FSML: Enhancing Novel Research and Education Capacity in Central Africa

该项目改造了两个位置独特的比较实地站点，以支持非洲刚果盆地的各种研究、教育和能力建设工作（https：//www.cbi.ucla.edu/field-stations/）。 该项目提供基本的科学仪器和适度的设施升级，使喀麦隆的两个生物野外站能够长期停留，并采取可持续性措施：1）位于联合国教科文组织世界遗产地Dja生物圈保护区边界次生林中的Somalomo站，以及2）位于保护区中心成熟雨林中的Bouamir站。 该项目支持在一个物种丧失、森林砍伐、新出现的疾病和自然资源开采正在产生全球影响的地区进行研究。 它通过将美国科学家与非洲研究人员配对，提高了该地区关键的地方科学能力。 这两个实地考察点还雇用和培训土著巴卡人村庄的自然学家，促进传统知识的翻译，并为这一边缘化群体提供有意义的就业机会。 最终，该项目将提高美国领导的科学研究能力，研究新出现的传染病、粮食和水安全以及生态系统功能等问题。将一个监测站设在人类与森林的交界处，另一个设在成熟的热带雨林中，为研究人员提供了一个无与伦比的机会，可以在一个研究非常不足的地区进行比较研究。这些网站支持各种主题的研究和教育，包括人类和动物疾病，食品和水安全，人类学，地质学和环境科学。 该项目通过以下方式提高各地点的科学能力：（1）通过建立基本传感器网络系统（例如，气象站、温度记录仪和其他生物监测设备），这些设备将报告生态和环境变量。(2)设施升级，包括增加管道和其他基本便利设施。(3)通过提供基于太阳能的电力来提高场地的功能性和可持续性。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This project transforms two uniquely located comparative field sites to support a diverse array of research, education, and capacity building efforts in Africa's Congo Basin ((https://www.cbi.ucla.edu/field-stations/). The project provides basic scientific instrumentation and modest facilities upgrades that will permit longer stays, and sustainability measures at two biological field stations in Cameroon: 1) the Somalomo station in secondary forest at the border of the Dja Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and 2) the Bouamir station, located in mature rainforest at the center of the reserve. The project supports research in a region where species loss, deforestation, emerging diseases, and natural resource extraction are having global impacts. It increases critical local scientific capacity in the region by pairing American scientists with African researchers. The two field sites also hire and train naturalists from indigenous Baka villages, facilitating the translation of traditional knowledge and providing meaningful employment to this marginalized group. Ultimately, the project will increase the capacity for American-led scientific research on topics such as emerging infectious diseases food and water security and ecosystem function.Having one station located at the human forest interface and a second within a mature tropical rainforest offers researchers an unparalleled opportunity to conduct comparative work in a very understudied region. The sites support research and education on a variety of topics, including human and animal disease, food and water security, anthropology, geology, and environmental sciences. This project increases scientific capacity at the sites through: (1) Improved scientific equipment by creating a networked system of basic sensors (e.g., weather stations, temperature loggers, and other biomonitoring equipment) that will report on ecological and environmental variables. (2) Facilities upgrades including adding plumbing and other basic conveniences. (3) Increased functionality and sustainability at the sites by providing solar-based electricity.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.