|
|
Photos: Google Earth used to find new species Rhett A. Butler, mongabay.com December 22, 2008
Scouring satellite images via Google Earth for potential conservation sites at elevations of 1600 meters or more, Julian Bayliss a locally-based conservationist, in 2005 spotted a 7,000-hectare tract of forest on Mount Mabu. The scientifically unexplored forest had previously only been known to villagers. Subsequent expeditions in October and November this year turned up hundreds of species of plants and animals, including some that are new to science.
The survey turned up a wealth of wildlife including pygmy chamelons, Swynnerton's robin, butterflies (including three new species), blue duiker antelope, samango monkeys, elephant shrews, a previously undiscovered species of snake (in the Gaboon viper family) and many plants, including a rare orchid. In all the team collected more than 500 plant specimens. The scientists plan to use the discoveries to push the Mozambican government for protection of Mount Mabu's unique ecosystem, which served as a refuge to villagers during nearly two decades of civil war but is now at risk from loggers and conversion for agriculture.    Mount Mabu’s Google Earth coordinates are 16 degrees 17 min, 56 secs south and 36 degrees 23 mins 44 secs east “This is potentially the biggest area of medium-altitude forest I'm aware of in southern Africa, yet it was not on the map, and most Mozambicans would not have even recognized the name Mount Mabu," said Timberlake. "Kew is working with the Mozambique government to protect areas like Mount Mabu and encourage local people to value the forest for its wildlife. By conserving the plant life we can help secure a future for all the other creatures we saw there.” The expedition was also involved scientists from the Mozambique Agronomic Research Insititute (IIAM), Birdlife International and the Mulanji Mountain conservation Trust (MMCT) in Malawi. More photos  Jonathan Timberlake on Mount Mabu. Photo by Tom Timberlake  Common Leopard butterfly mating. Photo by Julian Bayliss  Driving up to Mount Mabu. Photo by Julian Bayliss  Hemipteran Bug. Photo by Julian Bayliss  View from Mount Mabu. Photo by Tom Timberlake  Small Striped Swordtail butterfly (Graphium policenes). Photo by Julian Bayliss  Olive sunbird (Nectarinia olivace). Photo by Julian Bayliss  Jonathan Timberlake looking out from the top of Mount Mabu. Photo by Tom Timberlake  Orchid. Photo by Tom Timberlake  New Atheris snake. Photo by Julian Bayliss SHARE THIS ARTICLE:
Tags: google earth Mozambique africa southern africa new species biodiversity wildlife animals species discovery remote sensing Satellite Imagery insects plants botany conservation happy-upbeat environmental in-situ conservation forests
News index | RSS | News Feed | Twitter | Home Advertisements: Organic Apparel from Patagonia | Insect-repelling clothing
|
|
|
MONGABAY.COM
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
INTERACT
STORE SHIRTS HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTOS / PRINTS 
CALENDARS 
CANVAS BAGS 
| | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Copyright mongabay 2010 |
