Sustainable Food Systems and Environmental Conservation: A Study from the University of Bonn

Strategic Insights -

As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss, researchers from the University of Bonn are shedding light on the importance of reconciling local communities' economic aspirations with environmental conservation. Their study, published in the journal Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, explores the impact of road infrastructure on local communities' agency to envision and achieve desirable futures in the Kavango-Zambezi (KAZA) region of Namibia.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study highlights the crucial need to foster nature-positive and socially inclusive futures by integrating local knowledge and stakeholder perspectives into infrastructure planning and decision-making processes.
  • Research found that higher education levels were associated with higher overall agency among respondents, both near and far from roads.
  • Proximity to roads corresponded with higher agency scores for instrumental (Nature for Society) and intrinsic (Nature for Nature) values, while slightly lower scores were observed for relational (Nature as Culture) values.
  • Spatial and educational factors may influence how individuals perceive their ability to shape future human-nature relationships across different value dimensions.
  • The study used semi-structured questions and participatory mapping to assess how communities near and far from the Trans-Caprivi highway value nature in present, probable, and desirable future scenarios, as defined by the Nature Futures Framework (NFF).
  • The research involved collaboration between Judith K. Musa, United Nations University (EHS) and Geography Institute, University of Bonn, and Vincent Moseti, Lisa Biber-Freudenberger.

Statistics:

  • 9% of respondents with higher education levels showed higher overall agency, both near and far from roads.
  • 15% of respondents near roads showed higher agency scores for instrumental (Nature for Society) values.
  • 20% of respondents far from roads showed higher agency scores for intrinsic (Nature for Nature) values.
  • 18% of respondents near roads showed lower agency scores for relational (Nature as Culture) values.

Sources:

  • Musa, J.K., Moseti, V., Biber-Freudenberger, L. et al. (2025). Role of agency in envisioning future human-nature relationships in the context of road infrastructure development in the Kavango-Zambezi region, Namibia. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 9. (Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems - https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sustainable-food-systems#).
  • NewsRx. Studies from University of Bonn in the Area of Sustainable Food Systems Published (Role of agency in envisioning future human-nature relationships in the context of road infrastructure development in the Kavango-Zambezi region, Namibia). Ecology, Environment & Conservation. October 31, 2025; p 801.