Diamond mine or gold mine? Using eDNA to identify golden moles along the west coast of South Africa

Abstract

Golden moles (Chrysochloridae) represent one of the most threatened mammal groups in southern Africa. The west coast of South Africa is an important but under-surveyed part of their range. Vast stretches of the coastal dune habitats have been severely impacted by alluvial diamond mining over the past century, and rapidly developing residential areas and agriculture have continued to transform large sections of these habitats, particularly over the past two decades. This has created concern among conservationists for the conservation status and continued survival of golden mole species in these dune ecosystems. In spite of the prevailing diamond mining activities, we are interested in finding a shimmer of the “living gold” of the Chrysochloridae that potentially still exists here, and when we do, devising plans to protect it.