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Starting Date : (date when the selected canditate is expected to start)
01-Nov-2008
Duration of Initial Contract :
November 2008-February 2009
Expected Duration of Assignment :
November 2008-February 2009
Background
Historically and presently, forest fires are one of the main causes of deforestation and ensuing land degradation in the Seychelles. For the past several years, numerous wildfires have occurred in the country (esp. on Praslin) and in the most severe cases, the effects of wildfires have resulted in substantial loss of vital ecosystem and land resources. Subsequently, there is a crucial need to restore the ecological functions of forested areas. However, the physical and chemical attributes of the Seychelles’ landscape often limits natural regeneration and rehabilitation of burned/degraded areas, and a scarcity of resources has precluded the development and testing of cost-effective strategies for post-fire rehabilitation of burned and degraded lands. Research in fire ecology is limited, and not much is understood of the processes prior to and after an area is burnt, nor are there models established for rehabilitation of burned areas. Research capacity in post-fire rehabilitation needs to be developed, not only on forest fire ecology and rehabilitation programmes, but as a baseline to help establish and devise suitable guidelines, protocols, training and cost-effective models to address the threats of forest fires.
Duties and Responsibilities
1. Work in partnership with National Consultant to develop overall workplan and strategic guidance for project activities related to post-fire rehabilitation
Provide guidance for initial research and review of post-fire rehabilitation practices and strategies in Seychelles
Undertake review of relevant international best practices and cost-effective strategies for restoration of burned/degraded lands in areas with comparable physical conditions to the Seychelles.
2. Work in partnership with the National Consultant to carry out an initial training programme with relevant stakeholders on:
Review of existing practices for post-fire rehabilitation, soil improvement, and overall management of sites, including stakeholders’ responsibilities/ involvement in site restoration and appropriate use of resources.
Enhancing the knowledge of stakeholders on ecological successions of a site under restoration by indentifying the types and roles of the following species: - Facilitators (species which facilitates the colonization of another species into the successional community) - Inhibitors (species which inhibits the colonization of one or more species to the successional community) - Tolerance species (where a particular species is able to colonize a successional community despite the presence of other species already present)
Cost-benefit analyses of proposed restoration treatments in terms of sustainability and economic benefits.
Long-term monitoring and effective reporting of the restoration/rehabilitation process.
3. Advise the National Consultant on the design of field demonstrations of “Cost-effective techniques for rehabilitation of burned/deforested land” in selected sites on the island of Praslin.
Competencies
Excellent proven training skills, including experience in training on rehabilitation of burned/deforested land
Excellent analytic skills;
Excellent report writing skills;
Required Skills and Experience
Fluent written and oral communication in English. Knowledge of French an advantage ·
Masters Degree in environmental or natural resources sciences;
More than 10 years working experience and significant background in forest fire management and research experience in post-fire rehabilitation;
