Knowledge management systems
There is lack of a coherent formal outreach mechanism for imparting information (from authorities) to resource user groups in the Okavango Delta. This prevents necessary clarity over resource user rights and decreases the credibility of the local authorities as effective land managers. This is a barrier to effective dissemination of feedback and management decision information from future monitoring of biodiversity and the engagement of resource users in the management process.
As an attempt to mitigate the foregoing problems, the Biokavango Project is collaborating with HOORC to establish mechanisms that allow multi-way flow of biodiversity information. HOORC by its nature generates knowledge in natural resources management for the Okavango Delta. This makes it an ideal centre/hub for the facilitation of biodiversity knowledge sharing/exchange between the multi-sectoral stakeholders of the Okavango Delta and beyond. The following outputs have been delivered with the view to achieving the foregoing.
· An Agreement was signed by the University of Botswana and the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism (MEWT) The Ministry committed itself to collaborate with the University in both short and long-term environmental monitoring for the Okavango Delta Both parties are still working out the modalities of operationalising the agreement on the ground, and this will ensure that monitoring is not only done on an adhoc basis but carried out systematically to aid decision making in the Ngamiland District and at national level.
· HOORC participated in the Okavango Delta Management Plan (ODMP) and is the custodian of the Okavango Delta Information System (ODIS). ODIS is a data storage and management system for the Okavango Delta and its functional objectives include provision of guidance in the ODMP planning and implementation processes, and function as a GIS system for non-GIS experts. The initial ODIS application was developed with the intent of being accessible over the Internet, however it never was able to deliver on this goal; it only managed to function as a desktop application that could only be delivered to users on CD_ROM with the relevant datasets and application. The Biokavango Project is collaborating with HOORC to move from a desktop application to a server based application with the capability to deliver on the initial ODMP objectives for ODIS through the Internet. The updated application should assist in developing capacity to support management, research and knowledge on the Okavango Delta Ramsar Site (ODRS). Work is ongoing and the following applications are being realised
i) Developing workflows within the GIS Laboratory at HOORC to assist with accessing and updating ODIS datasets as part of field based activities in the ODRS
ii) Providing more effective ways to communicate knowledge through data, maps and documents on thematic issues in the ODRS
iii) Integrate more effectively with the Web environment by providing improved capabilities to read and distribute Web content in formats that have emerged since ODIS was initially developed
· Herbarium/Natural Collection facility was secured and erected at HOORC, to enhance capacity to handle plant and animal biodiversity specimens for wider use by various stakeholders (national and international). Pretoria National Herbarium provided further enhancement of skills in herbarium management skills (specifically on the new technologies applied in Natural Collection Facilities) for the HOORC Herbarium technicians.
· About 400 reports on grey biodiversity literature from the Pete Smith, Richard Bell, and Peter Heinz Collections were catalogued in the HOORC library.
· Digitization of biodiversity work from these foregoing special Collections is ongoing, and they include electronic capture of the Pete Smith annotated maps, followed by transcription and professional proof-reading of the maps. The process ensures that biodiversity information becomes accessible to other users/stakeholders through the internet and other electronic products. In May 2009 HOORC’s-library completed the Pete Smith Annotated Maps digitization project and organized a week-long series of events to launch the web-based product. The new site was featured at an exhibition held in Maun village of reproductions of maps and photographs from the Smith collection, combined with a special showing of photographs of places in the Delta where Smith worked; and this was done at the Tim and June Liversedge mini-theatre at the airport. The exhibition continued throughout the week, attended by a cross section of Maun community members and visitors. Following the exhibition was a ceremony held at the site of Smith’s former home to unveil a permanent memorial recognizing Smith’s contribution to knowledge of the Okavango, followed by the formal launch of the new herbarium facility/natural collection facilityat HOORC. The events were accompanied by production of a commemorative booklet. All these initiatives are captured and documented at the Library website; http://lib.orc.ub.bw.
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