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Wildlife Management & Human Ecology: The Zambia Project
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Join us this spring in the amazing ecosystems of Zambia. Uniquely positioned at the intersection of East, Central, and Southern Africa, Zambia has a remarkably diverse set of flora and fauna and is the perfect setting for our field study. Most of Africa’s iconic wildlife can be found here (giraffe, lions, cheetah, elephants) in key habitats noted for their rich biodiversity. Wildlife habitats include the Central Zambezian Miombo woodlands, one of the largest ecozones on the continent; the Zambezian Flooded Grasslands, such as the enormous Bangweulu wetlands; the wide open waters of lakes and the rushing rapids of major river systems.
Zambia’s unique and varied habitats are under a diverse set of pressures. Habitats are over-hunted by poachers; the local form of slash-and-burn agriculture has stripped large areas of Miombo woodland of its trees; and the fisheries of key lakes are currently on the cusp of a complete collapse. Dams desperately needed for hydropower now control important local rivers, and large areas of Zambezian Flooded Grasslands are being converted to agricultural for their fertility and access to water. 
Central to the preservation of these unique and diverse habitats is the balance between human subsistence and wildlife conservation. Through a hands-on approach and scientific field study, team members will gain a unique perspective on conservation, wildlife, and biodiversity issues in Zambia, working in and traveling to areas not often visited by tourists and well off the beaten track. THE PROJECT
w the most heavily used park in Zambia, and the perfect field study site for discussion of park usage and management strategies. A second major goal of our project will be to understand the human dimension of wildlife controversies. Many human activities, including agriculture, hydropower generation, and fishing, are vital to sustain human populations but are often in direct conflict with wildlife conservation objectives. Our team will interact with various research and community programs set up to help resolve these issues by providing options that aid in habitat conversation, but also increase the quality of life of the villagers in the surrounding areas. Team members will also work alongside agricultural researchers at the Zambian Agricultural Research Institute in Mansa to gain experience with research methods and get a hands-on understanding of issues local subsistence farmers are confronted with daily concerning their survival. A final goal of our project will be to integrate our understanding of the human, scientific, and wildlife dimensions, and to share our observations and research with local landowners, managers, and scientists who are considering the region’s future.
A combination of hands-on involvement in original research projects, exchange with local people, and immersion in the natural environment will provide us with a rich and broad-based educational experience, and a tremendous opportunity for both intellectual and personal growth. By the end of the project, we will have gained a broader perspective on the interplay among the human, scientific, ethical, and ecological dimensions in the conservation of some of the world’s most precious ecosystems.
The on site In-country Fee is $2100 (approximately)
Read the Full Project Description
JOHN MISCHLER examines links between environmental quality, biodiversity, and conservation. John is an ecosystems ecologist with field experience in Zambia, Tanzania, Mongolia, the Caribbean, New Zealand, and Antarctica.
RUTH MISCHLER has extensive experience with agroecosystem management as well as organic no-till farming methods and animal husbandry