SCIENCE & KNOWLEDGE BUILDING

Research Vessel - Angra Pequena

Over the last 7 years our classic research vessel RV Angra Pequena has been used for offshore research cruises along the east coast of South Africa, and up into Mozambique, Tanzania, and Comoros. She has been the platform for some of the first mesophotic surveys (40-250m) in South Africa and in the WIO region, including four African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme (ACEP) projects in KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape waters. Equipment deployments, supported by the South African Institute of Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) team, have included the SAIAB Remotely Operated Video (ROV), Stereo BRUVs (S-BRUVS), plankton nets, drop cameras, oceanographic instruments and multibeam and boomer geoscience work. The team have also found and filmed coelacanth in sub-marine canyons on three cruises to iSimangaliso MPA. She is also the ocean-home for the Ocean Stewards initiative, providing opportunity for young marine scientists to go to sea (often for the first time) and to engage directly with scientists. RV Angra Pequena can accommodate up to 16 people (6-10 scientists/students), can stay at sea for up to 30 days and has a fuel capacity allowing 3000nm voyages, making her a very useful cost-effective vessel for work in offshore and remote locations. Her contributions over the past year are listed below:

•   Days on cruise: 33

•   Countries: South Africa, along the KwaZulu-Natal coast.

•   Offshore research platform for 4 Projects: iSimangaliso MPA EbA Project, ACEP Smart Zone Project (uThukela MPA), uThukela MPA EbA Project, WILDOCEANS Ocean Stewards Project, ACEP Kelp Bed Project

•   Collaborative offshore research with 10 Institutions: Nelson Mandela University, University of KwaZulu-Natal, University of Zululand, South African Institute of Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB), Council for Geological Survey (CGS), South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON), University of Exeter and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (EKZNW), the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), CSIRO Australia’s National Science Agency

•   Surveys Conducted: In uThukela, remotely Operated Video (ROV) mesophotic biodiversity survey was conducted and in iSimangaliso there was deployment of drop camera, a CTD (conductivity, temperature and depth) probe with 6-bottle Niskin Rosette for carbon, nutrients, chlorophyll -a and phytoplankton waters samples, vertical plankton net tows for phytoplankton, Grundfos P2 water pump used to collect bottom water for eDNA sampling, hydro-Bios net was used to collect macroplankton samples, and a KC Denmark plankton pump with a 60µm net was used to collect microplankton samples.

Participants over multiple cruises: 6 Scientists, 1 Technician, 1 Ocean Stewards, 3 Students and 15 Crew

CONSERVATION SYMPOSIUM

Over the past year the WILDTRUST has once again partnered with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife in presenting the annual Conservation Symposium. This year, the Symposium was a hybrid event, with most delegates gathering at the Wild Coast Sun Resort for a week of learning, sharing cutting edge research and debating current conservation issues. Dr Roelie Kloppers, WILDTRUST CEO opened proceedings at a formal dinner, held on the first day of the symposium, jointly welcoming delegates with the new CEO of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, Mr Sihle Mkhize. Various researchers representing the WILDTRUST’s two main programmes (WILDLANDS and WILDOCEANS) presented at the conference, showcasing the ongoing work of the organization and its contribution to scientific knowledge and investigation.

BUFFELSDRAAI BIODIVERSITY ASSESSMENT

At the onset of the Buffelsdraai reforestation project, a biomonitoring program was initiated to effectively track the reforestation and restoration process using woody tree species, small mammals, birds, and invertebrates. The first biodiversity assessment occurred prior to restoration activities (2010), and subsequent monitoring was planned on a 3 – 5-year time scale, with follow-up assessments in 2013 (vegetation only), 2015 (faunal and floral), 2018 (faunal and floral), and most recently in 2023 (faunal and floral). The methodology is followed as closely as possible from one assessment to the next to enable effective tracking of biodiversity change over the 13 years of WILDTRUST’s restoration activities.

SOMKHANDA VELD CONDITION ASSESSMENT

Veld condition (or rangeland) assessments are necessary to monitor and quantify change in ecosystem health and detect trends such as the degradation or recovery of areas. These assessments provide critical data for adaptive reserve management, ensuring that stocking rates and burning practices are adjusted to maintain ecological balance. Additionally, repeated evaluations help in understanding the impacts of environmental factors, such as climate change, on rangeland productivity and biodiversity, guiding long-term conservation strategies. Rangeland assessments are undertaken every 3 – 5 years; accounting for 2014, 2019 and the most recent, 2023.

MAPUTALAND CARBON ASSESSMENT

WILDTRUST, in partnership with Nature4Justice and C4EcoSolutions, undertook a pilot study to determine the feasibility of generating carbon credits via terrestrial and wetland restoration and conservation in Maputaland. The scoping study focused on above-ground carbon biomass in sand forest and soil carbon of peatlands. The programme aim is to generate carbon finance, to be used to safeguard Maputaland's unique sand forest, peatland and associated ecosystems

WILDTRUST SCHOLARSHIPS

The WILDTRUST currently supports two annual scholarships and have partnered with the University of Pretoria and the University of Stellenbosch to award these scholarships to students in the applicable fields.

Pierre Neetling Scholarship
Wildlife Veterinary Scholarship

UPPER UTHUKELA WATER FUND

In partnership with the Nature for Water (N4W) Facility, WILDTRUST is currently in the feasibility phase of the development of a business case for a Water Fund in the Upper uThukela catchment. The initiative builds on the shared capabilities of the project team (made up of specialists from N4W, WILDTRUST and partners) to fulfil three primary objectives;

1. To focus and prioritise efforts and areas around a defined portfolio of NbS and sustainable watershed interventions

2. Identify target beneficiaries and other potential partners who will invest in implementing these Nature Based Solutions (NbS)

3. To provide a clear articulation of a business case to ensure key stakeholders are aligned and communicate the value to beneficiaries and investors

The Feasibility Assessment, with extensive input on data, experience and case studies from past and current work in the Upper uThukela, models a selection of future states from a number of scenarios. These include a “Do Nothing” scenario, where all current interventions are stopped and no further NbS are implemented, a “Business as Usual scenario”, where only current or previous interventions are continued into the future, and a “Full Implementation” scenario, where all prioritized NbS are implemented at full scale within the bounds of the project area. The different scenarios are then costed out and compared with implementation of other water supply and replenishment options, typically achieved through the construction of Grey Infrastructure at great expense to the taxpayer and the environment.