Scientists by Environmental Issue: African Biodiversity From its grassy savannas to its high mountains, the African continent is home to an astounding diversity of habitats and species. Africa’s amazing array of human cultures and peoples have shown dazzling creativity as they’ve responded to the continent’s wide-ranging environments. The natural diversity of Africa is the product of tremendous forces of natural selection, and it is here that we find our most ancient ties to our human origins. Yet here, species and ecosystems, cultures and ways of life, are being extinguished before our very eyes through a variety of human activities and natural processes. Learn how Field Museum biologists, geologists, and anthropologists protect Africa’s biological and ethnic heritage by studying the intricate patterns of species and cultures and by deciphering the evolutionary processes that have created them. Select which scientist you’d like to meet first: John Bates—Genetic Diversity of African Forest Birds Rauri Bowie—Evolution of African Birds Norbert Cordeiro—Effects of Forest Fragmentation in Tanzania, Africa John Flynn—Fossil Mammals of Madagascar Thomas Gnoske—Lions of East Africa Steve Goodman—Birds and Mammals of Madagascar Shannon Hackett—Evolutionary Tree of African Birds Julian Kerbis Peterhans—Small Mammal and Bird Faunas Chapurukha Kusimba—The Effects of Human Use of Animal Products on the Environment of East Africa Robert Martin—Primates in North Africa and Madagascar Alfred Newton—Geographic Distribution of Beetles in South Africa Alexey Solodovnikov—Rove Beetles of South Africa Margaret Thayer—Beetles of South Africa David Willard—Distribution of Bird Populations in Uganda, Central African Republic, and Madagascar   back to Scientist by Environmental Issue >>   continue to Genetic Biodiversity >> Introduction | Investigate Biodiversity | YBC | Meet the Scientist | Explore Global Diversity | Events and Programs | Take Action! | Teaching Biodiversity | Biodiversity Exhibition | Credits Studying human-carnivore conflict in Kenya, our research has a direct application to conservation efforts focused on preserving the world’s remaining, but fast diminishing lion populations. —Thomas Gnoske Assistant Collections Manager, Birds The Field Museum