Working with a rural community for improved management of natural resources

SAEON is collaborating with the Mthimkhulu Tribal Authority to develop a long-term research platform. The research aims to test and showcase viable management actions that could improve the goods and services that rural communities derive from their lands.

Science and technology in action

Automated instrumentation arrays, such as this weather station on an alpine inselberg at Cathedral Peak, permit meteorological monitoring even in remote, high-altitude locations

SAEON anchors the regional mountain monitoring landscape through a growing network of LTSER observatories

Scientists have presented a first synthesis of the mountain observation in southern Africa – to demonstrate the value of a diverse suite of process-orientated LTSER initiatives, framed by their contribution to human well-being, appropriate management of biodiversity and environmental sustainability.

Lindo walking towards the Cathedral Peak hiker’s hut after finishing his data collection

A quest for soil CO2 flux data in fire-prone grasslands of the Drakensberg Mountains

Lindokuhle Dlamini’s PhD research focuses on soil carbon dynamics of fire-prone grasslands in Cathedral Peak. His work will provide detailed data on soil carbon composition and dynamics under a range of experimental treatments.

In’forming’ the world of South Africa’s response to climate change

Special Report on the Oceans and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate

A group of experts met to finalise a long process of translating the report into relevant information for African policymakers, to ensure that the report informs the common Africa position at COP26 in Glasgow.

In’forming’ the world of South Africa’s response to climate change

Web developer Zach Smith looks at the user-experience considerations that accompanied the design and initial release of the recently revamped National Climate Change Response Database website, and how these considerations were used to create a friendly interface.

Hydrating beverages – green tea and rooibos tea

TeaComposition project – burying and weighing a delicate refreshment

SAEON’s Arid Lands Node is participating in this global project under the ILTER banner to study long-term litter carbon dynamics and its key drivers at present and predicted climate scenarios worldwide.

In South Africa, benthic grabs (above) are regularly used to collect sediment samples for particle size analysis

Cost-effective and efficient sampling in the deep sea

Grab sample failures can be time-consuming and costly, particularly in deep-sea work. A SAEON study found that a cone dredge can be a cost-effective and efficient alternative for sampling benthic sediment at depth.

TXRF (Total X-Ray Fluorescence) Spectrometer located in the SAEON Elwandle Node on the Ocean Science Campus, used for the analyses of metal concentrations in this study

SAEON’s Elwandle Node extends its laboratory capacity

The latest addition to the Elwandle Node’s biogeochemistry laboratory will extend the range of elements measured in the coastal environment and boost plans to establish the continent’s first metal long-term ecosystem research site.

The study species Salicornia tegetaria (Glasswort), Spartina maritima (Cordgrass) and Zostera capensis (Eelgrass)

The search for a hero plant in the fight against metal toxicity in the estuarine environment

Plants adapted to high pollution loads can be used to stave off the toxic consequences of metals. The Swartkops Estuary was the perfect location for Elwandle Node scientists and students to study how three plant species accumulate metals.

Building vital capacity

The 13th Indibano of SAEON’s Graduate Student Network goes virtual

Hosting a virtual Indibano presented an opportunity to deliver the experience to larger numbers of students and foster collaboration among role-players in different locations.

The NRF-SAEON marine exhibition stand at the Cofimvaba Science Centre

Bringing the ocean to learners in a deep rural area

The NRF-SAEON marine science exhibit at the Cofimvaba science centre aims to bring the ocean to those that might never get the opportunity to visit the sea. Users can access the content in isiXhosa and English.

MzanSea – showcasing South Africa’s diversity of marine ecosystems

The MzanSea project aims to connect South Africans with the diverse marine ecosystems in our oceans. For this purpose, a new website, a children’s activity book and a set of fact sheets have been developed.

Did you know?

There are eight SAEON mountain observatories, four situated in the Cape Fold Belt and four in the Great Escarpment. In the Cape Fold Belt the SAEON mountain observatories are in the Baviaanskloof, the Cederberg and on Table Mountain. The Cederberg mountains are noted for dramatic rock formations (see banner photograph) and San rock art. (Photo: Shutterstock)

Earth care, as it turns out, is really about self-care and other-care. What we design today impacts how we live tomorrow. For better or for worse, it impacts far into upcoming generations.

~ L.L. Barkat, author

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