16 Nov 2009
Kew expedition 09 - Get live updates via twitter from the GIS team in Madagascar
Kew's GIS (Geographical Information Systems) team are in Madagascar to record and map plant life on the island and they're sending live updates from the field via twitter. Madagascar is home to an estimated 10,000–12,000 plant species, over 90% of which are found nowhere else on earth!
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Kew's GIS team working with partners in the field
Over the last 50 years human activities have had a dramatic impact on the flora of Madagascar. Today, Kew's GIS team set off on their expedition to the island. Their mission is to record information about the plant life they find and support future plant conservation work to protect plant life and habitats at risk.
The team are sending live updates from the field via their mobile phones to twitter, providing unique access to life in the field and highlighting the importance of Kew's plant conservation work on the ground.
Madagascar is home to an estimated 10,000–12,000 plant species, over 90% of which are found nowhere else on earth! It is one of the top ten global biodiveristy hotpots. The focus of this expedition is to find out more about areas where information about plant life is limited, such as high altitude forests (above 1,800 metres) and mountain bush vegetation.
Sadly, much of this valuable flora is under severe threat from vegetation clearance to make way for agriculture, charcoal production and timber extraction. There is also a threat from the illegal collection of orchids, palms and succulents.
Find out more about this expedition and follow Kew's GIS team on twitter
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Kew in Madagascar 09
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Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:37:10
KewGIS: Harapan nursery workers plant specific species to enrich disturbed forest areas #KewHarapan http://t.co/gneFWIiE -
Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:34:14
KewGIS: We made a friend in the forest #KewHarapan Note to self dont lean against trees without checking first http://t.co/N4gbJ9Vm -
Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:46:38
KewGIS: @KewGIS Scapium seedling fell in the wrong side of the tree. This one is not going to make it #KewHarapan http://t.co/mM4WlC63
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- 6 likes
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11 comments
3 comments on 'Kew expedition 09 - Get live updates via twitter from the GIS team in Madagascar'
Kew Digital Media Team says
18/11/2009 12:00:00 AM | Report abuse
Hi Richard, GIS stands for Geographical Information Systems. There's more info on GIS at Kew here: www.kew.org/gis/
Richard Craven says
17/11/2009 12:00:00 AM | Report abuse
What does GIS stand for? It doesn't seem to say anywhere.
ricky says
17/11/2009 12:00:00 AM | Report abuse
Sounds like an amazing adventure. Look fwd to following what you guys are up to in tweetie land!