Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.
~ Marie Curie
Link to: World Wetlands Day 2023: Ensuring science impact through science engagement
World Wetlands Day 2023: Ensuring science impact through science engagement
SAEON staff participated in the Lake Sibaya Conservation and Development Trust’s annual World Wetlands Day event, where they set out to prepare the local community for the deployment of the eddy covariance equipment for the area’s EFTEON landscape.
Science and technology in action
Link to: Assessing blue carbon stocks in southern Africa’s endangered seagrass Zostera capensis
Assessing blue carbon stocks in southern Africa’s endangered seagrass
In this study, researchers aimed to provide a first carbon stock assessment in Zostera capensis habitats across three estuaries in South Africa’s warm temperate biogeographic zone – the Knysna, Swartkops and Nxaxo estuaries.
Link to: Does bush encroachment alter the water cycle? First results from in-situ measurement of evapotranspiration at Mthimkhulu long-term research site
Does bush encroachment alter the water cycle?
Instrumentation set up by PhD student Tiffany Aldworth has produced three years of continuous measurement of evapotranspiration in two adjacent vegetation types – the first such dataset for savanna ecosystems in South Africa, and probably all of Africa.
Link to: Baseline for a long-term vegetation study at the Square Kilometre Array/Meerkat National Park
Baseline for a long-term vegetation study at the Square Kilometre Array
The collection of baseline vegetation data is part of ongoing long-term monitoring studies at the Meerkat National Park in the Northern Cape. The data will be uploaded on the SAEON data portal for future scientific investigation.
Link to: South African innovation highlighted at Fifth Global Change Conference
South African innovation highlighted at Fifth Global Change Conference
NRF-SAEON co-hosted a side event to highlight the diversity of its research and the national infrastructures being hosted, and to foster dialogue on how students and researchers could use their research to address societal challenges.
Link to: Former SAEON MD honoured for his ‘immense contribution to global change research’
Former SAEON MD honoured for his contribution to global change research
Johan Pauw’s outstanding contribution was officially recognised by the Department of Science and Innovation and the National Research Foundation at the 2023 Global Change Conference.
Link to: Eastern Boundary Upwelling Systems: Past, present and future
Eastern Boundary Upwelling Systems: Past, present and future
Due to her contributions to our understanding of the Benguela upwelling system, Dr Jennifer Veitch was invited to present a keynote address at the Open Science Conference on Eastern Boundary Upwelling Systems held in Lima, Peru.
Link to: Developing ocean modelling capacity in Southern Africa: CROCO Ocean Modelling Workshop
Developing ocean modelling capacity in Southern Africa
As part of a joint South African–French project funded by the National Research Foundation and the French National Centre for Scientific Research, SAEON and the Institut de Recherche pour le Développement hosted an ocean modelling workshop in Cape Town.
Link to: NRF-SAEON recognises rising stars in the South African Botany landscape
NRF-SAEON recognises rising stars in the South African Botany landscape
SAEON augmented the SAAB student awards at the recent meeting of the SA Association of Botanists by sponsoring copies of the book Photographic guide to the wild flowers of the Limpopo Province for excellence in several broad categories at the meeting.
Link to: Farewell: Professor Mathieu Rouault
Remembering Professor Mathieu Rouault
The many excellent African researchers who have emerged from Prof Roualt’s tutelage are testament to the true passion he had for training young African scientists. His passing has left a void in the research community.
Message from the MD
Link to: Message from the MD
Take-home messages from SAEON sessions at the National Global Change Conference
Dr Mary-Jane Bopape looks at two special SAEON events at the conference that shone a spotlight on the relevance of scientific research – to ensure that it continues to meet stakeholder needs.
Science engagement
Link to: Young learners gain hands-on experience of scientific environmental research
Young learners gain hands-on experience of environmental research
The Kruger National Park provided the perfect environment for learners to explore biodiversity as part of the Ndlovu Node’s Science Camp and Science Day programmes.
Link to: Conservation and education practices to ensure the sustainability of the oceans for the next generation
Conservation and education practices to ensure the sustainability of the oceans for the next generation
At this year’s Marine and Coastal Educators Network Conference co-organised by NRF-SAEON, researchers and technicians from the Elwandle Node shared their research and showcased their lab-based work.
Link to: World Wetlands Day 2023: Ensuring science impact through science engagement
Banner photo
Cape hippopotamus sleeping on a shore of St Lucia Estuary in iSimangaliso Wetland Park (Photo: Benny Marty/Shutterstock)
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.