A collaboration between South African and American researchers, BioSCape, supported by various organisations was launched on 16 October in the Western Cape. The project will collect aerial surveys, satellite and field data from the Greater Cape Floristic Region, and is unique for being the first type of program that uses the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) technology to monitor biodiversity. This will enable researchers to assess amongst others the functions of and threats to aquatic and terrestrial systems and the interactions between ecosystems, to support biodiversity monitoring and the development of conservation measures. As noted in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, biodiversity supports all life systems on earth however it is rapidly declining and urgent transformations are required to reverse this.
Biodiversity hotspot
BioSCape highlights the significance of the Greater Cape Floristic Region of the Western Cape as a biodiversity hotspot that covers less than 0.5% of Africa but hosts approximately 20% of the plant species of the continent. 9000 plant species found in the region are endemic and not found elsewhere on earth, while an estimated 3500 marine species are also endemic. Some of the factors considered by the researchers include the impacts of climate change, fire and drought on ecosystems. It is expected that the research will support the development of technologies to monitor biodiversity and the project could also serve as a model that can be used in other regions.
Further information about BioSCape is available on their website here, which also contains information on courses and opportunities for public participation.
Sustainable Capabilities 