eNews

#02 2025

SAEON shines at international savanna science network conference

By Dr Tony Swemmer, Manager, Ndlovu Node

In March this year, hundreds of scientists representing 20 countries gathered in Skukuza in the Kruger National Park for the annual SANParks Savanna Science Network Meeting. Presentations covered not only the wealth of research being conducted in the Kruger National Park, but also savannas in other parts of South Africa and in other countries (Australia, Brazil, Congo, Indonesia, Mozambique and Zimbabwe).

Delegates of the Savanna Science Network Meeting, Skukuza, March 2025. (Photo: SANParks)

SAEON again had good representation at this international conference, with SAEON-related research featuring in 13 presentations on topics ranging from vegetation responses to extreme fire, to the impacts of trees on soil microbes, the effects of extreme drought on bird diversity and the link between altered river flows and riverine trees.

Several SAEON talks focused on the role that elephants play in savanna ecosystems, which remains a hot topic for conservation management in Southern Africa. Dr Tony Swemmer and Rion Lerm from the SAEON Ndlovu Node presented, as did seven students co-supervised by node staff (Matilda Mbazo, Liam Taylor, Joshua Weiss, Yani Steyn, Tsumbedzo Ramalevha, Samista Rooplal and Kgothatso Mabusela). SAEON presentations included collaborators from a variety of local and overseas universities, including WITS University, North-West University, University of North Carolina, Marquette University and Utah State University.

Students presenting results from SAEON-supported research projects.

The conference was attended by 230 delegates – the most in its 22-year history. Originally a small forum for researchers working in the Kruger National Park to engage with each other and with park managers, the event has evolved into a premier international meeting for researchers working in the fields of savanna ecology and conservation science.

The methodologies reported on were similarly broad, from the analysis of microbial DNA to the use of AI for tracking animal movements, to the use of satellite-borne radar sensors to measure soil water.

All presentations were live-streamed and are publicly available at https://www.youtube.com/@savannasciencelivestream335

Several SAEON talks focused on the role that elephants play in savanna ecosystems, which remains a hot topic for conservation management in Southern Africa. (Photo: Shutterstock)