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> home > programs & activities >capacity building > Biodiversity in the Albertine Rift Biodiversity in the Albertine Rift Multiple pressures including fragmentation of habitat, land degradation, deforestation, invasive species, and pollution threaten the rich biodiversity of Africa, the loss of which is negatively affecting food security, agricultural and other livelihoods, human development, ecological services and cultural values. Human driven climate change is adding to and interacting with these and other pressures. Many of the traditional tools of conservation may need to be adapted to the changing risks if they are to be effective and innovative approaches also may be needed. START and the Institute for Resource Assessment (IRA) of the University of Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, with funding from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, are implementing a program of education and training to build capacity in Africa for conserving biodiversity in a changing climate. Emphasis will be given to capacity building in the Albertine Rift countries of Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. Two intensive, master’s level courses will be offered at IRA of the University of Dar es Salaam to provide instruction in the assessment of climate change risks to ecosystems and biodiversity and in designing strategies for biodiversity conservation under a changing climate. The first course will be on "Climate Change Risks to Ecosystem Biodiversity" and will be offered at IRA from 1st July to 21st July 2008. The second course will be on "Conservation Strategies in a Changing Climate" and will be offered at IRA from 28th July to 16th August 2008. Successful candidates will also have the opportunity to participate in externships, practicum training and small research projects. The deadline to apply for the courses has passed. Decisions are expected by end of April 2008. A baseline assessment of existing information related to biodiversity conservation and climate change in Africa and specifically in the Albertine Rift countries of Africa was recently completed. It includes an examination of climate change and biodiversity in Africa as well as of the existing capacity and current status of research and training programs in the Albertine Rift countries. Download full report For more information: Please visit: http://www.pass-africa.org/biodiversity.html or Contact: Jyoti Kulkarni, Program Associate, START Professor Pius Yanda, Director, Institute of Resource Assessment, University of Dar es Salaam
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