Fair game with fairy circles

A new book has revealed that the fairy circles of the Namib Desert are the abodes of dainty sand termites that convert temporary pastures into lusher, long-lasting pastures for game and other organisms. Fairy circles serve as important localised biodiversity hotspots.

Science and technology in action

South Africa led the deliberations of the 60th Group on Earth Observations Executive Committee Meeting, devising an important roadmap towards the GEO Ministerial Summit that will take place in Cape Town in November.

Fostering coordination of Earth observations for maximum impact

South Africa led the deliberations of the 60^th Group on Earth Observations Executive Committee Meeting in Geneva, which resulted in a roadmap towards the GEO Ministerial Summit that will take place in Cape Town in November.

Dr Kathleen Smart brings crucial experience and skills to EFTEON

As a landscape scientist, Kathleen oversees the deployment of interdisciplinary monitoring techniques. As the EFTEON biogeochemist, she monitors the fluxes of energy and matter in six very different landscapes.

Investigating the nursery role of red algae dominated reef in temperate Algoa Bay

A study conducted by the Seascape Ecology Research Group highlights the importance of sheltered red-macroalgae reef as a nursery for marine fish.

Meet the coordinator of the Shallow Marine and Coastal Research Infrastructure

Taryn Joshua-Kuntz joined the Elwandle Node in June last year. She is working with the node’s management team to ensure the smooth running and business continuity of this crucial research infrastructure.

Taming the Agulhas Current

A group of passionate young marine scientists spent two weeks on board the R/V Observer to build capacity in sampling techniques and contribute to deep sea research, with a view to conquering the Agulhas Current.

International workshop wraps up first phase of Ocean Accounts Framework community of practice

The workshop saw national and international stakeholders reflect on the progress and outputs of the community of practice over the past three years and consider the way forward.

NRF-SAEON gears up to celebrate 21 remarkable years

An online launch event for staff members, during which the official 21^st anniversary logo was unveiled, kick-started the anniversary celebrations, which will culminate in the main event in September.

Paul Gordijn, field technician at SAEON’s Grasslands Node, is exploring possible changes in the grasslands of the Drakensberg

Unlocking the vast potential of grasslands to mitigate climate change

In the mountainous grasslands of the Drakensberg, SAEON researchers used previously unanalysed imagery from just before 1950 to explore how people have interacted with the environment over time.

Delegates - 20th Annual Savanna Science Network Meeting

Sharing knowledge to broaden international scientific perspectives

Hot topics presented by the Ndlovu Node delegation at the 20^th Annual Savanna Science Network Meeting in the Kruger National Park included the impacts of fire frequency on butterfly communities and fire effects on savanna soil seedbank persistence.

Message from the MD

Celebrating science engagement in SAEON

School learners, especially in rural schools, may not be aware of the wide range of opportunities available in the marine, terrestrial and atmospheric sciences, says Dr Mary-Jane Bopape. Here she highlights 10 science engagement projects that the SAEON team were involved in in just three months.

NRF-SAEON in the media

SAEON’s people and projects received coverage in national print, broadcast, online and social media.

Discovery consists of seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody has thought.

~ Albert Szent-Gyorgyi

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