More conservationists needed in Africa to meet 30x30 goal

More conservation scholars and practitioners must be trained urgently to combat the loss of biodiversity in Africa if the Convention on Biological Diversity’s ambitious ‘30x30’ goal is to be met. The aim is to protect 30% of the world’s land and oceans by 2030.

It is also important to ensure that such trainees, especially those working at universities, are not overwhelmed with managerial duties at the expense of their research or conservation activities, researchers say.

This is because promising young scientists are often promoted to head of their department and, consequently, have little time left for practising the biodiversity science that is critically needed in Africa.

Dr Simmy Bezeng from the University of Johannesburg in South Africa recently led an international team that interviewed 25 conservationists and researchers in Africa on the key challenges hampering biodiversity conservation, as well as seeking recommendations to reach the 30x30 target.

Their findings were published in an opinion piece in The Royal Society Publishing earlier in 2025 as ‘An African perspective to biodiversity conservation in the 21st century’.

Bezeng told University World News that skilled biodiversity practitioners can provide the critical expertise needed to understand complex ecosystems, monitor species decline and develop effective conservation strategies. The research team recommends that African universities must reach more students, researchers and conservationists to tackle a myriad of biodiversity challenges.

“This can be achieved by developing specialised programmes that focus on biodiversity informatics, utilising advanced technologies like AI and remote sensing for large-scale data collection and analysis; integrating indigenous knowledge systems into conservation curricula, ensuring that graduates understand the local context of conservation efforts; and establishing interdisciplinary programmes that combine ecological sciences with social sciences, economics and policy studies,” Bezeng said.

Universities can also design practical, field-based training programmes that allow students to gain real-world experience.

Multifaceted approach needed

Bezeng said their research shows that tackling biodiversity loss requires a multifaceted approach that is rooted in strategic partnerships between conservation organisations, academia, government and the private sector.

“Additionally, we highlight the critical role of establishing a regional biodiversity conservation hub and strengthening regional centres of excellence to facilitate biodiversity data and knowledge sharing, research, collaboration, training and even community of practice,” he said.

A rethink of conservation funding in Africa is also needed. The funding shortfall required for conservation delivery is globally recognised but is more pronounced in Africa, where only 0.42% of the agreed 1% of the continent’s GDP is currently spent on research and development, including conservation, compared to the global average of 1.9%.

Bezeng said that, by fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and research, and raising public awareness, African universities remain indispensable in safeguarding the continent’s rich biodiversity by bridging the gap between science and policy and providing expert advice to governments.

Funding

It remains essential that traditional mechanisms remain in place, such as funding research chairs at African universities, creating centres of research excellence, and providing training within universities and national parks, as well as adequately funding African scholars to slow the brain drain, the research found.

The opinion piece said there is a need to find ways to fund scientists who are actively engaged in research and practitioners who are directly enacting sound conservation strategies.

“Such a funding mechanism needs to cut red tape and bring resources directly to scientists and practitioners. Additionally, African governments should be urged to reallocate their budget expenditure to include more funding to tertiary education and more opportunities for postgraduate studies.

“It is particularly important that postdoctoral fellowships are developed and funded by the local government as a strategic choice to grow research productivity and boost innovation.”

AI is becoming a powerful tool

Artificial intelligence (AI) is also proving to be increasingly important for the conservation of species and their critical habitats and it is, therefore, vital that such technology is accessible to conservationists.

“To enhance the efficiency of such techniques, the UK Robotics and Autonomous Systems Network for Environmental Sustainability rightly calls for the creation and funding of an integrated multidisciplinary task force and the development of education strategies to foster links between aspiring engineers, biologists and computer technologists. This could be incorporated into school curricula and continued into university and research facilities and is particularly relevant for Africa,” the opinion piece adds.

Bezeng told University World News that AI offers powerful tools to address a wide range of environmental challenges such as wildlife monitoring and species identification.

Specifically, AI algorithms analyse large volumes of images and videos from camera traps, drones and satellites to automatically identify and track markers of biodiversity. He said this helps in monitoring population sizes, behaviour and distribution, and can even detect and track poaching activities within protected areas.

“This technology is particularly valuable for studying elusive or threatened species. There are plenty of examples where this technique has proven useful and, in our paper, we have cited just a few ...”

The research further found that robotics and autonomous systems technologies combined with AI could significantly facilitate data collection over large spatial and temporal scales by sensing, analysing and monitoring species’ populations across all taxa.

“For example, 225 cameras were deployed in Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. Analysing 1.3 million images, scientists were able to document the presence of 40 mammalian species in this savannah landscape. In this case, AI was also able to validate large volumes of data submitted by citizen scientists.

“Similarly, in Algeria, infrared camera traps were deployed between 2008 and 2021 in the Bechar, Hoggar-Tassili and Ahaggar areas, which have enabled conservationists to document the presence of the Saharan cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus hecki) and the Atlas leopard (Panthera pardus panthera), two subspecies believed to have become extinct.

“As another example, the K Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics from Cornell University launched the Elephant Listening Project, in which acoustic monitoring is helping conserve forest elephants.

“Acoustic arrays can, indeed, help in tracking species’ movements and detecting poaching activities and rare and elusive species, leading to improved protection measures and a better understanding of species diversity, abundance, behaviour and population dynamics while contributing to better-informed conservation strategies and policies,” Bezeng explained.