The role of basic sciences in addressing global challenges to sustainable development: experiences from CIFOR-ICRAF

Abstract

Human-induced global challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, land degradation and broken food systems, militate against the attainment of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Centre for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF) has, for many decades, worked in support of research in development initiatives aimed at addressing these challenges. With reference to the functions of selected research units and laboratories located at CIFOR-ICRAF’s Nairobi head office in Kenya, e.g., the Genetic Resources Unit, Germplasm Health Unit, Soil-Plant Spectral Diagnostics and Living Soils Laboratories, this paper highlights the application of the basic sciences in tackling the afore-mentioned challenges. Reference is also made to the Land Degradation Surveillance Framework (LDSF), designed for the collection of reliable soil, vegetation and land-use data to inform climate action such as landscape restoration. Based on the finding that knowledge generated from basic studies in plant and soil biology, as well as physics and chemistry, contribute to tree germplasm management, land and soil health assessment, forest restoration and other efforts aimed at meeting the SDGs, the paper makes recommendations to improve inclusion and funding of the basic sciences - particularly in African universities - in sustainability-focused research initiatives.