Biodiversity Scoping Trip Report 25 – 31 May 2018

Biodiversity scoping trip report 25 – 31 May 2018

Top: Marienfluss Valley (Photo: Alex Derr) Bottom: Chameleon skull on Caloplaca lichen crusted rock in Skeleton Coast National Park (Photo: Nicky Knox)

Contents 1. Introduction ...... 2 2. Route ...... 4 3. Logistical problems encountered ...... 5 4. Thematic results ...... 7 4.1 Geomorphology ...... 7 4.2 Soil types ...... 8 4.3 Soil carbon and microbiology ...... 10 4.4 Lichens ...... 11 4.5 Vegetation ...... 12 4.6 Insects ...... 15 4.7 Arachnida ...... 17 4.8 Amphibians ...... 18 4.9 Reptiles...... 19 4.10 Birds ...... 20 4.11 Game ...... 21 4.12 Evaluation SCIONA app for mammal recording ...... 22 4.13 Species distribution and habitat suitability modelling...... 22 4.14 Geospatial data ...... 23 5. Thematic recommendations ...... 24 5.1 Geospatial information ...... 24 5.2 Ecology ...... 26 5.3 Spatial modelling ...... 27 6. Logistical recommendations ...... 27 7. Field check list ...... 29 8. References ...... 30 Appendix 1: Bird List ...... 31

1. Introduction

SCIONA or “Co-designing conservation technologies for Iona - Skeleton Coast Transfrontier Conservation Area (Angola - Namibia)” is a project funded by the European Union (EuropeAid/ 156423/DD/ACT/Multi) that started in February 2018 and will last three years. The lead institute is the Namibian University of Science and Technology (NUST) and the main implementing partner the Instituto Superior de Ciências de Educação da Huíla (ISCED); the Higher Institute of Education Sciences of Huíla, Angola. The SCIONA project aims to strengthen cross-border ecosystem management and wildlife protection in the Iona – Skeleton Coast Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA) through co- designing and implementing conservation monitoring technology with the park authorities and surrounding communities.

The Iona - Skeleton Coast TFCA is one of the larger transboundary conservation areas in southern Africa. It connects the Namib Desert ecosystem’s northern extent in Namibia and southern Angola and provides unique eco-tourism opportunities with its marine and terrestrial wildlife, impressive mountains, sand dunes, and surrounding indigenous Himba communities. The Namibian Skeleton Coast National Park and Angolan Iona National Park share several unique species, some found nowhere else on earth, including black-faced impala, desert dwelling elephants, the desert lion, black rhinos and the remarkable Welwitschia mirabilis plant. The two countries and parks are separated by the Kunene River, which provides an oasis in this arid ecosystem. The Kunene River mouth which flows into the Atlantic Ocean is the second most species-rich coastal wetland of Namibia (Simmons et al., 1993).

Compared to other TFCA’s in the region, the area has little viable agricultural land, lacks industrial development and has a low population density. Surrounding communities, including the Himba, have seen little benefit from their proximity to the TFCA and cross-border management of the conservation area has been limited. The area is remote and inaccessible due to rugged mountainous terrain as well as large sand dune dominated areas. The TFCA mainly relies on basic institutional structures which are insufficient and result in poor ecosystem management and inadequate wildlife law enforcement. This is reflected by overfishing, poaching - including organised commercial rhino poaching, habitat destruction, illegal mining, flooding, animal out-migration and local species extinction, threatening the sustainable future of the transboundary park.

Under stable political conditions within an enabling policy environment, Namibia’s Skeleton Coast National Park and the adjacent conservancies have seen a positive growth of wildlife populations over the past 40 years (Nuulimba and Taylor, 2015; Owen-Smith, 2010). As the Namibian communities also rely on subsistence cattle and goat farming, they are particularly vulnerable to conflicts with predators such as lion, hyena, leopard, cheetah and crocodile. In contrast, Iona National Park in Angola has reduced wildlife populations and has seen the encroachment of human populations into its sensitive habitats because of the recent civil war and subsequent lack of institutional and financial support. Increased human-wildlife conflict incidents are expected in Iona once biodiversity recovers and wildlife migration takes place from the Skeleton Coast National Park and surrounding communal conservancies.

The SCIONA project builds on the Namibian experiences with community involvement in ecotourism and conservation. Namibia has been at the forefront of devolving natural resource management

authority to the local communities through the legally mandated Community-based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) programme.

During the first year of the project, an assessment of the current situation and needs in the TFCA is being performed and a sustainable ecosystem plan is being developed in cooperation with the stakeholders. Baseline information required for natural resources management is being collected and community surveys will be performed. This will include multiple field trips into the study area. A first scoping trip was undertaken from 6 to 11 May 2018 by four members of the SCIONA team to introduce the project to regional authorities and local communities in Namibian conservancies.

A biodiversity scoping trip was organised from 25 to 31 May 2018 in the Namibian part of the study area, which is part of the Namibian Kaokoveld Centre of Endemism (Craven and Vorster, 2006; Simmons et al., 1998). It concerned an explorative, multi-disciplinary research trip with as main objectives:

 to asses potential ecological indicators for the study area,  to validate available geospatial data (e.g. tracks),  to asses terrain conditions so a suitable safety protocol can be drafted for SCIONA field work,  to test and discuss data collection methods and available technology,  to initiate academic research and collaboration.

This report gives an overview of the biodiversity scoping trip, including results and recommendations, and is based on contributions from participants in the field trip. A selection of photos will be published on the soon to be launched SCIONA website: sciona.nust.na .

We would like to express our thanks to all participants for their contribution to a successful scoping trip, especially to our external partners who volunteered their time and expertise during the trip.

Vera De Cauwer Rolf Becker Editor Editor SCIONA PI Dean Faculty Natural Resources & Spatial Sciences

Zebra and springbok on communal land in northern Kunene (Photo: Alex Derr)

2. Route The biodiversity scoping trip was undertaken in the northern Kunene region of Namibia, including the Skeleton Coast National Park. An entry permit for Skeleton Coast National Park was obtained from Mr Sikopo, Director at the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET). The total route covered approximately 2300 km and is outlined in table 1 and figure 1.

Table 1 – Biodiversity scoping trip: daily destinations and accommodation

Day Date Destination Via Km Accommodation Fri 25-May-18 Opuwo Otjiwarongo, Outjo, 754 Camping at Opuwo Country Kamanjab Lodge (Tel 065 273461) Sat 26-May-18 Onjuva Kaoko Otavi 213 Community camping @ Marble Camp site (Tel 065 685080) Sun 27-May-18 Camp Synchro, near Rooidrom, Marienfluss 88 Camping at Camp Syncro Kunene river Mon 28-May-18 Skeleton Coast Marienfluss, Rooidrom, 221 Wild camping National Park Groendrom, SCNP: Cape (SCNP) border Fria, park border Munutum river Tue 29-May-18 SCNP border near Sarusas Mine 94 Wild camping in Khumib river Khumib river Wed 30-May-18 Khowarib Schlucht Purros, Sesfontein, 193 Khowarib Schlucht Lodge Warmquelle campsite (081 2193291) Thu 31-May-18 Windhoek Palmwag, Kamanjab (or 716 Khorixas) 2279

Skeleton Coast National Park (Photo: Jon DeBoer)

Figure 1 – Route of biodiversity scoping trip with indication of vegetation types based on the Atlas of Namibia (Mendelsohn et al., 2002)

3. Logistical problems encountered  MET issued a standard entry permit for Skeleton Coast National Park, which did not allow us to camp outside rest camps or to leave roads and made it difficult to collect relevant data;  Track and map data could not be uploaded to the old Etrex GPS’s available at NUST;  Most of the area visited has no cell phone reception or electricity, with exception of the area near Opuwo and Purros. Orupembe has electricity and there is a small clinic in Onjuva;  A pipe between two fuel tanks of a car broke at a connector causing the car to leak diesel (Figure 2);  One flat tyre in Kaokoveld;  Two times flat battery: main battery (which could be jump started);  One car with a second battery that did not charge the fridge anymore;  One running board broke off the side of a vehicle;

 Many diesel cans had no rubber seal, causing spills within the cars when driving on bumpy roads and dunes;  One compressor did not work when re-inflating tyres after driving over dunes;  Tracks in Skeleton Coast National Park are not always visible in the sandy areas or have been encroached by dunes. Tracks4Africa, Google Earth nor apps like maps.me had updated track data;  Charging of GPS’s and cameras was sometimes difficult as car ports (USB/cigarette lighter) had to be shared with other devices or were not working. Batteries are consumed very quickly; finding good quality long lasting batteries for GPS’s and camera’s appears problematic;  Bulbs used for lacewing trapping blew when using generator;  Cars got stuck in sand dunes at one location and had to be dug/pushed/towed out;  On the way back to Windhoek, in the area of Grootberg/Bergsig, one driver lost control and the car left the gravel road. Two rims and one tyre got damaged. Fortunately no injuries;  On the way back to Windhoek, one car had a flat tyre on the tarred road.

Figure 2 – Attempt at car repair after a pipe between two fuel tanks of a car broke at a connector causing the car to leak diesel (Photo: Nicky Knox)

4. Thematic results 4.1 Geomorphology Contributions: Marina Coetzee, Heather Troop, Don Cowan, Nicky Knox, Vera De Cauwer

Desert:

 In contrast to the fairly simple geomorphic surfaces farther south in the Central Namib (e.g. gravel plains and Namib Sand Sea in the vicinity of Gobabeb), there is a large amount of geomorphic complexity from the coast inland in the northern Namib.  Honey-combed rocks, especially granites, are common in Skeleton Coast National Park. This is the result of salt weathering followed by wind action. Wind action is also visible in the form of yardangs to the north of Cape Fria, and stones shaped into ‘dreikanter’, a type of ventifact.  Throughout the hyperarid areas, plants appear to be an important influence on local redistribution and stability of surface soils. This is particularly pronounced in the coastal sand desert zone of the Skeleton Coast where isolated and discrete ‘hummocks’ are generated by stabilisation of the mobile desert sand by desert-adapted plants, especially !nara (Acanthosicyos horridus) and Salsola but also other species (Figures 3 and 4). The hummocks provide a microhabitat for many organisms and thereby concentrate biodiversity.

Figure 3 – Hummocks with Salsola spp. in Skeleton Coast National Park (Photo: Alex Derr)

Figure 4 – Left: Creation of hummock near a dollar bush (Zygophyllum stapffii) (Photo: Marina Coetzee) Right: Badlands in the vicinity of Opuwo (Photo: Wessel Swanepoel)

Mopane woodlands:

 Severe soil erosion was observed in the vicinity of Opuwo (Figure 4). Many roads, such as the road between Opuwo and Orupembe, are subjected to gully erosion.  At a first glimpse it would appear that not all of these erosion gullies are the result of anthropogenic causes (e.g. overstocking management practices), but may well be natural processes resulting from rainfall events.

4.2 Soil types Contributions: Marina Coetzee, Don Cowan

The soils from Opuwo via Kaoko-Otavi, Orupembe area, Onjuva to Rooidrom, from Rooidrom to the southern extent of the Hartmann Valley, from outside the park (day 6) to Khowarib are mostly nudilithic, lithic, skeletic or hyperskeletic Leptosols (very shallow soils over hard rock or highly calcareous material; also deeper soils that are extremely gravelly and/or stony) which can be further classified (e.g. as eutric, arenic, colluvic, calcic, dolomitic etc.) on closer inspection. There are some exceptions of wide valleys (some of glacial origin) that had been filled to depth with eroded sediments, e.g. on the Opuwo-Sesfontein road, before turning off towards Kaoko-Otavi; the Marienfluss Valley (Figure 5), Hartmann Valley, Giribis Plain and riverbeds.

Figure 5 - Marienfluss Valley (Photo: Don Cowan)

The part of the coastal platform of the Skeleton Coast National Park through which we travelled contains sand dunes (mainly barchans) and sand plains (Arenosols), gravel plains with a variety of soils, such as Calcisols, Regosols and Cambisols – many with aridic and/or yermic properties. Heavy mineral particles are abundant, with garnet adding a dark reddish hue and ilmenite and magnetite adding black hues. Fine basaltic grains also add dark colours to soils. Fluvisols occur in river valleys, sometimes displaying takyric properties. Closer to the coast, one finds soils with incipient gypsic properties. These may key out as Gypsisols, but that needs closer investigation. Solonchaks, puffed Solonchaks and petrosalic Solonchaks are found at salt pans (Figure 6). The large saltpan (former lagoon) at Cape Fria may in places key out as Solonetz (high exchangeable sodium content), rather than Solonchaks (high soluble salt content). Salsola hummocks and Tamarisk (Tamarix usneoides) are indicator plants for soil salinity.

Figure 6 - Saltpan with puffy Solonchak (photo: Alex Derr)

The LandPKS app was not tested during the scoping trip, due to time constraints. We know from experience that it is easy to use and yields useful results for agricultural potential (not applicable in this case) and vulnerability to land degradation.

A first soil sampling strategy was designed to align with established protocols of the African Soil Microbiome Project protocols (PI, DA Cowan)1. GPS located sample points are shown in Figure 7.

Figure 7 – Location of soil samples (Don Cowan)

4.3 Soil carbon and microbiology Contributions: Heather Troop

There are many options for substantive research projects that explore patterns of plant and microbial control over biogeochemical processes in soils. For example, we observed abundant hypoliths - photosynthetic cyanobacteria that have colonized the underside of quartz rocks (Figure 8) - throughout much of the region. In many of the hyperarid areas the hypoliths appear to account - at least in dry years - for a substantive portion of local carbon inputs to the system. The fate and stability of these carbon inputs are largely unexplored. There are also likely strong plant species-specific differences in the extent to which biogeochemical pools and soil microbial processes are affected.

1 At each designated sample location, 4 independent soils samples (approximately 200 g) are recovered from the vertices of a 50 m2 quadrat. Each independent 200 g sample is the composite of 4 pseudo-replicate 50 g samples recovered from the vertices of a 1 m2 quadrat. All samples are stored in sterile WhirlPaks® at ambient temperature during collection, and at 4oC during storage and transport to the University of Pretoria.

Figure 7 – Hypolith (Photo: Alex Derr)

4.4 Lichens Contributions: Rolf Becker, Alma Möller, Nicky Knox

Several lichen species were encountered and photographed on the trip, but still have to be identified. The crustose lichen types appeared to dominate, but some foliose or squamulose forms were also observed (Figure 8 and figure on frontpage of the report).

Figure 8 – Lichens encountered in Skeleton Coast National Park (Photos: Alma Möller)

4.5 Vegetation Contributions: Wessel Swanepoel, Alma Möller, Rolf Becker, Tina Fillipus, Marina Coetzee, Vera De Cauwer

The trip proceeded from the Mopane woodlands near Opuwo and Orupembe, through vegetation typical for the escarpment and the grass plains of the Marienfluss Valley, to the desert (Figure 1). Fairy circles were found in the grasslands of the Marienfluss area and “inverse” fairly circles and vegetation stripe patterns near the Skeleton Coast National Park, along the road to Purros (Figure 9). The vegetation stripes are a known phenomenon of self-organisation due to nutrient and/or water limitations.

Figure 9 – Inverse fairly circles and other grass patterns along the road to Purros (Photo: Don Cowan)

A list of woody species encountered in the different vegetation types is given in table 2. Riparian vegetation refers to both vegetation along the Kunene River and the non-perennial rivers such as the Hoarusib, Otjinjange, and the Khumib. Table 2 includes several endemic species of the SCIONA area, such as Commiphora giessii and the hairy shepherds-tree (Boscia tomentosa), as well as endemics of the Namib Desert such as Welwitschia mirabilis. Some species have a (potential) socio-economic importance such as the !nara (Acanthosicyos horridus) and the Namibian myrrh (Commiphora wildii) (Figure 10). Mopane (Colophospermum mopane) is the most important species for fire wood. Invasive alien plants were found in the Hoarusib river: wild tobacco (Nicotiana glauca) and the castor oil bush (Ricinus communis). Additional information on presence and absence of woody plant species can be found in the section on species distribution modelling (5.13).

Table 2 – Woody species observed per vegetation unit. Crosses indicate observations and numbers are occurrences with accurate geographical locations (Observers: Wessel Swanepoel, Tina Fillipus, Vera De Cauwer).

Namib Escarp- Mopane Namib Escarp- Mopane Riparian Riparian Species Desert ment Savanne Species Desert ment Savanne Acacia erioloba x Commiphora wildii 1 Acacia kirkii x x Dichrostachys cinerea x Acacia mellifera x x Ectadium rotundifolium x Acacia montis-usti x Euphorbia damarana 1 x x Acacia nilotica x Euphorbia eduardoi 1 Acacia reficiens x Euphorbia guerichiana 1 Acacia robynsiana x Euphorbia ohiva 1 Acacia tortilis x x Euphorbia virosa 1 1 Acanthosicyos horridus 6 Faidherbia albida 2 Adenia pechuelii 1 Ficus sycomorus x Adenium boehmianum ⨯ Hyphaene petersiana x Albizia brevifolia x Kirkia acuminata x Aloe littoralis x Maerua schinzii x x Balanites angolensis x Maerua parvifolia x Berchemia discolor x Moringa ovalifolia 1 Boscia albitrunca x Nicotiana glauca x Boscia foetida x x Pachypodium lealii x Boscia microphylla 1 1 Parkinsonia africana 2 Boscia tomentosa 1 Peltophorum africanum x Cadaba schroeppelii x Phaeoptilum spinosum x Ceraria longipedunculata x Philenoptera nelsii x Catophractes alexandri 1 1 Phyllanthus reticulatus x Colophospermum mopane 1 2 1 Ricinus communis x Combretum imberbe 1 Salsola spp. x Commiphora africana x Salvadora persica x Commiphora anacardiifolia x Sesamothamnus benguellensis x Commiphora giessii x Sesamothamnus querichii x x Commiphora glaucescens x Sterculia africana x Commiphora kuneneana 1 Sterculia quinqueloba 1 Commiphora multijuga x x Tamarix usneoides 1 Commiphora oblanceolata x x Terminalia prunioides 1 Commiphora steynii x x Welwitschia mirabilis 1 Commiphora tenuipetiolata x Zygophyllum stapffii x Commiphora virgata x x Total number of species 12 25 36 11

Figure 10 – !Nara (Acanthosicyos horridus) in the Skeleton Coast National Park (Photo: Vera De Cauwer) and Commiphora wildii just outside the park (Photo: Nicky Knox)

Euphorbia and Commiphora are among the most common genera in the study area (Craven, 2002). We had a Commiphora specialist with us, Wessel Swanepoel, and were therefore able to identify 11 Commiphora species during the short stops along the road (Table 2). We also had several Euphorbia experts in our team: Alma Möller, Rolf Becker, and Wessel Swanepoel. This allowed establishing a complete list of observed Euphorbia species, which included the woody species already listed in table 2, as well as the herbs:

 Euphorbia avasmontana  Euphorbia gariepina  Euphorbia glanduligera  Euphorbia kaokoensis (Figure 11): rare Kaokoveld endemic  Euphorbia mauritanica  Euphorbia phylloclada  Euphorbia species nova (Figure 11): undescribed / potentially new species; spotted by Sebastian at the “Hyena Hill” in Skeleton Coast National Park after Rolf had showed us what to look for (based on an old record).

Figure 11 – Euphorbia “species nova” (Photo: Vera De Cauwer) and Euphorbia kaokoensis (Photo: Alma Möller)

4.6 Insects Contributions: Mervyn Mansel, Gail Morland

Insect species that were encountered are listed per order and family:

 Order Neuroptera (antlions, thread wings, lacewings)

Family Myrmeleontidae (antlions): Palparidius fascipennis (antlion that Carlos caught at “die blik man”), Cueta sp. (larvae), Myrmeleon obscurus (larvae) (Alma collected in riverbed near Purros – lunch stop), Neuroleon sp., Obus sp. (Opuwa, light trap). Family Nemopteridae (thread-winged lacewings): Thysanocroce damarae (mating swarm in rock crevice, just west of Sesfontein) Family Chrysopidae (green lacewing)  Order Coleoptera (beetles)

Family Buprestidae (Marienfluss Valley, South of Synchro Camp) Family Coccinellidae (ladybird beetles) Family Meloidae (blister beetles), widespread during trip (Figure 12) Family Curculionidae (snout beetles) Family Tenebrionidae (darkling and ground beetles), several species of Onymacris and others, including some of the Namib endemics, Onymacris bicolor, with the white elytra (hardened forewings), mainly Marienfluss Valley. Also other localities (Figure 12). Family Gyrinidae (whirligig beetles), Hoarusib River

Figure 12 – Blister beetle (left) (Photo: Marina Coetzee) and Onymacris bicolor (Photo: Alex Derr)

 Order Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths)

Family Nymphalidae (brush-footed butterflies) Family Pieridae (whites and sulphurs) Family Papilionidae (swallowtail butterflies) Family Erebidae. Sphingomorpha chlorea, “sundowner moth:” the ones that came to the beer).  Order Diptera (flies)

Family Asilidae (robber flies). Widespread during trip. Family Muscidae, Musca domestica (housefly). Common at campsites and towns. Family Bombilidae (bee flies) Family Hippoboscidae (louse flies). Some on dogs at Marble Camp.  Order Hymenoptera (ants, bees, wasps)

Family Formicidae (ants)  Order Orthoptera (Grashoppers, koringkrieke)

Family Bradyporidae (Koringkrieke, armoured ground crickets). At least three species, Marienfluss Valley (Figure 13) and on road near Twyfelfontein. Although they are called “crickets”, they are more closely related to grasshoppers and katydids (Family Tettigoniidae). Family Pyrgomorphidae (gaudy grasshoppers, stink sprinkane) Family Pamphagidae (stone grasshoppers) (Figure 13) Family Acrididae, Acrotylus sp. (grasshoppers and locusts). Widespread during trip.

Figure 13 – Armoured ground crickets or “korinkrieke” in Marienfluss Valley (Photo: Don Cowan) and stone grasshopper (Photo: Wessel Swanepoel)

 Order Zygentoma

Family Lepismatidae (fish moths). Fairly common under stones and in dune hummocks  Order Odonata (dragonflies & damselflies)

Family Libellulidae, Trithemis sp. (drop wings), Pantala flavescens, the latter fairly widespread.  Order Mantodea (praying mantids)

Family Mantidae (praying mantids)  Order Hemiptera (true bugs)

Family Nepidae (water scorpions), Laccotrephes sp., probably L. grossus. Hoarusib River (Fig. 14) Family Flatidae (moth bugs)

Figure 14 – Water scorpion at Hoarusib River (Photo: Vera De Cauwer) and sun spider at Opuwo (Photo: Marina Coetzee)

4.7 Arachnida Contributions: Mervyn Mansel, Marina Coetzee

The invertebrates class Arachnida consists of spiders, scorpions and sun spiders. Scorpions were encountered outside the study area (Khowarib Schlucht camp), while spider species found in the study area included:

 Order Araneae (spiders)

Family Sicariidae (crab spiders, six-eyed sand spiders), Sicarius sp., possibly S. testaceus. In sand in caves and under rock overhangs. Highly venomous (Figure 15). Family Sparassidae (white lady spider). Leucorchestris arenicola. Found by Carlos in dune hummock, Skeleton Coast National Park (Figure 15).

 Order Solifugae (sun spiders)

Family Solipugidae (sun spiders, “son spinnekoppe, haar skeerders”). Ablution block at Opuwo camp site and elsewhere (Figure 14).

Figure 15 – Crab spider (Sicarius sp.) (Photo: Alex Derr) and white lady spider (Leucorchestris arenicola) (Photo: Nicky Knox)

4.8 Amphibians Contributions: Jill Heaton, Jon DeBoer, Francois Becker

Two species sightings of toads were made, and are likely (Figure 16):  Sclerophrys sp. (typical toad) or Amietophrynus maculatus (flat-backed toad) at Camp Synchro;  Poyntonophrynus sp. (pygmy toad) at Khowarib Schlucht Lodge.

Figure 16 – Typical toad and pygmy toad (Photos: Jon DeBoer)

4.9 Reptiles Contributions: Jill Heaton, Jon DeBoer

Significant sightings (4)

 5/25/18 – Stigmochelys pardalis (leopard tortoise) – CITES protected, just after Kamanjab  5/25/18 – Gerrhosaurus nigrolineatus (black-lined plated lizard) – just after Kamanjab – Found death on the road, whole body specimen collected (Figure 17)  5/28/18 – Chamaeleo namaquensis (Namaqua chameleon) – CITES protected – SCNP, right after Green Drum (Figure 17)  5/28/18 to 5/29/18 – Gerrhosaurus skoogi (desert plated lizard) – SCNP – multiple sightings on slip face of dunes.

Figure 17 – Black-lined plated lizard (Gerrhosaurus nigrolineatus) and Namaqua chameleon (Chamaeleo namaquensis) (Photos: Jon DeBoer)

Other sightings (14)

 Agama aculeate (ground agama) – Opuwo to Camp Marble  Agama anchietae (Anchieta’s agama) – Opuwo to Camp Marble (Figure 18)  Agama planiceps (Namib rock agama) – throughout entire trip, except absent in SCNP  Chondrodactylus fitzsimonsi (Fitzsimons thick-toed gecko) – possibly F1 hybrid with C. pulitzerae (Dr Aaron Bauer, pers. comm.) – on the way to Camp Marble  Chondrodactylus pulitzerae (Pulitzer’s thick-toed gecko) – found at Camp Synchro  Heliobolus lugubris (bushveld lizard) – Opuwo to Camp Marble  Lygodactylus bernardi (Bernard’s dwarf day gecko) – small gecko found at Palmwag  Trachylepis acutilabris (wedge-snouted skink) – on the way to Rooidrom  Trachylepis sulcata (western rock skink) – on the way to Rooidrom  Naja nigricinctus (western barred spitting cobra) – Camp Synchro (Figure 18)  Pedioplanis breviceps (short-headed sandveld lizard) – just out of SCNP  Pedioplanis gaerdesi (Kaokoveld sand lizard) –going down big hill & group gathering Onjuva  Rhoptropus boultoni (Boulton’s day gecko) – Camp Synchro  Rhoptropus afer (Namib day gecko) – throughout SCNP

Figure 18 - Anchieta’s agama (Agama anchietae) and western barred spitting cobra (Naja nigricinctus) (Photos: Jon DeBoer)

4.10 Birds Contributions/observers: Don Cowan, Wessel Swanepoel, Alma Möller and Rolf Becker

A total of 121 bird species were encountered during the trip. A complete list is added in appendix 1. The two most significant sightings were made in the Marienfluss Valley: Abdim’s stork (Ciconia abdimii) and white stork (Ciconia ciconia).

Lappet-faced vulture (Photo: Wessel Swanepoel) and juvenile sabota lark (Photo: Nicky Knox)

4.11 Game Contributions: All, Marina Coetzee, Vera De Cauwer

Several sightings of game were made (most numbers are estimates based on SCIONA - EpiCollect app data):

 Along road to Orupembe: 20 zebra (Figure 18), 60 springbok, 5 oryx, 11 giraffe, 8 ostrich (Figure 18);  Orupembe area: 1 giraffe, 4 springbok;  Marienfluss Valley: 150 springbok, 30 ostrich;  Kunene River, Camp Synchro: 1 crocodile;  Rooidrom – Skeleton CP: 14 springbok, 1 ostrich;  Skeleton Coast National Park: brown hyena (den), droppings of springbok and porcupine, seal at Cape Fria;  Khudum area, before reaching D707: 1 giraffe, 8 springbok;  Along road to Purros: 8 oryx, 7 springbok, 3 ostrich, droppings of black rhino;  Road Purros – Sesfontein: 1 giraffe, 6 ostrich.

Figure 18 – Zebra along the road between Opuwo and Orupembe (Photo: Wessel Swanepoel)

The Giribis Plains were virtually denuded of game, compared to approximately 25 years ago when herds of thousands of springbok, oryx, zebra and hundreds of giraffe, ostriches occurred. The Marienfluss Valley also has much less game and more livestock and people, despite the fact that it had more grass than in the last 5 to 6 years.

The few mammal tracks or droppings in Skeleton Coast National Park were concentrated at a rocky hill, dry riverbeds, a spring and the hummocks. These were also the features were most of the other species sightings were made.

4.12 Evaluation SCIONA app for mammal recording Contributions: Marina Coetzee, Vera De Cauwer

Morgan Hauptfleisch created a first version of an app to collect mammal and reptile observations in Epicollect. This app was tested during the trip and worked well for collecting wildlife information. Location data can still be collected in areas without cell phone reception, which is most of the study area. Time of uploading can be chosen as it only takes place after pressing a button.

The whole team contributed 72 records. They can be explored on the internet on both table and map format: https://five.epicollect.net/project/sciona-mammal-and-reptile-recording/data.

It is proposed to add to/change in the second version:

 Adding animal species, e.g. tree squirrels, ostrich, zebra (and specifics mountain/plains);  Adding characteristic and easy to recognise plant species, e.g. !nara, baobab, Welwitschia;  Location should be entered right at the beginning of the data-entry sequence, so that one can continue driving while entering the other information.

The filtering of the data, e.g. to remove double records and do quality checking, needs to be automised based on location, time stamps, and photos. The overview given in this report under the game sightings was a quick, manual attempt of filtering.

4.13 Species distribution and habitat suitability modelling Contributions: Tina Fillipus, Vera De Cauwer

The SCIONA project aims to model the potential distribution (habitat) of several of the plant and animal species, especially the endemic species. For SDM, both presence and absence data are required, not only for the study area but also for the areas surrounding it. Presence data or occurrences of a species are accurate geographical locations (latitude, longitude with geographic datum WGS84) of where the species was spotted, while absences are accurate geographical locations where the species is not present. Collecting occurrence data is straightforward and includes the data presented in table 2 and collected with the SCIONA app. During the field trip, a systematic way of

collecting both presence/absence data for endemic, characteristic and/or socio-economic woody plants was tested (table 3).

Table 3 – Presence (1) and absence (0) for selected woody plants in the study area at 9 sampling points

S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 Latitude -18.16333 18.25474 18.28732 17.73019 17.50783 17.4962 17.77223 18.73123 19.07667 Longitude 13.83181 13.33145 12.87208 12.56828 12.46061 12.5224 12.29909 12.65399 13.54602 Acahor 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Morova 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 Commwil 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 Commten 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 Colmop 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 Eupkao 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Maekao 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Seslei 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Adadig 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Welmir 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Steafr 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Stequi 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Terpru 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Paclea 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Commvir 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Eupohi 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

4.14 Geospatial data Contributions: Carlos de Wasseige, Vera De Cauwer, Nicky Knox

Tracking data were collected with GPS’s during the trip (Figure 1), as well as occurrences for species sightings (e.g. Table 3) and infrastructure, such as Himba settlements and water points.

Existing digital track data were used from:

 Tracks4Africa on two private GPS’s; however these tracks cannot be downloaded in vector format (for update in a GIS);  The Poly DB (so probably originating from the Roads Authority): to prepare field trip and create way points;  Maps.me: offline, free app with up to date data for some areas (e.g. near Marble Camp);  Locus Pro in combination with LoMaps: offline app for which 3 maps can be obtained for free and others need to be purchased (http://www.locusmap.eu/maps/#f2).

Geospatial data that were inaccurate and incomplete are especially (in decreasing order of importance):

 Tracks in Skeleton Coast National Park: none of the data sources used had updated track data;  Tracks outside Skeleton Coast National Park: need updating e.g. track leading away from Khumib camp is missing, e.g. many tracks near Orupembe and Marble Camp are missing;  Non-perennial river data (tributaries of major rivers);  Water points: some of the water points were some distance from the settlements;  Settlements: update and a clear definition of a settlement is needed, especially what point to take for a group of huts or households.

5. Thematic recommendations 5.1 Geospatial information Contributions: Marina Coetzee, Carlos de Wasseige, Edmore Chikohora, Nicky Knox, Vera De Cauwer

Geospatial data that need to be collected are:

 tracks and places: through digitising from satellite imagery and contacting tour operators, concession holders and geologists for locally used place / feature names, and maps of their routes. Give new names to features. Collect data from the Namibian Marine Spatial Planning group. Check completeness of data on shipwrecks in the Atlas of Namibia. Map abandoned and active mining infrastructure (info from tour operators and relevant websites);  coastal data: collect the GIS data from the BCLME I project and follow up with BCLME III (there may be the potential mapping and assessment of intertidal zones (including diversity assessments) which would complement this study);  Natural features and microhabitats: mountains, rocky areas, yardangs, sand dunes, sand sheets, hummocks, river valleys and washes, alluvial fans, sand ramps, springs (Figure 19) and other small water bodies, etc. A lot of these features are relevant for further wildlife and other biodiversity monitoring (e.g. with camera traps or drones) as they serve as hotspots. Hence, they also contribute as input data into the spatial modelling; this will have to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis in consultation with experts as it is species specific, e.g. hummocks for lizards (see 6.3). Mapping can be done from different remote sensing data sources/platforms providing also high resolution images e.g. Google Earth, Bing, ESRI WorldAtlas;  develop a multi-order drainage network and delineate catchments from DEM, with some verification from satellite imagery and/or topomaps;  develop slope angle, length and aspect maps as inputs into erosion / sediment transport and species distribution models.

Figure 19 – Spring in Skeleton Coast National Park (Photos: Vera De Cauwer (L) and Nicky Knox (R))

Potential student projects can include:

 Topographic analysis: an investigation of GIS tools / extensions available and best suited for automated delineation / classification of topographic units, degree of dissection of the landscape, and identification of water sources. The resulting information may be useful for park management to decide the position of new tracks/roads. It can also contribute to the identification of biodiversity hotspots;  Study the effect of mining in the Skeleton Coast National Park: by establishing a baseline before major mining activities start at the Kunene mouth (an EIA is being drafted), or by assessing the impact of seasonal amethyst mining activities at Sarusas;  NDVI and Aridity Index were used for global delineation of true deserts, semi-arid regions, oases and degraded areas. It could be useful to do this for SCIONA (especially the communal areas) and perhaps investigate slightly different combinations of the indices. It is not always easy to distinguish between the effects of natural aridity and anthropogenic land degradation. (Example of such a study: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01431161.2013.805281#).

5.2 Ecology Contributions: Heather Troop, Don Cowan, Vera De Cauwer

Focus areas for future studies:

 Exploring relationships between soil and plant mineral contents versus game movements in different seasons, this may then contribute to SDM for game species that are highly relevant to the SCIONA project.  Considerable diversity in plant-soil associations exists throughout the area, offering many opportunities for study. While one can quite easily isolate climate differences from other changes in geomorphic surfaces around Gobabeb, this will be quite difficult in the northern Skeleton Coast National Park. As a result, comparisons of biological patterns and processes along the proposed rainfall/fog gradient transects will require very careful planning. Differences in topography and soil surface may have much greater influence on biological processes than the climate gradient. Furthermore, topographic relief likely strongly affects the precipitation gradient and differences in texture across soil surfaces will affect soil moisture holding capacity.  There are many possibilities for exploring relationships between plant species presence and soil biogeochemical pools/processes. This will be particularly interesting in the context of soil microbiomics. An example is mopane, a shrub or tree that is associated with a range of nitrogen-fixing bacteria.  The isolated and discrete ‘hummocks’ of the Skeleton Coast provide an excellent system for a wide range of different experimental biological studies. These hummocks may represent discrete ‘mesocosms’, harbouring and supporting a wide range of different animal, reptile and insect taxa, but may also represent excellent model systems for investigations of carbon- turnover processes and the role of microbial communities in responding to and mediating local environmental variables.

Surveying “hyena hill” in Skeleton Coast National Park (Photo: Alex Derr)

5.3 Spatial modelling Contributions: Jill Heaton, Marina Coetzee, Nicky Knox, Vera De Cauwer

 Gerrhosaurus skoogi (Desert Plated Lizard) expert habitat suitability model: would need remote sensing model of barchan moving dunes and !nara vegetation. Habitat would be expertly classified by dune isolation and presence of !nara (i.e. less isolation and more !nara being better). The specifics of knowing its requirements for dune slip faces and potential distance to hummocks can be used to derive a potential habitat suitability model. The model would be a ‘hypothesis’ that could be tested in subsequent years with surveys.  SCIONA app: at some stage, the data should be linked/forwarded to Namibian Atlassing projects.  The potential distribution modelling of woody species should focus on endemic species of the SCIONA study area with distinct boundaries (linked to habitat); they can include both species with a very narrow or a very large range. Modelling for socio-economic important species will depend on community input.

6. Logistical recommendations  Negotiate with MET to obtain other conditions for the entry permit for Skeleton Coast National Park.  Cars should drive in convoy on all gravel roads and tracks, e.g. by stopping at intersections.  Driving to/from the study area can be done via Opuwo (one day driving from Windhoek), or via Palmwag. If driving from Palmwag to Windhoek (or vice versa), it is advised to camp no further north than Palmwag as the road is only tarred up to Kamanjab or Khorixas.  All team members with a driving license should get training in 4x4 driving (including instruction on appropriate tyre pressure and gears for driving in deep sand and rocky areas).  For rental vehicles, it would be helpful to negotiate with the rental company to allow more than two authorized drivers per vehicle. The required long distances of travel led to a high driving requirement that could be shared between only a few individuals.  Each car had 3 water containers of 20 l or 25 l which was enough for this trip. All camping sites had drinking water except Camp Synchro (river water).  The roof top tents were very practical and quick to set up. However, they take up all space on top of vehicle cabins and canopies, so nothing else can be loaded there. Space in the canopies was a problem for cars with 4 passengers. Alternative: buy good but light-weight tents that take very little space and can be set up quickly, stretchers (rather than bulky mattresses), roof racks, tarpaulins, bungee cords – to transport bulky but relatively light cargo on top of cars.  The diesel consumption of 1000 km per 140 l worked out OK for the route taken.  New GPS’s should be purchased, as well as a Tracks4Africa license for each GPS. As a backup, maps.me should be downloaded on at least one cell phone per car.  GPS cameras could be useful (although many phones have such), but batteries are a problem with GPS’s and camera’s. These either need to be able to operate from USB ports. To find good quality long lasting batteries appears problematic.

 Printed maps should also be used for recognition and navigation in each car; we can design some for our own purposes.  The EpiCollect SCIONA app should be downloaded on the cell phones of all team members taking part in field work.  Most team members need training for basic car repairs/maintenance: tyre changing, plugging tyre, inflating tyre with compressor, …  A more extensive first aid kit is needed, not only for team members but also for assisting local communities when needed.  Training in wilderness first aid for at least some team members would be advisable.  For lacewing trapping, consider battery-powered lamps instead of bulky generator.  If cars don’t have USB ports: USB adaptors for car lighter sockets (several pieces of equipment needs to be charged continuously, including cell phones (photos/apps), GPS’s, computers.  Each vehicle should contain a small vehicle repair kit.  Tools and material: two way radios, jerry cans with seals and funnels, tubing, hose clamps, spanners, pliers, duct tape, Q10, wire, cable ties, tyre repair kit, long heavy-duty tow-ropes, sand ladders, tyre pressure gauge, heavy-duty jumper cables, wood blocks, bungee cords.  Buy several LED lights – either battery-powered or with long leads to car lighter sockets.  Consider buying high-lift jacks, battery buddies.  A detailed pre-check list for field gear and vehicle needs to be compiled: see next section.

Photo: Wessel Swanepoel

7. Field check list The following list is a draft check list for SCIONA field work and vehicle gear. It will have to be updated and checked before each trip to the study area.

 Satellite phone  Two way radios  2 GPS’s per car (with sufficient batteries and a charger if required)  Vehicle repair kit per car with: spanners, pliers, duct tape, hose clamps, Q10, tyre repair kit, cable ties, wire, tyre pressure gauge  One set of heavy duty jumper cables per car  2 fuel jerry cans per car with funnel (assuming cars have 140 l fuel tanks)  One set of Long heavy-duty tow-ropes per car  Bungee cords (for tying on roof rack)  Sand ladders/mats (one per car, only for dune driving)  Wood blocks  Spade per car (one per car)  Tents (2 per car)  1 – 4 stretchers per car (depending on space and team members)  Tarpaulin(s)  One table per car  4 chairs per car  Cooking equipment (set of 4 per car in box)  Gas bottles (2 per car)  One LED camping light per car  Water cans (3 blue jerry cans per car)  First aid kit per car  Small fire extinguisher per car  High quality trash bags

Personal items (not paid by the project) to take along:

 Toilet rolls  Mattresses  Pillow  Torch

8. References Craven, P., 2002. Plant species diversity in the Kaokoveld, Namibia. M Bollig E Brunotte T Becker Kaokoland—Interdisziplindre Perspekt. Zu Kult. Landschaftswandel Im Arid. Semi-Arid. Nord. Namib. 75, 80. Craven, P., Vorster, P., 2006. Patterns of plant diversity and endemism in Namibia. Bothalia 36, 175. Mendelsohn, J., Jarvis, A., Roberts, C., Robertson, T., 2002. Atlas of Namibia. A portrait of the land and its people. David Philip, Cape Town. Nuulimba, K., Taylor, J.J., 2015. 25 years of CBNRM in Namibia: A retrospective on accomplishments, contestation and contemporary challenges. J. Namib. Stud. 18. Owen-Smith, G., 2010. An arid Eden: a personal account of conservation in the Kaokoveld. Jonathan Ball. Simmons, R., Braby, R., Braby, S., 1993. Ecological studies of the Cunene River mouth: avifauna, herpetofauna, water quality, flow rates, geomorphology and implications of the Epupa Dam. Madoqua 18, 163–180. Simmons, R., Griffin, M., Griffin, R., Marais, E., Kolberg, H., 1998. Endemism in Namibia: patterns, processes and predictions. Biodivers. Conserv. 7, 513–530.

Appendix 1: Bird List Abdim's Stork Acacia Pied Barbet Crowned Lapwing Pied Crow African Grey Hornbill Damara Red-billed Hornbill Pririt Batis African Hawk-Eagle Double-banded Courser Redcrested Bustard African Hoopoe Double-banded Sandgrouse Redheaded Finch African Mourning Dove Dusky Lark Rock Kestrel African Palm Swift Dusky Sunbird Purple Roller African Paradise Flycatcher Egyptian Goose Red-billed Spurfowl African Pied Wagtail European Bee-eater Red-faced Mousebird African Red-eyed Bulbul Familiar Chat Rock Martin African Reed Warbler Fawn-coloured Lark Rosy-faced Lovebird African Scops Owl Fork-tailed Drongo Ruppell's Korhaan Alpine Swift Freckled Nightjar Ruppell's Parrot Ashy Tit Gray's Lark Sabota Lark Augur Buzzard Grey Go-away-bird Sandwich Tern Bare-cheeked Babbler Grey-backed Camaroptera Southern Fiscal Benguela Long-billed Lark Grey-backed Sparrow-Lark Southern Grey-headed Sparrow Blacbacked Puffback Greater Kestrel Southern White-faced Owl Blackbreasted Snake Eagle Hamerkop Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill Black-chested Prinia Helmeted Guineafowl Speckled Pigeon Blacksmith Lapwing House Sparrow Spike-Heeled-Lark Black-throated Canary Karoo Chat Spotted Thick-knee Bokmakierie Kelp Gull Stark's Lark Brown-crowned Tchagra Lappet-faced Vulture Swallow-tailed Bee-eater Brubru Lark-like Bunting Swift Tern Buffy Pipit Laughing Dove Temminck's Courser Burchell's Courser Lilac-breasted Roller Three-banded Plover Cape Cormorant Little Swift Tractrac Chat Cape Crow Long-billed Crombec Verreaux's Eagle Cape Gannet Marico Flycatcher Water Thick-knee Cape Glossy Starling Meves's Starling Western Barn Owl Cape Sparrow Monteiro's Hornbill White Stork Cape Turtle Dove Mountain Wheatear White-Backed-Mousebird Cape Wagtail Namaqua Dove White-Breasted-Sunbird Chat Flycatcher Namaqua Sandgrouse White-browed Sparrow-Weaver Chestnut-vented Tit-Babbler Orange River Francolin White-Crowned-Shrike Common Ostrich Pale- Chanting Goshawk Whit-fronted-Plover Common Scimitarbill Pale-winged Starling White-tailed Shrike Common Tern Pearl-Breasted -Swallow Wire-tailed Swallow Common Waxbill Pearl-spotted Owlet Yellow-bellied Eremomela Crimson Breasted Shrike Pied Barbet Yellow-billed Oxpecker