South AfricaSouth Africa

What is Operation Wallacea?What is Operation Wallacea?• Tropical scientific expeditions in 15countriesTropical scientific expeditions in 15countries

• 200+ academics running more than 120 projects200+ academics running more than 120 projects

• Results published in peer-reviewed journalsResults published in peer-reviewed journals

What is Operation Wallacea?What is Operation Wallacea?• 30 new vertebrate species to science discovered30 new vertebrate species to science discovered

• Large temporal and spatial data sets obtained from tuition fee funded modelLarge temporal and spatial data sets obtained from tuition fee funded model

• Data used to assess the performance of conservation management programsData used to assess the performance of conservation management programs

Global Research and Conservation StrategyGlobal Research and Conservation Strategy• Stage 1 - Assessing ecosystem diversity and functionStage 1 - Assessing ecosystem diversity and function• Stage 2 - Monitoring ecosystem changeStage 2 - Monitoring ecosystem change• Stage 3 - Monitoring socio-economic changeStage 3 - Monitoring socio-economic change• Stage 4 - Establishing & monitoring the effectiveness of conservation Stage 4 - Establishing & monitoring the effectiveness of conservation

management programsmanagement programs

Team Members

Principal Researchers

Assistant Researchers

Visiting Academics

Dissertation Students

Research Assistants

General Surveyors

Operations Staff

Transfers from Johannesburg

Greater Kruger

Main Camp

Bush CampBush Camp

Research objectives

Research objectives

Week 1 in Balule Reserve

African wildlife conservation course and bush skills training in camp

Half days in the bush each day completing bush survival skills, biodiversity and elephant impact surveys

African Wildlife Conservation course

lectures

Introduction to African Introduction to African biodiversitybiodiversity

Naming identifying and Naming identifying and surveying birdssurveying birds

Adaptation: herbivores of Adaptation: herbivores of southern Africasouthern Africa

Predators of southern Predators of southern AfricaAfrica

Africa’s iconic animal: Africa’s iconic animal: elephantselephants

Managing game reservesManaging game reserves

Conservation synthesisConservation synthesis

Bush training and African Wildlife Conservation course

Traveling by vehicle

Traveling by vehicle

Bush training and African Wildlife Conservation course

Working on Foot

Skills Training

Skills Training

Biodiversity surveys – bird point counts

Biodiversity surveys – pitline surveys

Biodiversity surveys – pitline surveys

Elephant impact surveys

Elephant impact surveys

Night vehicle drives

Week 2 in Sodwana Bay

Sodwana Bay Tented Camp

Sodwana Bay –dive training

Sodwana Bay

Launching

Landing

Megafauna

Dive training

Dive training

Indian Ocean Reef Ecology lectures

Coral reef ecosystems

Coral species

Whale sharks and sea mammals

Ecologically important invertebrates

Mangroves and seagress ecosystems

Reef fish families

Reef survey techniques

Reef conservation and management

Sand dune ecology

Health and Safety

TrainingRisk assessmentsMedical coverCommunicationsEmergency evacuation plansBS8848Auditing Medical statistics

Links to Exams, Course Work, and University Entry Links to Exams, Course Work, and University Entry

Relevant practicals and lectures for IB, AP , A level or Relevant practicals and lectures for IB, AP , A level or HighersHighers

IB – extended essay, CAS, PSOWIB – extended essay, CAS, PSOWStand alone extended project EPQ Stand alone extended project EPQ UK universities – University Award or CoPEUK universities – University Award or CoPEUS universities – course creditUS universities – course credit

University applications and interviewsUniversity applications and interviews

Example questions for IB, EPQ or CoPE

How are elephant herds structured?

What methods can be used to control elephant populations?

Contrast the social structure and niche separation of the main cat species

Should reserves be fenced or not?

How is herbivore carrying capacity calculated for a reserve?

What are the pros and cons for controlled burning of savannah?

Can trophy hunting be justified on conservation grounds?

Can nature tourism provide a significant financial incentive for conservation?

Fundraising support

Fundraising planning meeting; identify groups, targets, raffle, activities, grants & sponsorship

Action plan meeting; each group produces fundraising plan with financial targetsProgress review meeting

£1150 ($1850) for expedition costsInternational flights and in-country travel

Questions

Feedback from the 2012 expeditions

• Unparalled, it has been a wonderful experience for all. A trip of a lifetime.Stephen Miller, Teacher, Kingham Hill School, UK: South Africa Expedition

• A life changing experience bringing knowledge and appreciation of our wildlife, the need for conservation, and how we can achieve this.Anita Craig, Teacher, Newcastle-under-Lyme College, UK: South Africa Expedition

• Outstanding! I have had the time of my life. Academic content was great - I have learnt a great deal and hungry for more... if you get the opportunity you should grab it! It is truly a life changing experience. Fantastic!Bob Gerrard, Teacher, Newcastle-under-Lyme College, UK: South Africa Expedition

• I have learnt lots and had a great eye-opener to the rest of the world, thanks to both the wilderness and the excellence of the staff and I was very impressed.... Opwall is easily one of the most amazing things that I've ever done.Iain Price, Student, Harris City Academy, UK: South Africa Expedition

• This trip didn't just teach us scientific facts about elephants or the savannah, you also learn about worldwide conservation, and how we can all live differently to change the world for the better. Rebecca Leo, Student, Harris City Academy, UK: South Africa Expedition

South AfricaSouth Africa