Biodiversity Archives

Harnessing insect biodiversity for sustainable plant health in tropical Africa

Fall armyworm (FAW), a ravaging pest of the maize plant, is spreading globally. Every year, Africa, Asia, and the Near East lose 80 million tons of maize worth US$18 billion to the damaging effects of FAW. Georg Goergen, IITA Entomologist and Biocontrol Specialist based in Cotonou, highlighted past and ongoing efforts to control the spread…

The IITA Forest Center maintains a rigorous system of nature conservation in its parks and forest.

IITA celebrates World Environment Day

To celebrate this year’s World Environment Day, the CGIAR-IITA Forest Center, Corporate Services Directorate, and Communication Office organized a virtual event on 5 June as part of activities to create awareness and action for protecting the environment. The theme for this year’s event, which is celebrated annually, was “Time for Nature” to emphasize the importance…

IITA promotes natural solutions during International Day of Biodiversity

On 22 May, CGIAR-IITA joined the global community to mark the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB), an annual observance to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. In line with this year’s theme, “Our solutions are in Nature”, the Institute hosted a semi-virtual event to highlight the importance of biodiversity and plants to human…

Solutions in nature: promoting the efficacy of indigenous medicinal plants

Over the centuries, earth’s biological diversity has played a crucial role in the development and sustenance of our civilization. From energy to food and infrastructure to medicine, humans have relied on nature for existence. Sadly though, we have lost so much of our biodiversity through unsustainable human activities, leading to severe consequences, including challenges of…

Biodiversity focus: IITA Forest Center monitors bird populations with mist nets

The IITA Forest Reserve is one of 27 sites designated as Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) in Nigeria. The 350-ha forest qualifies as an IBA because it holds 67 bird species that are restricted to the Guinea-Congo Forest Biome, and the entire IITA-Ibadan Campus, which consists of other habitat types, is a haven for…

Biodiversity focus: IITA-Ibadan Campus is a hotspot for bird conservation

By supporting about 270 different species of birds, the 1000-ha IITA Campus in Ibadan remains one of Nigeria’s hotspots for bird conservation. The campus is blessed with different kinds of habitats, including forest, wetland, farmland, and residential areas. “This huge diversity of birds is attributable to the different kinds of habitats found within the campus,”…

Biodiversity focus: The Straw-colored Fruit Bat (Eidolon helvum)

The Straw-colored fruit bat (Eidolon helvum) is a rapidly declining mammal and has been classified as Near Threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Despite being an adaptable species, widespread deforestation and hunting for food and medicinal uses are the main causes of declining populations. Mainly found south of the…