Living corridors: bridging Europe and Africa for biodiversity conservation

Some members of the BCG Lab team at Sapienza University of Rome (SUR) recently returned from a research mission and academic exchange in Johannesburg, marking an important milestone in the development of new African-European scientific collaborations. The initiative was supported through the CIVIS “Seed Funding for Research Activities and African-European Collaboration” programme, aimed at fostering interdisciplinary partnerships between European and African institutions.

Along with the partners from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), the team joined forces with the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) to address one of the most pressing challenges in conservation biology: ecological connectivity. The project “Living Corridors: Integrating People, Culture, and Conservation for Ecological Connectivity” explores innovative approaches to ecological connectivity by integrating biodiversity conservation with the social and cultural dimensions that shape landscapes and local communities.

The programme combined field activities with academic workshops and institutional meetings. During the week, from 11 to 15 May 2026, the research group explored several conservation areas across Gauteng Province, including biodiversity stewardship initiatives surrounding Johannesburg and field visits at Pilanesberg National Park. These experiences offered an opportunity to directly observe how conservation strategies are implemented in highly dynamic socio-ecological systems and to exchange methodologies and perspectives across institutions.

Representatives from SUR, UAM and Wits at the Gauteng Province reserves & Pilanesberg National Park

At the same time, the mission included workshops and seminars hosted at University of the Witwatersrand. The researchers from different institutions presented and discussed ongoing work on ecological corridors and landscape fragmentation which was useful even to compare and understand the difference between Mediterranean ecological networks and South African conservation systems.

The contribution of the Sapienza team focused particularly on landscape connectivity analysis and biodiversity monitoring. Drawing on ongoing research activities in Central Italy on Rewilding and ecological corridors, the BCG Lab brought expertise on ecological corridors connecting protected areas and the impacts of human pressure on these, helping to frame the collaboration within a broader comparative perspective between Europe and Southern Africa.

Sapienza contribution at University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)

A central aspect of the programme was also the dialogue with local institutions and NGOs. Meetings with the Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment (GDARD) provided valuable insights into regional conservation priorities and governance challenges, helping the consortium better understand the social and political dimensions of biodiversity conservation in South Africa.

Meetings with local stakeholders at University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) 

Beyond the scientific activities, the mission succeeded in establishing a strong collaborative framework and a shared scientific vision among the participating institutions. This initial seed funding started connecting the working group and creating the foundations for future joint research initiatives on the evolving challenges facing ecological connectivity under climate and anthropogenic pressures.

By working within the framework of CIVIS, the collaboration contributes to a broader international effort to advance environmental sustainability through interdisciplinary and transnational research. For the BCG Lab at Sapienza University of Rome, the project represents an important step toward strengthening global scientific partnerships dedicated to biodiversity conservation across continents.

CIVIS project partners