AfricanNESS Science Plan and Implementation Strategy

Download Science Plan (PDF, 19.3 MB)

The African Network for Earth System Science (AfricanNESS) science plan and implementation strategy “A Strategy for Global Environmental Change Research in Africa” focuses on four top-level issues: food and nutritional security; water resources; health; and ecosystem integrity. Framed around these issues, the science plan describes a strategy for global environmental change research in Africa that concentrates on eight thematic clusters: rainfall, land cover, livelihoods, cities, diseases & pests, Africa and the Earth System, marine, and integrated development. Examples of possible research programs are provided for each of these areas. Finally, the plan outlines a way of implementing and organizing a network of earth system scientists in Africa, and connecting them to scientists around the world.

This science plan was developed over a period of three years through the collective efforts of many African scientists, as well as  colleagues from outside the African continent. The editors gratefully acknowledge the support from the US National Science Foundation, the South African National Research Foundation, ESSP,  START, and the ICSU Regional Office for Africa. Printed copies of the report are available on request from the IGBP Secretariat. Please contact Charlotte Wilson Boss, IGBP Office Manager.