The future of life on earth depends on our ability to take action.
~ David Attenborough
Link to: SAPRI participates in the 2024 Marion Island Relief Expedition
SAPRI participates in the 2024 Marion Island Relief Expedition
SAPRI’s involvement included the deployment of its first-ever overwintering team on the island to conduct long-term observations of top predators such as seals, killer whales and birds. This work continues the monitoring projects initially undertaken by South African university teams, now managed by SAPRI.
Science and technology in action
Link to: Cross-nodal collaboration – Egagasini and Elwandle Nodes set out to investigate the role of the Agulhas Current in the coastal environment
Investigating the impact of the Agulhas Current on the coastal environment
This cross-nodal project aims to establish a robust monitoring programme comprising physical, biogeochemical and planktonic components of the southern Agulhas Current to gain deeper insights into these phenomena.
Link to: The Mariepskop LTER: A platform for studying contemporary vegetation change in mountain catchments in northern South Africa
Mariepskop – studying contemporary vegetation change in mountain catchments
Long-term research on the Great Escarpment mountains at the border between Mpumalanga and Limpopo in northern South Africa, is shedding light on the fate of ecosystems in response to major land use change.
Link to: uLwazi Node wins NSTF-South32 Data for Research Award
uLwazi Node wins NSTF-South32 Data for Research Award
The Data for Research Award recognises an individual or a team that has made great strides in the advancement of the availability, management and reuse of research data. The uLwazi Node has cemented its place as a critical platform for environmental data.
Link to: The Prince Albert Vygie: declining populations over two decades
The Prince Albert Vygie: studying declining populations over two decades
Findings by researchers support predictions that drought and warming may cause a decline in dwarf succulents such as the Prince Albert Vygie, further impacted by intense grazing and unscrupulous collectors.
Link to: Meet Zanele Ntshidi, new manager of the Arid Lands Node
Meet Dr Zanele Ntshidi, new manager of the Arid Lands Node
Zanele, who hails from the rural areas of the Eastern Cape, is passionate about striving for a positive societal impact in research and taking the final products to the societies that need them the most.
Link to: Egagasini Node and University of KwaZulu-Natal co-host 9th meeting of the South African Chapter of the Indian Ocean Rim Association Academic Group
SAEON and the University of KwaZulu-Natal co-host SA Chapter of IORAG meeting
The meeting was attended by academic, policy and business stakeholders from across South Africa, including a representative from the South African Maritime Safety Authority.
Link to: Professorship for SAEON scientist Dave Thompson
Professorship for SAEON scientist Dave Thompson
The appointment recognises Dave’s achievements and extensive experience in plant population dynamics and student supervision. He is currently involved in the training of eight North-West University postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows.
Link to: Exploring future collaboration with climate observations and research groups in India
Exploring future collaboration with climate observations and research groups in India
Dr Warren Joubert of EFTEON participated in a research exchange visit to India to interact with the Indian climate change monitoring group and explore potential collaborative opportunities.
Message from the MD
Link to: MD’s message
Celebrating SAEON women
SAEON MD Dr Mary-Jane Bopape pays tribute to SAEON’s remarkable women, showcasing some of the diverse career paths these women are pursuing.
Building vital capacity
Link to: EFTEON staff attend bioassessment method training course for rivers
The EFTEON science team attend bioassessment method training course for rivers
The next step for the team would be to become accredited so that they can implement this protocol within EFTEON’s Northern Drakensberg landscape – a valuable tool when conducting research along a river.
Link to: ‘I learnt how to think like a scientist’
“I learnt how to think like a scientist”
The Grasslands Node Science Camp was found to be a transformative experience, equipping Grade 9 learners with important scientific skills and promoting a deep appreciation for science and the natural world around them.
Link to: Alutha’s passion for environmental science takes him to the International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles
Alutha’s passion for environmental science takes him to Los Angeles
After months of tireless research, SAEON Kid Alutha Botha’s high school project earned him a ticket to represent South Africa at the prestigious International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles, USA.
Link to: NRF-SAEON in the media 3/24
NRF-SAEON in the media
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.