Dear BERGers,
This week we have Dr Joana Coleoptera (see
https://www.stir.ac.uk/people/37177) giving a presentation entitled:
Where to go? Impact of global environmental changes on African apes (Abstract below).
**As Hannah mentioned last week, we shall be going to the Meadowpark (http://www.themeadowparkstirling.co.uk/) for supper after the seminar.
Please contact Hannah A.S.A.P. if you would like to join us (h.m.buchanan-smith@stir.ac.uk).
Abstract
Recent global food crises have greatly contributed towards the intensification and major expansion of tropical agriculture. Sub-Saharan Africa is suffering from widespread food insecurity, malnutrition and poverty, and is the region
expected to experience the greatest human population growth in coming decades. Moreover, it is a region with a considerable proportion of land potentially suitable for agriculture. Globally, Africa is the continent most vulnerable to the effects of climate
change (CC). Here, future droughts and other extreme weather events are likely to prompt the relocation of agricultural areas into more humid areas, which are rich in biodiversity, including African ape populations (AAPs). A key question is how to mitigate
the effects of future CC and land-use/cover changes (LULCC) on AAPs by maintaining connectivity across landscapes, whilst guaranteeing food security and improving livelihoods of local populations. This project will a) make a fundamental contribution to understanding
the effects of future CC on AAPs, b) studies on AAPs, carbon stocks and food security employing an integrative, interdisciplinary approach so far are lacking, and c) provide compelling arguments for the relevance of aligning biodiversity conservation with
sustainable intensification of agriculture and CC that can benefit biodiversity and rural populations.
5:30pm sharp! Drinks and munchies provided.
______________________________
Paxton D. Culpepper, BSc, MSc
PhD Candidate | Psychology
Division of Psychology
Behaviour and Evolution Research Group
Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, UK
Office:
3B134 Cottrell Building
Phone:
+44 (0) 1786 466852
Fax:
+44 (0) 1786 467641
Email: p.d.culpepper@stir.ac.uk