COREBIOM: Conservation and Renovation for Biodiversity in Mozambique

The overall objective of the project is to improve Mozambique's capacity to promote the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable use of natural resources. This will be achieved by improving the structure, conservation and exhibition procedures and promotion of the Maputo Natural History Museum (NHM) and the Inhaca’s Marine Biology Station (EBMI).  

Mozambique is extremely rich in biodiversity, hosting more than 6,000 plant species (250 endemics) and wide range of fauna, with 768 species of birds, 315 of reptiles and amphibians (28 endemics) and 263 of mammals, including the “big five”: lion, leopard, rhinoceros, African elephant and buffalo. Furthermore, the Mozambican coastline, stretching 2,700 km alongside the Indian Ocean, has a highly diverse marine biodiversity and array of habitats, spanning from coral reefs to mangrove forests and hosting iconic species such as the dugong. However, this unique biodiversity is being threatened by direct and indirect impacts mostly caused by human activities, such as deforestation, land degradation, desertification, the introduction of alien species and climate change. Effective strategies for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of natural resources need to be put in place to deal with such threats. 

These strategies can only be implemented by working synergically at multiple levels: increasing the awareness of the importance of biodiversity at national and international levels; increasing the availability of reliable biodiversity data; and improving the technical capacities of local staff, as well as the equipment and facilities available to the relevant institutions.