AFRICAN BATS
Welcome
In
2002, representatives of 190 countries at the Johannesburg World Summit on
Sustainable Development committed themselves to
achieving by 2010 a
significant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss at the global,
regional and national level. (UNEP, Report on the sixth meeting of the
Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (UNEP/CBD/COP/6/20/Part
2) Strategic Plan Decision VI/26 (CBD, 2002): www.biodiv.org/doc/meetings/cop/cop-06/official/cop-06-20-part2-en.pdf).
The
2010 target provides the scientific community the challenge to
engage in exciting fundamental science and to participate in what is likely to
be the most significant conservation agreement of the 21st century. (Balmford
et al., 2005). The challenge is not only restricted to the global,
regional and national levels, but a significant challenge for conservationists
is at the local levels (communities and individuals), where the activities of
these two groups, have the most significant direct impact on the status and
conservation of species, habitats and ecosystem function, within these areas.
Bats are an important component in ecosystem health and condition. They form a critical niche, being primary night time predators of night flying insects and are susceptible to increased levels of pesticides and environmental change, while Fruit bats are critical for forest regeneration. Many plants are reliant on these night time pollinators (e.g. Boabab Adonsonia digitata), for both pollination and seed dispersal.
Africanbats.org aims to collate and disseminate information, resources and tools to assist with the conservation of Africa's bat diversity in a cost effective manner.
Our objectives are to:
To create, publish and distribute resources in a cost effective manner to persons working at grass roots level of conservation.
To facilitate information and networking amongst all organizations, involved in various aspects of bat conservation in Africa.
To profile people and organizations involved in various aspects of bat conservation in Africa.
Africanbats.org website provides access to information and resources that will assist in the conservation of Africa's bat diversity.