Conservation Science in Africa: Mainstreaming Biodiversity Information into Policy and Decision-Making

Abstract

In this chapter, we identify the cross-sectoral decisions that require biodiversity data, then summarize key challenges in Africa around the availability, usability and quality of data, willingness to use data, and capacity. A series of case studies highlight issues and lessons, including:Data often inform protected area creation but are rarely used in monitoring established protected areas.Companies have a key role in making data more accessible for decision-making.Simple, replicable schemes can fill taxonomic and geographic data gaps.Efforts to monitor coral reefs demonstrate what is possible when conservation scientists and practitioners collaborate.Threat monitoring tools should be applied in community-based natural resource management schemes, as well as protected areas.The UN Sustainable Development Goals and environment agreements stimulate the development of national capacity for data collection and use.