Research Sites

Ourika Valley, Morocco: One of the most picturesque and famous parts of Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains the Ourika valley is just south of Marrakech. The Ourika valley is fed by run-off water from Mount Toubkal, which is over 4000 meters high. Due to steep terrain, local agriculture is constrained by access to sufficient land more than by sufficient water which is distributed amongst farmers using ancient traditional irrigation schemes. Many varieties of tree crops contribute to local agricultural and dietary diversity. M.Sc. thesis research in 2024, follow up study in 2024.

Taounate, Morocco: Located north of Fes in the Rif Mountains in northern Morocco. The area is known for its high agricultural productivity. Despite a highly diverse agricultural system which includes wheat, barley and olives, economic development in the area lags behind other areas and many farmers obtain at least part of their yearly income though illegal involvement in marijuana cultivation. Research in 2005 on the role of markets in the relationship between Agrobiodiversity and Diet (with Bioversity International). 

Azilal, Morocco: East of Marrakech, Azilal lies along the west side of the Atlas Mountains. Drier than other mountainous parts of Morocco, the area remains under-developed relative to other regions of the country despite significant efforts to promote tourism and eco-tourism in the area. Research in 2005 on the role of markets in the relationship between Agrobiodiversity and Diet (with Bioversity International).

Draa Valley and Zagora, Morocco: The Draa river runs of the southern slopes of the Atlas mountains towards the boarder with Algeria before turning westward and eventually reaching the Atlantic. The middle Draa valley, just south of the High Atlas Mountains is home to a series of date palm oases that were of major importance as a trade route hub during the trans-Saharan trade from the 8th to the 16th centuries (research in 2024).

The East Usambara Mountains, Tanzania: Lying in the center of East Africa’s Eastern Arc Mountains, one of the world’s most threatened biodiversity hotspots. About 40 km from the Indian Ocean coast the East Usambara Mountains rise from the flat coastal plains to over 1000 meters elevation. Research was conducted in 6 villages, all within Muheza district. Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in the world and Muheza region is one of the least developed, relative to other regions. In rural villages market integration is limited and most inhabitants practice highly diverse subsistence agriculture including cultivation of banana, cassava, rice and maize. Over 50% of the land is still covered by diverse forests. Research for PhD was conducted 2008-2012, while affiliated with Bioversity International (Nairobi) and The World Vegetable center, Regional Center for Africa (Arusha).

Dano and Dissine (Dagara land), Burkina Faso: The Dagara ethnic group live in South-West province of Burkina Faso and across the Volta river in northern Ghana. Since 2013 we have been working on 10 villages found between the edge of the Bontioli Forest Reserve in the south to north of Dano town. The landscape consists of farm land with scattered trees (park-lands including shea and baobab), grassland and dry forest. The Dagara are agriculturalists, farming millet and sorghum by hand and, increasingly cotton as a cash crop. The communities are mixed Christian and animist.  Research 2013 to 2018.

Benishangul-Gumuz (Gumuz ethnic group), Ethiopia: The Gumuz language belongs to the Nilo-Saharan language group. Gumuz people live in western Ethiopia in mid to low elevation areas along the Dabus River (a tributary of the Blue Nile) (as well across the border in Sudan). They are known for their use of wild foods and hunting skills but are also agriculturalists growing millet and sorghum. They are highly dependent on wild foods (including roots and bamboo shoots) during the pre-harvest season. Research 2013 to 2018.

Dillingham, Alaska: is a mixed hub community in Bristol Bay, accessible only by air or water. The community is a major commercial salmon fishing hub and a main entrance to the stunning  Wood-Tikchik State Park. Many in the community continue to practice their rich cultural heritage and subsistence lifestyle.