First Two Plots Finished

Today we finished our first two plots. As you can see, winter arrived today in Botswana. We are expecting temperatures to drop to around freezing tonight. Tomorrow we are revisiting plots from the two previous years where we will measure vegetation regrowth.

The team who measured plot #1: Geoff, Clinton, Aubrey, Melissa, Joyce, Bianca, Ben, and Jay.

The team who measured plot #2: Olivia, Sam, Paige, Justyn, Leigh, Preston, Will, and Jake.

Destructive Sampling

After measuring the vegetation of our first two plots, we have now begun destructive sampling. Wielding axes, machetes, saws, and garden shears, we have already removed and weighed the majority of the woody vegetation (trees and shrubs) in our two research plots. Using this data, we will determine the amount of above-ground biomass on our plots, which we will then use to estimate the total above-ground biomass for Thakadu game farm.

Joyce cutting down an Acacia luederitzii.

Paige, Leigh, and Olivia weighing individual Grewia flava stems.

Jay using the 10kg scale to measure the large stems.

Plot #2 after cutting everything down.

Jake chopping off dead branches for firewood.

  Taking the world by the horns and collecting firewood for camp.

Field Work!

Our weekend mornings were spent practicing techniques for the field, and this morning we set out to start our first plots! Split up into two groups, we took structural measurements of trees and shrubs, estimated ground cover, and took canopy readings. Once we have finished measuring our first plots, we will destructively remove all of the woody vegetation, and fence one of our two plots in order to examine the effects of cattle and wildlife grazing on these savanna environments. 

After lunch, the students had a lesson on tree and shrub species identification for the region, and set out to identify five species around camp on their own. 

Ben, Geoff, Joyce, and Clinton take densiometer readings to determine the amount of canopy cover within their plot.

Will and Paige count the numerous stems of a Grewia flava, a commonly encountered shrub here on the farm.

TA Thomas offers some guidance.

A tall Acacia erioloba overlooks plot 1.

Jake, Preston, Justyn, and Leigh taking canopy measurements.

Bush Walk and Setswana Lesson

We started off our second day at Thakadu Bush Camp with an introduction from Dr. Thoralf. We learned about the history and environmental characteristics of the area we currently call home. After the lecture, we set out for our first walk through the bush. Led by Thoralf and our experienced guide Darryl, we ventured through the area and learned about wildlife, vegetation, and geologic features. Our walk ended at Thakadu Lodge, The Rampant Aardvark (thakadu means aardwark in Setswana), which features a popular waterhole for the local wildlife. We got our first glimpse of wildebeest, springbok, and warthogs.

After lunch, we got our second lesson in Setswana from Mo. We learned many different types of greetings and useful phrases, such as "ke a leboga" - which means thank you.

Dr. Thoralf leading our bush walk.

Jake experiencing a dung beetle up close.

Walking through the bush.

Jake, Ben, Preston, Olivia, Joyce, and Paige viewing wildebeests at the Thakadu waterhole.

 Instructor Mo teaching us Setswana.

Having fun practicing Setswana in small groups.

First Day in Camp

We drove down from Maun to our camp by Ghanzi yesterday and are now all set up at Thakadu Bush Camp. Everyone has paired up in tents and today we start with camp safety rules, an introduction to our game farm (home for the next three and a half weeks), and Setswana lessons in the afternoon by Mo, a local researcher.

We will start our daily routine with field work in the mornings and lectures in the afternoon within the next few days, more blog posts and photos will be posted regularly.

Lots of greetings from Botswana!

Group Photo.

Back row: Jake, Jay, Dr. Thoralf, Preston, William, Ben, and Sam.

Front row: Clinton, Geoffrey, Bianca, Olivia, Paige, Justyn, Leigh, Zifei, Aubrey, and Melissa.

Study Abroad Botswana 2014

We are currently in Maun, Botswana getting everything ready for the program to begin on the 28th of May. We have set up two student phones, which the students will be able to use freely once they get here. You can also call Professor Thoralf or teaching assistant Thomas if you cannot get through (in case of emergencies).

Calling from the US to Botswana: 011 + 267 + phone number

Student phone #1: 76 50 89 69
Student phone #2: 76 50 96 20
Thoralf: 72 67 08 36
Thomas: 76 47 30 80

Cell phone service in Botswana does not work as well as in the United States, so you may have to call a few times to get through. We also experience power black outs from time to time which also means you will not be able to get through.

We will have a satellite phone ready once the program starts, which will be turned on every night between 7-8 PM (Botswana time). This phone will work in case of power black outs and when we are on safari (where there is no phone service coverage). This phone is for absolute emergencies ONLY.

The satellite phone number: 00881631627587

Safe travels and see you soon!!

RE A LEBOGA (many thanks)

Happy 4th of July!! Today is the last day of our study abroad program. Several students left this morning for Victoria Falls, while others are leaving this afternoon for South Africa, Mozambique, and France. The remaining four students fly out tomorrow. Huge thanks to our awesome students this year. It has been a great six weeks. We'd also like to thank several individuals, companies, and organizations for making this study abroad program possible, including:

Thakadu Bush Camp

Our wonderful base camp and source of many a fine meal of fresh game- thanks to Chris and Jeanette for their hospitality, Riana for keeping our classroom going, and Sylvie and Kassie

Kitso Safaris

For running our base camps and keeping us well fed in Ghanzi, in Maun, and on safari - thanks Colin, Daryl, Zebra, Joe, and Bavez

UT Study Abroad

For months of planning, advertising, and generally supporting an environmental program in Africa- with special thanks to our coordinator Melissa Sassi

UT Geography & the Environment

Lastly, thanks to the UT Department of Geography & the Environment for providing a home base for faculty, students, and staff who believe in a global backyard