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Marburg University Coordinates International Project for the Conservation of Biodiversity
In many regions of Africa, two developments are occurring simultaneously: the loss of biodiversity is altering ecosystems, while agriculture, settlements, and infrastructure are increasingly encroaching on wildlife habitats. As a result, conflicts between humans and wildlife are becoming more frequent, for example when elephants destroy crops or predators kill livestock, often with considerable economic consequences for rural households.
The international project “PEACE – Participatory Engagement for Adaptation and Conservation Efforts” uses modern, automated technologies for biodiversity monitoring and works together with local communities to develop solutions that combine nature conservation with the needs of the local population. The project is funded by the Biodiversa+ programme with more than €1.8 million.
“Many conservation programmes fail because they do not sufficiently take local interests into account or because decisions are based on too little data,” says economist Prof. Dr. Björn Vollan, who leads the project together with conservation ecologist Prof. Dr. Nina Farwig.
What makes “PEACE” unique is its combination of modern biodiversity monitoring, behavioural science research, and the involvement of local communities. “Today, sensors, cameras, and in some cases AI provide near real-time data on how our natural environment is changing. We use these technologies to automatically record biodiversity. We then use these biodiversity data to directly support local decision-making processes,” says Farwig.
Joint Decision-Making – Data-Driven and Practical
Scientists, practitioners, and local stakeholders work together in citizens’ assemblies and a transdisciplinary panel. The project builds on previous work with citizens’ assemblies in Bogotá, where around nine out of ten participants stated that they had genuine opportunities to influence decisions, and almost all felt that their perspectives were reflected in the final recommendations.
This is complemented by behavioural science methods such as learning games and future-oriented formats in which possible developments are explored together. “The aim is to ensure that decisions on conservation measures are better supported by data and that practical strategies and fair compensation models are developed jointly with the affected communities, for example when conservation measures affect economic interests. The experimental learning games build on earlier game designs developed by our team in southern Africa and make typical everyday trade-offs – such as crop losses, encounters with wildlife, and compensation issues – open for discussion,” says Vollan.
The project involves international and interdisciplinary researchers. Marburg University contributes expertise in economics and biology. The project is also supported by renowned research institutions such as the Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, ETH Zurich, the University of Innsbruck, and Utrecht University.
In Africa, the University of KwaZulu-Natal and the University of Fort Hare work directly with local communities on site. In addition, the project cooperates with practice-oriented partners such as the Peace Parks Foundation as well as further associated and supporting partners, including organisations in Mozambique.
The project is funded by the European Biodiversa+ programme and has a duration of 36 months, beginning in April. The total budget amounts to more than €1.8 million.
Biodiversa+ was launched in 2021 by BiodivERsA and the European Commission as part of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and funds research projects on biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Prof. Dr. Björn Vollan
Business and Economics
Marburg University
Phone: +49 6421 28-21722
Mail: bjoern.vollan@wiwi.uni-marburg.de
Prof Dr. Nina Farwig
Biology
Conservation Ecology
Marburg University
Phone: +49 6421 28-23478
Mail: nina.farwig@biologie.uni-marburg.de
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