GBIF

Digitizing data to help conserve African forests

Biodiversity is the variety of life on this planet. It is essential for sustaining the intricate ecosystems that provide food, fuel, health, wealth and other vital services. Beyond all that, biodiversity is valuable simply in itself, for the sheer awe and wonder of it. Knowledge about biodiversity enhances our understanding of species as well as of the state of the ecosystems where they live. This information is relevant in deciding what actions based on evidence (research) should inform outputs (policy and decisions) so ecosystems can thrive and support livelihoods. 

Surprisingly, a wealth of data remains inaccessible in reports, notebooks and collections, which, if digitized and published through online platforms like GBIF: the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, can be used to inform decision-making. GBIF is a database that provides free open access biodiversity data from all over the world to anyone, anywhere.

For these reasons, over the last two years, 11 organizations across Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, and Ghana have worked collaboratively to mobilise, share and use biodiversity data to help with the conservation of four forested African landscapes.[1]

So far, we have published over 40 datasets from Atewa Forest in Ghana, the forests of the Kwande and Oban-Liku in Nigeria, West Bugwe in Uganda and the coastal forests and kayas (sacred forests) of Kenya – all of international conservation importance. The datasets are now being converted to useful informational products such as simple species checklists and IUCN Red Listed posters. As the project comes to an end, these outputs will be shared with the relevant stakeholders (conservation managers, government institutions, schools, local communities and the public) who will put the data to use: conservation planning and development, education, research and fundraising, tourism and reporting on these important landscapes that hold significant biodiversity. Data makes a difference! 

View the presentation here

Option 2 - StoryMap photo

StoryMaps offers a new communication tool for Marine Conservation

A Rocha USA’s Marine Conservation interns have been busy this year with SCUBA certifications, monitoring horseshoe crabs, biodiversity studies, plastics research, presenting research papers, conservation storytelling and much more. Part of their internship includes communicating the findings of their work through a variety of multimedia. They have produced a StoryMap – a visually compelling web-based application that tells a story through text, maps, stunning photos, videos and other content.

This first StoryMap produced by A Rocha USA’s interns – Allison Cutting, Nicholas Davis and Michaela Stenerson – explores the freshwater habitats of Florida and their role in Florida’s ecosystem. The StoryMap dives into three specific locations: Blue Springs, Wekiwa Springs and Alexander Springs.

Blue Springs is one of the best places to see West Indian Manatees Trichechus manatus in Florida. It is a protected refuge for manatees seeking warmth from the colder surrounding waters in the winter. In addition to manatee, the spring houses fish like Alligator Gar Atractosteus spatula, Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus and several species of Armored Catfish Loricariidae.

Wekiwa is home to the Seminole people and a number of animals, including turtles, fish and otters. It has been managed as a State Park since 1969 and is a major tourist attraction in central Florida, attracting several hundred thousand tourists and locals each year.

Alexander Springs is within Alexander Springs Park and is used for several recreational activities, especially scuba diving and snorkelling. The spring gushes forth about 70 million gallons of water per day and keeps a constant temperature of 22°C (72°F) year-round, providing habitat for a large number of species, including fish – Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus and Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides – and Eastern Mud Turtles Kinosternon subrubrum, American Alligators Alligator mississippiensis and North American River Otter Lontra canadensis. 

StoryMaps help us share the beauty and ecological importance of places like the Florida springs. Click here to explore ARUSA’s StoryMap of this special habitat and what you can do to help protect it. We look forward to seeing more StoryMaps from the USA Marine Conservation programme as they use multimedia to make conservation stories more accessible and engaging for new audiences.

JSBD

The John Stott Memorial Birding Day is back!

A Rocha is organizing a third global bird race in honour of our great friend and supporter John Stott’s legacy as theologian, pastor and birdwatcher. Make sure to mark 13 May in your calendars and pull a team together to tackle how you can spot as many bird species in 24 hours as possible.  

You can also participate in the day by entering our photo competition or using our bird-themed spiritual retreat guide. Please visit www.johnstottbirdingday.com for more information and join the lively Facebook group by searching for ‘The John Stott Memorial Birding Day’. 

The John Stott Birding Day is planned to coincide with eBird’s ‘Global Big Day’. By adding our checklists to eBird we are contributing to a vast, freely accessible wealth of information, where it can power data-driven approaches to conservation. In 2022 participants in the John Stott Birding Day in 19 countries logged an amazing 1,000 species! Let’s see if we can log even more this year. 

Use these images for your social media posts to let everyone know you’re taking part!