Details on the Biodiversity Observatories of BIOTA Southern Africa in Namibia and Southern Africa
a) Namibia
01 Mile 46 Research Station
Name of the farm/ land: Mile 46 Agricultural Research Station
Owner: Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Rural Development: Directorate Agriculture Research and Training with Directorate Extension and Engineering Services, North-Eastern regions
Manager / user / decision maker: Mr David Amupolo (Manager), Mr Reino Aisindi (Control Technician), Heinrich Alerilwe (foreman, stays on the farm permanently)
Contact telephone number: +264 (0)66-255 666 (Rundu, ask for David Amupolo or Reino Aisindi). NO TELOPHONE ON THE FARM. Fax: +264-66-255846.
Size of the farm: 5000 ha
Management: Standard rotational grazing farming. Established in 1985, to improve cattle for the local farmers of the surrounding. Fire went through parts of the farm in Sept. 2000.
Land use: cattle
Land use intensity (ha per head of cattle): 200 head of cattle
Annual average precipitation: ca. 550 mm /a
Vegetation: Northern Kalahari (dry woodlands)
Common plant species: Combretum species, Terminalia sericea, Burkea africana, Aristida stipitata, Guibortia colophosperma
Access to the Observatory: Turnoff to the left (Northwest) from B1 ca. 65 km South of Rundu and 59 km North of Veterinarian Fence. Attention: Concealed entrance!! Watch out for registration plate “N 42695 W” on the left hand side (West) of the road (co-ordinates: 18°24’15.1”S / 19°17’41.1”E). Follow the path for about 6 km to the Northwest. Keep right where the road splits. Follow the road until you reach the farm (fenced in).
The road is partly very bad: Deep soft sand, deep tracks. Only vehicles with high clearance will get through. VW combis can manage it (with some driving experience!).
BEFORE entering the farm, turn right (North) and follow road along the fence for ca. 6km. Next to a red-white coloured fence post are the NW corner of the Observatory on the communal land (outside the farm, next to the road) and the NE corner of the Observatory on the farm (ca. 150 m west of the road).
Co-ordinates: 18° 18‘ 06.4‘‘S / 19° 15‘ 24.6‘‘E (E corner)
Overnight facilities: Ask Manager for permission to camp.
Particularities: Malaria! Watch out for ticks! They may cause tick fever. North of Veterinarian fence, i.e., no export of animals/ animal products without veterinary permit! No houses, no electricity on the farm. Water is bore hole water of good quality.
Notes: Next 4 x 4 rental = Avis in Tsumeb (60km from Grootfontein): 067- 220520, cell: 08 1-124 3100. At the entrance / office complex grows a weedy grass, Cenchrus biflorus. This weed is an exotic from central Africa and is spread by cattle and humans because of its spiny, bur-like seed. Then visiting the office complex for water etc., please be careful to clean your socks / trousers etc. properly afterwards and to BURN any seeds!
Nearest petrol station seems to be in Rundu.
Weather Station: At office complex at entrance to farm, ca 5 km south of observatory. Rain gauge at observatory, ca at hectare 88.
02 Mutompo (neighbouring communal area next to Mile 46 Research Station)
Name of the farm/ land: Communal area east of Mile 46 Research Station
Owner: Communal area (Government of Namibia); Hompa M.K. Alfons (King of the area)
Manager / user / decision maker: Head Woman, Johanna Kakumo. She stays in Mutompo. Since hardly anybody in Mutompo speeks English, please take somebody from the Research station along for translation. VERY IMPORTANT:All BIOTA members that are going to work at Mutompo have to have a copy of the written permission of the Hompa at hand. They have to show the copy to the Head Woman prior to the commencemt of the field work (A copy of this permission has been handed over to all subproject leaders at the meeting in Berlin 21/01/02).
Contact telephone number: NO TELOPHONE ON THE FARM
Size of the farm: ?
Management: Communal grazing
Land use:
Land use intensity (ha per head of cattle): ? (seems to be low)
Annual average precipitation: ca. 550 mm /a
Vegetation: Northern Kalahari (dry woodlands)
Common plant species: Combretum species, Terminalia sericea, Burkea africana, Aristida stipitata, Guibortia colophosperma
Access to the Observatory: Turnoff to the left (Northwest) from B1 ca. 65 km South of Rundu and 59 km North of Veterinarian Fence. Attention: Concealed entrance!! Watch out for registration plate “N 42695 W” on the left hand side (West) of the road. Follow the farm road for about 6 km to the Northwest. Keep right where the road splits. Follow the road until you reach the farm (fenced in).
The road is partly very bad: Deep soft sand, deep tracks. Only vehicles with high clearance will get through. VW combis can manage it (with some driving experience!).
BEFORE entering the farm, turn right (North) and follow road along the fence for ca. 6km. Next to a red-white coloured fence post are the NW corner of the Observatory on the communal land (outside the farm, next to the road) and the NE corner of the Observatory on the farm (ca. 150 m west of the road).
Please always contact Head Woman, Johanna Kakumo, before you work on the observatory. Since hardly anybody in that communty speeks English, take somebody from the Research station along for translation and to help to find her house. The best time to meet her is in the evening since she is working in the fields during the day. This contact is very important to build up confidence into the BIOTA activities.
Co-ordinates: communal farm, NW corner: 18° 18‘ 06.4‘‘S / 19° 15‘ 30.0‘‘ E
Overnight facilities: Subproject S11 camped on the territory of the old school. There are no sanitary facilities. They paid N$ 10 per person and night and N$ 10 for use of water. The water is bore hole water of good quality.
Particularities: Malaria! Watch out for ticks! They may cause tick fever. North of Veterinarian fence, i.e., no export of animals/ animal products without veterinary permit!
Notes: Money: at the First National Bank in Rundu (at the street next to the river) money can be drown from an EC (Maestro) Card at the automatic teller. No shop in Mutompo. The next shops are in Rundu. At mile 30 (N of Mile 46) is a small kiosk/ mini supermarket.
Gas for cooking can be filled up in Rundu at a small shop near the southern entrence of town, on the left hand side behind a petron station (Engen).
Next 4 x 4 rental = Avis in Tsumeb (60km from Grootfontein): 067- 220520, cell: 08 1-124 3100. Next Petrol station seems to be in Rundu.
Weather Station: at Mile 46 Research Station
03 Sonop 903, Research Station
Name of the farm/ land: Sonop Research Station
Owner: Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Rural Development, Directorate Agriculture Research & Training
Manager / user / decision maker: Mr Gareth Kauta
Contact telephone number: + 264 -(0)67-232642
Size of the farm: 11 000 ha
Management: Rotational grazing / experimental Cattle farming
Land use: cattle, giraffes, eland, kudu
Land use intensity (ha per head of cattle): 1100 cattle, ca 40 giraffes, ca 180 eland, ca 300 or more kudu
Annual average precipitation: 450 mm
Vegetation: Northern Kalahari
Common plant species: Dune vegetation: Combretum species, Terminalia sericea, Burkea africana, Aristida stipitata.Interdunal valley vegetation:Acacia mellifera, A. fleckii, A. erioloba, A. reficiens, Stipagrostis uniplumis, Eragrostis spp.
Access to the Observatory: 110 km North of Grootfontein along B1 turnoff to the East to Sonop research Centre. From turnoff to entrance Research Station 28km on dirt road (very good condition). To reach Observatory go straight to North along farm pad. Pass office farm houses and go over the dune on very sandy farm road for ca. 1.5 km until the farm road turns right (W). Follow the road for approximately 300m until you reach a small road that leads to the South. Follow that pad for 250 m. Fence post is marked with red and white colour. SE corner of the Observatory is ca. 15m off this road to the right (West).
No 4x4 required. No problems for VW combis or pick ups. Perhaps difficult to drive up dunes on the farm.
Co-ordinates: 19° 04’ 58.3’’ S / 18° 54‘ 48.3‘‘ E, SE corner.
Overnight facilities: It is generally possible to use the guest house – if available. The facilities are for free! Please leave behind a small tip for the cleaning staff (not more than 20-50 N$) . Contact Manager in beforehand. Payment until now N$ 10 per person / night. The tap water ist drinkable.
Particularities: Malaria!
Cell phone work near the house of the head of the village (poor connection though). Money can be drawn from a teller at the First National Bank (credit card Visa Card). The Automatic Tellers caused some problems (did not give the credit card back...). Next shops are in Okahandja. Petrol can be bought at the Mororane gate (veterenarian fence), Rundu and Grootfontein.
Notes:
Weather Station: West of observatory ca at plot 30 (halfway up the dune). A rain gauge also on eastern side at plot 79.
04 Toggekry 250 (Omatako-Ranch)
Name of the farm/ land: Omatako-Ranch
Owner: Johan Kotze
Manager / user / decision maker: Elfi & Johan Kotze
Contact telephone number: Phone: 063-518358, Fax: 063-518357,
Size of the farm: 11.600 ha, incl. 6000 ha game camp
Management: cattle farming, and game for hunting. Game camp: Game only.
Land use: game: Orix, giraffe, Hardebeest, Kudu, Zebra, Riesentrappe, Black Mamba
Land use intensity (ha per head of cattle): ??
Annual average precipitation: 300 mm
Vegetation: Thornbush Savannah
Common plant species: Stipagrostis uniplumis, Acacia tortilis, Acacia mellifera, Boscia albitrunca, Eragrostis spec.,Monechma genistifolia
Access to the Observatory: When entered game camp go on straight north for 1 km until reaching dam W of road. Then turn to W/ NW and follow track for 3.7 km to reach the NW corner of the Observatory. The observatory is situated north of the track, ca. 20 m from the road.
Co-ordinates: NW corner of the observatory: 21° 30’ 37.7’’/ 16° 43’ 45.2’’
Particularities: 6000 ha Game camp without internal fences.
Notes: Please contact owner prior to your visit
Weather Station: West of observatory near the NW corner of plot 90.
05 Otjiamongombe West 44 (Erichsfelde)
Name of the farm/ land: Erichsfelde
Owner: Pommersche Farmgesellschaft
Manager / user / decision maker: n.n.
Contact telephone number: 062-518383 (home of manager), fax: 062-518383,
Size of the farm: 13.000 ha
Management: cattle farm and hunting farm
Land use: cattle, antilopes
Land use intensity (ha per head of cattle): 250 head of cattle plus 400- 500 antilopes
Annual average precipitation: 300 mm
Vegetation: Thorn Bush Savannah
Common plant species: Stipagrostis uniplumis, Acacia tortilis, Acacia mellifera, Boscia albitrunca, Eragrostis spec., Monechma genistifolia
Access to the Observatory: 37 km north of Okahandja, 7 km north of D 2180 road. Turnoff to farm Erichsfelde to the east. Go in for about 3.5 km until you reach the farm house north of the road.
The observatory is located at the northern border of the farm, next to Tiefenbach.
From 8.6 km along eastern border of farm, ca. 100 meters south of the road. Next to detour pad that surrounds vley in farm pad.
Co-ordinates: NE corner of the observatory: 21° 35’ 48.7’’/ 16° 56’ 41.2’’
Overnight facilities: Camping next to the Observatory (please arrange with farm mananger) or at B&B at Tiefenbach (Tel: 062-518331)
Particularities: Big camps!
Notes:
Weather Station: A rain gauge north of the observatory. For macro-climatic data, see Omatako Ranch.
06 Okamboro (Ovitoto 55)
Name of the farm/ land:
Owner: Communal area (Government of Namibia)
Manager / user / decision maker: Hiskia (councilor)
Contact telephone number: Corna Ketjizeere (Agricultural Extension Technician): 081-249 8400 (cell). 062-501 564 (office)
Size of the farm: 60.000 ha
Management: communal farming
Land use: mainly cattle, goats, sheep
Land use intensity (ha per head of cattle): ??
Annual average precipitation: ca. 350mm/a??
Vegetation: Highland Savannah
Common plant species: Acacia reficiens; A. mellifera; Catophractes alexandri; Schmidtia kalahariensis
Access to the Observatory: 5 km south of Okahandja, 75km N of Windhoek. Turnoff to the east: Midgard / Ovitoto onto D2102. Continue on D2102 for 27 km. After 27 km turnoff to the right to Ovitoto (D2172). After further 8 km again turnoff to the right to Ovitoto, follow road for 10 km. Turn off to the right and follow road for another 12 km to get to the village Ovitoto (22° 00’ 34.7”S, 17° 02’ 33.7”E.). The Observatory is about 60 km from the main road (B1) towards Ovitoto (see above).
Before approaching Ovitoto for field work, contact Corna (see above). Before entering the Observatory, contact Mr. Hiskia, = responsible councilor.
Co-ordinates: 22° 01’ 09.0”S, 17° 03’ 44.9”E = NW corner
Overnight facilities: For safety reasons, it is not recommended to stay somewhere in the veld. Camp next to the village. Ask Hiskia (head man) for permission and water. Give a donation of minimum N$ 10 pp /night.
Or visit Von Bach Dam (Camp site N$ 60 pp / night).
Particularities: big camps. Always contact Corna one week before. She will contact head man. Contact head man directly after arriving.
Notes: Do not enter the village without needs. Do not enter gardens, houses, do not peep into houses, do not take photographs of people, houses, interiors etc.
Weather Station: 1 Station at house of Mr Hiskia; a rain gauge at the observatory (ca 50 m from NW corner)
08/ 09 Niko 377 (Niko North)
Name of the farm/ land: Niko
Owners: Communal Farm (Namibian Government)
Manager / user / decision maker: Sarah Bock (user of the farm)
Contact telephone number: Sarah Bock 063- 25 22 41
Size of the farm: 2.800 ha
Management: Rotation farming. According to S. Bock one camp is only grazed in case of emergency.
Land use:
Land use intensity (ha per head of cattle):
Annual average precipitation: 100 mm
Vegetation: Dwarf Shrub Savanna (Nama-Karoo)
Common plant species: Rhigozum trichotomum, Catophractis alexandrii, Acacia nebrownii, Lycium spec.
Access to the Observatory: 80 km South of Mariental, just shortly after the Gründorner Railway station (east of the road), turn off to the west, at the farm entrance of Niko (see small sign board). Follow the farm road for ca. 2 km - until north of the track - you come to the farm building (get in touch with S. Bock). Continue driving towards the west (another about 200 m), until you reach the fence of the next farm. Then turn towards the south (left), and drive alongside the fence. After about 3 km you will reach a fence, with an open gate. Further towards the east, this fence will – more or less - mark the boundary between the two Observatories on the two different camps of Niko: the southern camp (hardly grazed) and the northern camp (normally grazed). The southern Observatory (hardly grazed) starts at the fence, approx. 100 m after having driven through the gate and turning to the east (towards the high voltage power line). The north-eastern corner of this southern Observatory (hardly grazed) is located directly north-east of the power line (this power line marks the eastern boundary of the southern Observatory). The north-eastern corner of the southern Observatory (hardly grazed) is simultaneously the south-western corner of the second (northern) Observatory (normally grazed).
Co-ordinates: 25° 20’ 32.8’’S / 17° 50’ 56.5’’ = NW corner of the Northern Camp and NE corner of the Southern Camp.
Overnight facilities: Camping on the farm is possible. Donation = N$ 20.- per night and person. Basic facilities i.e. toilets and showers are available. Construction on the camping site will improve camping facilities in near future.
Particularities: Before entering the farm always contact Sarah Bock at least one day in advance.
Notes:
Weather Station: ?
10 Gellap Ost 3, Research Station
Name of the farm/ land: Gellap Ost Research Station
Owners: Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Rural Development, Directorate Agriculture Research and Training
Manager / user / decision maker: Johan van der Merwe (Manager); Annemie Lourens (Researcher, agriculturalist).
Contact: Tel +264 (0)63 225221, email:
Size of the farm: 8 000 ha
Management: Rotational farming, small camps for Karakul breeding purposes! 3 water holes, pipe lines
Land use: boer goats, Gellaper, Karakul, catle, horses
Land use intensity (ha per head of cattle): 300 boer goats, 250 Gellaper (sheep crossbreed), xxx Karakul, cattle for house hold, horses.
Annual average precipitation: 150 mm / p / a
Vegetation: Dwarf Shrub Savanna (Nama-Karoo)
Common plant species: Tetragonia schenkii, Rhigozum trichotomum, Stipagrostis spp.
Access to the Observatory: From Keetmannshoop take the road to the airport (north-west of town). Follow road until you reach the main entrance to the Gellap Ost Research Station. Continue with the road for another 10,5 km, until you reach a cattle grid. The cattle grid divides the land of the Research Station (south) and the Communal land of Nabaos (north). The Observatory on the land of the Research Station lies more or less parallel to the road. Shortly before the cattle grid, in the east, there is a gate (locked) into the fenced area of the Gellap Ost Research area. There are possibilities to get the key at the office of the Gellap Research Station. Unlock the gate and drive eastwards into the camp, alongside the fence, that divides the communal and the commercial area. After almost a 1 km, you will see a dropper about 100 m south of the road, marking the north-western corner of the Observatory on the camp of the Gellap Ost Research Station
Co-ordinates: 26° 24‘ 04.2‘‘S / 18° 00‘ 17.5‘‘E = NW corner
Overnight facilities: Contact Annemie Lourens Johan van der Merwe to ask for permission to utilise guest house facilities (if available) = N$ 35.- per night and house (one house has 8 beds, 4 showers, 2 toilets and 4 sinks) or to camp at the Research Station.
Particularities: Established in the 1910’s by the German colonial regime. Breeding station for karakul (white karakul!)
Notes: Accommodation in one of the guest houses, in the vicinity of the research station office building, is not a problem as long as no training courses are taking place at the research station. A large kitchen with all facilities is also available.
Weather Station:
11 Nabaos 7 (Communal land to the north of Gellap Ost )
Name of the farm/ land: Nabaos 7
Owners: communal area (Government of Namibia), people from the settlement of Nuwe Fontein, directly north of the observatory, primarily utilise the natural resource of this area
Manager / user:
Decision maker: The Governor: Karas region and/or Agriculture Extension Office Keetmanshoop