Surveys
There are several surveys underway in South Africa at present:
Protea Colour Survey: A survey of the pale and pink colour forms of proteas is underway. Surprisingly colour matters: if you encounter proteas on your rambles, please participate!
Sea Fish Atlas : Mapping the distribution of our marine fish species on iSpot.
Sea Slug Atlas : A survey of Nudibranchs, Bubbleshells and Seahares on iSpot.
Sea Coral Atlas : This is targeting Hard-, Soft and Black Corals, Seafans, and even Anemones on iSpot.
• Marine Invasive Atlas: Please help to map any marine alien and invasive species by photographing any suspected aliens and posting them on iSpot.
Echinomap - Atlas of African Echinoderma: Please add your photographs of starfish, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, brittle stars and feather stars to this site.
SA Jelly Watch: Jellyfish are becoming more common and they threaten many coastal activities. By taking a few minutes to observe them in your area you can help us to understand if they pose a threat to our way of life. Record mass outbreaks and records of jellyfish on this site.
The Southern African Bird Atlas Project 2 : SABAP2 is an update and refinement of the first Southern African Bird Atlas Project which ran from 1987-1991 and culminated in the publication in 1997 of two volumes on the distribution and relative abundance of southern African birds.
MammalMAP – the African Mammal Atlas Project : MammalMAP aims to help effectively manage and conserve wildlife, for which we need to know where they are. However, the reality is that across Africa, our knowledge of the whereabouts of many mammals is at best outdated, and at worst based on unverified anecdotes. Filling this crucial gap in our knowledge is the main aim of MammalMAP.
The following surveys have been completed.
South African National Survey of Arachnida : 2007-2010. SANSA is an umbrella project dedicated to unify and strengthen biodiversity research on Arachnology in South Africa and to make an inventory of the arachnofauna. It runs on a national basis in collaboration with other researchers and institutions with an interest in the arachnid fauna of South Africa.
Southern African Butterfly Conservation Assessment: 2007-2011. A conservation project aimed at determining the distribution and conservation priorities of all butterfly species in the Southern African region, especially those threatened with extinction.
Southern African Reptile Conservation Assessment: 2005-2009. The project’s aim was to improve our understanding of the diversity and distribution of reptiles in South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland, and thereby make possible an improvement in the conservation status of these animals.
South African Frog Atlas Project: 1996-2003.
Protea Atlas Project: 1991-2003. The Protea Atlas Project aimed to encourage amateur involvement in Botany. The ultimate objective was to stimulate amateur awareness and enjoyment of the veld thus engendering a conservation ethic.
Have a look at some of the surveys being undertaken in the UK:
OPAL climate survey: Help us learn more about our climate and how we affect it. Investigate clouds, contrails and winds with the use of mirrors and bubbles. You’ll help us investigate ways in which we affect the climate and how the climate may affect us.
OPAL biodiversity survey: Take part in the biodiversity survey and uncover the diverse range of wildlife in our hedges. You’ll contribute to valuable research and learn more about the importance of hedges and how you can improve them.
OPAL water survey: By taking part in the water survey, you’ll help scientists learn more about how polluted our lakes and ponds actually are – something we know surprisingly little about.
OPAL air survey: The air survey is studying lichens found on trees and also looking for tar spot fungus on sycamore leaves. Both can tell us a great deal about local air quality.
OPAL soil and earthworm survey: Taking part is simple and fun. To get started, download one of our free survey packs, which include easy-to-follow instructions and a detailed earthworm identification key.