https://diler.tube/videos/watch/7318409a-d77f-45db-ac72-5dc0ee994e6a In this lecture, Ara Monadjem explores why taxonomy and biodiversity surveys remain fundamental to conservation science in Africa, arguing that species which are unknown, unseen, and unprotected cannot be effectively conserved. Drawing on decades of fieldwork across remote regions of the continent, he illustrates how renewed taxonomic effort has led to the rapid discovery of previously undescribed bats and small mammals, particularly in biodiversity hotspots such as Mount Nimba. The talk highlights how historical biases—such as African type specimens being housed overseas—have slowed local scientific progress, and how recent African-led research is reversing this trend. Ara presents examples from montane systems in Mozambique and long-term field sites in Eswatini, showing how cryptic diversity and taxonomic uncertainty can mask true species distributions and conservation needs. He also introduces emerging continental databases that now underpin species richness mapping and protected-area assessments, demonstrating how basic taxonomy feeds directly into applied conservation. The lecture concludes by emphasising the importance of building African expertise to ensure that biodiversity discovery translates into lasting protection. Thu, 25 Jun 2026 17:21:24 GMT https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html PeerTube - https://diler.tube https://diler.tube/lazy-static/avatars/f58b270a-6076-478a-ad43-3888a532ecb4.png https://diler.tube/videos/watch/7318409a-d77f-45db-ac72-5dc0ee994e6a All rights reserved, unless otherwise specified in the terms specified at https://diler.tube/about and potential licenses granted by each content's rightholder.