The University of Stirling

In partnership with the Government of Gabon, the University of Stirling founded the Station d'Etudes des Gorilles et Chimpanzes (SEGC) research station in Lopé National Park in 1983. Now deemed a ‘supersite’ for climate research due to the importance of its unique long-term datasets on ecological responses in African forests, SEGC alumni and current researchers form a large and vibrant international research community, supporting Gabon’s environmental leadership and driving innovation in sustainable development.

Stirling, with its deep roots in Gabon, will design and manage a research portfolio for forestLAB that combines natural history, ecology, anthropology and the social sciences, continuing to inform the best policies and practices for sustainable global futures.

The University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe – addressing real issues, providing solutions and helping to shape society. ForestLAB will be a pioneer project for Scotland’s International Environment Centre, based at Stirling, which will co-develop sustainable solutions across policy, industry and communities.

The major forestLAB research focus areas for University of Stirling in Gabon are:

Refining field methods

for biomass measurement and sequestration rates of soil and plant carbon
Refining field methods to assess social

biodiversity and climate impacts of land-use changes
Ongoing species

and biodiversity measurement and monitoring
Social and human impact

monitoring across a series of development indicators
Ecological forecasting

focused on climate adaptation and mitigation
Research assistant

mentoring and eco-guide training

"forestLAB is a very exciting chance to bring cutting-edge economic, environment and social research together for sustainable development at a global scale. The partnership will convene current high-level thinking to design sustainable business strategies and, importantly, will use rigorous research to test how these strategies deliver sustainable outcomes in communities."

— Prof. Kate Abernethy