STATUS AND INTER-FACULTY LINKAGES

The Centre will be a co-ordinating and directive institution for world-class research, education and training with a focus on a particular facet of biodiversity, that of the agri-environment. It will also be a service delivery of the University of Stellenbosch (hereafter referred to as the University) to our knowledge partners in the agricultural industries and conservation. The physical node for the Centre will be in the Faculty of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences (hereafter referred to as the Faculty) and the Departmental home will be the current Department of Entomology, but with strong, interactive links with the Department of Conservation Ecology, and the Faculty of Natural Sciences, especially the Departments of Botany and Zoology. In addition, within the Centre, will be permanent members representing the citrus, deciduous fruit and viticultural industries. This does not exclude future members from other agricultural sectors, such as range and forage science, and forestry. The point being that the thrust of the research will be at the landscape level and at the interface between agriculture and indigenous ecosystems, from an agricultural and ecosystem management perspective (broadly interpreted, namely agricultural production, water quality, invasive alien mitigation, pollution amelioration, global warming response, etc.). The Centre will align itself with the University Focus Areas: Production of Food and Fibre and Sustainable Biodiversity. The Centre would be a component of the wider campus ‘Biodiversity Initiative’. The Centre will report to the Faculty of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences Board (hereafter referred to as the Faculty Board).

VISION

‘To optimize agriculture without compromising biodiversity’

MISSION

The Centre is committed to research excellence, education, training and practical implementation of research findings (including extension and technology transfer), which optimize agricultural production without compromising biodiversity. While the focus will be the agriculturally important and diverse Western Cape (which is home to the unique Cape Floral Kingdom, and a world mega-hotspot for biodiversity), strategic thrusts will also be made in other national and international areas that lead to the achievement of research excellence. These will focus on overcoming impediments to ecologically sensitive agricultural production and/or biodiversity conservation. While agriculture is the principal major industry in the Western Cape and Northern Cape, occasional research will be done on other ecosystems and cultures that require focused research.

The aim is to develop strong ties with local, national and international agricultural and conservation bodies that express interest in the interface between sustainable agriculture and the future of biodiversity.

The need for this arises from the fact that there is no such central, permanent body in South or even southern Africa dedicated to this important field. Yet much research is being done in this area both nationally and internationally.

The Centre will strongly link with other similar productive, agriculturally orientated centres in the world, so as to express global interest and concern, and to enable flow of information that will benefit both local and global systems.

OBJECTIVES

The Centre aims to:

Co-ordinate existing research projects, education and training, and service activities in the field of agriculture and biodiversity conservation within the Faculty and University.

Facilitate optimal growth and deployment of expertise and infrastructure in the field of agriculture and biodiversity conservation within the Faculty and University so that research education and training in the field of sustainable agriculture can be undertaken to the highest standards.

Facilitate and co-ordinate original, appropriate fundamental and applied research, in parallel with the education and training of students, concerning all facets of the interface between agricultural development and the conservation of biodiversity.

Identify and develop areas of capacity development in the fields of agricultural pest management, sustainable landscape ecology and biodiversity conservation.

Service agriculture, with special emphasis on the Western Cape and Northern Cape, in terms of research, education, training and appropriate extension, in the field of integrated pest management.

To promote sustainable developments and optimal agriculture without compromising ecological integrity or ecosystem health, so that future generations inherit the same biotic resources as the current generation.

To uphold the highest standards of environmental ethics.

To stimulate and maintain strong national and international links with sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation organizations and institutions, so that there is a strong flow of information that benefits local and global sustainable agriculture without compromising biodiversity.