Round 1 - Round 3

Pessiezoum Adjoussi (University of Lomé, Togo) conducted an assessment of the vulnerability of the Togo coastline resources to climate change and sea level rise using remote sensing and GIS. He examined physical changes, including erosion and effects of saltwater intrusion on agricultural areas; anthropogenic effects, including socio-economic and demographic impacts; as well as estimation of both the economic value of the coastal resources and vegetative areas most at risk due to changing sea level.

Sithabiso Gandure (University of Witwatersrand, South Africa) conducted a vulnerability assessment on rural Zimbabwe communities during drought. Her objectives were to understand how communities cope and adapt under drought and normal conditions. Her study examined how changes in the socio-economic, political, and biophysical environment may impact vulnerable communities.

Hamisai Hamandawana (University of Botwana) conducted an extensive study to determine both the direct and indirect effects of human impact on the ecology of the Okavando Delta. He examined changes in land use, groundwater resources, and habitat degradation.

Thulie Khumalo (University of Witwatersrand) studied the social and economic impact of phasing out or regulating dirty fuels in South Africa for her doctoral research. She not only examined the sources of the pollutants but also targeted technological options to reduce these emissions and developed cost/benefit plans based on several scenarios.

John Ogola Ogege’s (University of Nairobi) doctoral research at examined the hydro-geology of Lake Victoria. While numerous studies have been conducted on the lake, none have examined the long-term changes in sedimentology in response to climatic variability within the Kenyan territory of the lake region. The study reconstructed a record of climatological and hydrological events for three rivers over the past few centuries.

Paul Tematio (University of Yaounde I, Cameroon) examined the interactive effects of soil, water, and climate on land degradation and crop yield decrease in the West Cameroon Highlands. He studied the soil and water condition at six different sites on the southern slope of Mt. Bambouto, a major volcanic mountain, to quantify land degradation and possible mitigation measures.

Moussa Sall (University of Dakar) focused his research on the consequences of such coastal zone changes on the Senegalese coast, particularly the delta regions. In addition to an overall assessment, Mr. Sall conducted economic valuations for the areas.

Michael Wejuli (Makerere Universtiy in Uganda) focused his doctoral research on promoting the sustainable use of the Lake Victoria catchment area through management and efficient use of pesticides. His research included estimating losses of POPs through surface runoff, leaching; determination of the potential of POPs to pollute the surrounding environment, and determination of the physical and chemical properties of the two major soils from the northern Lake Victoria catchment influencing mobility and persistence of POPs within the basin.