Symposium highlights biodiversity research in arid areas

Keynote speaker Prof Ansie Dippenaar-Schoeman gave an overview of the South African National Survey of Arachnida and called on researchers working in the province to expand collections for this survey. General biodiversity research in the area includes monitoring of post-fledgling dispersal in secretary birds. A number of talks dealt with observed long-term vegetation changes in the Kimberley region, specifically Magersfontein and the de-proclaimed Vaalbos National Park (pictured). Delegates attending the 9th Kimberley Biodiversity Research Symposium. (Picture: Beryl Wilson) Click to enlarge

By Yolandi Els, SAEON Arid Lands Node and Christine Pienaar, Northern Cape Department of Environment and Nature Conservation

The 9^th Kimberley Biodiversity Research Symposium, which took place in September this year, provided a platform for the discussion of a wide range of topics relevant to the greater Kimberley area and other parts of the Northern Cape Province.

The symposium was initiated eight years ago by what is now known as the Sub-programme: Research and Development Support of the Northern Cape Department of Environment and Nature Conservation (NC-DENC).

The event has an informal structure and provides a valuable opportunity for local and other scientists to share results and experiences in biodiversity research in the semi-arid and arid areas of the Northern Cape.

In addition, the NC-DENC is responsible for evaluating and issuing permits for many of these projects, and the annual symposium provides an ideal opportunity for scientists to liaise with the department in order to source input and information which might be beneficial to their research.

Biodiversity and livelihoods

Ms Sylvia Lucas, MEC of the NC-DENC, opened this year’s symposium with a talk emphasising the value of biodiversity to our country’s economy and people’s livelihoods. She spoke about the many challenges facing biodiversity management and conservation, and called on the scientific community to assist in addressing these issues, one such challenge being the lack of biodiversity data for the Northern Cape Province.

Quite suitably, the keynote speaker for the symposium, Professor Ansie Dippenaar-Schoeman of the Agricultural Research Council, gave an overview of the South African National Survey of Arachnida (SANSA). She sent out a call for participation from researchers working in the province to expand collections for this survey.

Biodiversity research projects

The rest of the day’s programme entailed talks on management related studies (e.g. the control of invasive aquatic species and the agro-processing of indigenous plants for economic support of communities) and general biodiversity research (e.g. freshwater fish species in Northern Cape rivers and monitoring of post-fledgling dispersal in secretary birds). Of particular interest were a number of talks regarding observed long-term vegetation changes in the Kimberley region (specifically Magersfontein and the de-proclaimed Vaalbos National Park) and the Eastern Karoo due to various local and global drivers such as grazing and climate. Two of these are registered SAEON projects.

Coordinated by the NC-DENC, the Symposium Organising Committee consisted of the SAEON Arid Lands Node, McGregor Museum, South African National Parks (SANParks) and De Beers.

The Organising Committee would like to thank all the sponsors (Voestalpine VAE SA PTY Ltd., McGregor Museum, SAEON and Oasis) and delegates for making this year’s symposium a great success.

Abstracts of the presentations can be downloaded here.