GIS for Endangered Species Conservation and Land-Use Planning in the DRC with Dr. Janet Nackoney

Send us Fan MailIn November of 2012, we sat down with Dr. Janet Nackoney, Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Geographical Sciences at the University of Maryland. Check out the interview on this installment of The PrimateCast.During October and November 2012, Dr. Takeshi Furuichi held a workshop for African primate researchers and conservationists at the Kyoto University Primate Research Institute sponsored financially by the Asia-Africa Platform of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. Dr. Nackoney, an expert in Geographical Information Systems (GIS), was invited to give a mini workshop on geospatial mapping and modeling using GIS. In the interview, Dr. Nackoney explains her long-term work in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as it falls along two major lines: habitat suitability modeling for endangered species and conservation-based land use planning to promote responsible practices in natural resource utilization among local human populations. We discuss topics such as the critical role of GIS in making informed decisions about habitat that should be prioritized for protection to conserve endangered species such as bonobos and forest elephants and the importance of capacity building and participatory mapping as ways to encourage local inhabitants to get on board with important conservation efforts. You can find out more about Dr. Nackoney and her work on her university profile.The PrimateCast is hosted and produced by Andrew MacIntosh. Artwork by Chris Martin. Music by Andre Goncalves.Here's what you can do to get in touch!Connect with us on Facebook, X, or InstagramSubscribe where you get your podcastsEmail [email protected] with thoughts and commentsIf you value the show, leave ratings and reviews wherever it is that you listen, and consider donating by clicking the "Support the Show" link above. Thanks for being part of The PrimateCast Community!