The Biodiversity Company

Join the 2024 TBC Birding Competition! 🌿 Are you ready to spot the most incredible birds across South Africa? Participate in our exciting birding competition and stand a chance to win amazing prizes! 🌍 Why Participate? - Discover the beauty of South Africa's indigenous birds. - Contribute valuable data to bird conservation efforts. - Enjoy a chance to win exciting prizes! 📅 Mark your calendars and start birding now! 🦜 General Rules: 1. Eligibility: - Only indigenous species observations are allowed. - Use the BirdlifeZA 2024 checklist (no mallard hybrids or non-indigenous species). - Observations must be within South Africa. 2. Observation Criteria: - Both seen and heard birds are acceptable. - Submit all data monthly. 3. Data Submission: Send data to birding@thebiodiversitycompany.com in CSV format (downloaded from Birdlasser). Include: - Date and Time of observation - Location (latitude and longitude) - Species observed - Method (seen/heard) - Additional notes (optional) - SCCs should have exact GPS locations or be in their natural habitat 4. Submission Deadline: - Once you agree to join the competition, please share your 2024 data up to date. - You are also welcome to share past years’ data if you are willing to share to benefit conservation. - Final submission by 15 January 2025 - Prizes awarded on 31 January 2025 - Prizes are non-refundable or non-redeemable 🎁 Prizes: 1. Most Species Observed: 🥇 1st Place: Pelagic trip (excluding travel, accommodation, food) with Zest for Birds tours 🥈 2nd Place: R1000 Takealot voucher 🥉 3rd Place: Birding book of your choice (up to R500) 2. Most Observations: 🥇 1st Place: Wakkerstroom birding weekend (includes accommodation for 2 and a bird guiding experience with a Birdlife-endorsed guide; excluding travel, food) 🥈 2nd Place: R1000 Takealot voucher 🥉 3rd Place: Birding book of your choice (up to R500) 📝 For more details, visit thebiodiversitycompany.com or email us at birding@thebiodiversitycompany.com. Fly high and happy birding! 🐦

Which Predator has a catch rate of up to 95% in the wild? 🐉✨ That's right, the Dragonfly!! These ancient aerial acrobats are not only beautiful but play an integral role in their ecosystems. Here's what else makes them so fascinating: 🧬 Genus: Dragonflies & Damselflies belong to the order Odonata, which means "toothed ones" – a nod to their serrated jaws that make quick work of prey. With over 5,000 species globally, South Africa boasts gems like slide 2's, Dancing Jewel (Platycypha caligata) and the famous Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator). 🏞️ Habitat: Dragonflies are true ambassadors of wetlands, thriving near freshwater systems such as ponds, rivers, and marshes. They begin life as aquatic nymphs, spending months or even years underwater before emerging as the agile hunters we see in the air. 🌱 Ecosystem Impact: As both predator and prey, dragonflies play a vital role in controlling mosquito and fly populations, acting as natural pest controllers. Their presence is a strong indicator of a healthy aquatic ecosystem, as their nymph stage is highly sensitive to water quality. A thriving dragonfly population signals clean water, balanced biodiversity, and a robust environment. In turn, birds and frogs rely on dragonflies as a nutrient-rich food source. 🌍 Protecting wetlands is essential for safeguarding dragonflies and the broader ecosystem. As indicators of freshwater health, their survival depends on the preservation of these vital habitats. By conserving wetlands, we ensure the continued health of our environment and the myriad species that depend on it. Follow us for more incredible insights into biodiversity in Africa 🐉✨ #DragonflyMagic #WetlandConservation #BiodiversityHeroes #WildlifeWednesday #NatureLovers #EcoWarriors #SustainableLiving #InsectInsights #FreshwaterEcosystems #odonata

🌿 Snap, Crackle, Track – Camera Traps 📸🐾 At The Biodiversity Company, some of our fieldwork is dedicated to monitoring and understanding fauna within the PAOI (Project Area of Influence). One of our key tools is the camera trap – a discreet, motion-activated device that offers a glimpse into the world of wildlife without disturbing their natural behaviour. 🎥 📍 Where Do We Place Camera Traps? 1️⃣ Animal Trails and Paths: Strategically positioned along well-used trails to capture species movement and establish ecological corridors. (See African Civet Slide 2) 2️⃣ Water Sources: Placed near rivers, streams, and watering holes, these hotspots attract a variety of species, providing rich observational data. (See Caracal Slide 9) 😸 3️⃣ Crossings and Bottlenecks: Located at natural bottlenecks or crossings to maximize the chances of capturing diverse wildlife interactions. 4️⃣ Baited Locations: Set up near areas with abundant vegetation or fruiting trees to observe feeding behaviours. (See Serval Slide 1) ⭐ 5️⃣ Edge Habitats: Positioned at the edges of different habitat types to capture the rich biodiversity found in these transitional zones. This form of Non-Invasive Monitoring minimizes human impact while delivering high-quality data, enhancing our ability to provide accurate insights for environmental reports. Camera traps are more than just tools; they’re an unobtrusive window into the animal kingdom, helping us make informed decisions to protect biodiversity. 🌍🦓 What’s the most surprising wildlife moment you’ve seen? Share with us in the comments! 💬⬇️

🌷 “Stop and Smell the Roses” is an idiom that means to relax; to take time out of one's busy schedule to enjoy or appreciate the beauty of life. South Africa's Breathtaking Floral Diversity, it's giving - in bloom 🌼 #SouthAfricaInBloom #FloralDiversity #NatureInFocus #StopAndSmellTheRoses #BiodiversityBeauty #floraofsa

From Soil to Sky: Getting the Dirt on our Latest Field Work! 🌎 Four of our Units - Agriculture Studies, Avifauna, Wetlands, and Terrestrial - recently traveled to the Free State for a Renewables Project. Here’s what we uncovered! ⛰️ Agriculture Studies: The proposed project area was dominated by Plinthic Catenas, a type of soil sequence often found in landscapes where water saturation varies across different elevations. This creates a gradient from well-drained soils in higher elevations to more waterlogged conditions in lower areas. This explains the variations in soil color caused by different levels of water saturation and oxygen availability, known as chroma mottles. 🦅 Avifauna: Our avifauna survey brought various sightings of species of conservation concern, such as the magnificent Secretarybird (Slide 6) and the rare Blue Korhaan. Classified within Ecological Support Areas, this landscape is crucial for sustaining bird populations. 💧 Wetlands: The wetlands assessment revealed sensitive hydrogeomorphic units, including valley-bottom and seep wetlands. These areas provide essential ecosystem services like water purification and flood control, and our findings emphasized protective buffers around these delicate environments to maintain their functions. 🌾 Terrestrial: The project area was found to be the unique Eastern Free State Sandy Grassland, with characteristic flora like the provincially protected Ghost Orchid (Slide 9). As part of a Critical Biodiversity Area, these grasslands are essential to conserve against potential degradation. Project Outcomes: ⛰️ Agriculture Studies: The soils found in this area are generally used for grain farming in semi-arid climates, where limited water makes crop growth challenging. A deep layer of clay-rich subsoil helps store water, which can be released to crops during crucial growth stages, boosting yields. However, if this clay layer is too close to the surface, it can cause waterlogging, which is especially problematic for deep-rooted crops and can be more severe in wetter climates. 🦅 Avifauna: Specific habitat preservation measures were proposed to minimize disruptions to bird species of conservation concern, ensuring safe passage and nesting areas. 💧 Wetlands: Buffer zones were delineated to protect wetland functionality, securing these natural filters and flood regulators for the area’s long-term ecological health. 🌾 Terrestrial: There is a high level of risk to sensitive flora & fauna, but currently, the area is already under threat from overgrazing, invasive alien plant spread, and unmonitored illegal harvesting of sensitive species. A unique opportunity where a well-informed biodiversity management plan, specific to the project could minimise disturbances over the long term and help the environment in the project area. We are dedicated to project-specific, guided strategies that protect South Africa's invaluable biodiversity. 🌱✨ #Biodiversity #EnvironmentalAssessment

Want a chance to WIN a Wakkerstroom Birding Weekend! 🦅🎉 or a Pelagic trip with Zest for Birds Tours? 🥂 Enter our TBC Birding Competition for FREE. Go to the pinned post on our page for more info on how to win and t&c's! 🥳🌍

🌍 At The Biodiversity Company, we are dedicated to conserving biodiversity while enabling sustainable development. Our recent project in KZN showcases our commitment to this mission. Here's what we achieved: 📊 Comprehensive Surveys & Reports: We identified seven distinct habitat types, including Income Sandy Grasslands and Dolerite Wooded Grasslands, all playing vital ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, water regulation, and habitat for diverse species. 🌿 Impact of Habitats: The presence of these habitats positively impacted the project by highlighting areas that require careful planning and protection, ensuring that development is both responsible and sustainable. These habitats are crucial as they support Species of Conservation Concern (SCC), including the Mountain Reedbuck (see slide 4), classified as 'Endangered,' and the Black-footed cat, considered 'Vulnerable.' Both species are indigenous to South Africa, emphasising the need for their protection and conservation. 🛡️ Mitigation Measures: We proposed minimisation and restoration strategies to protect these habitats. For example, in medium sensitivity areas, altering infrastructure design to limit habitat impact and restoring native vegetation post-development which can enhance habitat connectivity and support local wildlife. 🤝 Benefits for Clients and Environment: By balancing development needs with environmental concerns, we help maintain ecological integrity and support biodiversity. This approach not only protects the environment but also ensures that development projects are sustainable and compliant with environmental regulations. 🎉 We at TBC help in balancing sustainable growth and environmental stewardship. #BiodiversityConservation #SustainableDevelopment #EnvironmentalStewardship #EcoFriendly #GreenEnergy #ConservationEfforts #NatureFirst #ShareThePlanet #TBC #Sustainability #Bethechange

🌟 Another round of our monthly TBC Photo Competition is here! 🎉📸 Our team has captured some truly stunning moments in the field, and we can't wait for you to see them. Our categories are: Traveler's, Biodiversity, and Colours, with breathtaking entries from all our talented staff for each of them. 🌍💚 The rules are simple: Upload your photo for each category and the company votes for their favourites. These are some of the top shots submitted! ✨ Our winners for the 3 categories were slides 1,3,5 for this month! Let us know in the comments if we got the right ones 👀📷 #NaturePhotography #PhotoCompetition #EcologistsInAction #Biodiversity #NatureLovers #Conservation #EmployeeWellbeing #TeamTBC #EnvironmentalConservation #TeamCulture #ConservationLeaders #NatureLove #ExploreDiscoverPreserve #Soil #AfricanBiodiversity #EnvironmentalConsulting #WildlifeConservation

🌱🌍 Curious about what a day in the life of a Soils Scientist looks like? Join our dedicated Soils Team on their fieldwork journey across South Africa! 🌍🌱   🔍 Our day kicks off before the first rays of light, driving out to the site. We then demarcate a soil profile with an auger, as seen on slide 5. Imagine what a giant corkscrew looks like—designed to dig into the ground to determine soil morphological, physical, and chemical properties. Each site offers a unique glimpse into the diverse soil landscapes across South Africa.   🌿 We often auger or open a profile below a depth of 1.2 meters to observe on-site or collect representative soil samples. These samples are analysed for texture, composition, bulk density, and other parameters. The in-situ soils can vary drastically across regions—from the sandy soils of the coastal areas to the rich, clayey soils of the inland regions, rich organic soils in wetlands and watercourses, shallow and rocky soils within semi-arid to arid regions of the special Karoo, and sandy loamy soils of the Western Cape carpeted with beautiful fynbos blossoms and blooms. These variations significantly impact the local environment, influencing vegetation, soil and water regimes, and wildlife habitats.   In coastal regions, well-drained sandy soils tend to be low in nutrients due to high leaching, which affects plant growth. In contrast, inland clayey soils hold more water but can restrict root penetration and cause waterlogging. These conditions require different management practices to maintain soil health and prevent degradation. Soil samples are also sent to the lab for chemical, physical, and biological analysis. 🌍🌾   Each day can be ground-breaking, bringing the reward of uncovering the intricate details of soil functioning, health, and its profound impact on the environment. 🌿✨   We hope this gives you a glimpse into the fascinating and beautiful days of our Soils Unit team’s hard work!   #SoilScience #Fieldwork #SoilHealth #Hydropedology #EnvironmentalImpact #Biodiversity #NatureConservation #Ecology #SustainableLandUse #SoilsEcologists

🌿🦅 What is an Ecological Walkdown? 🦅🌿 Our expert Avifauna and Wetlands teams recently completed a walkdown for a Powerline extension project in the beautiful Northern Cape. This essential work ensures that development goes hand-in-hand with biodiversity conservation. But what is it? 🔍 An Ecological Walkdown is a meticulous on-ground survey conducted by specialised ecologists to assess and document the environmental conditions of a project area. How's it Performed? Pre-Walkdown Planning: Before heading out into the field, our team of specialists reviews existing data, satellite images, and past ecological studies of the area. This preparation helps identify key habitats, potential sensitive areas, and species of concern. On-Site Survey: Armed with map location pins, GPS trackers, cameras, and an array of field equipment, our team sets out on foot to cover the designated survey area. They meticulously observe and record the presence of bird species, small ground animals, presence of wetlands, and vegetation types, making note of any signs of breeding activity, nesting sites, and unique habitat features that might be affected by the project. Impact Assessment: Back at the office, the team evaluates how the project area might affect the environment, particularly animals that are sensitive to habitat disturbance. This involves assessing potential collision risks for birds, habitat fragmentation, wetlands affected and disruption to the movement of ground-dwelling species. We'll then typically write a report addressing any issues, with mitigation measures and recommendations. The length of time required for an ecological walkdown varies depending on the size of the project area. Typically, it can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, like this one which spanned 16 days. 🌿✨ With every step, we ensure sustainability and preservation of the planet! ✨🌿 Contact us for the Best Ecologist Services in the Business - info@thebiodiversitycompany.com #EcologicalWalkdown #BiodiversityConservation #SustainableDevelopment #WildlifeProtection #Avifauna #WetlandsConservation #EnvironmentalAssessment #ResponsibleDevelopment #ProtectNature #FieldworkScience