The unit was inaugurated in December 2019, catalysed by the converging interests of three research entities: The Ecology and Environment Institute (INEE) of the National Centre for Scientific research (CNRS) in France, the Sustainability Research Unit of Nelson Mandela University and the University Lyon 1. The collaboration was grounded on long-term research collaborations around large African mammal conservation particularly in the Hwange Long-Term Socio-Ecological Research (LTSER) site, or Zone Atelier Hwange, in Zimbabwe (running since 1999 and accredited by CNRS in 2011). It also focuses on developing transdisciplinary action research focusing on the governance of social-ecological systems including protected areas, and global change adaptations in southern Africa. This has been stimulated by converging joint initiatives such as the Belmont Forum project MAGIC ‘Multi-scale Adaptations to Global Change and their Impacts on Vulnerability in Coastal Areas’ and the INEE ‘Experimental Site in Global Ecology’ for supporting the development of social-ecological studies along the Karoo to Coast gradient.
Africa’s diverse ecosystems, wide-ranging cultures and rich natural resource base are key determinants of innovation for biosphere-based sustainability. The vision of the IRL REHABS is to increase the contribution of the ‘global South’ to the research perspectives on the conditions for a good Anthropocene. As the continent transforms over the next few decades, it will offer unique opportunities to study changes in biodiversity and livelihoods, explore ecosystem-based solutions and new adaptation pathways to global change, improving human wellbeing while considering the sustainability of the biosphere. The vision is to provide unique collaborative opportunities for local and international young academics around biosphere-based sustainability transformations.
Located in South Africa, a leading academic and economically strong country on the African continent, the IRL REHABS is hosted by Nelson Mandela University (NMU) in George, Western Cape. The IRL REHABS wishes to promote the values that NMU embraces (diversity, excellence, Ubuntu, social justice and equality, integrity, and environmental stewardship), and contribute to achieving NMU’s mission to lead in generating cutting-edge knowledge for sustainable futures. In addition to being a catalyst for collaborations between research institutions based in France and southern Africa, the IRL builds on long-term collaborations with conservation lead-institutions in the region such as SANParks and ZimParks (through the Zone Atelier Hwange and the research platform “Production and Conservation in Partnership”) and other governmental and non-governmental organisations. Fostering transdisciplinarity is seen as a building block of our research and engagement journey.
The IRL REHABS research projects occur across Africa and mostly focus on conservation landscapes (social-ecological systems including protected areas). The IRL plays a major role in the coordination of the activities of the Zone Atelier Hwange in Zimbabwe. Due to its location and strong collaboration with SANParks and other local stakeholders, it actively contributes to the research conducted in the Garden Route Biosphere Reserve in South Africa. Its active involvement in the nation-wide SnapShot Safari project created a network of study sites for comparative analyses, though the emphasis remains on longer term involvement in fewer areas: the Overberg, the Kgalagadi region (including ⱡKhomani San managed rangelands), and the Camdeboo-Mountain Zebra Protected Environment (including private conservation areas such as Samara Private Game Reserve).
The IRL REHABS forms a strategic partnership with its sister unit at NMU, the Sustainability Research Unit (SRU), in promoting biosphere-based sustainability research for a better Anthropocene. The IRL REHABS is also closely associated with NMU’s Department of Conservation Science, from the Natural Resource Science and Management cluster of the Faculty of Science, creating the opportunity for colleagues from this cluster to get involved more deeply in sustainability research.
The IRL REHABS comprises posted researchers from Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), lecturers and professors from NMU, staff of the Scientific Services of SANParks seconded to the SRU, as well as various research associates: CNRS researchers based in France, professors and lecturers from French universities (Lyon 1 and Angers) and Dutch universities (Wageningen).
Members of the IRL REHABS contribute to the coordination of activities within the SAPECS programme, the Zone Atelier Hwange (Hwange LTSER) and are also active members of the regional Research Platform “Production and Conservation in Partnership” based in Zimbabwe, of which CNRS and NMU are signing members.
The IRL receives recurrent annual financial support from the three partner institutions (CNRS, NMU, Université Lyon 1). The research activities are also supported by French, European and South African funding agencies such as the ANR, NRF, EU, SANBI, corporate and private foundations such as Oppenheimer, Table Mountain Found or the BNP foundation and private partners from the conservation sector.
The IRL offices and laboratories are situated on the George Campus of Nelson Mandela University. Research infrastructures include vehicles and field equipment as well as a newly established molecular and genetic laboratory, in addition to newly refurbished wet and dry laboratories. There are well-equipped meeting, workshopping and conference facilities, a developing TechnoHub on campus with expertise on the use of sensors, and a campus library oriented towards Conservation and Natural Resource Science and Management.
The academic team has a long-term track record in postgraduate mentorship, international publications as well as science engagement. We co-organise the Garden Route Interface and Networking (GRIN) meeting annually. The combined skills of conceptual and analytical approaches, as well as experience inter- and transdisciplinary research, provide a very special learning ecosystem.
The campus is situated in a pristine natural environment at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountain range, and the Groeneweide Hiking Trail begins at its entrance. The campus therefore not only lends itself to being a “natural laboratory” but is a beautiful environment in which to work.