Ulrich, W. (2023) Diverging Responses to Environmental Change and Different Landscape Structure in Aftrotropical Birds and Butterflies. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-2563899/v1.

Habel, J.C., Schultze-Gebhardt, K., Shauri, H.S., Maarifa, A.M., Maghenda, M., Fungomeli, M. and Teucher, M. (2023) Kaya Forests: Nucleus of Cultural and Biological Diversity and Functionality. Journal of Tropical Ecology, 39, e21. https://doi.org/10.1017/S026646742300010X.

Seifert, T., Teucher, M., Ulrich, W., Mwania, F., Gona, F. and Habel, J.C. (2022) Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functions Across an Afro-Tropical Forest Biodiversity Hotspot. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 10, 816163. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2022.816163.