Contributing Organisations

Contributing Organisations

Biodiversity Action Day at Brandberg


The Brandberg experience


7 biodiversity action groups 7 appointments with nature

1 Conservancies: Biodiversity the base of living…CBNRM as a world-renowned approach to sustainable use of natural resourcesand poverty reduction. What does biodiversity mean to them?

Experts involved: Nicky Gaseb (chairperson of TsisebConservancy), Karen Knott (CBNRM expert)

Important participants: Local game guards, local residents, possiblymountain guides, public, press

Site(s): Various – transport with conservancy vehiclesShort description: Demonstration of Tsiseb Conservancy involving

various locals. Primary topics: Game management, ecotourism, ethnobotany



2 Brandberg’s Rock Paintings: Messages of the past for the future...in the footsteps of the ancestors. What can we learn from the ancientinhabitants of the area about their connection to the diversity of life?

Experts involved: Tilman Lenssen-Erz (archaeologist) Important participants: Media representatives, local mountain guides,

public, press Site(s): Tsisab Valley, including the “White Lady” rock

paintingShort description: Analyzing and interpreting rock paintings that

precisely depict the parts of nature the ancient as well as the present inhabitants of the area dependon.



3 The Ugab Wetlands: Water is life… a wetland in the middle of the desert and oasis for all living beings. What services does it deliver to the community?

Experts involved: Holger Kolberg (ornithologist), Kevin Roberts (aquatic biologist)

Important participants: Local guides and game guards, public, pressSite(s): Ugab wetlands and riverine area in the vicinity of t

he lodgeShort description: Bird watching and completing a bird list examining

and collecting various aquatic organisms with focuson the link between biodiversity and development



4 Small Heroes: Invertebrates keep the circle going… applying actively the methods of classic biomonitoring. Why are these smallanimals so important for the health and service capacity of ecosystems?

Experts involved: John Irish (entomologist)Important participants: Local guides, public, pressSite(s): Slopes of Brandberg, plains, Ugab riverbed

(close to the lodge)Short description: Collection of invertebrates via various methods in

different habitats and elaboration on theircontributions to the ecosystems



5 Mammals: Brothers from other mothers…on the tracks of our roommates. What do they share with us? How do theycare for us? What do they expect from us?

Experts involved: Jörg Melzheimer (biologist)Important participants: local guide, press, publicSite(s): slopes of Brandberg, plains, Ugab riverbed (close to

lodge)Short description: trapping small mammals and tracking their bigger

relatives by different methods to explore theirconnection to human living



6 Plants: The base of civilisation…exploring the manifold connections between plants and human development. Which plants are there and what is their use for us?

Experts involved: Salome Kruger (NBRI), David Iyambo (NBRI), Peggy Poncelet (agronomist)

Important participants: Local guides and indigenous people, public, pressSites(s): Slopes of Brandberg, plains, Ugab riverbed (close to

lodge)Short description: Botanical survey in different habitats, with focus on

the link between biodiversity and development

7 Crossing the Brandberg




First step: preparing


Starting at the White Lady Lodge


To meet nature at Brandberg

Biodiversity Action Day at Brandbergvia walking


Looking up


Looking down


Looking at bigger things

Biodiversity Action Day at BrandbergAnd getting new perspectives

Hoping that their children can paint the same beauty


Hoping that their children will find the same diversity of life



What did we find?

How well do you know your country? Or:

What is this? A water purification plant

A flood control mechanism

What is this?An air conditioner (CO2 fixation, shadow provision)

A food production factory (wildlife and domestic)

An energy provider (firewood)

An income generator (craft from seeds)

An oxygen factory

Nutrient provider (Nitrogen fixation)

A home (bird & insects habitat)

What is this?

Toothbrush (commercial application for active

ingredient in RSA)

Doctor (medicine for flu in berries)

Nectar production plant (insects)

A soil protectionsystem (erosion)

What is this?

Pest controllers (predators)

…and much more services provided ‚gratis‘ by nature – our web of life

How do the services of nature make the whole Brandberg area a precious home for every inhabitant?

Brandberg precious home

It feeds


It generates income (tourism)


It supplies raw material


A source of culture and identity

Messages of the past…

…and of the future:


A message of the future:


What is this?

Just one example of irreplaceable nature

you

…as part of nature

What is this?

Nature for Development

Thank you for your understanding

Contributing Organisations

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