AZEF 2012: Emerging Threats in the Arid Zone
Building knowledge and developing solutions
17-19 October 2012, Worcester
This was our first year as a Non Profit Organization
We had sessions with cutting-edge research on fracking, climate change and other topics. Our interactive session on Climate Change was a highlight with several prominent speakers.
Other topics included:
- Impact of bush encroachment
- Fire in arid systems
- Landuse and development
- Rehabilitation of arid ecosystems
Fieldtrips:
Worcester, nestled at the bottom of the Brandwacht, Langkloof and Overhex Mountains, boasts many attractions including:
- Karoo Desert Botanical Gardens-recently turned 90 years!
- Worcester Veld Reserve
- The Nekkies Wetlands
- Wine estates with a conservation ethic
- Kleinplasie Living Museum
Awards:
1st Prize oral presentation:
Sam Jack: "Blow me down! A new perspective on Aloe dichotoma mortality
as a result of windthrow"
2nd Prize oral presentation:
Ancois de Villiers: Holistic Management: considering "wholes within wholes" in rangelands
1st Prize poster presentation:
Miya Kabajani: Dark or Light? Rock colour and geology appear to influence the habitat choices of the Husab Sand Lizard (Pedioplanis husabensis) in the Central Namib Desert
2nd Prize poster presentation:
Gabrielle Solomon: Assessing soil microbe and plant diversity in two renosterveld vegetation types around Nieuwoudtville, Northern Cape