TECHNOLOGY
Nature-based apps for your phone
F
or tech-savvy smallholders there are a
number of apps which
one can download onto one's
cellphone, to help with
identification of various
species while one is out in
the veld, a more convenient
option than lugging around
textbooks on the subjects of
one's interest.
The apps vary in price and
are available in the Apple and
Google Play app stores.
Sasol is well known for
supporting the spread of
information about our flora
and fauna. This is extended to
apps as well.
In the Sasol Young Explorer
series there is one for frogs
and another for mammals.
Sasol eBirds of Southern
Africa, the well-known birding
app for the region, has just
been updated with the
addition of more than 2 800
photographs to the app.
Another bird app is
Newman's Birds of Southern
Africa, which also has detailed
descriptions, distribution
maps and species status for all
975 species, as well as more
than 800 bird calls of
different types (song, duet,
alarm, mating calls and group
calls). The dynamic search
filter helps you identify birds
based on GPS location,
region, size and colour.
The Sasol First Field Guide
mobile app series provides
fascinating insight into the
diverse fauna and flora of
southern Africa. Ideal for
budding and amateur
naturalists, the apps are
packed with up-to-date
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species descriptions, fullcolour photographs, videos,
animal calls and distribution
maps, all aimed at quick and
accurate identification of a
species.
Also included are intriguing
facts about about each
species and its conservation
status, as well as links to
useful websites. Separate
English and Afrikaans apps are
available.
A useful app is Snakebite First
Aid in Southern Africa. This
handy guide helps you
identify the most dangerous
and venomous snakes in
southern Africa, and gives you
the correct and most
important first aid treatments