Come bioblitzing with SANBI
The Custodians of Rare and Endangered Wildflowers (CREW), a programme executed through the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), has invited members of the public from all walks of life to join them on a series of Bioblitz events.
What do I do?
During a Bioblitz, experts and members of the public work together to survey a natural area, seeking, identifying and recording as many species as possible in a single day. Photographs of a range of animals from small creatures like spiders and butterflies to beautiful birds and rare plant species are taken and loaded onto the recently launched iSpot southern Africa portal. iSpot is an interactive website where sharing of observations and identifications across the broad spectrum of biodiversity is encouraged. (www.ispot.org.za) Sites selected for Bioblitzs are relevant for conservation or are areas requiring attention and data-collection.
Why are we doing this?
South Africa’s biodiversity is one of the top five richest in the world. Boasting over 50 000 species, the country is home to almost 10% of the world's known bird, fish and plant species and over 6% of mammal and reptile species. Sadly, this proud heritage is under threat of being lost forever. People all over the world are working hard to safeguard our irreplaceable natural wealth and reduce biodiversity loss.
How to take part
CREW is inviting the public to join the exploration of some of our country’s most captivating areas. To take part in a Bioblitz, you do not need to be a scientist or even an avid gardener, just a keen nature enthusiast who likes to use your digital camera or electronic tablet, and who wants to do their part. The valuable monitoring data that you help to collect is used to assess species’ status against the internationally accredited Red List Categories and Criteria developed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Where is it happening?
Over the next few weeks, CREW will be hosting Bioblitz events at several venues. Click to downlist List of Bioblitz venues and dates
Knowledge of biodiversity leads to better understanding, to better management and thus to better conservation and protection of our biological resources. Based on the vastness of South Africa’s biodiversity, it is important for residents to show interest and get involved in assisting the scientists to monitor and preserve our heritage.
More about BIoblitz
The Bioblitz project is an initiative funded by the Public Understanding of Biotechnology (PUB) Programme at the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA). SAASTA is a business unit of the National Research Foundation (NRF). The PUB programme, a Department of Science and Technology (DST) initiative, is managed by SAASTA, The PUB programme is mandated to conduct outreach and awareness in the field of Biotechnology to all sectors of society, as well as to stimulate dialogue and debate on the various applications and potential of the field
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