Surveying Gorongosa's Biodiversity | HHMI BioInteractive Video

Summary

Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique, once rich in wildlife, suffered greatly during the civil war, leading to a massive loss of animal life. Today, a restoration project aims to revive the park's biodiversity. Led by biologist Piotr Naskrecki, the team documents species, explores habitats, and uncovers new species, including bats that serve as ecosystem indicators. The project not only aims to identify but also understand the interconnections within the park's ecosystem, contributing to its management and conservation efforts amidst Mozambique's growing population pressures.

Takeaways

• 🌳 Gorongosa National Park, established in 1960, was once rich in wildlife but suffered greatly during the civil war from 1977 to 1992.
• 🐘 The war led to the killing of most large animals in the park to feed starving people, leaving the park in ruins.
• 🌿 A significant restoration project is currently underway to revive Gorongosa National Park's ecosystem.
• 🔬 Biologist Piotr Naskrecki is leading the effort to create a comprehensive database of all living elements in the park to aid in its management and restoration.
• 📍 The Cheringoma Plateau, a remote and unexplored area within the park, is being studied for its biodiversity.
• 🌍 The gorges in the plateau are part of Africa's Great Rift Valley and are home to an old growth forest.
• 👥 A team of international experts is conducting a month-long expedition to quantify the biodiversity of the gorges.
• 🕷️ Various methods are being used to catch and identify species, including small mammals, lizards, beetles, insects, and plants.
• 🦇 Bats play a crucial role in the ecosystem, as their feeding and excretion habits contribute to the energy dynamics of the cave environments.
• 🔊 Bats use echolocation, which can be recorded and analyzed using special devices to identify species-specific calls.
• 📈 The biodiversity survey has significantly increased the known species count in Gorongosa, indicating a healthier environment.
• 🌱 The identification of a large number of bat species is a positive sign for the park's ecological health, as bats are sensitive to environmental changes.
• 📚 The surveys will continue in other areas of the park, with an estimated potential of 50,000 to 100,000 species in total.
• 🌐 The biodiversity data is crucial for monitoring changes and identifying threats to the park's recovery amidst challenges like Mozambique's growing population and resource pressures.

Q & A

When was Gorongosa National Park established?

Gorongosa National Park was established in 1960.

What impact did the civil war that started in 1977 have on Gorongosa National Park?

The civil war led to the killing of most of the big animals in the park to feed starving people, leaving Gorongosa in ruins.

What is the main goal of the restoration project in Gorongosa National Park?

The main goal is to identify the species, large and small, living in the park today to ensure their protection and monitor their recovery.

Who is leading the effort to compile a comprehensive database of Gorongosa National Park's biodiversity?

Biologist Piotr Naskrecki is leading the effort to compile a comprehensive database of the park's biodiversity.

What is the significance of the Cheringoma Plateau in Gorongosa National Park?

The Cheringoma Plateau is a completely unexplored limestone gorge filled with a beautiful old growth forest, considered a potentially unbelievably rich area for biodiversity.

What methods are being used to document the biodiversity of Gorongosa National Park?

Methods include using baited traps for small mammals, digging pitfall traps for lizards, using dung to lure in beetles, climbing into the tree canopy for rare insects and plants, and using white sheets and lights to attract flying insects.

How do bats contribute to the ecosystem of Gorongosa National Park?

Bats feed outside the park and bring energy back in the form of guano, which serves as the engine of the ecosystem, supporting a food chain that includes crickets, whip scorpions, frogs, civets, and mongooses.

What tool does Piotr Naskrecki use to record and understand the echolocation calls of bats?

Piotr Naskrecki uses an ultrasound recorder, which translates the high-frequency echolocation calls of bats into a range that humans can perceive.

Why are bats considered indicator species in Gorongosa National Park?

Bats are sensitive to changes in their environment, such as water quality, agriculture, or deforestation. Their presence and diversity are good signs of a healthy environment.

What was the increase in the number of known species in Gorongosa National Park after the Cheringoma Plateau survey?

Before the survey, there were 300 known species. After the survey, the number increased to 2,820 species of animals and plants.

How does the biodiversity survey help in the context of Mozambique's challenges?

The surveys provide baseline data to monitor changes and identify threats to the park's biodiversity, which is crucial as Mozambique faces increasing pressures on natural resources due to its rapidly growing population.