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Marc Stalmans

Marc Stalmans, PhD.

Director of Scientific Services

I was born and grew up in the Congo in Central Africa. When I was 15, my family moved back to Belgium where I finished high school and went on to university. After earning a degree as a forestry engineer and completing a post-graduate year in tropical animal health and production, I emigrated to South Africa in 1984. Since then, I’ve worked in nature conservation organizations and completed a MSc in Botany and a PhD in Landscape Ecology.

My role is to coordinate the scientific research happening in the Park, both by our team and by other scientists and students. The results of these studies are used to guide the management of the Park both in the short and the long-term. We are a small division but we interact with many other scientists and students, from Mozambique and further afield. I also advise on tourism planning by using information we gather on the ecology and biodiversity of the Park to enhance tourism while minimizing negative impacts on the environment. Another priority is to document the tremendous biodiversity of the Park, an effort that is led through the EO Wilson Biodiversity Laboratory in Chitengo. Our Science Education programme aimed at developing the next generation of Mozambican biodiversity experts and ecologists is one of our priority focus areas.
Having been involved in the restoration project since 2006, I’ve come to appreciate the tremendous dynamism in Gorongosa and in the conservation project. Nature itself is making an astounding comeback! The Park and its wildlife are hugely productive. Gorongosa is also an extraordinarily diverse national Park, encompassing a wide range of habitats from the peaks of Mount Gorongosa to the basin of Lake Urema.
It is a great project to be involved in because as a team we believe in what we are doing. Personally, I believe that the BioEducation program is one of the most important things that we do in Science. It is immensely satisfying to see young Mozambicans discovering their passion and developing their skills as scientists.