20 years of innovation to get South Africa’s natural environment better observed and understood

NRF-SAEON has advanced environmental sciences by creating more and better research capacity, contributing information towards the improvement of the quality of life of South Africans, and proudly carrying the SA flag in global organisations and initiatives.

Science and technology in action

Moving eastwards with the launch of the KwaZulu-Natal Bight Sentinel Site

The Shallow Marine and Coastal Research Infrastructure celebrated a major milestone with the first deployment of underwater temperature recorder arrays off the KwaZulu-Natal coast as part of the national expansion of coastal LTER sentinel sites in South Africa.

Strengthening savanna ecology research capacity in a ‘Mega’ way

Postdoctoral fellow Helga van Coller’s research aims to answer the overarching question: How do megacarcasses – the carcasses of megaherbivores – influence terrestrial ecosystem processes?

Meet the new chief technician of EFTEON

Abri de Buys joined the Expanded Freshwater and Terrestrial Environmental Observation Network in June this year. He sees his most prominent role as helping to produce quality data for the global scientific community.

Friend or foe? New Ndlovu Node postdoc investigates the ecological benefits of parasitic mistletoes

No local studies have investigated the impacts of mistletoe parasitism on host plant ecophysiology. Dr Tsitsi Maponga’s earlier work showed that mistletoes can positively impact plant communities around host trees.

Cultivating new solutions and partnerships for an enhanced ocean observing system

Two Egagasini Node scientists participated in a workshop aimed at providing tangible outcomes to CLIVAR and the Global Ocean Observing System to advance sustainable, co-designed ocean and coastal observing systems.

Prof Juliet Hermes invited to participate in UN meeting on ocean observing

Juliet formed part of the Global Ocean Observing System team and presented in a session on international cooperation and coordination in advancing ocean observing.

NRF-SAEON continues to support regional science diplomacy through IORA

The Indian Ocean Rim Association aims to build science networks in the region that can support the development of academic progress nationally and strengthen relationships with countries in the region.

Sydney on his way to monitor a site invaded by invasive alien plants at Trypot Beach, Marion Island

Sydney’s remarkable science journey – from South Africa’s sub-Antarctic islands to its arid lands

Sydney Tshilingalinga has joined the Arid Lands Node where he will be putting his field skills to the test to investigate how change over time affects plant communities in the arid region.

Richard’s encyclopaedic knowledge about birds and the Karoo ecology in general was legendary

Remembering research associate Richard Dean

NRF-SAEON pays tribute to this remarkable scientist’s immense contributions towards arid lands research and ornithology in southern Africa and globally, featured in 300 scientific publications which included six books.

Message from the MD

Celebrating 20 years of NRF-SAEON

Dr Mary-Jane Bopape looks back on some of the milestones achieved over the past 20 years and gives a glimpse into what the future may hold for SAEON.

Building vital capacity

A burnt patch in Aragon, a region in Zaragoza

Finding my way belowground

PhD candidate Tsumbedzo Ramalevha reports on his many and varied experiences during a month-long research exchange programme hosted by the Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas in Spain.

Indibano 2022: A focus on emerging infrastructures for interdisciplinary research

The Graduate Student Network report on their successful annual Indibano. In addition to the excellent presentations, the students enjoyed activities such as a field trip to Benfontein Nature Reserve.

Tsumbedzo explores part of the Northern Drakensberg mountain range during the 2020 conference of the South African Association of Botanists

On the shoulders of a giant

As NRF-SAEON celebrates its 20th anniversary, two PhD candidates reflect on the wide range of learning experiences they have been exposed to through their association with the Ndlovu and Egagasini Nodes respectively.

Science engagement

Science engagement promotes interaction between science managers and early career researchers

The informative session showcased the usefulness of having a platform for early career scientists to engage with science managers, senior scientists and industry members to discuss areas of interest and concern in career development pathways.

Learners studying a plankton sample under a microscope

National Marine Week: Raising awareness about the importance of our oceans

During this year’s event, the Elwandle Node team taught learners the basics of the food chain, using interactive activities to illustrate the complex relationships within the marine ecosystem.

NRF-SAEON in the media

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

There’s one issue that will define the contours of this century more dramatically than any other, and that is the urgent threat of a changing climate.

~ Barack Obama

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