Weather data
A large number of automatic weather stations has been implemented in the frame of the BIOTA AFRICA project by the Namibian National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) and the Group "Biodiversity, Evolution and Ecology" (BEE) of the University of Hamburg. The website offers hourly updates of data and graphs of a large number of weather parameters.


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Workpackages of Subproject E07

Workpackage WP07.1

Assessment of forest quality along the transect based on adults

Short description: Long term monitoring is an important task for early identification of changes in biodiversity. Dragonflies are indicators of the health of ecosystems and are easy to assess. These work package will produce a tool for a longterm monitoring scheme along the BIOTA East transect. The aims are

  • assessment of the conservation value of the forests along the transect (Budongo, Mabira, Kakamega)
  • if necessary identification of new indicator species for the more western forests (Budongo, Mabira)
  • evaluation of distribution patterns related to the biogeographic history of the different forests
  • development of rapid assessment tools for monitoring habitat quality
  • development of a data base for monitoring and modelling future changes in biodiversity patterns along the transect

Workpackage WP07.2

Assessment of dragonfly diversity for conservation planning

Short description: Present-day distributions and spatial diversity patterns of East African dragonflies together with geophysical and socio-economic data will be analysed and used for conservation planning. Aims of this workpackage are:

  • integration of data in the BIOTA GIS-based biodiversity research tool
  • explanation of distribution patterns as a result of historical and present environmental changes (biogeography of East African dragonflies)
  • assessing climatic changes and human impacts as trigger for biodiversity patterns and changes
  • defining tools for conservation planning, e.g. to meet the countries' global responsibilities to protect biodiversity
  • modelling future biodiversity patterns for different hypothetical climatic and vegetation cover patterns

Workpackage WP07.3

Speciation processes in selected genera

Short description: With the help of ecological data and genetic analysis speciation processes of selected East African dragonflies shall be studied. This will be carried out by the planned PhD project funded by the KAAD and in cooperation with Dr. B. Misof, Museum Alexander Koenig, Bonn.