LTSER Zone Atelier Hwange - Zimbabwe

The ZAHWG aims at coordinating and developing a body of research on the "Dynamics of biodiversity and sustainable use of anthropic savannas: the role of protected areas in sustaining ecosystem services and rural development". This platform promotes long-term place-based research and uses the framework and connection of a long-term program, HERD - Hwange Environment Research Development, that focuses on the park and its periphery, as well as a French-Zimbabwean research platform "Produce and Conserve in Partnership" (RP-PCP) focusing on trans-frontier conservation areas (TFCA). Hwange belongs to the largest TFCA, the KAZA TFCA (Kavango-Zambezi TFCA). Several key issues serve as umbrella themes for several shorter-term projects: Elephant and biodiversity dynamics, Large herbivore population regulation mechanisms - top-down vs bottom up, People - Protected area relationships, Natural resources co-management and ecosystem services.