NRF-SAEON research associate, Dr Joh Henschel, says it is time to improve the evidence concerning the role of brown locusts in Karoo ecosystem processes and incorporate these insights into the adaptive management of locust populations.
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment collaborated with NRF-SAEON to raise awareness among Northern Cape fishers and learners about the negative impacts of overfishing on local rivers, and the benefits of aquaculture.
Mkholo Maseko’s experience as a junior hydrologist at SAEON’s Grassland Node and his participation in a WRC project prepared him for a future in geohydrology. His PhD research is driven by questions emanating from the WRC project, particularly those related to groundwater recharge.
What the tags reveal will be invaluable in deepening our understanding of white shark movements and habitat use and shaping more effective conservation strategies as these iconic predators adapt to a rapidly changing ocean.
The Ocean20 inception meeting held on 28 May at the University of Mpumalanga, marked a big step in South Africa’s role in shaping the global Ocean20 agenda.
As South Africa continues its G20 Presidency through 2025, SAEON’s leadership will be central in ensuring South Africa’s vision for a sustainable ocean economy is heard on the global stage.
Where the Agulhas Current meets the KwaZulu-Natal Bight, ocean vortexes are created that can influence coastal circulation. Gustav Rautenbach’s PhD research lays the groundwork for targeted studies on the impacts of eddies.
PhD candidate Ameera Yacoob’s invited presentation at the SANCID Symposium highlighted how UAV-based evapotranspiration estimation can support climate-resilient agricultural water management.
SAEON’s Graduate Student Network hosted a vibrant side event, which created a valuable space for postgraduate students and early-career ocean professionals to gain insights into the diverse career pathways within the ocean sciences.
Ocean20 South Africa’s outreach event brought the ocean to inland communities. The event mixed community engagement with important policy conversations, all built around a simple message: the ocean affects everyone, even those far from the coast.
Staff from the Arid Lands Node used the iNaturalist Challenge to inspire young people to explore and document their natural surroundings, fostering appreciation and a deeper understanding of the rich biodiversity found in their area.
NRF-SAEON pays tribute to this enthusiastic young creative, who went on to establish a sustainable online fashion outlet to dress her customers in affordable quality clothes while saving the planet.
SAEON’s people and projects received coverage in national print, broadcast, online and social media.
SAEON eNews is the bimonthly online newsletter of the South African Environmental Observation Network.
SAEON is a research platform funded by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and managed by the National Research Foundation (NRF).
SAEON serves as a national platform for detecting, translating and predicting environmental change through scientifically designed observation systems and research.
