These young researchers working in biosphere reserves
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| संकेतक फोटो |
On 4 July, the International Coordinating Council of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme presented 15 young scientists from 11 countries with awards of up to US$5,000 each to support their research projects.
Marine mammals : one white swimming above a submerged one in Valdes Biosphere Reserve, Argentina
The Principality of Monaco is funding seven of these awards again this year for research projects with a focus on marine, island and coastal issues. On 5 July, the Man and the Biosphere Programme’s Council decided to name these grants the “MAB Young Scientist Awards - Prince Albert I of Monaco” in honnor of his contribution to ocean exploration and science.
MAB Young Scientist Awards:
The winners are, in alphabetical order:
Maryury Yorleny Aleman Avilez, Honduras
She will be documenting the use of natural resources in Cacique Lempira, Señor de las Montañas Biosphere Reserve and how it affects the economy of Indigenous Peoples. She will also attempt to document the ancestral knowledge of these communities.
Blaise Binama, Rwanda
He will be studying invasive plant species in forests that have been recently restored or are still undergoing restoration in Gishwati-Mukura Biosphere Reserve. The lack of knowledge of these invasive species is hindering restoration efforts. He also plans to suggest strategies for controlling invasive plant species that minimize the environmental impact and operational costs.
Julia Cristina Garcia, Brazil
She will be analysing the diversity and geographical distribution of academic research targeting the World Network of Biosphere Reserves and will identify trends, patterns and knowledge gaps. She will also be analysing the impact of this research on the Brazilian network and the Sao Paulo City Green Belt Biosphere Reserve to inform policies and recommendations for biosphere reserve management.
Saleem Haddad, Jordan
His focus will be on the Mediterranean Biosphere Reserves Network. He will assess the effectiveness of management of biosphere reserves in the network, the effect of decisions made by the International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere programme on the evolution of individual biosphere reserves and the opportunities for cooperation between biosphere reserves and related challenges.
Brinda Kashyap, India
She will be addressing the various challenges that rhinoceros populations face in Manas National Park, a World Heritage site, when it comes to their conservation. Using geospatial data, future land cover simulations and socio-economic impact assessments, she will develop a habitat suitability model for rhinoceros populations that will include scenarios for the future impact of climate change on the rhinoceros’ habitat and conservation needs.
Xenabeth Lazaro, United States of America
She will be studying the behaviour of sub-Antarctic bats in Cabo de Hornos Biosphere Reserve in Chile to fill knowledge gaps about bat species in the southern hemisphere. Notably, her findings on the bats’ interaction with local communities on Navarino Island will help stakeholders to identify habitats to prioritize for conservation and aid them in determining which trees to conserve and which to designate for logging purposes.
Faith Vihenda Obwoyere, Kenya
She will be assessing conflicts between humans and wildlife in Mount Elgon Biosphere Reserve and whether there are land-use practices and seasonal climatic variations which affect the intensity of these conflicts between local communities and primates and/or elephants. Her research will provide essential evidence-based knowledge for conflict management.
Pascal Sibomana, Rwanda
He will be updating the plant inventory in Gishwati–Mukura Biosphere Reserve and initiating the first baseline reference library of genomic data for 100 rare and threatened plants in the biosphere reserve. This reference library should serve as a model for other national parks in Rwanda, including the Volcanoes Biosphere Reserve.
