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Datum A new data portal about available BIOTA AFRICA data is online. Starting from this portal, the access to various BIOTA AFRICA data like metadata, weather data, vegetation ecology data, animal diversity data and much more is available.

BIOTA AFRICA Data portal


Datum A fully functional mirror of the main BIOTA AFRICA website has been set up in Namibia.

The two web sites are identical. The mirror site may be accessed by visiting the NBRI (National Botanical Research Institute of Namibia) home page www.nbri.org.na and clicking on the 'BIOTA' link. Setting up of the mirror was conducted under the BIOTA AFRICA BioMonitoring Data Facility, and was motivated by the desire to ease local access to BIOTA data, as well as promote better local ownership of the BIOTA project. Users are encouraged to inform the website developers of their experiences.


Datum BIOTA East Africa: In July 2009 at the ESRI International User Conference in San Diego (USA) the BIOTA working group (subproject E02) was awarded third place in the category "Best Multimedia Map" for its presentation: "Biodiversity Research in Eastern Africa. A Multimedia Presentation of the Project Framework BIOTA-East".

for more information see:

News ESRI USA
News ESRI Germany
News Hochschule Karlsruhe


Datum BIOTA East Africa: Checklist of Kakamega fruit flies is online. In total, 135 fruit fly species were recorded for Kakamega Forest and its surroundings. At least 18 % of the species were new to science.

Fruit flies - Kakamega Forest

 
Foto: BIOTA AFRICA
Robert Copeland

Datum BIOTA East Africa: Checklist of Kakamega bee species is online. The bee diversity of Kakamega Forest has been largely underestimated. Recent investigation revealed a ten-fold increase in species numbers. However, the taxonomic evaluation still continues.

Bees- Kakamega Forest

 
Foto: BIOTA AFRICA
Melanie Hagen

Datum Namakwa Environmental Expo 10-11 July 2009:
The "Namakwa Tomorrow" Environmental Expo was held at the Goegap Nature Reserve outside Springbok in the Northern Cape, South Africa.
The event was opened by the Premier of the Northern Cape, Ms Hazel Jenkins. The Friday evening saw the launch of the Namakwa Municipal District Map of Critical Biodiversity Areas and the audience was treated to traditional dances and an authentic Namakwa culinary experience. Politicians, stakeholders, project representatives and researchers gathered at Goegap Nature reserve to showcase an array of environmentally focused programmes and initiatives. BIOTA was represented by the South African Liaison Officer, Tessa Oliver, and by two of the South African Para-ecologists, Mariana Lot from Paulshoek and Reginald Christiaan from Soebatsfontein.

Photo: The handing over of the Namakwa CBA map. From left to right: Ms Hazel Jenkins (Northen Cape Premier), Mr David Rooi (MEC for Dept Roads & Public Works), Ms Sylvia Lucas (MEC for Dept Environment & Conservation) and Mr Hendrik Viser (Namakwa District Executive Mayor).

 
Foto: BIOTA AFRICA
Tessa Oliver

Datum BIOTA East Africa: Continuation of Biodiversity inventory
Kakamega Forest is a hotspot of bird diversity in Eastern Africa and has been assigned an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International. In Kakamega, almost 500 bird species have been recorded of which 10% are found nowhere else in Kenya. Many species are introduced with pictures.

Birds - Kakamega Forest

 
Foto: BIOTA AFRICA

Datum Bridging the Gap. Para-Ecologists in Action:
Para-Ecologists in Action. The eight BIOTA para-ecologists from South Africa and Namibia produced a documentary on their activities. The 30 min. long film which will be in English aims to give insight into the daily work of the para-ecologists. The film will come out in August 2009.

If you are interested in a free DVD copy, please contact Dr Ute Schmiedel.

Photo: Para-ecologist busy filming in May 2009.

 
Foto: BIOTA AFRICA/
Ute Schmiedel

Datum BIOTA Maroc: The exhibition "Man and Nature at the Northern Fringe of the Sahara" is opened in the "Desert Garden" in the Botanical Garden of the University of Hamburg in Hamburg Klein Flottbek.
The research project BIOTA Maroc investigates the ecosystems between the High Atlas mountains and the Sahara in Southern Morocco. The changes of the global climate and socioeconomical relationships strain the environment in this vulnerable arid ecosystem and reduce the land use potential for the local population. The exhibition shows, by means of selected habitats and crucial processes, the interactions between man and environment on the desert fringe.

Botanical Garden of the University of Hamburg in Klein Flottbek - Pyramids in the Desert Garden
10th of June to 13th of September 2009, daily 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Website: "Gesellschaft der Freunde des Botanischen Gartens Hamburg e.V."


Datum 4 Juni 2009 till 15 October 2009: Interactive Exhibition about the BIOTA Project. On display at the Iziko South African Museum in Cape Town, South Africa

The exhibition Africa's Wealth - Exploration, Use and Conservation of Biodiversity was opened on the evening of 4 June 2009 with a function hosted by the Iziko South African Museum. The CEO of Iziko Museums of Cape Town, Professor H.C. (Jatti) Bredekamp, welcomed the guests, who braved a stormy Cape evening to attend the event. BIOTA researcher Professor Timm Hoffman of the Plant Conservation Unit, University of Cape Town, gave an informative presentation on the BIOTA AFRICA Project and highlighted the Southern African research projects. Afterwards the guests explored the exhibition while enjoying African music, delicious food and wine.

The exhibition will be at the Iziko South African Museum in Cape Town till 15 October 2009, thereafter it will move to the National Museums of Kenya in Nairobi.

 

Datum BIOTA East Africa: Biodiversity inventory goes online
One major task of BIOTA East Africa is to provide a biodiversity inventory of the organisms that live in Kakamega Forest and surrounding areas. This is essential for detecting changes in species composition and richness and for the management of sustainable use of Kenya's natural resources by the local population. In a first step, three checklists for amphibians, reptiles, and dragonflies of Kakamega Forest provide information about the diversity and ecology of these animal groups. The species accounts provide detailed information about voucher specimens, distribution, and other relevant data. Many species will be illustrated with pictures.

Amphibia - Kakamega Forest   Reptiles - Kakamega Forest   Dragonflies - Kakamega Forest

 

Datum 10-day BIOTA West Africa Atlas work meeting:
The local coordinators of BIOTA West Africa and the Atlas Team of Frankfurt/M. met for an intensive work meeting in Frankfurt/M. Main goals of this meeting were to determine the status of incoming contributions, to decide on a review system and review papers, and also to set up a final schedule for the remaining project time. A positive report on the progress of the Atlas could be given at the BIOTA West Africa project meeting in Würzburg.

 

Datum Major boost in BIOTA-East geodata catalogue:
A major update was carried out on the geodata service of the BIOTA East Africa GIS. The catalogue now includes twice as many entries: more than 200 updated or new geodatasets and associated metadata regarding physical-geographic, demographic and administrative related data, topographic maps and aerial as well as satellite imagery are available for download. (See the chart)
Most comprehensive updates took place for the hierarchical levels of 'Kakamega and the Nandi forests' as well as the forests of 'Budongo' and 'Mabira'. Furthermore, there has been a significant increase of geodatasets for the 'Biodiversity observatories' which cover the locations of research plots and transects of the participating subprojects within BIOTA-East.

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Datum For more than 200 plants from the Observatories Mile 46/Mutompo in Namibia's Kavango region the scientific and vernacular names in Rukwangali and other languages together with information on their traditional utilization and other comments are published on the BIOTA website. The list of vernacular and scientific plant names is a prerequisite for communication with local stakeholders on their knowledge on plants (e.g. on traditional utilization of plants) or perception of threats of specific species.

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Foto: BIOTA AFRICA
Michael Pröpper

Datum During an expert discussion on "scientific cooperation with developing countries and emerging economies" in Berlin on March 18th 2009, which was organized by the Parliamentary Group of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU) and the Christian Social Union of Bavaria (CSU), the interdisciplinary and applied research project BIOTA AFRICA was highlighted as one of three best practice cases for this kind of cooperation.

At the beginning of the event, the Federal Minister of Education and Research, Dr. Annette Schavan, highlighted the importance of "science as a key for development". Prof. Dr. Barbara Reinhold-Hurek and Prof. Dr. Michael Kirk, who are conducting research within the BIOTA project since 2000, explained at the meeting how the project puts this into practice. BIOTA AFRICA was envisaged as a best practice case that shows "How German Research and Technology Helps Support Coping with the Consequences of Climate Change".

The BIOTA AFRICA representative from Namibia, Ms Emilia Ndateelela Namwoonde from the University of Namibia (UNAM), contributed to the manifold discussions by giving a very clear insight into the benefits the BIOTA AFRICA initiative has had for African postgraduate students during the past almost 10 years of the project. She appreciated the opportunity of being an "information initiator" for the Namibian science community and for decision makers. Ms Namwoonde also underscored the importance of sharing the findings of research both with the people at the grassroots level, where the research was conducted, as well as with the government level to support policies for sustainable development.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Christian Ruck, Chairman of the Working Group on Economic Cooperation and Development of the CDU/CSU Parliamentary Group, underlined the importance of continuity and sustainability of international research projects.

 
Ms Emilia Ndateelela Namwoonde
Foto: BIOTA AFRICA
Hannah Scharlau

Datum 18 March 2009 - BIOTA in Parliament: The CDU/CSU Parliamentary Group organises a workshop on scientific cooperation with developing countries and emerging economies, involving BIOTA AFRICA.

Weblink
Weblink
Invitation and program (PDF)

(Deadline for registration: 11 March 2009)

  

Datum A small team of BIOTA AFRICA and the Brasilian BIOTA FAPESP project participated in an "Angolan Biodiversity Assessment Capacity Building Project", organised by SANBI, the South African National Biodiversity Institute, and ISCED, the "Instituto Superior de Ciencias de Educacao", at Lubango.

During January 2009, the project had an excellent start in the southwestern regions of Angola. Based on the very good cooperation during this first activity, there is also a good basis for future cooperation. The BIOTA team would certainly like to support forms of future collaboration in the frame of the developed team.

 

Datum The workshop "BIOTABase Management of biodiversity data" took place at the Biocentre Klein Flottbek, University of Hamburg, during February 2 - 3, 2009. It was moderated by Manfred Finckh (BIOTA Maroc) and Gerhard Muche (BioMonitoring Data Facility). The German and African participants collaborate in the projects BIOTA Maroc, BIOTA Southern Africa and in Burkina Faso.
On the occasion of the workshop a new release of the BIOTABase software package with several extended or enhanced features has been published on the BIOTA Website.

Download BIOTABase


Datum Several of the presentations which were presented at the BIOTA AFRICA Congress 2008 (29 September - 3 October) are downloadable now as PDF-files.

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Datum The newly proclaimed "Sperrgebiet National Park", in addition to the Namib-Naukluft Park and the Ai-Ais-Richtersveld Transfrontier National Park forms the most recent element of one of the largest clusters of protected areas, globally.

more: Government Gazette 1 December 2008 (PDF - 1.4 MB)

 

Datum The second joint BIOTA and SUN workshop on West African Biodiversity databases took place in Ouagadougou, November 6 – 8, 2008. It was prepared and held by T. Janßen and M. Schmidt (Senckenberg Research Institute and Nature Museum Frankfurt). A. Ouédraogo, A. Thiombiano and S. Traoré organized the event on-site. A total of 20 participants from Benin, Burkina Faso, Denmark, Ivory Coast, Niger, Senegal and Chad attended the workshop. Knowledge from the Frankfurt workshop in November 2008 was refreshed, the concept of the online vegetation database was presented and specific questions and problems of the persons responsible for the local data nodes were treated. Preliminary results of the workshop are a strong progress in data import as well as a broad acceptance of the upcoming Internet based vegetation data network.

 

Datum "Langsames Sterben am Kap - Klimawandel im südlichen Afrika",
a film by Richard Klug, ARD-Studio Johannesburg (in German).

The film shows the consequences of global change on biodiversity. BIOTA AFRICA provided important results of its research to the film-makers.

German TV Phoenix:
29 November 2008 11:00
30 November 2008 07:30
30 November 2008 18:00

The film was already shown in German TV SWR on 29 October 2008 22:30.		  

Datum Gemeinsam mit Afrika für den Erhalt der Artenvielfalt forschen - Staatssekretär Meyer-Krahmer setzt nach Kongress auf verstärkte Kooperation
BMBF - Pressemitteilung [172/2008], 6. Oktober 2008
BMBF - Pressemitteilung [172/2008], 6. Oktober 2008 (PDF)


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Datum Successful start of the International Congress on Biodiversity of Africa at Spier, South Africa

Over 350 scientists from more than 15 African countries, Germany and Brazil, high-level representatives also from UNESCO, IUCN, DEAT, DST, GEOBON, OSS, WWF and representatives of the German and several African ministries and local stake holders opened the five days international congress on Biodiversity of Africa at Spier in South Africa. The discussions on the first reflect the urgent need to continue and further strengthen the well-established partnerships between African and German research institutions and scientists. All organisations underscore the necessity of further developing a pan-African network on biodiversity which will support the national initiatives to conserve biodiversity for the sake of sustaining human well-being. It was highlighted that this African network of observation sites should be well-linked to similar initiatives at the global level. The Brazil representative welcomed partnerships with the African network.

The Congress has been organised by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), the BIOTA AFRICA Project and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI).

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Datum The two paraecologists Donna Kotze and Reginald Christiaan accepting on behalf of the BIOTA AFRICA team the exhibitors award for the best stand which was given to the whole cluster of exhibitors of the German stand by the South African Department of Science and Technology (DST) at the INSITE (International Science, Innovation and Technology Exhibition 2008) in Johannesburg.

 

Datum The weather data for climate stations and observatories in Namibia and South Africa has been updated in september. Click on the link below and then select an observatory by using the Drop-Down-list or click on the map!

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Datum Bee Biology and Pollination Ecology Course in Nairobi, 4 – 28 August 2008
The course, hosted by the National Museum of Kenya was open for 10 graduate students of different Kenyan universities and 3 counterparts of the National Museums and was the second course of its kind after the initial course in 2006. The students learned about taxonomy and biology of bees as well as theory and practice of the wide field of pollination ecology. The course was jointly conducted by Biota East Africa members, National Museums of Kenya and Dr. Laurence Packer from Canada.

 

Datum A Wiki portal (http://biota-africa.uni-bayreuth.de) has been created at the University of Bayreuth (Chair in Plant Systematic, Sect. Mycology), in order to manage and present online data on the BIOTA Southern Africa "Lichen monitoring" project WP B2 (former S04). Information is given on the biodiversity observatories investigated by this work package (including the exact location of hectare plots with GoogleMap), on research methods and on the monitoring of soil lichens with digital photography. It also shows links to identification and analysis tools, IT-products developed by the project and brochures. Collection data and results on image classification and processing as well as analyses are only accessible via login, and will be public by the end of the project.

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Datum At the 9th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity 2008 in Bonn, Germany (CBD COP9), the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) invited farmers, forest guides, park directors, tree nursery workers and scientists from Africa, who cooperate with the BMBF-funded BIOTA AFRICA project, to present their view on biodiversity conservation and sustainable land use in Africa. The brochure “Biodiversity in Africa: The other perspective”, which is now available as download, summarises these fruitful discussions between land users, scientists and decisions makers and underlines the fundamental role that research plays in protecting biodiversity and promoting sustainable land use in Africa.
The brochure gives an outlook on the consolidation and “survival” of initiatives which have been developed or are being supported by the BIOTA AFRICA Project when the project comes to an end in 2010. The brochure will be available as printout at the international BIOTA AFRICA Congress 2008, titled, Biodiversity of Africa - Observation and Sustainable Management for our Future in Spier, South Africa (29 September - 3 October 2008).

Download(2.4 MB)

 

Datum GIS training for BIOTA-East counterparts in Nairobi, 6 – 13 August 2008
Having trained BIOTA-East scholars during the 2nd phase of BIOTA in 2005, this time a GIS training was offered to the main counterpart institutions in Nairobi. Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Kenya Forest Service (KFS), and Nature Kenya all sent two ‘students’ while National Museums of Kenya (NMK) hosting the venue filled the remaining six seats. Background and GIS knowledge of the participants were rather different and thus the course set-up was a challenge. In the end subproject E02 decided to treat all as beginners, to teach the GIS theory without focusing on particular areas of applications, but to include even complex analysis tasks to be performed by the participants. We aimed to demonstrate that GIS is far more then just the making of maps. While the mornings were packed with lectures on theory and methods of GIS, in the afternoons people were happy to gain practical experience with GIS. Thanks to ESRI Germany the exercises could be performed with ArcGIS, the software in use at the counterpart institutions, although only on selected computers. Subproject E02 took the chance of testing its BiotaEastGIS Tool, a customised GIS developed based on BIOTA experiences allowing for GIS analysis even by GIS-inexperienced users. A presentation on use of GIS and remote sensing within the BIOTA East Africa project open to anyone interested (the room was packed) showed the potential of such analyses in biodiversity research and management. For us teaching the course, it was fun and a pleasure to communicate with people we hardly knew before. For the participants we hope that we have stimulated their interest to find out more about the many things for which a GIS can be used. At least they complained that they would have liked a longer training. Thanks to all who contributed to the success of the course!

 

Datum In a new paper in the journal Science RJ Scholes and colleagues from DIVERSITAS, NASA and GEO present the plans "Toward a Global Biodiversity Observing System" (Vol 321, 1044-45). Full list of authors: R. J. Scholes, G. M. Mace, W. Turner, G. N. Geller, N. Jürgens, A. Larigauderie, D. Muchoney, B. A. Walther, H. A. Mooney.

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Datum The West African Plants Database is now online! Botanists from the Research Institute Senckenberg and the Universities of Frankfurt, Ouagadougou, Rostock and Mainz have contributed more than 3500 plant photos belonging to more than 700 species. But there is about more than just photos – 18 morphological characters of the depicted species have been encoded to assist in plant identification by searching for combinations of character states alone or in combination with taxonomy. Please have a look at www.westafricanplants.senckenberg.de and give it a try!

 

Datum Sign up for BIOTA AFRICA pre- and post-congress excursions.

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Datum BIOTA East Africa, subproject E02, will conduct a GIS course in Nairobi at the National Museums of Kenya (NMK) from August 6th to 13th, 2008. The course will be attended by 12 to 14 participants from four Kenyan counterparts, NMK, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and Nature Kenya. Software support is provided by ESRI.  

Datum At the CBD COP-9 Plenary under the chairpersonship of German Minister Gabriel the document titled "Monitoring, Assessment and Indicators" (UNEP/CBD/COP/9/L.19) was adopted.

The Conference of the Parties takes note of the IMoSEB and MA follow-up process and welcomes the agreement of the Executive Director of UNEP to convene an ad hoc open-ended intergovernmental meeting to establish an international science-policy interface on biodiversity, ecosystem and human well-being. The Conference of the Parties invites Parties to ensure that the appropriate experts can attend the meeting. The Conference of the Parties also notes the initiation of GEO BON and invites all stakeholders to support this initiative. The Executive Secretary is requested to continue collaborating with the GEO BON.

 
Foto: BIOTA AFRICA/
Ute Schmiedel

Datum On 29 May the interim report on "The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB)" was presented at the CBD COP-9 in Bonn.

Global Information on "The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB)"

Interim report on "The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB)"(5.5 MB)

 

Datum BIOTA AFRICA at COP-9 side event (28 May 2008, 13:15 – 14:45, Saal Bonn, Maritim)

BMBF projects: The other perspective: Visions of African stakeholders on biodiversity conservation and sustainable development Stakeholders (land users and decision makers) from four African countries will present and discuss their experiences on joint research and implementation of sustainable use and conservation practices of biodiversity within the African-German BIOTA AFRICA Project. This research project focuses on the effects of land use and climate change on biodiversity in different African biomes. The land users and the decisions makers from Africa will highlight, how global changes affect their livelihoods and what alternatives the joint BIOTA AFRICA has developed in order to sustainably utilise biodiversity and simultaneously generate income in the future. (6 Stakeholders from Africa plus Facilitator) BIOdiversity Monitoring Transect Analysis in Africa (BIOTA-Africa) is a joint German-African research program which investigates the effects of land use and climate change on biodiversity in Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d´Ivoire, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Uganda. BIOTA AFRICA - scientifically supports sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity in Africa; - has initiated the development and establishment of a continental biodiversity observation network in Africa which will contribute to the aims and implementation of GEOSS (Global Earth Observation System of Systems); - has established a network for observing land degradation and for developing measures to combat and to prevent desertification in Africa; - has developed a network for capacity development and sustainable rural development in Africa.

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Foto: BIOTA AFRICA/
Tene Kwetche

Datum The documentary “Biodiversity is our Life” which BIOTA AFRICA presents on the COP-9 is available on our website.
"Biodiversity is our Life" was edited out of material shot by BIOTA members as part of their research.

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Datum BIOTA AFRICA has invited important stakeholders (land users and decision makers) from four African countries to discuss their experiences on joint research and implementation of sustainable use and conservation practices of biodiversity within the African-German BIOTA AFRICA Project. The Side Event will take place at the CBD COP9 in Bonn, Germany on 28 May 2008 from 13:15 to 14:45 in the Bonn Room at Maritim Hotel.

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Datum BIOTA West Africa GIS training workshop in Cotonou (Benin) from 24 to 28 February, successfully completed:

The BIOTA West Remote Sensing Group facilitates a one week GIS training workshop in Benin during February 2008 for 25 BIOTA West PhD students from Benin, Burkina Faso and the Ivory Coast

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Datum Pressemitteilung: 
Group on Earth Observation – Biodiversity Observation Network (GEOBON)
Neues Netzwerk zur weltumspannenden Beobachtung von Ökosystemen gegründet.

Berlin/Potsdam, 10. April 2008 – Führende Wissenschaftler aus über 35 Staaten haben die Errichtung eines globalen Netzwerks zur Beobachtung der biologischen Vielfalt beschlossen. Das ist das zentrale Ergebnis einer Tagung, die vom 8. bis 10. April in Potsdam stattgefunden hat. Durch die bessere Vernetzung von Geo-Informationsdaten wollen die Wissenschaftler künftig Aussagen darüber treffen können, wo Ökosysteme am stärksten gefährdet sind und mit welchen Maßnahmen sich diese am besten schützen lassen. An dem heute gegründeten GEO Biodiversity Observation Network (GEO BON) sind insgesamt 70 Nationen und 50 Organisationen beteiligt.

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Datum Floods in Namibia: DLR has posted a new satellite image crisis map related to floods in Namibia (based on TerraSAR-X data) at its website. The map shows the flood situation in the northern Omusati province on March 16, 2008.The water mask was generated from analysis of TerraSAR-X radar satellite imagery. The backdrop is a Landsat ETM satellite image. The map was created at DLR as support to the Charter Call 197.

 - DLR Satellite Image Map: Namibia Omusati Province
 - Flood Extent March 16, 2008 , 1:100,000

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Graphic: DLR

Datum The BIOTA East Africa geodata catalogue is online. Various GIS datasets and Ready-to-use maps mainly about the research areas in East Africa can be explored.

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Datum The theme of the International Day for Biological Diversity 2008 (22 May) is "Biodiversity and Agriculture".

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Datum Dr Annette Schavan, German Federal Minister of Education and Research, paid a visit to BIOTA AFRICA in South Africa and Namibia in February 2008.

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Foto: BIOTA

Datum From February 4 to 10, Dr Annette Schavan, Federal Minister of Education and Research, shall pay a visit to the Republic of South Africa and to the Republic of Namibia. Dr. Schavans´s accompanying delegation includes representatives of different departments of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research as well as representatives of important scientific and economic institutions.

During the visit bilateral research projects play an important role. Among others, in the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) the Minister and the delegation will be informed about the present state of the BIOTA AFRICA project, funded by the South African Department of Science and Technology (DS&T) and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).

In Windhoek, Dr. Schavan will meet with several Ministers of the Namibian Government. Various Namibian institutions will present their research profile, activities and projects to the Minister´s delegation. Dr Schavan and her delegation will also visit the BIOTA AFRICA project combined with a field excursion to the BIOTA Biodiversity Observatories Narais and Duruchaus southwest of Windhoek.


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Foto: BMBF

Datum To enhance the acquisition and pooling of biodiversity data in West Africa, 25 biologists from Benin, Burkina Faso, Germany, Ivory Coast, Niger and Senegal met from December 10 to 13, 2007 in the Research Institute Senckenberg for a joint workshop of BIOTA and SUN.

The digitization of primary biodiversity data in the partner countries was supported by a two-week course from November 24 to December 7, 2007 treating taxonomical and geographical basics, database solutions to observation and collection data, an introduction to MS Access and the inclusion of the acquired data in geographical information systems and spatial modelling.

During the workshop strategies were developped for the pooling and sharing of data as well as its safe storage. The existing database solutions were examined critically and the users proposed further improvements. A follow-up to the workshop for a recapitulation of acquired knowledge and exchange of experiences will take place in Ouagadougou this year.

 

Datum BIOTA Research Facility now operational in the heart of the Gariep Centres of Endemisms and in the centre of the Ai-Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier National Park.

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Datum 22 November 2007 until 8 June 2008: Interactive Exhibition about the BIOTA Project. On display at the Research Museum Alexander Koenig, Bonn, Germany

The itinerant exhibition Africa’s Wealth – Exploration, Use and Conservation of Biodiversity shows results of the project BIOTA AFRICA for the first time to a large public. It will be opened on November 21 and still be visible at the Museum Koenig during the conference of the parties (COP9) until 8 June 2008. On the occasion of the BIOTA Network Congress in autumn 2008 the exhibition will be on display in South Africa. Other places in Africa and Germany will follow.

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Datum The Wiki Decision Support System (DSS) for Bush Encroachment in semi-arid rangelands in Namibia is launched on the Chameleon Website.

This DSS is the result of a joint research programme within the Polytechnic of Namibia, with the Departments Nature Conservation and Agriculture developing the knowledge base and rules and the Department of Software Engineering developing the software. The DSS is a proposed tool to assist in Rangeland Management in semi-arid rangelands.

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Datum On October 6, 2007, Chancellor Angela Merkel paid a visit to the Cape of Good Hope to inform herself of the current status and perspectives of the BIOTA AFRICA project.

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