Juliane Helm
September, 2026
Farewell to Godfrey Oisso – Ten Years at Nkweseko
At the end of September, the Kili team is saying goodbye to a long-standing and much-loved member of our team: Godfrey Oisso, who has worked as a night watchman at our Nkweseko Research Station since 2016, is now retiring.
Godfrey comes from Rombo on Mount Kilimanjaro and is the father of eight children. Over the past ten years, he has been much more than just the station’s night watchman. With his calm, friendly and balanced personality, he was highly appreciated by everyone at Nkweseko. Whenever disagreements or small conflicts arose, Godfrey often stepped in as a mediator and helped to find a good solution.
He was also actively involved in the station during the day, helping in the garden and contributing his extensive knowledge of agriculture. He had particularly good knowledge of coffee and banana cultivation, which was always a valuable contribution to life and work at Nkweseko.
After ten years of working together, the Kili team did not want to simply say goodbye to Godfrey. Everyone contributed towards a gift for him, and all went out for a meal together at a local restaurant. It was a lovely event and a wonderful opportunity to thank him for his many years of dedicated work, his reliability, and above all his friendly and conciliatory nature.
Dear Godfrey, thank you very much for all the years you have been part of Nkweseko and the Kili team. We wish you and your family all the very best and a happy and fulfilling retirement!
– Claudia Hemp –
July, 2026
German Church Partnership Delegation Visits Kili-SES and TanzMont
In July 2026, Kili-SES and the NGO TanzMont had the pleasure of welcoming a delegation from Germany representing Lutheran church congregations from Leipzig and Hanover that maintain a long-standing partnership with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Moshi.
For many years, these congregations have supported church communities in Magadini, Arusha Chini, TPC, Msitu wa Tembo and Simanjiro at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. Through donations and volunteer engagement, they contribute to the restoration of church buildings and support environmental conservation by promoting the planting of indigenous trees. Their visit to Tanzania provided an opportunity to learn first-hand about the progress of these activities and to strengthen the long-standing partnership with the local congregations.
The delegation was accompanied by representatives of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Moshi, including District Head Javason Nelson Mrema, who guided the visitors throughout the programme.
One highlight of the visit was a tour of the historic Lutheran parish in Kidia, home to the oldest Lutheran church in Tanzania. Here, the visitors learned about the remarkable work of the German missionary and ethnologist Dr. Bruno Gutmann, whose contributions to the understanding of Chagga culture and language, as well as to the development of the Lutheran Church, continue to shape the region today.
During their stay in Kidia, the delegation also visited the Kili-SES research station. Members of the Kili-SES team introduced the visitors to the interdisciplinary research programme investigating the relationships between biodiversity, ecosystem services and human well-being on Mount Kilimanjaro. The guests were also informed about the work of the NGO TanzMont, which combines scientific research with practical conservation, environmental education and community-based restoration projects.
As a small token of appreciation, the visitors received copies of the topographic map of Mount Kilimanjaro produced by Kili-SES as well as the illustrated brochure on native tree species of Kilimanjaro, highlighting the importance of indigenous forests for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration.
The visit provided an excellent opportunity for dialogue between science, conservation and faith-based community initiatives. It also demonstrated how long-standing international partnerships can contribute to both cultural heritage preservation and sustainable environmental stewardship around Mount Kilimanjaro.
– Claudia Hemp –
July, 2026
Establishing Long-term Ecological Monitoring in the West Usambara Mountains: New Kili-SES Research Sites in Mazumbai Forest Reserve
The Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania are among Africa’s most important biodiversity hotspots, harbouring a remarkable diversity of plants, animals and microorganisms, including many endemic species. However, these ancient mountain forests are increasingly threatened by agricultural expansion, logging and human settlement.
As part of the Kili-SES project, SP6, new permanent ecological monitoring plots were established in February 2026 in the West Usambara Mountains and further expanded during field work in July 2026. The sites are located in the Mazumbai Forest Reserve, one of the best-preserved montane rainforests in East Africa. Covering approximately 320 hectares between1,300 and 1,900 m elevation, the forest is managed by the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) and represents an outstanding example of an intact Eastern Arc forest ecosystem.
More information about Mazumbai Forest Reserve:
https://arcg.is/01yD0r0
Mazumbai–a centre of conservation and research
The history of Mazumbai is closely linked to the Swiss Tanner family, who established a tea estate in the area. The historic chalet from this period still exists today. While parts of the former estate were transferred to local communities and have largely been transformed into farmland and settlements, the forest area managed by SUA has remained remarkably well preserved.
Today, Mazumbai is not only an important conservation area but also a valuable field station for scientists, students and nature-oriented visitors. Its exceptional forest condition and biodiversity make it an ideal location for long-term ecological research.
Collaboration with Sokoine University of Agriculture
The establishment of the Kili-SES research plots is based on close cooperation with Sokoine University of Agriculture. Our local counterpart is Dr Charles Kilawe, whose support and commitment have been essential for establishing research activities in the West Usambara Mountains. Dr Kilawe has contributed to ecological research and conservation initiatives in different regions of Tanzania and plays an important role in strengthening cooperation between Tanzanian and international scientists. He is also involved in the Hyrax and Bushbaby Project led by Dr Hanna Rosti (University of Helsinki), investigating the ecology and conservation of these mammals in Tanzania.
New Kili-SES monitoring plots
The new permanent plots of SP6 in Mazumbai are equipped with instruments for long-term environmental monitoring, including rain gauges, fog collectors, temperature and air humidity sensors, and soil moisture measurements (in collaboration with Dr. Dirk Zeuss and Dr. Temesgen Abera, University of Marburg).
These data will provide important baseline information on the relationship between climate, forest structure and biodiversity in the Eastern Arc Mountains. The new sites complement the extensive network of permanent plots already established by Kili-SES, SP6, on Mount Kilimanjaro and in other Tanzanian ecosystems.
Vegetation research along a unique ecological transect
In addition to climate measurements, Andreas Hemp conducts detailed vegetation surveys, including plant inventories, analyses of forest composition and measurements of tree heights and forest structure. Mazumbai represents an important link within a unique ecological transect extending from Tanzania’s inland mountain regions towards the coast. Together with other Kili-SES research sites, these studies allow vegetation patterns and ecosystem changes to be analysed across major climatic, elevational and geographical gradients. This long-term approach contributes to one of the most comprehensive datasets on African vegetation, providing valuable information on biodiversity, ecosystem dynamics, carbon storage and responses to future environmental change.
Insect biodiversity and the hidden world of dead wood
Within the new research areas, Claudia Hemp investigates insect biodiversity, with a focus on grasshoppers and other arthropods. Despite their global importance for biodiversity, many insect groups in the Eastern Arc Mountains remain poorly studied. A further focus is a new dead wood biodiversity study in Mazumbai and Ambangulu Forest further south in the West Usambara Mountains. Dead wood provides essential habitats for numerous organisms, including beetles, millipedes, ants, earwigs, and Orthoptera, which play key roles in nutrient cycling and forest functioning.
Comprehensive studies of dead wood-associated biodiversity are still largely lacking for EastAfrican montane forests. Organisms living in dead wood are systematically collected, photographed and identified to document this hidden biodiversity and understand its ecological importance. This study represents pioneering work for the West Usambara Mountains and will provide valuable baseline data for future conservation efforts.
Linking research, conservation and local engagement
The expansion of Kili-SES into the West Usambara Mountains strengthens our long-term goal of understanding Tanzania’s mountain ecosystems through an integrated approach combining climate monitoring, vegetation surveys, tree measurements, biodiversity assessments, and studies of ecosystem processes such as dead wood decomposition.
The inclusion of Mazumbai in the Kili-SES research network provides an important reference point for understanding ecological connections between Tanzania’s mountain forests and lowland ecosystems, from the Eastern Arc Mountains to the coastal forests of the Indian Ocean.
Through collaboration with Tanzanian institutions such as Sokoine University of Agriculture, Kili-SES contributes to generating knowledge that supports the conservation and sustainable management of Tanzania’s unique natural heritage.
– Claudia Hemp –
June, 2026
What is the potential for transformation towards just and sustainable futures in the Kili-SES?
I presented early insights from a transformation synthesis of the Kilimanjaro social-ecological system at the World Biodiversity Forum 2026 in Davos, themed “Leading Transformation Together.” My talk raised questions about normativity and the dominant discourses that shape what we expect from sustainability transformations — including the central question of “whose transformations are we talking about?” — alongside preliminary insights drawn from the data available so far.
It was inspiring to meet so many researchers dedicated to sustainability transformations and to learn from such a diverse range of approaches, from ethics and philosophy to arts-based methods and technological innovation.
It was great to catch up with fellow Kili-SES researchers, too! Lisa Lehnen organized a session on long-term social-ecological research platforms, and Maria Eugenia Degano presented her research on soundscapes at Mt. Kilimanjaro.
– Caroline Dabard –
May, 2026
Behind the scenes of SP3: learning from initiatives around Mount Kilimanjaro through their stories
From January to May 2025, the SP3 team around Jacquiline Chokola (employed as a research assistant), Dr. Milena Gross (postdoctoral researcher), Aristetides Mulwale (employed as a research assistant), Lucía Pérez Volkow (PhD student), and Fatma Alharthy (PhD student) (from left to right in the group photo) interviewed a total of 108 representatives from 68 initiatives working towards social-ecological transformation on and around Mount Kilimanjaro. Whenever possible, both the head and an implementer from each initiative participated, providing complementary perspectives on their work, experiences, and aspirations.
These interviews are a central part of the SP3 research, helping us better understand the efforts that contribute to building a sustainable and just Kilimanjaro social-ecological system. Beyond generating valuable research data, the conversations have been a source of inspiration and mutual learning for the entire team. Here, we share a few personal reflections from the field.An authors’ note: To maintain confidentiality we do not state the names of the initiatives.
Aristetides
As an early-career professional, participating in this fieldwork was both inspiring and eye-opening. It was an incredible experience listening to people passionately share their stories, their work, and the challenges they face. I was inspired by the dedication of every initiative I interviewed and their commitment to making the Kilimanjaro environment better than it is today.
One of the things that stood out to me most during the fieldwork was that these initiatives not only strive to improve the environment but also empower the communities in which they operate. They do this by sharing knowledge, providing material support, and, in some cases, creating opportunities that improve people’s financial well-being. It was encouraging to see how environmental conservation and community development can go hand in hand.
Another memorable aspect was working with the SP3 project team. Their strong sense of unity, open communication, and genuine support for one another created a positive working environment that encouraged learning, collaboration, and personal growth throughout the project.
Fatma
As a Tanzanian, this was the first time I conducted interviews and got this close to the people of the area. In Kilimanjaro, I didn’t just collect data, I learned how passionate people are about the environment, and how proud they are of their mountain. The initiatives I interviewed during fieldwork have very different goals, but they share one thing: love and concern for protecting the mountain, preserving its glacier, and sustaining it for future generations. It was beautiful to hear them say this.
What I admired most, was the cooperation and unity among these initiatives where everyone had each other’s back. This picture (you can find it in the gallery on the left) is from one of the first interviews I conducted, together with Ariste and Jackie. It was so nice to connect, laugh, and learn throughout the interview. Sometimes you meet the best people in the most unpredictable way.
To my team: Berta, Milena, Lucia, Ariste, and Jackie, thank you for making this fieldwork memorable, adventurous, and well organized. You all made life in Kilimanjaro even more beautiful. Asante!
Jacquiline
Before joining Kili-SES, I had a very different idea of what an interview looked like or how it was conducted. I thought it was simply a matter of asking questions, writing down responses, and moving on. I quickly discovered that interviews could be much more engaging than I had imagined, lasting for hours and involving different activities that encouraged people to think, reflect, and share their experiences in creative ways. It opened my eyes to a side of research I had never experienced before.
What fascinated me most was how these activities especially “the river of life” activity encouraged participants to tell stories that might never have come out through questions alone. They were not simply answering questions, they were telling stories, reflecting on challenges, celebrating their achievements, and sharing their journeys. By doing so, they become active contributors to the research rather than just respondents. That experience taught me that research is not something we do to people but rather something we do with them. That was a lesson I had never experienced before, and one I will carry with me throughout my career.
Looking back, I am grateful for every long day out there, every meaningful conversation, every challenge, and every opportunity to learn from both the people we worked with and my team. To Berta, Milena, Lucía, Fatma, Ariste, and the entire Kili-SES team, thank you for the experiences that helped me grow not only as a researcher but also as a person. This is a chapter I will always carry with me and look back with gratitude.
Lucía
I have a deep sense of gratitude for Kilimanjaro, its people, and my team. The changes brought about by many of these initiatives across the region are truly inspiring: resting under old trees where, 30 years ago, the land was barren; finding water where there was once only dust; seeing families of elephants walking through Kilimanjaro; eating vegetables, fruits, and meat produced without chemicals; visiting schools surrounded by fruit trees; home gardens flourishing along the slopes of the mountain; sharing meals prepared with traditional ingredients; and watching public spaces come back to life after communities collectively picked up trash.
This fieldwork reminded me of the importance of not drowning in the socioecological crisis we live in, but instead of directing my energy toward the countless acts of resistance and regeneration that are taking place around us every day. We have a lot to learn from them and with them.
None of this would have been possible without teamwork. I am deeply grateful to Milena and Berta, who paved the way through their previous research in Kilimanjaro, and to Fatma, Ariste, and Jacqui, who welcomed me into their country with care and honesty. Their knowledge, guidance, and friendship made this experience possible.
Milena
Having completed my PhD during the first phase of the project, I returned to Kilimanjaro as a postdoctoral researcher, bringing with me nearly a year of previous work experience in the region. During my PhD, I interviewed and surveyed representatives of various initiatives, including conservation organizations, to better understand how nature contributes to people’s quality of life and why it matters to them. As part of our current research on the initiative landscape, one particularly memorable experience was revisiting an NGO that we had first collaborated with in 2022. During that earlier visit, we planted the organization’s very first tree—a Ficus sycomorus (sycamore fig). Four years later, we visited again to learn more about their ongoing riverine restoration work, which they carry out in close collaboration with local communities living along the river.
Seeing the once-small fig seedling thriving was deeply moving. It now stands surrounded by many newly planted trees, both nearby and further along the river corridor. Its healthy growth is a visible testament to the NGO’s sustained commitment and passion for restoring riverine landscapes. Despite the challenges posed by roaming, hungry goats, the tree has flourished, symbolizing both the dedication of the people caring for it as well as hope.
_____
We are deeply grateful to every interviewee who generously shared their knowledge and experiences with us and, whenever possible, invited us to visit their initiatives and witness their work firsthand. Their unique contributions have enriched not only our research but also our personal learning journeys.
– Milena Gross, Lucía Pérez Volkow, Fatma Alharthy, Jacquiline Chokola, and Aristetides Mulwale –
April, 2026
Research Data Management course for the Kili PhDs at the UFZ
A 3-day workshop about research data management was held at UFZ for the Kili-SES PhD candidates. The course included various topics that are crucial for handling data efficiently and safely as a researcher.
The course introduced the foundations, principles and practical skills required for responsible research data management. It covered ethical, legal, technical, and methodological aspects of handling research data throughout its entire life cycle. The course began by defining scientific freedom and the importance of responsible conduct and research, then the importance of reproducibility and quality of research. FAIR and CARE principles were also introduced to emphasise the maintenance of openness while protecting sensitive information (legally and ethically).
The students were also made aware of the ethics, governance, and legal frameworks that ensure research is conducted responsibly by protecting participants, regulating personal data and intellectual property, and preventing misconduct through principles of integrity, oversight, and compliance. Practical sessions were also conducted for the workshop participants to familirise themselves with Data Management Planning tools and how it can be used for their research.
In addition to planning, the workshop covered the full data life cycle, including best practices for data collection, documentation, file naming and version control to ensure data remains organized and reusable. Participants learned about the GDPR requirements, informed consent, and special considerations for personal, sensitive, and animal research data. The course also introduced secure storage solutions, encryption methods, and the 3‑2‑1 backup rule to minimise risks of data loss or breaches. Finally, the workshop addressed long‑term archiving, open formats, persistent identifiers, and the use of trusted repositories to ensure that research outputs remain accessible, reproducible, and valuable beyond the duration of the project.
Utilising AI in data management was also a timely and re-occurring topic throughout this workshop. Participants were additionally trained on the responsible use of AI, including how to document AI involvement, avoid plagiarism, and ensure that no personal, confidential, or unpublished information is shared with AI tools.
Beyond data‑focused content, the programme also included a session on the history of the UFZ campus, that is its past as a former forced labor camp, giving participants a deeper understanding of the site’s historical context.
In a nutshell, we had fun and learned a lot!
–Sachini Somapala–
April, 2026
Completing My PhD: A Milestone Achieved!
I successfully defended my PhD dissertation on 23 April 2026 at Goethe University Frankfurt. My dissertation, entitled “Relationships between biodiversity and material Nature’s Contributions to People along environmental gradients of Mount Kilimanjaro,” investigated how biodiversity supports different material Nature’s Contributions to People (NCP), including wood-based resources, agricultural production, medicinal plants, wild foods, and game resources across environmental and land-use gradients on Mount Kilimanjaro. Using ecological surveys, socio-economic data, and structural equation modelling, I explored how biodiversity, climate, land-use intensity, and human management jointly shape the supply of these resources.
The findings show that different biodiversity components contribute differently to specific NCP, while human agricultural inputs can increase crop yields but often at the cost of biodiversity. The dissertation also highlights the importance of protected areas for conserving biodiversity and culturally important species, while emphasizing the need for management strategies that balance conservation and local livelihoods.
I would like to sincerely thank my supervisors and mentor, colleagues, field assistants, friends, and family for their guidance, encouragement, and support throughout this journey. I am also very grateful to the KiLi-SES project and all collaborators who contributed to this work.
Asanteni sana!
–Koggani Dickson Koggani–
April, 2026
A PhD Journey Successfully Completed!
Neema, involved in the SP7 of the Kili-SES research unit, has successfully completed a PhD titled “Understanding the multidimensionality of the Kilimanjaro social–ecological system: insights for building desirable futures.”
The dissertation explores how interdisciplinary knowledge co-production can support sustainability in the Kilimanjaro social–ecological system (SES). By integrating ecological, social, and economic perspectives, the research examined farming systems, multifunctionality, and participatory future scenarios to understand how people and nature interact under changing environmental and social conditions. Using approaches such as Nature’s Contributions to People (NCP), multifunctionality assessments, and participatory scenario planning, the thesis highlights how diverse actors’ priorities, knowledge systems, and land-use decisions shape sustainability outcomes and desirable futures in Kilimanjaro. The dissertation will be publicly available through the Goethe University Frankfurt publication server.
Neema is deeply grateful to supervisors, collaborators, colleagues, field assistants, local communities in Kilimanjaro, friends, and family for their support throughout this PhD journey.
– Neema Robert-
April, 2026
In memory of Mgetha Kaswamila
We are deeply saddened to share the passing of our dear colleague, Mgetha Kaswamila.
Mgetha was part of the Kili Project for many years, working as a Field Assistant and becoming an integral and deeply valued member of our team. Those who worked with him will remember not only his experience and dedication, but also his calm presence, his reliability, and the quiet respect he showed to everyone around him. He was someone you could always count on, and his contribution to the project will not be forgotten.
Many of us had the privilege of working alongside him in the field, sharing long days and challenges together. His loss is felt deeply, both professionally and personally, across the entire project.
Mgetha leaves behind his wife and three children — two sons Abiudy (16 years), and Price (13 years) and his little daughter Presures (5 years).
To honor his memory and express our condolences, a delegation of seven members of the Kili Project traveled to attend his funeral. Being there in person was important to us. We wanted to stand with his family, to show our respect, and to say goodbye. Together, we brought a financial contribution and laid a wreath in his honor.
Funerals in Tanzania are deeply meaningful communal events. People come together in large numbers – often traveling long distances – to pay their respects and support the bereaved family. This collective presence is a powerful expression of care, solidarity, and respect. At the same time, it also brings significant costs for the family. Contributions are therefore an essential and heartfelt way of sharing this responsibility. In this context, the support from the Kili Project was received with sincere gratitude.
Our thoughts are with Mgetha’s family, his friends, and all who knew him.
We will remember him with respect, gratitude, and great fondness.
March, 2026
PhD Successfully Completed!
Dickson Mauki, PhD student under SP1 in the Kilimanjaro Social-Ecological Systems project, has successfully completed his PhD entitled:
“Plant functional strategies and regulating Nature’s Contributions to People along environmental gradients of Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.”
His research integrates ecological, biogeochemical, and functional trait approaches to investigate drivers of carbon storage, enzyme activities, and soil multifunctionality within tropical mountain ecosystems. Through extensive fieldwork and data synthesis across Kilimanjaro’s elevational gradient, his work contributes to advancing our understanding of biodiversity–ecosystem functioning relationships and sustainable ecosystem management under changing environmental conditions.
During his PhD journey, Dickson worked with interdisciplinary datasets linking vegetation traits, soil processes, climate, and land use to better understand ecosystem resilience and the delivery of ecosystem functions and services across tropical landscapes.
Dickson is deeply grateful to all supervisors, collaborators, field assistants, local communities, and fellow PhD students who contributed to and supported this journey. Aksanteni sana.
– Dickson Mauki-
February, 2026
Kick-Off 2nd phase of Kili-SES in Tanzania
From 9-13 February, project partners and researchers met in Tanzania for the Phase II Kick-Off of the Kili-SES project. The meeting marked the official start of the second project phase and focused on strengthening collaboration, aligning research goals, and initiating synthesis activities across all subprojects.
The workshop week opened at the Nkweseko Research Station, creating a productive environment for intensive discussions, presentation preparation, and bilateral and multilateral dialogue among the subprojects.
On 10 February, the official opening at the Uhuru Conference Center in Moshi included a warm welcome by the speaker of the Research Unit Katrin Böhning-Gaese, a project introduction by Andreas Hemp, and a keynote by Elisabeth Mwakosya (TAWIRI), highlighted the long-term collaboration between TAWIRI and Kili-SES. Researchers from the seven Kili-SES subprojects, including Principal Investigators, Co-PIs, postdoctoral researchers, and PhD students, then presented their objectives for Phase II. Associated projects also provided short overviews, followed by discussions that further strengthened collaboration within the network.
On 11 February, participants visited the Machare Coffee Estate, guided by Bente Medoch, to learn about coffee cultivation systems, plantation management, organic farming practices, and their role in supporting sustainable land use and local livelihoods.The final two days were spent together discussing synthesis, data management, and coordination. A central element was an internal 3-Horizons workshop, which aimed to kick-start the synthesis work on transformation within the Kili-SES project. It provided a basic understanding of the main challenges and potential pathways for change in the Kilimanjaro region. It specifically built on research insights from previous and ongoing project phases, in particular on lessons learned and experiences gained through fieldwork. Activities were organised in three phases: 1) describing the main challenges and positive elements in the present of the Kili social-ecological system, 2) exploring desirable futures and inspiring practices, 3) collecting actions, strategies and management decisions that can help transition from the present to desirable futures.
– Claudia Hemp and Juliane Helm –
January, 2026
Mountain Forests of East Africa Reveal a New Insect Family
Researchers under the lead of Claudia Hemp have identified a previously unknown family of African grasshoppers, Ixalidiidae, using modern genetic methods combined with over 40 years of research. These small, mostly flightless grasshoppers live in East African mountain and coastal forests, including Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru, and the Eastern Arc Mountains, with related species also found in West and Central Africa. Because they are well camouflaged and morphologically similar, they remained unrecognized for a long time. Long-term ecological research programmes on Kilimanjaro provided key specimens that helped reveal this distinct evolutionary lineage. The study also shows how natural history collections are essential for modern biodiversity research, allowing scientists to combine historical material with new genomic data. The discovery highlights the importance of East African forests as hotspots of unique and still hidden biodiversity. The research was supported by the DFG (German Research Foundation), the Orthopterists’ Society, and the SYNTHESYS Programme.
You can find the article here.
– Claudia Hemp –
January, 2026
Assessing nature’s non-material contributions to people across diverse habitats at Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.
Biodiversity plays a vital role in supporting Nature’s Contributions to People (NCP) which are all benefits and detriments of nature to people’s quality of life. People’s interactions with biodiversity and non-living elements of nature—together referred to as entities of nature (EN)—support not only material (e.g., food) and regulating NCP (e.g., water purification), but also non-material NCP, such as aesthetic enjoyment, recreation, or spiritual fulfillment. Despite their importance, the specific links between EN and non-material NCP remain poorly understood. Unlike material and regulating contributions, non-material NCP are often intangible and strongly shaped by human perception, making them inherently more challenging to assess and quantify.
My PhD addresses this gap by providing empirical evidence on how people perceive and interact with nature through the operationalization of non-material NCP. The Mount Kilimanjaro social–ecological system offered an ideal setting for this research. Its remarkable diversity of habitats, combined with the presence of multiple social groups whose knowledge, values, and interactions with nature differ, provides a unique opportunity to examine how perceptions of non-material NCP are shaped.
To investigate these relationships, my research integrates concepts, tools, and methods from both the natural and social sciences. First, I examined which non-material NCP and entities of nature people perceive as meaningful, and where these perceptions occur. Using Twitter as a source of large-scale, text-based narratives, I captured how tourists describe their nature experiences in their own words. Second, I investigated the direct associations between perceived non-material NCP and EN. Drawing on ecological network analysis, non-material NCP were characterized based on the breadth and specificity of their associations with EN, resulting in a typology of specialized and generalized NCP. Finally, I explored how NCP–EN relationships vary across social groups by employing a soundscape-based approach, examining how the acoustic characteristics of habitats support different non-material NCP.
By explicitly linking non-material NCP to entities of nature, my research clarifies how nature matters, where and for whom, generating insights directly relevant for management and conservation. Using a soundscape-based approach, I showed that residents continue to value habitats within the national park despite access restrictions. Using social media data, I found that highly biodiverse habitats do not necessarily correspond to a greater diversity of perceived non-material NCP for tourists; instead, higher-elevation habitats were associated with a wider range of experiences. This pattern may reflect the park’s emphasis on summit-focused activities, which can redirect tourists’ attention away from biodiversity-rich habitats. Together, these findings highlight opportunities for more inclusive conservation strategies and interventions that broaden engagement with biodiversity.
Beyond Mount Kilimanjaro, my PhD responds to the broader need for new tools to better understand the links between nature and non-material NCP. By combining ecological network analysis with emerging soundscape approaches, this work unpacks the ecological foundations of non-material NCP. The typology of specialized and generalized NCP developed in this research provides a transferable framework that can inform indicator development and vulnerability assessments. Importantly, this work emphasizes that nature experiences are inherently multisensory, and therefore no single method is sufficient to capture their full complexity. For example, while Twitter analysis suggested that tourists primarily perceived recreational experiences in mid-elevation habitats, the soundscape-based approach revealed additional contributions, such as learning, that would otherwise remain hidden.
While a PhD journey is rarely linear or smooth, it is a deeply creative and transformative experience. Once it is over, you can only look back with a smile, recognizing it as a true adventure. This work would not have been possible without the support of supervisors, colleagues, friends, and family. I can only wish you more time spent outdoors, and if you are lucky enough in the amazing southern slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro! Asante Sana (:
– Eugenia Degano –