International Biodiversity Day to focus on “Biodiversity and Agriculture”

Tzaneen07- 308web1.jpg

_{International Biodiversity Day 2008 will explore what
agriculture can contribute to the environment in terms of sustainable
development (Picture © Mitzi du Plessis)}

Oct07- 900web.jpg

_{Activities will involve looking at the range of habitats along
a transect from Mariepskop down the Blyde and Olifants Rivers and
ending in the Kruger National Park (Picture © Mitzi du
Plessis)}

International Biodiversity Day 2008 will be celebrated in the Kruger-2-Canyons United Nations (UN) Biosphere Reserve in Limpopo Province from 16 to 17 May.

This important event on the International Biodiversity Calendar is held in a different country each year and has been going since 2001. The event attracts high-profile politicians, scientists and other distinguished guests, and secures coverage in national and international media.

Initiated by GEO Magazine (the European equivalent of National Geographic), it is aimed at raising awareness of how much natural diversity exists on this planet and the need to protect this biodiversity. Previous events have involved scientists and members of the public (especially learners) in an intensive biodiversity survey conducted in a selected area over 24 hours, resulting in a “bio-inventory” for that area.

This year, the organisers have identified the Kruger-2-Canyons UN Biosphere Reserve as the place where the 24 hour biodiversity monitoring project will be conducted. The survey will start on the afternoon of Friday, 16 May and end on the Saturday afternoon.

As the theme chosen for 2008 is “Biodiversity and Agriculture”, monitoring sites have been selected in conservation areas (as a reference) as well as agricultural areas. The idea is to explore what agriculture can contribute to the environment in terms of sustainable development (i.e. underpinning the concept that agriculture can be done in a way that has minimal impact on biodiversity). The theme “Biodiversity and Agriculture” has been chosen to coincide with one of the main topics of the agenda of the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP9) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in May 2008 in Bonn, Germany

The focus will be on “ecosystem diversity” rather than “species diversity”. Activities will involve looking at the range of habitats and major groups of species present - and some estimate of ecosystem services provided - at a range of agricultural and protected sites along a transect from Mariepskop down the Blyde and Olifants Rivers and ending in the Kruger National Park (near Letaba Camp).

More than 10 South African partners are involved, including SAEON and SANParks, the University of the Witwatersrand, the Agricultural Research Council and provincial government (LEDET). SAEON will be involved with the sites around Phalaborwa – two on mine property just outside the Kruger Park, and two within the Park. The BBC will be attending the event to provide international television coverage.

The event will coincide with the Kruger to Canyons Sustainable Living Festival which will be held over a three-day period from Thursday 15 May to Saturday 17 May.

Saturday night will see the hosting of a Gala Dinner for selected participants. Activities at the Gala Dinner will include:

Presentation of International Biodiversity Day Results

All data collected during the Biodiversity Day monitoring surveys will be collated and presented at the Gala Dinner.

Launch of the Municipalities Competition to be held in conjunction with Limpopo LEDET

A suggestion has been made by Limpopo Province to initiate a competition to be held between all the municipalities in the three Limpopo Biospheres. The competition will be held over 3 or 4 years and will focus on the municipality that most adheres to and adopts the Biosphere principles.

Schools Interactive Competition

A schools competition will be held in March, April and May that will include posters to be made up by each school to explore the concept of Sustainable Living.

Why not join SAEON in the Lowveld for this internationally significant event on the 16^th and 17^th May?

If you are interested in being part of the International Biodiversity Day celebrations, please send an email to festival@bushveldconnections.co.za.