This multi-partner project, funded by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund, aimed to conserve biodiversity, particularly amphibians and reptiles, in the Greater Cederberg Biodiversity Corridor.

This corridor, which forms part of the Cape floral region, makes a significant contribution to the conservation of amphibians and reptiles in the region.

Through the project, various organisations worked together to generate, collate, analyse and disseminate information on the amphibians and reptiles inhabiting the corridor. This data informed the design of management plans for the corridor, including the identification of priority areas for conservation.

The Cederberg Project aimed to achieve the following outcomes:

• Areas of importance for reptiles and amphibians are protected from irresponsible development.

• The Cederberg’s rich reptilian and amphibian biodiversity is used to attract ecotourists.
• Increased understanding of and appreciation for the important ecological role that amphibians and reptiles play in the various ecosystems of the Cape floral region.

The project ensured that there is a comprehensive and up-to-date database (including maps) displaying the distribution of amphibians and reptiles in the region.

The Cederberg Project: How you can help

Thousands of ecotourists visit the Cederberg each year. If you’re a keen hiker and photographer, you can help us with our survey of frogs and reptiles in the area.

When visiting the greater Cederberg area, keep your eyes and ears open for frogs, tortoises, snakes and lizards. If you do spot something, please take photographs and send them to us with the following information:

• Date the photograph was taken.
• Location where the animal was photographed (if you own a GPS device, coordinates will be very helpful).
• Any descriptive information on the animal or the habitat where it was found.
• Your contact details.
• Recordings of frog calls are invaluable, as species can be difficult to identify from photographs alone.

When photographing amphibians and reptiles, try to get as close to the animal as possible, approaching it very slowly. Some snakes are poisonous, so approach them with care. Treat all animals with respect.

Please note:

Only photographs and recordings will be accepted. No animals should be captured or killed. It is illegal to collect wild animals in South Africa without the necessary permits.

Want to visit the Cederberg?

• Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Retreat
• Cederberg 4x4
• Ceres
• Citrusdal Info
• Clanwilliam Info
• De Pakhuys
• Hebron
• Gannaga Adventures
• Kagga Kamma Private Game Reserve
• Karasmountain 4x4 Adventures
• Karukareb Wilderness Reservaat (Wilderness Reserve)
• Matroosberg Reserve
• Mount Ceder
• Petersfield Self-Catering Country Cottages Citrusdal Cederberg
• Riding and Watt Professional Land Surveyors
• Taga Safaris
• The African Conservation Foundation

Getting to know the Cederberg's frogs

Amphibians are the most primitive class of land-living vertebrates. They remain dependent on moist or aquatic habitats, particularly for breeding.

Frogs are the only vertebrates that go through metamorphosis, from gill-breathing tadpoles to adults with lungs.

They live in a variety of habitats, including mountains, forests, deserts and coastal areas. South African frogs belong to 10 families and over 50% of the 115 or so species don’t occur anywhere else in the world.

Frogs are particularly vulnerable to pollution and other environmental threats, as they are semi-aquatic and have skin that absorbs water and oxygen. As a result, they can serve as an early-warning system indicating changes in the environment and potential threats to other organisms.

If you need more information on the Greater Cederberg Biodiversity Corridor Project, please contact:

Project coordinator: Survey of Cederberg Amphibians and Reptiles for Conservation and Ecotourism

Department of Botany & Zoology

University of Stellenbosch

Private Bag X1

Matieland

7602

South Africa