Take advantage of these opportunities to visit the beautiful Verloren Valei Nature Reserve near Dullstroom in the company of experts. Verloren Valei is a pristine wetland reserve northeast of Dullstroom, and is renowned as a biodiversity hotspot. Rare indigenous orchids … Read More
Hannes Marais, Wetland Scientist, MTPA, shared some of his knowledge on a recent field trip. By James van den Heever One of the most important reasons for conserving Verloren Valei is the significant contribution it makes to securing South Africa’s … Read More
We are slowly building up a picture of the contribution to the country’s scarce (and vital) water resources made by the reserve. By James van den Heever Following on from a previous article detailing the results of water measurement in … Read More
Verloren Valei illustrates how important a role protected areas play in conserving our biodiversity. By Justin Bode Lepidoptera are recognised as playing an important role in ecological systems, and also act as biodiversity indicators. For these reasons, the Southern African … Read More
Recent genetic findings show that the Yellow-breasted Pipit should, in fact, be classified as a longclaw. By Hugh Chittenden This short note has been compiled to give support to the recent genetic findings that show that Yellow-breasted Pipit, Anthus chloris, … Read More
Following on from the recent biodiversity stewardship webinar, here’s heartening news of how to take this concept further using an innovative carbon-credit scheme in partnership with the Endangered Wildlife Trust and BirdLife Africa. A farmer in the Free State broke … Read More
Adrian Wood, University of Huddersfield Swamps, marshes, floodplains and mangrove forests, all known as wetlands, are a precious resource. In their natural state they provide a range of eco-system services. They regulate water flows, store eroded materials and nutrients and … Read More
As a defence mechanism, many butterflies are poisonous. Other butterflies mimic their poisonous cousins to warn off predators. By Justin Bode When a poisonous butterfly is bitten, the toxins released stimulate a vomiting reflex in the predator that results in … Read More
The biodiversity threat won’t be tackled by alarmist biologist hype and dismantling capitalism. By Matt Ridley | @mattwridley Driven perhaps by envy at the attention that climate change is getting, and ambition to set up a great new intergovernmental body that can … Read More
This beauty is one of the standout blooms at Verloren Valei despite the fierce competition. By Gerrit van Ede When in flower, this orchid is very noticeable in the sour-grass veld of Verloren Valei, and is one of the beauties … Read More
