Enhancing Science Applications of BioSCape | May 22-26, 2023
Western Cape, South Africa

This workshop discussed the specific needs of practitioners (data users and decision-makers) to enhance the real-world application of data products and scientific results from BioSCape. The conversation featured the BioSCape science team (USA and SA) and practitioners. We focused on relationship-building, networking, science communication, value creation, and benefit sharing. We also had an open space for reflection and planning. Various governmental and non-governmental SA stakeholders joined us in cultivating enduring multi-stakeholder partnerships within the Greater Cape Floristic Region. We encouraged knowledge exchange while uncovering synergistic and collaborative opportunities during BioSCape and into its future. For more information about the research and technology, please visit the ARSET webinar series. 

Workshop Presentations

Below are the slides from the workshop. Click the image to view PDF.

Applications Workshop Day 1 - 22 May 2023. The words "Welcome!" appear above a rocky terrain by the shore. To the left, the BioSCape logo (A multi-colored bird flying along a mountain range, where two planes fly to a mountain top), BIOSCAPE in green then yellow letters, Biodiversity Survey of the Cape (green), logos of institutions including University at Buffalo (blue UB), University of California Merced (as is), University of Cape Town (A black and blue shield with a white book, hook, and presumed genie bottle), NASA (a blue circle with a red swoosh, white specks in the back to resemble stars), South African National Space Agency (SANSA; a near-circular figure that fades light blue to dark from the top), and the National Research Foundation (a stick person holding a wavy, blue-striped flag) / South African Environmental Observation Network

Day 1

Applications Workshop Day 2 - 23 May 2023. The words "Good Morning!" appear above a rocky terrain by the shore. To the left, the BioSCape logo (A multi-colored bird flying along a mountain range, where two planes fly to a mountain top), BIOSCAPE in green then yellow letters, Biodiversity Survey of the Cape (green), logos of institutions including University at Buffalo (blue UB), University of California Merced (as is), University of Cape Town (A black and blue shield with a white book, hook, and presumed genie bottle), NASA (a blue circle with a red swoosh, white specks in the back to resemble stars), South African National Space Agency (SANSA; a near-circular figure that fades light blue to dark from the top), and the National Research Foundation (a stick person holding a wavy, blue-striped flag) / South African Environmental Observation Network

Day 2

Applications Workshop Day 4 - Thursday, 25 May 2023. The words "Good Morning!" appear above a rocky terrain by the shore. To the left, the BioSCape logo (A multi-colored bird flying along a mountain range, where two planes fly to a mountain top), BIOSCAPE in green then yellow letters, Biodiversity Survey of the Cape (green), logos of institutions including University at Buffalo (blue UB), University of California Merced (as is), University of Cape Town (A black and blue shield with a white book, hook, and presumed genie bottle), NASA (a blue circle with a red swoosh, white specks in the back to resemble stars), South African National Space Agency (SANSA; a near-circular figure that fades light blue to dark from the top), and the National Research Foundation (a stick person holding a wavy, blue-striped flag) / South African Environmental Observation Network.

Day 4

Applications Workshop Day 5 - 26 May 2023. A rocky terrain shoulders the ocean to the right. To the left, the BioSCape logo (A multi-colored bird flying along a mountain range, where two planes fly to a mountain top), BIOSCAPE in green then yellow letters, Biodiversity Survey of the Cape (green), logos of institutions including University at Buffalo (blue UB), University of California Merced (as is), University of Cape Town (A black and blue shield with a white book, hook, and presumed genie bottle), NASA (a blue circle with a red swoosh, white specks in the back to resemble stars), South African National Space Agency (SANSA; a near-circular figure that fades light blue to dark from the top), and the National Research Foundation (a stick person holding a wavy, blue-striped flag) / South African Environmental Observation Network

Day 5

Background

What is BioSCape?

BioSCape is a once-off airborne and field campaign that will collect baseline data, deepening our understanding of the drivers and mechanisms of ecological change. Furthermore, we will synthesize biodiversity assessments with regional climate, disturbance, post-fire recovery, freshwater provisioning, and other ecosystem services in the GCFR. Our scientific aims require an integrated study design that personalizes targeted field-based, remote sensing and modeling studies according to the scale and information needed to support decision-making. The campaign is funded by NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) in collaboration with SANSA (South African National Space Agency). 

 

We hope to build a lasting legacy of research between the United States and South Africa. It all starts with expanding the knowledge base, distributing key datasets, developing support products for decision-making and fostering new partnerships. BioSCape has been carefully co-designed by SA and US-based investigators from all levels and types of institutions. Moreover, BioSCape has allocated resources to enrich multi-stakeholder collaboration between practitioners (on-ground users, decision-makers and policy-makers in SA) and BioSCape scientists to close the research-practice gap in GIS and remote sensing.  


Why is BioSCape important?

The BioSCape project is the first of its kind in deploying NASA technology to assess Earth’s biodiversity. The primary objective is to understand the structure, function, and composition of a region’s ecosystems—to learn how and why they change in time and space. BioSCape centers around three themes of understanding:

1) the distribution and abundance of biodiversity

2) the role of biodiversity in ecosystem function

3) the impacts of biodiversity change on ecosystem services


For more information about BioSCape, read Our Story.

Overview

The workshop agenda is included below. Click the image to view PDF.

Field Trips

We had three field trip itinerary options that participants were able to choose from. Here are their summaries:

Kleinmond coastal and lagoon (water recedes from a beach strip. In the background, but not too far away, is a concentrated human civilization. Mountains are farther in the back

Itinerary 1: Coastal Ecosystems and Penguins

The first stop was Kleinmond coastal and lagoon ecosystems. Depending on time, this group had lunch around Kleinmond or at the Harold Porter Botanical Gardens. Later in the afternoon, the group moved on to Stony Point Nature Reserve to see the penguin colony, where they heard about the Mooi Uitsig Community Trust and CapeNature’s journey with the community and associated socio-economic benefits.

Stony Point Nature Reserve (a stone path leads into the valley of two mountains. Just before the mountains is a diverse array of greenery, from shrubs to trees)

Itinerary 2: Penguins and Botanical Gardens

This group started the day at Stony Point Nature Reserve to see the penguin colony and hear about the Mooi Uitsig Community Trust and CapeNature’s journey with the community and associated socio-economic benefits. The next stop was Harold Porter Botanical Gardens for lunch followed by a guided tour of the gardens. There was an optional opportunity for a walk up the mountain or to a waterfall after the tour (depending on time and interest). 

Palmiet river in the Kogelberg Nature Reserve (a river bleeds across shrubland than coat the valley of mountain sides)

Itinerary 3: River Valley Hike and Penguins 

This group spent the day hiking along the Palmiet river in the Kogelberg Nature Reserve, and they had lunch on the hike. On the way back to the hotel, they stopped for a quick visit to the Stony Point Nature Reserve to see the penguin colony. 

Institutions of External Knowledge Holders

Institutions of external knowledge holders_BioSCape Apps Workshop planning

Made Possible by Our Funders and Supporting Institutions

Logos representing NASA (a blue circle with a red swoosh, white specks in the back to resemble stars), NASA Biological Diversity & Ecological Conservation (a stick figure mountain, plant, and fish in a teal circle), the South African National Space Agency (a near-circular figure that fades light blue to dark from the top), South Africa's Department of Science and Innovation (two stick figures high-fiving within an emblem with a crowned bird on top), and the National Research Foundation (a stick person holding a wavy, blue-striped flag) / South African Environmental Observation Network

This webpage will be updated with photos and the workshop report at a later stage