BIOTA AFRICA
BIOTA AFRICA ( BIOTA stands for BIO diversity ( species richness ) Monitoring ( surveillance ) T ransect ( profile ) A nalysis ( investigation )) was launched in 2000 as a cooperative and interdisciplinary research project as part of the research program "Biodiversity and Global Change" ( BIOLOG ). Initiated and financed by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research ( BMBF ), Germany is making a contribution to the Convention on Biological Diversity ( CBD ). In terms of content, the project is closely linked to the research project The Future Okavango .
target
The project forms a network of German and African scientists with the aim of developing ways for a sustainable use of biodiversity on the basis of scientific results and thus enabling its protection and preservation. BIOTA results flow into international networks ( UNEP , IUCN , GEOSS etc.) contribute to the Johannesburg Plan of Action of the World Summit on Sustainable Development ( WSSD ) as well as to NEPAD (New Partnership for African Development).
Study area
BIOTA Africa works in three research networks. BIOTA East in Kenya and Uganda , Biota Southern Africa in South Africa and Namibia and BIOTA West in Benin , Burkina Faso and Côte d'Ivoire . The study areas extend along three macro- transects that cover the most important African biomes . Using standardized and thus comparable methods, data are collected and analyzed in so-called biodiversity observatories in order to be able to research the influences of humans and climate change. One of the study areas is the Karoo .
organization
BIOTA AFRICA wants to expand its idea as a "Biodiversity Observation Network" to other areas of the African continent.
From an organizational point of view, BIOTA pursues the goal of involving all persons and institutions involved in the project on a participatory and equal basis. Each participating country elects a representative to the BIOTA Steering Committee. These representatives do the ongoing work and discuss research and protection strategies against their national background.
For practical reasons the project was divided into four areas; BIOTA West Africa, BIOTA East Africa, BIOTA Southern Africa and BIOTA Morocco ("Research Networks").
Each of these networks and each participating country has a Scientific Chair (speaker) , a logistics coordinator and a decision-making body ( "Steering Committee" ).
partner
Various partners from the participating countries are involved in the project. In Germany the project is led by Prof. Dr. Norbert Jürgens , a vegetation expert at the University of Hamburg (Biocenter Klein Flottbek).