Programme

Suriname, a country largely covered by tropical rainforest, harbors an exceptionally rich biodiversity. Indigenous communities located within diverse ecosystems such as mangrove areas, savannahs, and rainforests are highly dependent on natural resources for their livelihoods. These communities possess deeply rooted ecological knowledge and traditional resource management practices.

Suriname’s ecosystems are increasingly under pressure due to expanding economic activities such as gold mining, logging, and commercial fishing, posing significant threats to both biodiversity and public health. In addition to the extractive practices of mining and logging, the overhunting of wildlife species contributes to ecological imbalance.

By integrating two interconnected PhD projects and 1 research project, this programme aims to advance sustainable wildlife management, improve community health and resilience and strengthen nature conservation governance.

The research is structured around three interrelated thematic focal points: wildlife management, One Health, and governance. The wildlife management focus zooms in on maintaining ecological balance in relation to hunting, biodiversity, and the conservation of keystone species and their ecosystem functions in a social-ecological system. The One Health focus examines the interconnections between ecosystem health, animal health, and human health, with particular attention to mercury contamination, food security, and zoonotic disease risks. The governance focus analyses the role of regulatory frameworks, local leadership, and community engagement in effectively managing natural resources.

This research project has been closely aligned with the interests of VIDS (Vereniging Inheemse Dorpshoofden in Suriname), Anton de Kom University, the LBB (Suriname Forest Service), and other Non-Governmental Organizations, such as the Primary Health Care Suriname.