Download Afrika Tag 2013 - Abstracts Veranstalter: Dr. Thomas Wagner

Afrika Tag 2013 - Abstracts
Veranstalter:
Dr. Thomas Wagner, Lehrstuhl für Renaturierungsökologie
Technische Universität München
Wissenschaftszentrum Weihenstephan
[email protected]
Bauen in Afrika
Wolfgang Huß, Technische Universität München, Fachgebiet Holzbau
No abstract submitted
AfriCar - Ein Fahrzeugkonzept für Afrika
Martin Soltes, Technische Universität München, Lehrstuhl für Fahrzeugbau
The aim of the project “A-Car” is to investigate the mobility needs of West Africa by
using different models to explore the possibility of developing a prototype vehicle.
The vehicle concept should be affordable, environment friendly and use a high
amount of locally available materials.
Aufforstung in Wüstengebieten/Ägypten
Hany El Kateb, Technische Universität München, Lehrstuhl für Waldbau
Ägypten hat eine Landfläche von über 1 Million km 2, die überwiegend aus Wüsten
besteht. Das Land hat einen festen jährlichen Anteil am Nilwasser von 55,5
Milliarden m3, der zu etwa 10% in Abwässer umgewandelt wird (5,5 Milliarden m3
jährlich). Genügend Landfläche und ein umfangreiches Angebot an Abwässern –
damit bietet Ägypten derzeit hervorragende Möglichkeiten für großflächige
Aufforstungen. Die ersten Auswertungsergebnisse der vom Lehrstuhl für Waldbau
der TUM durchgeführten Studien zeigen ein unerwartet hohes Wachstumspotential
der Aufforstungen. Für die großflächige Aufforstung müssen die sich bietenden
Möglichkeiten richtig genutzt werden, wie z.B. die Verwendung des Abwassers nicht
nur für die Bewässerung der Plantage, sondern auch zur Energiegewinnung (z.B.
Biogas). Ein Teil dieser Energie kann zur Verbesserung der Abwasserreinigung und
des Abwassertransports zu den Plantagen sowie zu deren Bewässerung benutzt
werden. Überschüssige Energie kann für andere Zwecke eingesetzt werden.
Wenn die gesamte vorhandene Menge an Abwässern für Aufforstungszwecke
verwendet wird, können 650.000 ha Wüstenland aufgeforstet und jährlich 25
Millionen Tonnen CO2 gespeichert werden. Eine großflächige Aufforstung könnte
möglicherweise zudem die Wolkenbildung stimulieren und Regenfälle nach sich
ziehen, die das Land dringend braucht.
Galeriewälder Ostafrikas im Spannungsfeld zwischen Nutzung und Schutz
Anke Müller et. al, Technische Universität München, Lehrstuhl für Terrestrische
Ökologie
The river basins are important lifelines in the dry rural lowlands over major parts of
East Africa. These river valleys with their gallery forests are important habitats for
many endangered plant and animal species. Furthermore these valleys provide
essential ecosystem services for the human beings (ground water, fertile soil, etc.)
living along these streams. Population ecology analyses on representatives of these
river gallery forests (as the Kenya-endemic Hindes Babbler, Turdoides hindei) in
combination with detailed land-use mapping give information on (i) potential changes
from the past, intact and interconnected into highly degraded forest fragments, (ii)
recent situation for the persistence of species living in these today highly fragmented
gallery forests, and (iii) future trends and potential solutions how to conserve this
forest habitat, and safeguarding biodiversity and life quality for the local human
population
Evolution und Schutz Ostafrikanischer Bergwaldinseln
Jan Habel, Technische Universität München, Lehrstuhl für Terrestrische
Ökologie
The tropical mountain forests of East Africa represent distinct hotspots of species
evolution and are highly endangered by habitat destruction and rising temperatures.
Most of these areas are strongly isolated and therefore species have evolved into
distinct groups, as for example shown in the bird Zosterops poliogaster. This very
sedentary species exclusively occurs in tropical mountain forest. Molecular and
ecological methods give evidences for (i) the evolution of different genetic groups, (ii)
effects of the strong fragmentation among and within the forested mountains, (iii)
their dispersal ability, (iv) the habitat suitability and (v) possible future distribution
shifts. The obtained data will be compared with related taxa showing stronger
dispersal (e.g. Zosterops abyssinicus flaviteralis, Zosterops senegalensis). Finally,
these data allow the formulation of guidelines for nature conservation of tropical
mountain forest in East Africa. Beside representatives of Zosterops-species, further
bird species are part of the study.
Rooiklip Research Camp -
Ökologische Forschung in Namibia
Thomas Wagner, Christina Fischer, Technische Universität München,
Lehrstuhl für Renaturierungsökologie
Research in Africa is often associated with organizational and logistic problems. With
a permanent research camp, situated in Namibias arid escarpment region, we
provide an ecologically exiting study site and an ample infrastructure for
interdisciplinary long term ecological research. Our own research currently focuses
on ecological aspects of encroachment processes, their drivers and governing
factors and the role of climate change. Therefore, Crotalaria podocarpa, an
encroaching herbaceous legume, native to Namibias escarpment region is used as a
model plant.
Farm Encroachment Information System
Franzi Pöpperl, Technische Universität München, Lehrstuhl für Geoinformatik
Encroachment, the massive increase of a native plant species and the thereby
associated suppression of fodder grasses, is observed in grasslands all over the
world. In Namibia, encroachment accounts for yearly 70M€ loss in pastoral
production, reaching almost 25% of the countries overall pastoral domestic product.
To enable farmers and government to fight and manage encroachment effectively,
efficient and easy to use monitoring and decision support systems are necessary. An
open source GIS based Farm Encroachment Information System, developed
together with the Chair of Restoration Ecology, will provide both, management
support to the local farmer and consolidated up-to-date data on country level for
decision makers.
Morocco - Biodiversity Hotspot and Diversification Center
Martin Husemann, Technische Universität München, Lehrstuhl für
Terrestrische Ökologie
The biogeography of Europe is well explored. North Africa, despite its close
geographic proximity and connections to Europe via sea straits, has largely been
neglected in biogeographic studies. More recently a variety of molecular studies have
explored the biogeographical connections between Europe and North Africa and the
biodiversity patterns within the Maghreb. These studies showed that many European
taxa have their origin in North Africa. Further, high genetic diversity is founding North
Africa for many taxa, often exceeding the variation found in European lineages. This
high biodiversity has been favored by relatively stable climatic conditions during the
Pleistocene and strong barriers to migration within the region presented by the Atlas
Mountains. Here, we present molecular data from butterflies and scorpions and
highlight (i) the biogeographic similarity between Europe and North Africa, (ii) the
relevance of North Africa for being a past ice-age refugia, and (iii) the strong withinNorth African differentiation over the Atlas Mountains. Our data shows strong genetic
lineage divergence and within species diversity over the Maghreb region. European
lineages are often nested with clades from North Africa suggesting that the origin of
species is located in the Maghreb. All together our data show that it is mandatory to
include North African populations and species in the sampling for studies of
European biogeography.
Biocontrol of Aphids on Okra in Cameroon, West Africa
Akanksha Singh, Sharon Zytynska, Technische Universität München, Lehrstuhl
für Terrestrische Ökologie
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is a non-profit international
organization which aims to enhance crop quality and productivity, income and
livelihood of the farmers in Sub-Saharan African countries. With their headquarters in
Nigeria, IITA has agricultural research centers in many countries including Kenya,
Benin, Cameroon, Tanzania, Nairobi, DR Congo, Mozambique, Ghana, Uganda and
Malawi. IITA is involved with several staple African crops including cassava, maize,
plantain, soybean, yam and okra. Their research involves identifying pest-resistant
and high-yielding crop varieties, biocontrol of crop pests and germplasm
conservation. They also provide training and advice to farmers.
Our project investigates potential for biological control of Aphis gossypii (meloncotton aphid) on Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus), an economically important
vegetable crop of Cameroon. Aphis gossypii is one of the major crop pests of Okra
and a country-wide survey found low abundance of aphid natural parasitoids and
predators, possibly due to heavy insecticide usage by the farmers. In addition, ants
were found abundantly in many surveyed Okra fields and these harvest aphid
honeydew and in return often protect aphids from parasitism and predation through a
mutualistic relationship. Thus ants may reduce biological control efficiency and
therefore, using field and greenhouse experiments, we aim to understand the role
ants play in this system. Our work ultimately aims to define feasible alternative
strategies for aphid control, other than costly and environmentally-damaging
pesticides, via enhancing the natural enemy guild of aphids such as syrphid flies,
spiders and parasitoids.
NEXUS Water - Food – Energy
Stephan Pauleit, Technische Universität München, Lehrstuhl für Strategie und
Management der Landschaftsentwicklung
With our strategic partners we shall foster Technische Universität Münchens (TUM)
strategic water research focus through one of the most essential grand chal- lenges
of the near future: the nexus of water, food and energy (in the following the project
will be referred to as “NeXus”). The proposal intends to build up a strategic and
interdisciplinary network in the nexus topic which currently is hardly treated
elsewhere in an integral sense neither in education nor research. It is the goal of the
proposal to create a nucleus in the nexus topic which will finally result in a NeXus
master course and a NeXus related structured PhD program among the strategic
partners. Our thematic partners in Africa will help with the NeXus related pro- ject
area and the related data. They will together with the strategic partners exclusively
profit from the educational programs set up during the funding phase. The actions not
only involve re- searchers but also university administrations to harmonize
administrative tasks for the collaboration and the exchange programs.
CLUVA - Climate Change and Urban Vulnerability
Andreas Printz, Technische Universität München, Lehrstuhl für Strategie und
Management der Landschaftsentwicklung
Strategies for Global Climate Change risk reduction for African cities by urban green
structure. CLUVA (www.cluva.eu), an international and interdiscipliniary research
programme, funded by EU-FP7, is searching for strategies to reduce the risks and
vulnerability of African cities threatened by Global Climate Change. The Chair for
Strategic Landscape Planning and Management is especially investigating the role of
ecosystem services and the spatial effects of fast growing cities in Africa.
Agribusiness Sorting and Screening via Conservation Farming
Emmanuel Benjamin, Technische Universität München, Lehrstuhl für Agrarund Ernährungswirtschaft
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to analyze the access to formal credit and
credit terms afforded to rural smallholders in developing countries and explore the
use of appropriate business signaling mechanisms to overcome adverse selection.
Rural areas in developing economies, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, are
dominated by subsistence farming; however rural agricultural productivity has been
hindered by the lack of access to formal credit and unfavorable credit terms, caused
in part by information asymmetry or lack of signaling. The risk management strategy
of financial institutions in the presence of limited signaling consists of demand for
collateral and unfavorable contract terms. In this paper we investigate to what extent
can engaging in extension services with ecosystem services can signal business
success of smallholders thus granting more favorable contract terms and collateral
substitute. Design/methodology/approach – We use a game theoretic model to
analyze the prospects for farmers with verified ecosystem services to improve their
credit terms. We collect data on small scale conservation as well as conventional
farming in Kenya to test the theory empirically. Findings – The knowledge transfer
that takes place may help in improving productivity and stabilizing farm income in the
long run. The problem of adverse selection amongst adopting farmers can also be
reduced as relevant information on ecosystem service is recorded which may be
used as a credible signal of business quality to financial institutions.
Research
limitations/implications – Limitations include: the strict division of small agribusiness
projects into just two types – high-quality and low-quality in the signaling model; the
omission of certain features such as relationship banking; and a small sample size.
Originality/value – This paper shows that extension and ecosystem services can be
used as a signal of creditworthiness, helping to overcome the adverse selection
problems that both the small medium enterprises SMEs and financial institutions
face.
Community Based Rehabilitation
Gwen Bingle, Kathrin Schmidt, Technische Universität München, Lehrstuhl für
Diversitätssoziologie
Im Rahmen einer durch den DAAD geförderten und aus Mitteln des BMZ finanzierten
fachbezogenen Partnerschaft erarbeiten die Pwani University (Kenia) und der
Lehrstuhl Diversitätssoziologie der Fakultät für Sport- und Gesundheitswissenschaft
derzeit Module im Themenbereich Community-Based Rehabilitation, einer Strategie
der WHO zur inklusiven Entwicklung. Im Rahmen des 4-jährigen Projekts sollen die
Module durch Studierende beider Universitäten getestet werden. Zum Projektende
sollen die Module "(dis)ability, participation and community", "education and
(dis)ability", "livelihood and (dis)ability" und "empowerment and (dis)ability" auf einer
online-Plattform zugänglich gemacht und als Elemente eines internationalen
Studiengangs angeboten werden (MA Ebene)
Canopy Research Africa – Wanted
Axel Gruppe, Roland Gerstmeier, Technische Universität München, Lehrstuhl
für Tierökologie
No abstract submitted
Entwicklungszusammenarbeit, Internationale Kooperationen in Afrika
Sabine Viererbl, Vanessa Grünhagen, Technische Universität München,
International Office, AK Entwicklungszusammenarbeit
Kooperationsmöglichkeiten, Funding und Unterstützung bei Projekten in Afrika
Sporting Role Models as Potential Catalysts to Tackle Gender Issues: An
Empirical Study in Sub-Saharan Africa
Marianne Meier, Technische Universität München, Lehrstuhl für
Sportpädagogik
Innerhalb des noch jungen Themenfeldes ‚Sport und Entwicklungszusammenarbeit‘
ist eine undifferenzierte Verwendung des Begriffs ‚Vorbilder‘ festzustellen.
Verschiedene Akteure im Entwicklungskontext schicken gezielt Sportstars z.B. nach
Afrika, um sich für Menschenrechte, Bildung, etc. einzusetzen. Was ist aber ein
Vorbild und wer kommt als Vorbild für Kinder und Jugendliche in Frage? Haben
Athleten und Athletinnen überhaupt eine moralische oder soziale Verpflichtung sich
vorbildlich zu verhalten? Welche Einflüsse können von lokalen oder berühmten
Sport- Vorbildern ausgehen? Die Forschungsfrage lautet: Inwiefern können ‚Vorbilder
im Sportkontext‘ (ViS) Bedingungen schaffen, um ‘Empowerment’ unter besonderer
Berücksichtigung der Gender-Thematik zu ermöglichen?