rePhotoSA | Plant Conservation Unit

rePhotoSA is the repeat photography project of southern African landscapes and is a collaborative project between the Plant Conservation Unit (PCU) and the FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology at the University of Cape Town.

rePhotoSA engages with the public as ‘citizen scientists’ to repeat modern photographs of southern African landscapes, from a large collection of historical photographs. By comparing the differences in the ‘old and new’ photographs it is possible to gain an understanding of how southern African landscapes are changing in response to climate, land use and development impacts (see examples with sliders below).

Map of southern Africa showing the distribution of QDS grid cells containing historical photographs (red) and those for which a repeat photograph exists (blue).

There are several ways in which you can contribute to the success of rePhotoSA. This includes the opportunity to Become a citizen scientist, to Donate historical photographs of landscapes and to Become a donor of funds towards running costs of the project. Visit the rePhotoSA website to Search photos of historical landscapes of southern Africa and to find out more on how to Get involved in this innovative project.

If you have any questions on the project then please do not hesitate to contact us on rephotosa@gmail.com.

Drag the slider to view the landscape change:

1. Silvermine, Western Cape --- Historical photograph #5266 of ‘Valley below Noordhoek lookout’ (QDS 3418AB) taken by Jay Cowen in 1999 and its repeat taken by citizen scientist John Watermeyer in June 2016. Note the reduction in pine trees across this landscape.

2. Barberton, Mpumalanga --- Historical photograph #4681 of ‘pine plantations’, south of Barberton (QDS 2531CC) taken by John Acocks in 1946 and its repeat taken by citizen scientists Nico and Delia Oosthuizen in November 2015. The pine plantations have expanded since 1946 and bush encroachment has increased.

3. Cape Point, Western Cape --- Historical photograph #340 of ‘Dias Beach, Cape Point’ (QDS 3418DD) taken by IB Pole Evans in 1921 and its repeat taken by citizen scientist, John Watermeyer in July 2016. Vegetation has increased in density and height.

4. Drakensberg, KwaZulu-Natal --- Historical photograph #2928 of ‘Garden Castle Node on boundary’, Drakensberg (QDS 2929CB) taken by Keith Cooper in 1992 and its repeat taken by citizen scientist Wayne McNamara in April 2016. Note the general increase in woody vegetation across this landscape.

5. Elsenburg, Western Cape --- Historical photograph #336 of ‘Elsenburg, School of Agriculture’ in Stellenbosch (QDS 3318DD) taken by IB Pole Evans in 1921 and its repeat taken by citizen scientist Samantha Venter in July 2016. Note the general increase in woody vegetation across this landscape and the increase in development.

6. Hogsback, Eastern Cape --- Historical photograph #4197 of the ‘General view of Hogsback Mts.’ (QDS 3226DB) taken by John Acocks in 1942 and its repeat taken by citizen scientist Justin du Toit in May 2016. Note the increase in pine trees across this landscape.

7. Kalk Bay, Western Cape --- Historical photograph #145 of Kalk Bay in the Western Cape (QDS 3418AB) taken by IB Pole Evans in the early 1920s and its repeat taken by citizen scientist John Watermeyer in August 2016. There is a stand of dead Leucodendron laureolum in the repeat and there are many more houses now, particularly in the distance.

8. Kei River, Eastern Cape --- Historical photograph #471 of the ‘Kei River Valley’ (QDS 3227DB) taken by IB Pole Evans in 1923 and its repeat taken by citizen scientist James Puttick in August 2010. Note the general increase in woody vegetation across this landscape and the slight increase in development.

9. Three Sisters, Eastern Cape --- Historical photograph #4797 of The Three Sisters in QDS 3123CC taken by John Acocks in 1948 and its repeat taken by citizen scientist Justin du Toit in April 2016. The buildings are no longer there and there has been a general increase in trees and shrubs in the area.

Webpage designed and created by Hana Petersen. Photographs matched and captions prepared by Samantha Venter.