Ecology & Nature Conservation

We at COFAD believe in Aldo Leopold's maxime, that "a thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong, when it tends otherwise". This rather ethical concept has its scientific foundation in the essential and urgent need to preserve or reconstitute the regulatory power of ecological systems that have created and maintain the life-supporting conditions on earth. In this sense nature conservation is, or should be, a "state of harmony between men and land", the accomplishment of which, however far, has become a primary objective of the international community and many governments and organisations.

COFAD has contributed to a number of projects aiming at nature conservation or comprising ecological aspects. Our specific expertise is on:

• Conservation policy, strategy, and legislation
• Conservation planning and implementation
• Aquatic ecology
• Fisheries damage assessment and settlement
• Aquatic biodiversity conservation and management
• Human impact assessment
• Habitat restoration (streams, rivers, lakes, coasts, catchment areas)
• Conflict mediation and alternative dispute resolution
• Environmental education
• Institutional strengthening

For further information, please contact cofad@cofad.de.