The knowledge translation toolkit: A resource for researchers

This publication provides a thorough overview of what knowledge translation (KT) is and how to use it most effectively to bridge the “know–do” gap between research, policy, practice, and people. It presents the theories, tools, and strategies required to encourage and enable evidence-informed decision-making. Drawing from the experience of specialists in relevant disciplines around the world, The Knowledge Translation Toolkit aims to enhance the capacity and motivation of researchers to use KT and to use it well. Link to full text.

Climate change may reduce crop and animal size

Scientists have warned that some animals and plants may shrink in size because of climate change over the next century, threatening food security and human livelihoods. Climate change will lead to higher temperatures and a decrease in rainfall, which, along with the increase in carbon dioxide levels will reduce the growth of a range of crops and protein sources, such as fish, that are crucial for human nutrition, say researchers in an article in Nature Climate Change. Previous studies have found that global warming is causing earlier migration, breeding and flowering among species but little was known about how the changing climate might affect their size. "The authors cite studies showing that some plant and several fish species are becoming smaller —fish shrink by up to a fifth for every degree Celsius increase. Full link to article available here.

African agroforestry needs better quality seeds

A study has found that poor farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa could benefit from wider distribution of certified tree seeds to boost the quality of agroforestry schemes. Agroforestry — the practice of integrating trees into agricultural landscapes — can improve the livelihoods of small-scale farmers. But many of the trees planted do not reach their yield potential because of the poor quality of seed germplasm, say the authors of research published in the September issue of Agroforestry Systems. Their research found that just three countries in Sub-Saharan Africa — Burkina Faso, Madagascar and Rwanda — have seed certified according to the international standard from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Although countries such as Kenya and Zimbabwe have national tree seed centres, they lack legislation that determines which seeds can be used for agroforestry. Compulsory certification is not in place partly because it would increase the cost of seeds for farmers, say the researchers.

Farming Matters - Regional food systems

The latest issue of Farming Matters has considered a number of issues pertaining to food security. Articles show that regional food systems can contribute to increasing food security while at the same time benefiting the environment and increasing the autonomy of farmers. These articles are available at:http://www.agriculturesnetwork.org/magazines/global/regional-food-systems

Policy guidance on water-related disease surveillance

This booklet is aimed at providing guidance on the policy related to water-related disease surveillance developed by the Task Force on Water-related Disease Surveillance established under the 1992 Convention on Protection and Use of Transboundary Waters and International Lakes. The guidance explains countries’ legal obligations related to disease surveillance under the Protocol and other international frameworks, and gives advice on policy to set up and maintain an effective and efficient disease surveillance system. The booklet is available at: http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/149186/e95619.pdf

A sustainable livelihoods mainstreaming strategy

This document outlines the major areas of scope whereby the mainstreaming strategy will address the underlying root causes, threats and drivers that affect the achievement of twin conservation and livelihoods goals. These include: Forests and habitat, species, wildlife trade and crime control, freshwater and wetland conservation, response to climate change impact and adaptation measures, and good governance and social inclusion including policy and advocacy for equity and capacity. The document also describes the expected major areas of change and broader impacts that will be brought about after mainstreaming the sustainable livelihoods strategy.This article is available at:http://zunia.org/uploads/media/knowledge/sustainable_livelihood_strategy_low_4_mb_june_20111318138361.pdf

The Future Okavango Project Workshop 11 - 13 October 2011

The future Okavango Project (TFO) held a three day information exchange and discussion workshop between more than 130 researchers and stakeholders from Angola, Botswana, Namibia and Germany at Maun Lodge, Botswana from the 11 - 13 October 2011. The workshop was held under the theme, "Incorporating stakeholder involvement and consolidating interdisciplinary initiatives and planning the interim evaluation report". According to the host,Okavango Research Institute, the objectives of the workshop were among others to:
- Help develop inputs at policy-maker level
- Deepen project ownership among all participants
- Improve trust relationship among participants through formal and informal discussion
- Provide a platform for learning and exchange
- Gain information on other subprojects
- Find common paradigm under which to carry out the analyses
- Develop a common understanding for the goals and desired outputs
- Organise the interim evaluation report
- Develop interwoven strands for interdisciplinary cooperation
Follow the TFO projects at: http://www.future-okavango.org/

UNEP, OECD Launch Climate Change and Tourism Policy Report

A report titled “Climate Change and Tourism Policy in OECD Countries,” has just been released by UNEP, and the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). In it, they warn that which unless resource-efficient policies are developed, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the tourism industry will double over the next 25 years. One of the key findings of the report is that national emissions reduction strategies relating to tourism will not be sufficient to bring the sector in line with the international community's overall objective of reducing emissions by at least 50% by 2050. The report recommends the development of stronger climate change mitigation policies and incentives for the tourism sector.

The State of Food Insecurity in the World

With the volatility of the food prices which seems is likely to continue and possibly increase, more poor farmers, consumers and countries will be more vulnerable to poverty and food insecurity. Small, import-dependent countries, particularly in Africa, are especially at risk. Many of them still face severe problems following the world food and economic crises of 2006-2008, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Food Programme (WFP) said in "The State of Food Insecurity in the World 2011" (SOFI), an annual flagship report which they jointly produced this year. The report is available on the FAO website.

CIFOR Newsletter on Global Biofuel Information Tool

The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) has released its September 2011 newsletter, which describes the Global Biofuel Information Tool (GBIT) developed by CIFOR, which attempts to consolidate national data on biofuels, alongside data on key commercial biofuel investments, and data on areas under development. CIFOR is a member of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR).

Peril or protection: The link between livelihoods and gender-based violence in displacement settings

When are displaced due to conflict or human rights abuses, women often adopt new strategies to provide for themselves and their families. CPC partner the Women's Refugee Commission is working to determine whether programs set up to provide women with safe, alternative livelihoods do in fact reduce their risk of exposure to violence. Without economic opportunities, women resort to dangerous and desperate measures to provide for themselves and their families, often heightening their risk of sexual exploitation and abuse. However, when economic opportunities are provided without built-in protective elements, an increase in sexual violence outside the home and heightened domestic violence within the home often ensue.

New member of staff at ORI

ORI welcomes a new member of staff, Mr. Donald Mboma who joins the Library from Bamalete Lutheran School of Nursing in Ramotswa. Prior to that, Mr. Mboma was studying with the University of Botswana Library and Information Studies Department. Welcome to ORI.

New at ORI Library: Clumsy floodplains

The book "Clumsy floodplains:responsive land policy for extreme floods" by Thomas Hartmann describes how spatial planning can be used to minimise the extensive damage caused floods in floodplains. He maintains that although water management agencies. policy makers for all agree on this challenge, attempts to make space for rivers to provide retention are generally not very successful. Adopting an innovative interdisciplinary approach, the book examines how society can manage the use of the floodplains along rivers in the face of extreme floods. The book is available in the ORI Library.

World has 'sufficient water' for future food needs

According to a series of studies preented at 14th World Water Congress in Porto de Galinhas, Brazil there is enough water in the world's rivers to meet the demands of the expanding global population, but the rivers have to be better managed. The main problem for water use is not scarcity but inefficient use of supplies because of poor governance and regulation. According to Simon Cook, leader of the CPWF Basin Focal Research Project,"the failures are institutional and political. The studies analysed economic and demographic conditions; hydrology; agricultural systems and the influence of institutional factors on water availability and use in nine major river basins in Africa, Asia and Latin America. They found that, in many areas, water production can be substantially increased without harming the environment. In Africa, for example, most cropland is rain-fed and only four per cent of available water is captured for crops and livestock. For more on this article visit http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/rwin20/36/1

Identifying ecological sustainability assessment factors for ecotourism and trophy hunting operations on private rangeland in Namibia

Trophy hunting and ecotourism are important forms of sustainable utilisation in the human-impacted, working landscapes outside of formal parks and reserves. Research on the sustainability of such tourism operations, however, has focused on the financial viability of tourism operators, rather than environmental effects. The report examines the sustainability strength of wildlife utilisation on private rangelands in Namibia in terms of ecological impact. Three emergent themes from the data included differences in tourist versus hunting operations; attitudes and perceptions of the administration of conservation efforts; and the co-management of livestock and wildlife, especially farm economics and game-proof fencing. Full article available here.