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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BIOTA Southern Africa - DS&T Project 2


Overview

Main

DS&T 02

Title

Impact of land use and land transformation on vertebrate and invertebrate assemblages in a South African biodiversity hotspot, the Succulent Karoo.

Project leader(s)

Dr Cornelia B. Krug
Conservation Ecology Department, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa

Project description

The research will focus on small mammal communities, and assemblages of ground-dwelling arthropods. The fieldwork component will be conducted on a seasonal basis at selected BIOTA observatories (e.g. the observatory pair Remhoogte / Paulshoek), where BIOTA research is currently taking place, as well as surrounding sites (satellite sites) under different land use regimes. Well established standard methods for investigation of small mammals and ground-dwelling arthropods will be employed, which are in line with the methods used within BIOTA project S12, to allow for comparisons between biomes. Aim of the project will be to pinpoint determinants of vertebrate and invertebrate biodiversity in one of South Africa’s biodiversity hotspots, to identify the impact of land use and land transformation on vertebrate and invertebrate assemblages, to determine indicators of change due to land use, and to develop management recommendations for the maintenance of biodiversity in arid areas.

SADC and International Links

The envisaged project is closely linked to current projects in BIOTA S12, as well as the proposal submitted by Prof MJ Samways. It complements and expands the research that is currently conducted in the mesic areas of the Western Cape into the more arid areas along the BIOTA transect. In addition, this project builds on ecological research conducted in Paulshoek area under the auspices of UCT and funded by the EU. This project also links with BIOTA project S10, a project dedicated to investigate arthropod diversity in Namibia. Apart from the links with projects dedicated to faunal research, this project will tie in with BIOTA projects investigating botanical (S06) and abiotic (S02) diversity along the transect. This project can also serve as a nucleus for the implementation of a zoo-diversity project spanning the length of the BIOTA transect in Phase III.