CRSN: SCIENCE, SUSTAINABILITY, AND THE STATE

CRSN: SCIENCE, SUSTAINABILITY, AND THE STATE Prince Kaleme Scientific Director, CRSN/Lwiro

CRSN-Lwiro

Introduction • Created as “Institut pour la Recherche Scientifique en Afrique Centrale (IRSAC)” on 1st July 1947 • The aim was to Encourage, promote, coordinate and conductresearch in the Belgian Congo and Rwanda- Urundi

History • Since independences, names and the scope of the institution changed. It was now limited to the DR Congo. • In 1975, it became - “Institut pour la Recherche Scientifique (IRS)” with stations but reporting  Lwiro. • In 1984, it was named : “Centre de Recherches en Sciences Naturelles (CRSN) ” with the aim to conduct, promote and coordinate research, science and technology in the DR Congo (formerly Zaïre). • In 1994, stations Uvira and Mabali became autonomous • 2008 – Goma Volcano Observatory --

Organization Five research departments: • Department of Biology • Department of Geophysics • Department of Documentation • Department of Environment • Department of Nutrition

The role of the state in CRSN CRSN is a state owned institution • Guaranty for salaries • Opportunities for capacity building • Representation at government – some opportunities obtained OVG for surveillance of volcanoes (2002).

Problems with the state • No funds for research • Very slow in cases of emergency • Become active in case of catastrophes (Earth quakes, land slides, outbreak of epidemic - most of the time without funds)

Contribution to Congo basin conservation Inventories in protected areas for postwar control or biodiversity assessment before the PA gazetting process: • Mammals (large and small): species lists with distribution maps • Plant diversity (±10000 plant specimens in the herbarium) • Ornithology (850 specimens) • Herps (reptiles and amphibians)

Activities to date Dept of Biology • Document biodiversity in the DRC and neighboring countries (Rwanda, Burundi) • Postwar assessment of biodiversity in the DRC’s Protected Areas (PAs) • Digitizing of maps and herbarium materials • Database of existing specimens of mammals, birds, herps plants, insects, snails, etc.

Activities (cont’d) Department of Geophysics • Monitoring of the seismic activity of the western Rift • Localize seismic hazard or landslide in the region and sensitize populations • Recording and managing of climate data since 1953  network of rainfall stations (12) west of Lake Kivu

Activities (cont’d) Department of Documentation • Management of the Library • Research in human sciences (archives, humanities …) • Maintain map and important documentation of the region

Achievements Department of biology • Introduction of a fish species Limnothrissa miodon (Sambaza) from Lake Tanganyika to Lake Kivu in 1958 • Knowledge of biodiversity and ecosystems • Updated database of biodiversity and soon, land use in the Kivu (collaboration with JGI) Department of Geophysics • Prediction of the 2002 volcanic eruption • Mapping of the hazards (seismic and landslides) in the eastern DRC

Goals for the future • Host the biodiversity database for the entire eastern DR Congo • Produce complete lists of the species for different taxa • Capacity building for biodiversity (this is ongoing with intern students) • Lead the process for biodiversity databases for the country (teams work in isolation) • Sensitization of local peoples and opinion leaders (governments) on research results for future actions

What challenges do we face? • Lack of funds from government • Many collaborations have closed • No capacity building policy from government • No synergy with other agencies working for research • Infrastructure • Need to upgrade some facilities • Need for rehabilitations  with recurrent earthquakes, some parts of complex need attention

Collaborations • PastCurrent ICCN/ WCS/ WWF ICCN/ WCS/ WWF CEMUBAC Kyoto University Kyoto University University of Wisconsin University of Tohoku IITA Field Museum/ Chicago ARCOS University of Barcelona

Thank you for your attention

CRSN: SCIENCE, SUSTAINABILITY, AND THE STATE