Hot Birds Research Project
Lara Strydom (M.Sc. student)
Supervisors: Prof. Andrew McKechnie, Isak Smit, Michelle Greve, Andrew Davies
My project will be looking at microsites in Kruger National Park. We’ll be using remote sensing technology (LiDAR), biophysical and climate modelling to identify the microsites that are available to various bird species in the Park. LiDAR uses laser and radar technology to generate images of the vegetation of a landscape. These images will be used to identify various areas within a landscapes (microsites) that may be able to buffer birds and other animal taxa against extreme environmental conditions. The biophysical models are essentially models that looks at how an organisms reacts in an environment; particularly, how it loses or gains heat through various means. We’ll be incorporating the information from these models into the microsites derived from the LiDAR data.
Basically, we’ll be looking at the effects of temperature and humidity, along with various vegetation characteristics, to determine the number of areas in the park that can buffer birds against both the current and predicted environmental conditions of the Park. The role that climate change will play will also be investigated through the use of climate models that can make predictions regarding environmental conditions of the future.