researchlimpopo.com
Herpetile diversity, distribution and behaviour in the northern part of the Limpopo Province is not well known. The area consists of private reserves and land under agricultural and wildlife production, interspersed with rural communities. This provides ample opportunities for comparing herpetile diversity under different land uses. Short, intensive surveys of herpetile diversity and distribution at the Mogalakwena Reserves and adjacent rural communities have been conducted in the past. These surveys added a several new species to the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism's list of confirmed sightings, and confirmed the movement of species in relation to rainfall events and important baseline distribution data.
The Mogalakwena Research Centre maintains the drift-fence herpetile traps along the Mogalakwena River and temporary water-pans, and continues to record species sightings throughout the rainy season (September to May). This information can be used to identify the ecological gradients determining species presence and abundance, the effect of climate change on species presence, abundance and behaviour, as well as ientifying protected herpetile species for conservation efforts.
© 2010 by Mogalakwena Group