Ecology in Africa: historical perspectives, present state and prospects

Margaret Awuor Owuor, Ole Seehausen, Israel Temitope Borokini , Romulus Abila, Yvonne Wambui Githiora, Chinwe Ifejika Speranza, Michael Gabriel Njau, Peggy Ngila, David Chiawo, Dario Riccardo Valenzano, Grace N Alawa, Perpetra Akite, Rachael B Gross, David O Alila, Georges Alex Agonvonon, Anna Mahulu

Ecology research, education and conservation policies in Africa are heavily influenced by western science and philosophy, resulting in the marginalization of African traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) systems. This legacy persists in post-colonial African government structures and academic institutions, influencing teaching methodologies, research approaches, and conservation policy frameworks. These challenges are further exacerbated by funding dynamics that promote parachute science, hindering the intellectual empowerment of African scientists. To address these challenges, we organized a symposium during the 2022 International Conference on Ecology on, “Ecology in Africa: present and future prospects”. Presenters identified several areas within three domains – ecology education, research, and policy – that need attention. Suggested solutions include decolonizing ecology research, introducing transformative curricula that integrate TEK and modernized pedagogies in ecology teaching, increasing government funding for ecology research and education, promoting regional and transboundary research collaborations, and engagement with the African Diasporan experts. Community-based conservation that generates benefits to Indigenous and local communities, and policy interventions by and with African governments, with stable administrative structures for effective policy implementation are also required. Effective implementation of these recommendations by African governments and other actors is necessary to reverse the brain drain, ensure quality ecology education to boost research and conservation, empower local experts, promote ethical and equitable research collaborations, and prepare ecology students for addressing the challenges of biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation and climate change.