A Summary of Wildlife Works' Biodiversity and Climate Science Research
- Wildlife Works
- 3 minutes ago
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In this blog, you'll find links to recent peer-reviewed and pre-print research produced by the Wildlife Works Biodiversity and Carbon Science research teams. Together, these papers reflect our commitment to rigorous, field-based research that informs conservation, climate action, and human well-being.
Wildlife Works’ research sits at the intersection of biodiversity conservation, climate science, and people–nature interactions. A major focus is on human–wildlife coexistence, particularly human–elephant conflict, where our team evaluates climate-smart agriculture, deterrent technologies, participatory modelling, and behavioral ecology to reduce crop loss while supporting rural livelihoods.
Another core theme is tropical forest ecology and biodiversity, with long-term studies on birds, trees, and plant phenology that reveal how habitat fragmentation, degradation, and climate change affect movement, immunity, population genetics, and community stability. These ecological insights are paired with applied conservation outcomes, especially for endemic and globally threatened species.
Our research team's portfolio also highlights strong expertise in carbon and climate mitigation science, including ecosystem carbon stock assessments, peatland emissions, deforestation risk modeling, and next-generation REDD+ baselines. Across all topics, Wildlife Works’ research emphasizes data-driven, on-the-ground evidence to improve conservation policy, climate finance integrity, and nature-based solutions that work for both ecosystems and people.
2025
Climate-Smart Agriculture and Human–Elephant Conflict in Southern Kenya: Intercropping With Use of a Metal Strip Deterrent Fence. African Journal of Ecology
M.J. Bowers, S.C. Corde, L. Von Hagen, S. Kasaine, B. Amakobe, M. Githiru, G.M. Wambugu, U.N. Mutwiwa, B.A. Schulte. 2025
Ecology in Africa: historical perspectives, present state and prospects. EcoEvoRxiv
M.A. Owuor, O. Seehausen, I.T. Borokini , R. Abila, Y.W. Githiora, C.I. Speranza, M.G. Njau, P. Ngila, D. Chiawo, D.R. Valenzano, G.N. Alawa, P. Akite, R.B. Gross, D.O. Alila, G.A. Agonvonon, A. Mahulu (Pre-print)
Flowering and Fruiting Characteristics and Phenology of an Endemic Monoecious Tree in a Fragmented African Rainforest Landscape. International Journal of Plant Sciences
Kabala, F. S., Ndangalasi, H. J., Dangremond, E., Stenson, K. A., & Cordeiro, N. J. (2025).
Habitat degradation relates to reduced immune function in nestlings, but not adults, of a tropical forest bird. The Science of Nature
Sorg, T.I., Hegemann, A., Cousseau, L., Kung’u, G.N., Heiskanen, J., Pellikka, P., Githiru, M., Lens, L. and Apfelbeck, B. 2025.
Habitat disturbance alters movement behaviour in a social Afrotropical forest bird. Biological Conservation
Kung'u, G.N., Fischer, C. Heiskanen, J., Cousseau, L., Githiru, M., Habel, J.C., Mortega, K.G., Njoroge, P., Alila, L., Pellikka, P., Lens, L., and Apfelbeck, B. 2025.
Long-term genetic and demographic surveys reveal the impact of population history, habitat change, and conservation efforts on the globally endangered Turdus helleri (Taita Thrush). Ornithological Applications
Cousseau, L., Sanczuk, P., de Mits, S., Vangestel, C., Borghesio, L., Githiru, M., Lens, L. 2025.
Many winners, few losers: stable bird populations on an Afrotropical mountain amidst climate change. Frontiers in Conservation Science
Wambugu M, Martínez-Íñigo L, Amakobe B and Githiru M. 2025.
Total ecosystem carbon stocks of tropical peat forests and greenhouse gas emissions from their disturbance.
J. Boone Kauffman, Maria Fernanda Adame., Wahyu Catur Adinugroho. Gusti Anshari, Imam Basuki, Daniel Donato, Adi Gangga, Daniel Murdiyarso, Rasis Putra Ritonga, Matthew Warren, Nisa Novita (2025) .
2024
A novel deforestation risk and baseline allocation model for the next generation of nested REDD+ projects. Scientific Reports
Freund, J., Pauly, M., Gochberg, W., Dangremond, E. M., & Korchinsky, M. (2024)
Elephants at Crossroads: Foraging Implications Under Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) in Southern Kenya. Available at SSRN
Wambugu, G. and Githiru, M. (2024 – Preprint)
Lack of crucial information exacerbates barriers to mitigating human–elephant conflicts in rural Kenya. Oryx
Von Hagen, L., Schulte, B. A., Steury, T. D., Dunning, K., Githiru, M., Zohdy, S., & Lepczyk, C. A. (2024).
Lunar phase as a dynamic landscape of fear factor affecting elephant crop raiding potential. Ethology Ecology & Evolution
Corde, S. C., Von Hagen, R. L., Kasaine, S., Mutwiwa, U. N., Amakobe, B., Githiru, M., & Schulte, B. A. (2024).
Nature-based solutions in the savanna belt of Africa: Insights from a systematic review,
Daniel O. Olago, Timothy A. Downing, Yvonne Githiora, Christian Borgemeister, Juliet Kamau, Gerda Kuiper, N'golo A. Koné, Christine Omuombo (2024)
Participatory modelling across Kenyan villages facilitates insights into the complexity of human–elephant interactions. Oryx
Von Hagen L, Gray SA, Schulte BA, Githiru M, Kiute HI, Lepczyk CA. 2024.
Zai Pits as a Climate-Smart Agriculture Technique in Southern Kenya: Maize Success Is Influenced More by Manure Than Depth. Resources
Bowers, M. J., Kasaine, S., & Schulte, B. A. (2024).
2023
Elevational patterns of species richness and community structure of understorey birds in an East African montane forest , African Journal of Ecology
Geoffrey M. Wambugu, Bernard Amakobe1, Çağan H. Şekercioğlu, Mwangi Githiru (2023)
