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Linking biodiversity, ecosystem functions and services in the Great Serengeti-Mara Ecosystem (GSME) - drivers of change, causalities and sustainable management strategies

Objective

The direct dependence of humans on ecosystem services is by far strongest in developing regions where poverty restricts access to resources. This dependency also makes people in developing countries more sensitive to climate change than their developed counterparts. Increasing human populations deteriorates natural habitat, biodiversity and ecosystems services which spiral into poverty and low human welfare. This calls for innovative solutions that encompass the entire socio-ecological-economic system, as recognized on a global scale in the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. However, innovative and practical solutions require downscaling to regional levels for identifying concrete sets of drivers of change. For Africa specifically, the interplay of human population growth, land use change, climate change and human well-being is a major challenge. This project focuses on the Serengeti-Maasai Mara Ecosystem and associated agricultural areas, a region in East Africa that encompasses parts of Kenya and Tanzania. The ecosystem is world-famous for key aspects of its biodiversity, such as the migration of 1.3 million wildebeest. This ‘flagship ecosystem’ role will enhance the international interest in the project. In this project, internationally leading researchers from Norway, the Netherlands, Scotland, Denmark and Germany are teaming up with strong local partners in Tanzania and Kenya. The research will be organised in seven interlinked work packages: 1) assemble and integrate the so far separate Kenyan and Tanzanian relevant data on the region; 2) quantify the connections between human population growth, land use change, climate change and biodiversity change; 3) test how biodiversity change leads to changes in key ecosystem services; 4) quantify the dependence of human livelihoods on these ecosystem services. We will implement innovative ways for communication and dissemination of the results of ‘continuous engagement’ by local stakeholders.

Call for proposal

H2020-SC5-2014-2015

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Sub call

H2020-SC5-2014-two-stage

Coordinator

NORGES TEKNISK-NATURVITENSKAPELIGE UNIVERSITET NTNU
Net EU contribution
€ 2 940 745,00
Address
Hogskoleringen 1
7491 Trondheim
Norway

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Region
Norge Trøndelag Trøndelag
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Other funding
€ 0,00

Participants (12)

RIJKSUNIVERSITEIT GRONINGEN
Netherlands
Net EU contribution
€ 1 003 155,00
Address
Broerstraat 5
9712CP Groningen

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Region
Noord-Nederland Groningen Overig Groningen
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Other funding
€ 0,00
KOBENHAVNS UNIVERSITET
Denmark
Net EU contribution
€ 816 625,00
Address
Norregade 10
1165 Kobenhavn

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Region
Danmark Hovedstaden Byen København
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Other funding
€ 0,00
TANZANIA WILDLIFE RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Tanzania
Net EU contribution
€ 1 192 662,50
Other funding
€ 0,00
UNIVERSITAET HOHENHEIM
Germany
Net EU contribution
€ 588 225,00
Address
Schloss Hohenheim
70599 Stuttgart

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Region
Baden-Württemberg Stuttgart Stuttgart, Stadtkreis
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Other funding
€ 0,00
STIFTELSEN NORSK INSTITUTT FOR NATURFORSKNING NINA
Norway
Net EU contribution
€ 1 193 261,00
Address
Hogskoleringen 9
7034 Trondheim

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Region
Norge Trøndelag Trøndelag
Activity type
Research Organisations
Other funding
€ 0,00
International Livestock Research Institute
Kenya
Net EU contribution
€ 258 687,50
Other funding
€ 0,00
UNIVERSITY OF DAR ES SALAAM
Tanzania
Net EU contribution
€ 201 620,00
Other funding
€ 0,00
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Tanzania
Net EU contribution
€ 163 145,00
Address
Sokoine University Of Agriculture
Morogoro

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Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Other funding
€ 0,00
UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW
United Kingdom
Net EU contribution
€ 1 030 067,50
Address
University Avenue
G12 8QQ Glasgow

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Region
Scotland West Central Scotland Glasgow City
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Other funding
€ 0,00
KENYA WILDLIFE SERVICE
Kenya
Net EU contribution
€ 143 500,00
Other funding
€ 0,00
UNIVERSITY OF DODOMA
Tanzania
Net EU contribution
€ 155 875,00
Address
Chimwaga Complex Dodoma Municipality
255 Dodoma

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Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Other funding
€ 0,00
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTRY
Kenya
Net EU contribution
€ 204 200,00
Address
Nhif Building, Ragati Road
Nairobi

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Activity type
Public bodies (excluding Research Organisations and Secondary or Higher Education Establishments)
Other funding
€ 0,00