OFVi scientific workshop: A strong commitment to biodiversity conservation in Gabon

Gabon, renowned for its commitment to conservation, hosted this workshop in line with the commitments made at the One Forest Summit in March 2023. This event is part of a series of scientific meetings initiated by OFVi to structure research and build capacity in Gabon:

• Research programming workshop (November 2023): report
• Carbon and plant biodiversity workshop (September 2024): report

The aim of the meeting was to define innovative strategies for the preservation of animal biodiversity and sustainable coexistence between man and wildlife, by providing a forum for exchange and scientific reflection between researchers, experts and decision-makers. The main institutions represented include :

• AGEOS (Agence Gabonaise d'Études et d’Observations Spatiales) : Specializing in remote sensing, AGEOS provides expertise in satellite imagery and the analysis of environmental dynamics.
• ANPN (Agence Nationale des Parcs Nationaux) : Responsible for the protection of national parks, ANPN plays an active role in wildlife research, notably through the monitoring of umbrella species such as elephants and primates.
• CENAREST (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique et Technologique) : Gabon's leading research organization, CENAREST plays a central role in the study and management of the country's ecosystems.
• CIRAD (Centre de coopération internationale en recherche agronomique pour le développement) : A key contributor to OFVi, specialist in tropical ecosystems, CIRAD brings its expertise in conservation and assessment of the environmental impacts of human activities.
• INRAE (Institut national de recherche pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement) : A key contributor to OFVi, INRAE is involved in the conservation and restoration of biodiversity
• IRD (Institut de Recherche pour le Développement) : A key contributor to OFVi, IRD is involved in the scientific aspects of biodiversity, notably through the study of ecological interactions and the training of young researchers.
• Panthera, Okala et Biotope : These private-sector players and associations contribute to applied research into the conservation of endangered species and the sustainable management of natural resources.
• ENEF (Ecole National des Eaux et Forêts), UOB (Université Omar Bongo) et USTM (Université des Sciences et Techniques de Masuku) : These academic institutions train future researchers and are involved in developing local capacities in ecological research.

The workshop addressed key issues for biodiversity conservation in Gabon. Discussions focused in particular on the assessment and monitoring of animal biodiversity in the Moukalaba-Doudou, Lopé and Loango national parks, as well as on the management of human-wildlife conflicts, with a particular focus on the preservation of forest elephants. The integration of new technologies, such as non-invasive genetics, remote sensing and artificial intelligence, was highlighted as an essential lever for improving species monitoring and conservation. The involvement of local communities in biodiversity management and governance was also highlighted, underlining their key role in protecting ecosystems. Last but not least, scientific capacity-building emerged as a strategic challenge to guarantee sustainable local expertise and ensure the long-term viability of conservation efforts.

An interactive workshop and concrete exchanges

Working sessions alternated between scientific presentations, discussion groups and strategic recommendations to address the issues identified. This approach led to the development of a roadmap to structure priority research and conservation actions.

Main conclusions of the scientific workshop

The workshop identified priority areas for action to enhance animal biodiversity conservation and optimize research efforts. At the end of the discussions, several recommendations emerged to structure future actions:

1. Promote synergies between the various projects and programs dedicated to animal biodiversity in Gabon, in order to improve coordination and maximize the impact of existing initiatives.
2. Carry out a review of the management, storage and use of national scientific data, in order to structure and facilitate the use of information collected on wildlife and ecosystems.
3. Build capacity by supporting higher education establishments and developing specialized training courses to train the next generation of tropical biodiversity researchers and managers.

These recommendations are part of a global approach aimed at ensuring the sustainability of conservation actions and strengthening scientific expertise on Gabon's biodiversity.

Launch of the One Forest Vision podcast

A series of podcasts was recorded during the workshop to highlight the work of the researchers and extend the discussions. This format will provide an accessible and in-depth insight into the missions of the scientists involved in OFVi. Stay tuned to the @OneForestVision YouTube page to discover them!

Greater media visibility for OFVi

Following on from the media coverage of the Ipassa scientific workshop, this event once again attracted strong interest from the national media. The presence of numerous media players, such as Gabon 24, L'Union, Gabon TV and Agence Gabonaise de Presse, testifies to their ongoing commitment to relaying initiatives in favor of environmental preservation. This sustained interest helps to raise awareness of conservation issues among a broad public, and to promote efforts in the field.

Thanks to this structuring event, Gabon confirms its role as a driving force for conservation in Central Africa. The discussions held over the three days will feed into the next stages of the OFVi program and amplify the impact of the scientific initiatives undertaken to preserve the exceptional wealth of the Congo Basin.