BIODIVERSITY AND INFORMATICS

The biodiversity, conservation and environmental assessment programme at the International Ocean Institute, Southern Africa (IOI-SA) recognizes the need to research and understand marine and coastal biodiversity and ecology in order to achieve sustainable use of resources.

The problems:

There are major gaps in our knowledge of marine biodiversity. Many species of marine animals and plants remain undescribed. Caring for and using our marine environment wisely requires a greater knowledge and understanding not only of these organisms, but also of the systems which support them.

Over the last several decades there has been severe damage to the marine environment, resulting in destruction of habitats and losses of biodiversity. Such losses, which are usually the result of human activities, may also compromise the sustainability of livelihoods, particularly for coastal people.

South Africa is a signatory to a number of international conventions that pertain to the conservation of biodiversity. It is our collective responsibility to partake in activities associated with the implementation of these conventions.

What is IOI-SA doing to address these problems?

• IOI-SA is involved in several ongoing biodiversity studies, including studies of coralline and other marine algae, which are important but often neglected components of marine ecology and biodiversity. These projects span not only southern Africa, but the entire continent of Africa.
  (Projects: Biodiversity, taxonomy and species composition of coralline algae. SeaweedAfrica Database project)

• IOI-SA works in co-operation with a number of institutions to aid in the implementation of conservation initiatives and international conventions.
  (Projects: Marine forensic genetics for compliance enforcement. Reporting on the status of listed and threatened marine species for the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Implementation project)

• IOI-SA is contracted as the Focal Point for the Benguela Current subregion for the Global International Waters Assessment (GIWA). The aim of GIWA is to produce a comprehensive and integrated global assessment of international waters, including both marine and freshwaters. The assessments focus on both the environmental and socio-economic impacts of key issues related to the aquatic environment in transboundary waters.

• We do consulting work with various institutions to aid in the implementation of conservation law and international conventions.
  (Project: Marine forensic genetics for compliance enforcement. Reporting on the status of listed and threatened marine species for the Convention in Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) Implementation project.)

If you want to become involved in this programme contact the Programme Coordinator at:

IOI-SA
c/o Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology
University of the Western Cape
P. Bag X17, Bellville 7535
South Africa
Tel. +27 21 959 2594
Fax. +27 21 959 1213