Great Southern Bioblitz 2024

Post by Choi, Janelle Ye-Lim

From the 20th to the 23rd of September, the Great Southern Bioblitz (GSB) 2024 united people from around the world to spend time in nature and with community. In more than 82 areas across 21 countries in the Southern Hemisphere, thousands of citizen scientists embarked on a mission to record the biodiversity in their regions and outcompete others.  On the morning of the 21st of September, 15 citizen scientists from around Cape Town congregated at the Retreat Civic Centre to observe the species diversity along the southern dunes of Princess Vlei.
   The GSB 2024 event at Princess Vlei was as much about capturing a snapshot of the Vlei’s biodiversity as about connecting with people in the community. The day kicked off with introductions as we went around in a circle sharing our names, professions, and what drew us to the event. We were a group of volunteers, professionals in the environmental management space, six-year-olds, professors, and students, united by our appreciation for nature

Community members take photos of species on the southern dunes of Princess Vlei.

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As we walked along Toring Road, Princess Vlei Forum’s Biodiversity Project Manager Denisha Anand, shared the history of the land. The land south of Princess Vlei is covered in Cape Flats Dune Strandveld (CFDS) and was the only area deemed worthy of conserving by an Environmental Impact Assessment of Princess Vlei. The CFDS vegetation type is endangered as a result of urban sprawl, sand mining, illegal dumping, and poor management. The Princess Vlei Forum has worked to protect and conserve this area in addition to the remaining 110 hectares that compose the Greater Princess Vlei Conservation Area. With no other similar veld types in Cape Town, the group had an exciting time snapping photos of the many plants, insects, and critters who call the Cape Flats Dune Strandveld home.

Community members gather to hear iNaturalist instructions and Princess Vlei’s history.

Emma Oliver shared instructions on recording observations on iNaturalist, an online platform that allows people to share biodiversity information and learn about nature. By capturing a photo of a wild organism, uploading the geotagged image to iNaturalist, and selecting a best guess for the species of the organism, the observation is shared to the community. Any observation can be uploaded with a guess of the organism’s taxon, but when a species is identified and verified by two out of three identifiers, the observation is upgraded to research grade status.
 Across the Southern Hemisphere, the biological survey that citizens conduct by taking photographs of wildlife provides insight into the range, diversity, and richness of species. The involvement of  citizen scientists in the monitoring of invasive and native species allows organizations and governments to devise more accurate environmental management plans and conservation policy.

Emma Oliver and Denisha Anand observe the Blue Afrikaner, Gladiolus carinatus.

Princess Vlei Forum’s GSB 2024 event was a success with 177 observations and 75 different species observed! Downy Drumsticks, Zaluzianskya villosa, a plant endemic to South African and found on the sandy flats and lower slopes of the Western Cape. Participants were excited to see the Strandveld Trumpet Bobbejaantjie, Babiana tubiflora, which is found in the West Cape province of South Africa and has tolerated severe habitat loss. Aided by binoculars, Professor Todd Vision observed birds flying above the water, though they were not identified. The call of a bird was uploaded to iNaturalist and identified as the Helmeted Guineafowl, Numida meleagris. As we made our way back to the Retreat Civic Centre from the banks of the Vlei, the petals of the Blue Afrikaner, Gladiolus carinatus, were spotted. As the group marveled at the beauty of the natural world, shared conversations, and enjoyed some oranges and apples, the event came to a peaceful close.

Blue Afrikaner, Gladiolus carinatus

Strandveld Trumpet Bobbejaantjie, Babiana tubiflora

    In the Greater Princess Vlei Conservation Area community on iNaturalist, 400 species have been observed with over 1,700 total observations. Join the Greater Princess Vlei Conservation Area community on iNaturalist! Anyone with access to a phone can share data to a community of nature lovers and contribute to the growing scientific knowledge of biodiversity. To be counted in the GSB2024 competition, participants have until October 7th to submit all observations!
   The Great Southern Bioblitz effectively engages communities in citizen science with a fun, competitive twist. Currently, Cape Town sits in third for the most observations recorded during the GSB 2024! This annual, international event has a lasting impact as community members end the day equipped with knowledge of how to upload to iNaturalist and continue engaging in the recording of biodiversity. Thank you to all who participated in the GSB 2024, and we look forward to seeing which region comes out on top on October 7th! View the results on the iNaturalist Community: Great Southern Bioblitz 2024 Umbrella!

Exploring Rain Daisies, Dimorphotheca pluvialis.