Project R-15907

Filling in the gaps: examining (parasite) biodiversity of African wetland macroinvertebrates in context of One Health and conservation policy (Research)

African wetlands are biodiversity hotspots that support local communities through water supply, fishing, irrigation, and other ecosystem services. Aquatic macroinvertebrates (MI) are widely used to monitor water quality and also act as vectors or hosts for parasites. Despite their importance, knowledge of MI species and their parasites in African wetlands remains limited. This PhD project, part of the AfroWetMaP programme, aims to address this gap by investigating MI biodiversity and parasite load in selected wetlands in Central Africa. The project will use and refine morphological and molecular tools to identify MI and their parasites, while also studying host-parasite dynamics under varying levels of anthropogenic disturbance. It will assess the potential of MIs and their parasites as bioindicators of ecosystem health. An additional objective is to conduct a survey of local stakeholders from various backgrounds (people from the general public, policy makers, and scientists) to assess the cultural significance attributed to these MI and to evaluate the extent to which these perceptions align with their ecological importance. Through involving local policy makers and scientists this study aims to acquire an additional level of information on the perceived value of these organisms as potential bioindicators. Engaging local actors will inform the development of practical conservation tools (e.g. user-friendly field guides) by identifying values that resonate with communities. Overall, the project aims to enhance understanding of MI species composition, genetic diversity, and parasite associations, and to clarify their relevance for both water quality assessment and community-based conservation strategies.

16 June 2025 - 15 June 2027