BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON INCO PROJECT PARTNERS

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Link to King's College London

    KCL - King's College London, UK, Coordinator.

This research group has developed considerable experience in a number of areas relevant to the Concerted Action and which provide an ideal background for a strong link between the EU partners and the SA partners. Over the last decade the group has had the role of the monitoring a programme (initially funded by UNEP) aimed at the rehabilitation of a semi-arid savanna environment in Northern Kenya which is using community-based action to rehabilitate slowly desertifing areas around Lake Baringo. As part of this project and a number of other projects 7 grassland sites around the world have been monitored and the work has now progressed into the monitoring and modelling of tree-grass dynamics. A recent and highly novel application to the continuation of this work and its wider application has been the development of digital camera remote sensing of tree and grass biomass in collaboration with the University of Bath and Kodak Ltd.
Other relevant work includes the study of the use of non-irrigated farmland for sorghum production and two training courses on remote sensing of vegetation in Eastern and Southern Africa.

Human Resources:
Jeremy Woods, (graduate research assistant) has been working for the last 7 years on the growth of sweet sorghum in the EU, Africa and Asia. As part of this work he has developed a strong crop modelling capability and its integration with physical (water, soil, climate) and social factors.
Joanne House- (graduate research assistant) is currently working on tree grass dynamics, remote sensing and ground truthing, and arid land rehabilitation.
Sarah Hemstock - (Web Developer) recently completed PHD "Multi-dimensional modelling of biomass energy flows".

Recent Publications:
1. De Groot, P., Field-Juma, A., and Hall, D.O. Taking Root- Revegetation of Semi-arid Kenya. Nairobi, Acts Press, 1992.
2. Hemstock SL, Hall DO. Biomass Energy Flows in Zmbabwe. Biomass & Bioenergy 8:151-73. 1995;
3. Rosenschein A, Tietema T, Roberts M, & Hall DO. Biomass measurements and long term monitoring of trees and shrubs in a semi-arid region of central Kenya. J Arid Environments (in press) 1999;
4. Scholes, R.J. and Hall, D.O. The Carbon Budget of Tropical Savannas, Woodlands, and Grasslands. Chap. 4 in: Global Change: Effects on Coniferous Forests and Grasslands. edited by Breymeyer, A.I., Hall, D.O., Melillo, J.M., and Agren, G.J.Chichester:Wiley, 1997,
5. Woods, J., Hall, D.O., Muzondo, M.I., Gosse, G., and Vincent, A.. Biomass Production from Sweet Sorghum: Interchange of Research and Experience between EU and Developing Countries (Zimbabwe and Thailand). APAS -RENA CT94 - 0040 Final Project Report, Brussels:EU. :1-74, 1997.

Contribution to 1998/99 INCO-DC Report

Link to CNR

 Institute of Soil Genesis and Ecology, CNR, Italy (IGES)
The activity of the Institute for Soil Genesis and Ecology (IGES) of CNR is directed to the study of genesis, evolution and properties of mineral and organic soil colloids and to their interactions with the other components of the soil ecosystem, especially natural and synthetic organic molecules and microorganisms in relation to the problems of soil fertility, conservation and pollution.

Human resources
Prof. G.G. Ristori is a Research Director at CNR (Nat. Res. Council) and the Director of Institute for Soil Genesis and Ecology of CNR. He has a large experience in soil mineralogy and physico-chemistry, particularly as it concerns surface properties of soil colloids and soil microstructure, interactions between clays and natural and synthetic organic molecules and their relationships to soil available moisture. He has been partner and responsible in several national and international research project. including an EU-STD2 project on the improvement of productivity of soils from Zimbabwe. Presently, he is Coordinator of a proposal approved for funding by EU and now under negotiation, concerning the impact and fate of a bio-insecticides in tropical soils The countries interested to this proposal are: Tanzania, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Dr. L. Tomaselli is a Senior Researcher at CNR. She has considerable experience in soil microbiology: ecology, physiology and biochemistry of photosynthetic microorganisms. She is a partner and responsible for research themes in both national and international projects.
Dr. D. Torri is a Senior Researcher at CNR. He has a long experience in soil physics, rainfall simulation, hydrology, soil erosion. He is a partner in several national and international projects dealing with soil erosion.
Dr. L.P. D'Acqui is a Researcher at CNR. His experience concerns soil structure, porosity, surface properties of mineral colloids, micromorphology and image analysis. He has participated in several national and international projects, including the EU-STD2 research project mentioned above.

References:
 1. Ristori G.G., Sparvoli E., De Nobili M., D'Acqui L.P., 1992. - Characterisation of organic matter in particle size fractions of Vertisols. Geoderma, 54, 295.
2. Bruand A., D'Acqui L.P., Nyamugafata P., Darthout R., Ristori G.G., 1993. - Analysis of porosity in a tilled "crusting soil" in Zimbabwe. Geoderma, 59, 235.
3. D'Acqui L.P., Ristori G.G, Nyamugafata P., Pardo M.T., Dodero A., Sparvoli E., 1995. - Studies on crusting in a kaolinitic soil from Zimbabwe and the effect of different conditioners. Proc. ii Int. Symp on Crusting and hard-setting soils, Brisbane, Aust., 355-362.
4. Falchini L. Sparvoli E., Tomaselli L., 1993. - Nostoc spp. inoculation of degraded soils: effect on structure and fertility. Proc 6th ICAA, Algal Biotechnology, Progress in Biotechnology of Photoautotrophic Microorganisms, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic, 91.
5. Tiano P., Accolla P., Tomaselli L., 1995. - Phototrophic biodeteriogens on lithoid surfaces: an ecological study., Microb. Ecol., 29, 299.

Contribution to 1998/99 INCO-DC Report

Link to CSIC

 CCMA - Environmental Sciences Centre, CSIC, Spain
Email
The Environmental Sciences Center (CCMA) has a long tradition in research in soil science and particularly in soil chemistry and soil fertility. This proposed project is entirely consistent with the corporate strategy of CCMA, part of which is to study the chemical, physical and biological properties and responses of degraded soils. 

Human resources:
Dr. M.T. Pardo is a Senior scientist at CSIC. She is in charge of the soil chemistry laboratory and is supported by an extensive background in basic and applied research in soil physico-chemistry and soil fertility. She has been a partner and responsible scientist of 18 national and international research programmes including a STD project in Zimbabwe.
Dr. G. Almendros, senior scientist at CSIC, is in charge of the humus laboratory and has considerable experience in the synthesis and reaction of soil organic matter and its role in soil fertility. He has been leader in 7 projects granted by the EU or Spanish Ministries, and has been a partner in 14 other projects including this current partnership in an EU project.
Dr C. Lopez-Fando scientist at CCMA has long expertise in applied research in soil characteristics and field crops, with special emphasis in the assessment of sustainable management practices. She is responsible in Spain for an European cooperative research on the study and modelling of the long-term effects of fertiliser and tillage on soil physical, chemical and biological properties.
Mr. L. M. Cuadra Rodríguez.

Recent publications :
1. Pardo, M.T. Giampaolo, S., Almendros, G. 1997. The effect of cultivation on physical speciation of humic substances and plant nutrients in aggregate fractions in crusting soil from Zimbabwe. Biol. Fertil. Soils, 25, 95-102.
2. Giampaolo, S., Pardo M.T., Almendros G. 1996. Effect of cultivation on chemical characteristics and respiratory activity of crusting soil from Mazowe (Zimbabwe). Commun. Soil Sci. Plant Anal., 27, 2111-2124.
3. Pardo, M.T., Guadalix, E. 1995. Zinc sorption by acid tropical soils as affected by cultivation. Eur. J. Soil Sci., 46, 317-322.
4. Pardo M.T, Guadalix M.E., 1995. Cadmium sorption by acid soils as affected by clearing and cultivation. Commun. Soil Sci. Plant Anal. 26, 289-302
5. Pardo M.T., Guadalix M.E. 1994. Chemical factors influencing selenite sorption by allophanic soils. Geoderma 63, 43-52.

Contribution to 1998/99 INCO-DC Report

Link to UB

 

   UB - National Institute of Development Research and Documentation, University of Botswana
 
The National Institute of Development Research and Documentation (NIR) of the University of Botswana was established in 1975, primarily as the documentation centre of the University of Botswana. Since then it has developed a renowned policy-oriented applied research infrastructure to enable "sound" environmental policy development.
Environmental research at NIR encompasses three inter-related activities:
a. Background studies to provide basic data for policy formulation
b. Consultancies related to background studies
c. Dissemination of research findings through publications, seminars and workshops

The background studies encompass:
a. indigenous woodlands
b. biomass energy
c. traditional agriculture
d. landuse and land degradation
e. veld products.

Through these activities NIR has gained a strong role in the development of the Botswana government's implementation of: the National Conservation Strategy, Livestock Development and Range Management Project, and an Energy Master Plan.
A strong role will be played in the project through both regional and international cooperation. NIR will also provide access to its DEVINDEX Botswana database which contains both published and unpublished articles of relevance to savannas.

Human Resources:
Dr. Donald L. Kgathi (Sustainable Resource Management)
Mr. M.B.M. Sekhwela (Ecologist)

Recent Publications:
1. Kgathi DR, Hall DO, & Hategeka A. editors. Biomass Energy Policy in Africa: selected case studies. London, UK: Zed Books; 1997;
2. Sekhwela, M.B.M. (1992) Environmental Research and Environmental Conservation: Past, Present and Future" Which Way Botswana's Environment? Proc. Symposium The Kalahari Conservation Society. pp69-9, Gaborone.
3. Kgathi, D.L. Zhou, P. (1995) Methods And Results of Biofuel Use Assessment in Africa" Environmental Monitoring And Assessment. 38(1):31-39.
4. Kgathi, D.L., Sekhwela, MB.M., Tietema, T. , Mpotokwane,M. (1994) Biomass in Botswana" in, Biomass Energy and Coal in Africa. Eds. D.O. Hall & Y.S. Mao, London, Zed Books.
5. Sekwela, M.B.M. (1995) Environmental Impact of Woody Biomass Utilisation in Botswana: The case of Fuelwood. AFREPREN Working Paper No. 68.,  Nairobi, AFREPREN.

Contribution to 1998/99 INCO-DC Report

Information about Mozambique forestry

 CEF- Centro de Experimentao Florestal, DNFFB, Mozambique
The CEF, Forestry Research Centre, is a Department of the Diraceao Nacional de Forestes e Fauna Bravia (DNFFB) for forestry and wildlife research. It was created in 1985 to support the afforestation projects. In 1994 a new role was developed towards community based resources management research. Three community participatory projects have been identified in Manica, Gaza and Maputo Provinces. The project in Manica and Maputo is supported by The Ford Foundation and IDRC (Canada), and the Gaza project will be supported by GTZ, Germany. The CEF also deals with IUCN and a Mozambican NGO, Environmental Working Group, University Eduardo Mondlane. 

Human Resources
Alima Issufo is the Director.
Espercha Chamba is a researcher in CEF with responsibility for Forestry assessment and monitoring. She is currently assessing community-based forest and wildlife utilisation.
Mateus Chambal has considerable wildlife research experience.
Arlito Cuco is deputy director of DNFFB with overall responsibility for Wildlife.
Afonso Madope is the head of the Wildlife Department of DNFFB (National Directorate for Forests and Wildlife) and is in charge of 3 main projects on transfrontier wildlife management sponsored by the GEF (Global Environment Facility).
Pedro Mangue is senior researcher in Forest Management and has submitted his MSc thesis at the University of Witwatersrand (South Africa). He is in charge of Forest Management at CEF.

References.
1. Ribeiro, A.J.M.M. (1997) Re-defining CEF's Role... Chapter in B. Munslow ed.
2. Ribeiro, A.J.M.M. (1992) Development of Forestry Industry in Mozambique. Thesis submitted at Oxford University. Pp. 200. Oxford Forestry Institute, Oxford.
3. CEF. (1994) Institutional Development of Community-Base Resource Management Research- Project proposal to the Ford Foundation and IDRC (Accepted). CEF. Maputo, Mozambique.

Contribution to 1998/99 INCO-DC Report

Link to UFH

   UFH - University of Fort Hare, South Africa
The Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Fort Hare of which the proposed three departments are key components has a long and world renowned reputation for working with both traditional and commercial farmers in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It has an extensive database of land use systems by both small and large scale farmers in "homeland" and in a more commercial setting. Their network of research projects and extension agents provides excellent access to various savanna-based farming systems operating under various degrees of environmental and human stresses.

Because of their long standing interaction with the black community and farming systems throughout southern Africa, they will play a key role in networking, especially the provision and assessment of indigenous knowledge.

The Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development specialises in farming systems and extension, land use planning, and rural sociology. The Department of Livestock and Pasture Management specialises in the rehabilitation of degraded rangelands, the assessment and monitoring of range condition, simplified techniques for communal grazing areas, fire ecology, the science of free ranging animals, performance of indigenous cattle breeds, nutrient recycling, systems analysis and indigenous knowledge. The Department of Agricultural Economics specialises in natural resource economics, small farmer agriculture and support services, farm management, land tenure, agricultural marketing, econometrics, and modelling of agricultural systems.

Human Resources:
Prof. Christopher O. Igodan, is Head of the Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development and Dean of Agriculture.
Prof. W.S.W. Trollope is Head of Department of Livestock and Pasture Science
Dr. G.C.G. Fraser, is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Agricultural Economics.

Recent Publications:
1. Ladele, A.A., Olowu,T.A., and Igodan, C.O. (1994) Socio-Economic impact of Agricultural Cooperative Organizations: Empirical Evidence from Nigeria. Journal of Rural Development and Administration, XXVI (1):1-15.
2. Igodan, C.O. and Osaghae, E.E. (1995) The State and Agriculture in Africa: Some lessons from the past. Journal of Africa Insight, 25(2):115-121.
3. Trollope, W.S.W. Veld (savanna) burning as a management practice in livestock production. Pretoria, SA. Government Printer; 1989.
4. Fraser, G.C.G., 1994. The provision of accessible marketing and extension services in less developed agriculture. Development Southern Africa 11 (1): 121 - 129.
5. Fraser, G.C.G. and ANTROBUS, G.G., 1994. Promoting entrepreneurship in agriculture in Region D in the New South Africa. Agrekon 33 (3): 151 - 155.

Contribution to 1998/99 INCO-DC Report

University of Durban Westville

 UDW - University of Durban Westville, South Africa
UDW has developed the potential to make a contribution to rural development initiatives such as assessing (i) the environmental impact of "betterment schemes", (ii) knowledge of the consequences of the increased commercialisation of the traditional medicine trade, and (iii) resource aspirations of communities surrounding conservation areas. Critical areas of expertise relevant to this project include: soil erosion, remote sensing, wildlife, and community betterment.

Human Resources
Prof. Helen Watson, the primary participating scientist for this Concerted Action currently works in the following areas of research: (i) Conservation management implications of vegetation changes in the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve, (ii) The relationship between soil erosion and geology, soil type and erodibility in the low lying region of northern Natal, (iii) A comparative study of soil erosion in a game reserve and communal subsistence farming area in Zululand, (iv) International Geographical Union's (IGU) Commission on Measurement, Theory and Application in Geomorphology, (v) Management implications of vegetation changes over a forty six year period in the Mfolozi Game Reserve, and (vi) Short and long term influence on soil erosion of settlement by peasant farmers in KwaZulu Natal.
She is actively involved in community outreach such as Catchment Planning Committees, National Forestry Advisory Council, National Forestry Action Plan (natural forests and woodlands), the geographical perspective of the new South Africa. She is also active in the University Conservancy Committee and Audiovisual Committees which will also be important for the proposed Concerted Action.

Recent Publications:
1983: Vegetation changes in the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve Complex from 1937 to 1975. Bothalia, 14(2),265-269, (with I.A.W. Macdonald).
1993: An assessment of the validity of the general public perception of soil erosion in the Mfolozi catchment, South Africa. Geookodynamic, 14, 1/2, 75-84.
1995: Management implications of vegetation changes in the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park, The South African Geographical Journal, 77, 2, 77-83.
1996: Short and long term influence on soil erosion of settlement by peasant farmers in KwaZulu Natal. The South African Geographical Journal, 78, 1, 1-6.
1997: Geology as an indicator of land capability in the Mfolozi area - KwaZulu Natal, South African Journal of Science, 93, 39-44.

Contribution to 1998/99 INCO-DC Report

Link to IUCN-ROSA

 IUCN-ROSA / BUN- International Union for the Conservation of Nature- Regional Office for Southern Africa, Zimbabwe / Biomass User's Network- Zimbabwe.

Biomass User's Network

 IUCN
The department under Mr. Kokwe, leads the development and coordination of all ecosystem related activities of IUCN-ROSA with a particular emphasis on forests, wetlands, and biodiversity. Prior to working for IUCN Mr. Kokwe was agricultural programme coordinator for GTZ in Zambia. He thus has extensive experience with the use of savannas for agriculture and wildlife management and their ecosystem properties.
In 1984, the Government of Zimbabwe invited IUCN's Conservation Development Centre to set up a regional office in Harare. The Zimbabwe Government felt this office would benefit Zimbabwe and the SADC African sub-region in the development of modern skills in conservation of nature and natural resources. The objectives of the Centre are to provide sustainable benefits to people through projects designed to ensure better sustainable use of natural resources, i.e. through the application of conservation principles to the process of socio-economic development.
IUCNROSA has developed a strong expertise in the planning and management of natural resources and is aimed at achieving sustainable and equitable use of natural resources and conservation of biological diversity. The sustainable exploitation of savannas in SA is of key importance to IUCNROSA and thus fits well with this project.
ICUNROSA will be aided in both the data exchange and activity (R3) Faunal resource assessment activities, by the Zimbabwean NGO, BUN-Zimbabwe (Biomass User's Network), a organisation which has considerable experience in community-based resource management in Zimbabwe and the SA region.

BUN- Zimbabwe
For details on BUN- Zimbabwe follow the link- BUN-Zimbabwe

Human Resources
Mr. M. Kokwe (IUCNROSA- Regional Ecosystems Programme Coordinator).
Mr. M. Mapako (BUN-Zimbabwe- Director)

Recent References:
1. Kokwe, M. (1996). Land use practices in dambos and policy implications for their sustainable utilisation in Southern Africa. In Ganry, F. & B. Campbell, eds., Sustainable Land Management in Semi-Arid and Sub-Humid Zones in Afrrica, pp. 29-36. Proceedings of the SCOPE workshop 15-19 November 1993, Dakar.
2. Kokwe, M. and Daka,A.E., (1995) Review of wetland development in Zambia, FAO, Lusaka/Rome
3. Kokwe, M. & Chileya (1993) farming Systems Update of Luapula Provice. Report prepared for Luapula development programme. Mansa, Zambia.
4. Kokwe,M. (1990) On-farm agroforestry trials in Luapula Province, Zambia. In: Prinsley R.T., Ed. Agroforestry for sustainable development- economic implications. Proc. Workshop held in Swaziland, April 1989. Commonwealth Science Council, Agriculture Programme. Technical Paper 271. Pp. 113-119, London.

Mapako, M. (1994) An integrated biogas/fodder project for small scale dairy farmers in Rusitu, Zimbabwe, in Energy for Sustainable Development, Vol.1,48-50.

Contribution to 1998/99 INCO-DC Report

Geography Department, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa
Hydrology research: Production and development in the savanna regions of southern Africa are primarily determined by interactions between the limitations imposed by ecological determinants (such as rainfall and soil quality) and the management strategies of the specific region. Good planning, focusing on both the short and long-term effects of water use, is needed in water management strategies.

Human Resources
 A.J.E. Els and K.M. Rowntree