Syampungani Stephen-HOD Plant and Environmental Sciences
HOD-Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences
Dr. Stephen Syampungani (PhD, MSc, Bsc)
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Academic and Research Interests
Forest Ecology and Environmental Management
I am an ecologist with particular research interests in Miombo ecosystems dynamics and resilience, environmental impact assessment, rural livelihoods and ecosystem sustainability, woodland ecosystem characterisation and assessment, Carbon sequestration analysis and waste management. I have vast experience in working with government and universities in various environmental management facets in Zambia and abroad. I lecture undergraduate and postgraduate students at the Copperbelt University in subjects ranging from Environmental Management, Biodiversity Conservation, Forest Ecology and Land Use & Environmental Assessment.
Publications
Syampungani, S., Geldenhuys, C.J., Chirwa, P. W., 2011 Miombo woodland utilization and management, and impact perception among stakeholders in Zambia: A call for policy change in Southern Africa. Journal of Natural Policy Research 3 (2): 163-181.
Syampungani, S., Geldenhuys, C.J., Chirwa, P. W., 2010. The use of species–stem curves in sampling the development of the Zambian miombo woodland species in charcoal production and slash-and-burn regrowth stands. Southern Forests 72(2): 82-88.
Kalaba, F.K., Chirwa, P.W., Syampungani, S., Ajayi, O.C., 2010. Contribution of agroforestry to biodiversity and livelihoods improvements in rural communities of Southern African. In: Tscharntke, T., Leuschner, C., Veldkamp, E., Faust, H., Guhardja, Bidin, A (Eds.), Tropical rainforests and agroforests under global change. Springer Berlin, pp. 461-476.
Syampungani, S., Geldenhuys, C.J., Chirwa, P.W., 2010. Age and growth rate determination using growth rings of selected miombo woodland species. Journal of Ecology and Natural Environment 2(8): 167-174.
Syampungani, S., Chirwa, P.W., Akinnifesi, F.K., Ajayi, O.C., 2010. The Potential of Using Agroforestry as a Win-Win Solution to Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation and Meeting Food Security Challenges in Southern Africa. Agricultural Journal 5(2): 80-88.
Syampungani, S., Chirwa, P.W., Akinnifesi, F.K., Sileshi, G., Ajayi, O.C., 2009. The Miombo woodlands at cross roads: Potential threats, sustainable livelihoods, policy gaps and challenges.Natural Resources Forum 33: 150-159.
Chirwa, P.W., Syampungani, S., Geldenhuys, C.J., 2008. The ecology and management of the miombo woodlands for sustainable livelihoods in Southern Africa: the case of non-timber forest products. Southern Forests 70(3): 237-245.
Chirwa, P.W., Akinnifesi, F.K., Sileshi, G., Syampungani, S., Kalaba, F.K., Ajayi, O.C., 2008. Opportunity for conserving and utilizing agrobiodiversity through agroforestry in Southern Africa. Biodiversity (1 & 2): 45-48.
Syampungani, S., Chirwa, P.W., (In Press). Miombo productivity: The potential contribution to carbon sequestration and payment for environmental services in East and Southern Africa. In: Wallace, E.B (ed). Woodlands: Ecology, Management and Conservation. Chapter 6. NOVA publishers, USA.
Presentations at International and Local Conferences
Mobela, M, Syampungani, S & Malambo, FM., 2010. Guiding bark harvesting through responses of Miombo woodland species in Southern African: A case of Pseudolachnostylis maprouneifolia in Zambia. Paper presented at the 28th Environmental Education Association of Southern Africa Conference, Kitwe, Zambia, 7-10th September 2010.
Kalonga, C., Syampungani, S., Malambo, FM. & Ncube E. 2010. Production of Ethanol from Pine sawdust in Zambia. Paper presented at the 28th Environmental Education Association of Southern Africa Conference, Kitwe, Zambia, 7-10th September 2010.
Kambing’a MK. & Syampungani, S. 2010. Performance of tree species growing on tailings dam soils in Zambia: A basis for selection of species for re-vegetating tailings dam. A paper presented at the 28th Environmental Education Association of Southern Africa Conference, Kitwe, Zambia, 7-10th September 2010.
Nakawala, M & Syampungani, S. 2010. Recruitment of Uapaca species in Mwekera National Forest in Zambia: Implications for their sustainable management. A paper presented at the 28th Environmental Education Association of Southern Africa Conference, Kitwe, Zambia, 7-10th September 2010.
Ncube, E, Syampungani S & Mpanga, M., 2010. Wood residue minimization and management: Case study of circular sawmills in Zambia. A paper presented at the 28th Environmental Education Association of Southern Africa Conference, Kitwe, Zambia, 7-10th September 2010.
Geldenhuys, C.J., Mala, W.A & Syampungani, S. 2010. Secondary forests, slash & burn agriculture and invasive alien plants: developing a basis for forest rehabilitation towards biodiversity recovery and socio-economic benefits. A paper presented at XXIII IUFRO World Congress, Seoul, Korea 23-28 August 2010: Theme B: Biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of forest resources; Session: no currently suitable session on forest rehabilitation. Forestry Review pp. 146.
Syampungani, S & Geldenhuys, C.J. 2010. Integrating rural livelihood needs with silvicultural management for timber harvesting in Miombo woodlands. A paper presented at XXIII IUFRO World Congress, Seoul, Korea 23-28 August 2010: Theme B: Biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of forest resources; Session: B15- Silvicultural systems for tropical forests: challenges and progress. Forestry Review pp. 116.
Kwenye, J.N., Syampungani, S & Geldenhuys, C.J., 2010. The contribution of charcoal to rural livelihoods in the miombo ecoregion. A paper presented at XXIII IUFRO World Congress, Seoul, Korea 23-28 August 2010: Theme H: Forests, communities and cultures; Session: H04- Linking forest based enterprises, collective action and livelihoods in the African dry forests. Forestry Review pp. 420.
Syampungani, S., Geldenhuys, C.J. & Chirwa, P.W., 2010. Charcoal production and Miombo woodland Degradation: What Policy Makers Need to Know. A paper presented at 4th Forest Science Symposium held at Hilton College, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Ncube, E & Syampungani, S. 2010. Penetration and retention of ‘replacement CCA’ preservative formulations into softwood sapwood: Potential for environmental management. A paper presented at 4th Forest Science Symposium held at Hilton College, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Ncube, E & Syampungani, S. 2010.Predicting thickness swelling of individual wood components of particleboards. A paper presented at the 28th Environmental Education Association of Southern Africa Conference, Kitwe, Zambia, 7-10th September 2010.
Malambo, F.M., Syampungani, S. 2008. Opportunities and challenges for sustainable management of miombo woodlands: the Zambian perspective. In: Varmola, M., Valkonen, S. & Tapaninen (Eds.), Research and development for sustainable management of semi-arid miombio woodlands in East Africa. Working Papers of the Finnish Forest Research Institute 98.
Syampungani, S., Geldenhuys, C.J., Chirwa, P.W., 2008. Linking disturbances to sustainable management of the Copperbelt Miombo woodland ecosystems of Zambia. in Sustainable Forest Management in Africa: African Solutions to African Problems in Natural Forest Management 3 – 7 November 2008 Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Geldenhuys, C .J., Syampungani, S, Meke, G., Vermeulen, W.J. 2006. Response of different species on bark harvesting for traditional medicines in Southern Africa. In: Bester, J.J., Seydack, A.H.W., Vorster, T., van der Merwe, I. J. & Dzivhani, S. (Eds.), Multiple use management of Natural Forests and Woodlands: Policy refinement and scientific progress. Natural Forests and Savanna Woodlands Symposium IV, Port Elizabeth, South Africa 15-18 May 2006. pp.55-62.