The African Continent
supports a rich biodiversity of freshwater fishes, owing to its great climatic
and physiographic complexity. Much of this diversity is being threatened by the
continent's expanding human population, increasing aridity and demand for fresh
water, and introduction of invasive exotic species. Scientist from all over the
world are engaged in biodiversity research in Africa. However, more scientists
from African countries need to be involved in this endeavor. An international
workshop is planned to explore ways of enhancing freshwater fish biodiversity
research in Africa. Topics to be explored include advances in computer and
information technology relevant to biodiversity research, funding
opportunities, building research collections and other key biodiversity
research infrastructure, and planning future research collaboration.
This workshop is the 4th International Workshop organized by the Cypriniformes
Tree of Life (CToL) initiative, an international, collaborative research
project focused on uncovering the evolutionary relationships, classification,
and biodiversity of fishes of Order Cypriniformes (http://www.cypriniformes.org
).
Participants in this workshop will have the opportunity to hear about
biodiversity research presently ongoing in African countries, meet the
scientists who are conducting this research, learn about networks that have
been established to facilitate research in Africa, build research
collaborations, and learn about opportunities for funding biodiversity research
in Africa.
We hope that you will take advantage of the opportunity to participate in this
important workshop and the wonderful sights and surroundings of Grahamstown,
South Africa.
Paul Skelton, The
South African Istitute for Aquatic Biodiversity.
Henry L. Bart , Tulane
University
