eNews

#05 2024

The Arid Lands Node’s 2024 science engagement impact

By Wynand Calitz, Zanele Ntshidi and Tshililo Ramaswiela, Arid Lands Node, NRF-SAEON

SAEON has been striving to produce impactful outputs beyond the scientific scope by developing knowledge, encouraging environmental awareness and improving the livelihoods of communities. In view of this, the Arid Lands team has been actively involved in science engagement activities with learners, students, collaborators and various stakeholders.

Youth Environmental Reporters Advocates programme  

This science engagement event was organised by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA), collaborating with UNICEF and the Department of Basic Education. SAEON’s Arid Lands Node was invited to participate in this event that had a “climate change” theme.

A total of 100 learners were invited from 10 different schools in the Northern Cape Province. Activities the learners engaged in included videography of environmental problems, the problem tree, water quality testing and article writing activities. Dr Zanele Ntshidi, manager of the Arid Lands Node, gave a presentation on the impacts of climate change on water resources. The node’s research technician, Tshililo Ramaswiela, participated in water quality assessments and icebreakers with WESSA coordinators.

Zanele Ntshidi presenting on the importance of water conservation (Photo: Tshililo Ramaswiela)

Tshililo Ramaswiela illustrating how a Davis weather station works (Photo: Tsepiso Lephera)

South African National Parks (SANParks) organised a Mandela Month outreach event at Boitumelo Special School in Galeshewe, Kimberley. The Arid Lands Node, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) participated in the event.

A total of 185 learners, 24 educators, 8 delegates from DFFE and 73 representatives from SANParks Biodiversity Special Projects (BSP) attended the event. In line with the Climate Bill recently signed by President Ramaphosa, Tshililo gave a presentation on climate change mitigation and adaptation. Learners were thrilled to learn how a Davis weather station records weather parameters.

Delegates from DFFE conducted a tree-planting exercise where kids learnt more about biodiversity conservation. The last activity for the day was giving back to the community when all the institutions involved donated sanitary pads to the learners.

Graduate Student Network Node Sponsor event at Sol Plaatje University  

The SAEON Graduate Student Network (GSN) node sponsors for the Arid Lands Node and the Expanded Freshwater and Terrestrial Environmental Observation Network (EFTEON) organised a science engagement event at Sol Plaatje University. With the help of Mr Ross Stewart, the honours coordinator for the Biological and Agricultural Department, a successful event was held in the Biological Building of the university. The Arid Lands Node was represented by Wynand Calitz, Tshililo Ramaswiela and Dr Zanele Ntshidi, while EFTEON was represented by Dr Helga Knoetze.

The event started with presentations on SAEON and EFTEON’s work and promoted the GSN and its activities. All SAEON staff members gave talks on their research and engaged the students in discussions around these topics. The focus of this event was to introduce SAEON to the staff and students at the university so that they may collaborate on future research, and to encourage involvement in the GSN.

The SAEON team with the lecturer, Ross Stewart (second from right) and a few of the Sol Plaatje University students (Photo: Zanele Ntshidi)

Presenters and attendees from the SANParks Mini Symposium (Photo: Roxanne Erusan)

SANParks Mini Symposium 

This science engagement event was organised by SANParks. The Arid Lands Node was invited to participate together with participants from Sol Plaatje University. Twelve participants shared ideas related to the natural environment, ecology and hydrology. Tshililo presented on his journey to Marion Island, leading to discussions surrounding his experiences.

Wynand Calitz presented on one of the node’s research platforms, Tierberg, which is also a National Research Foundation (NRF) property, delving into the history of the site and its ongoing long-term research. Zanele presented on the vulnerability of arid water systems and the impacts of climate change on water resources.

Participants from SANParks and Sol Plaatje University presented on various interesting topics. This led to vibrant discussions where knowledge was shared, and areas of collaboration were identified.

National Science Week launch  

Here the aim was to showcase how the Arid Lands Node measures long-term change in the environment with a focus on meteorology, ecology and hydrology. The node team illustrated the sensors they use to measure climatic parameters and other environmental variables, explaining how they view, share and use the data for ongoing research and modelling predictions.

The team demonstrated ways in which observations are done in the different environments, how this data is essential in understanding change and how the knowledge obtained is used to inform decision making and foster environmental education. Lastly, they discussed the importance of water to people and animals, particularly in arid regions, and how the management of water should be prioritised.

The learners and other attendees were shown how groundwater, surface water levels and water quality are measured and how this information can be vital for livelihoods. Intrigued learners showed a keen interest in the topics discussed and asked questions around climate change, how it will affect life on Earth in the future and how we can overcome water shortages when facing drought.

Zanele explaining how to measure variables in water samples (Photo: Wynand Calitz)

Wynand Calitz showcasing how Arid Lands Node researchers conduct long-term observations during the launch of National Science Week (Photo: Zanele Ntshidi)

Closing  

The Arid Lands team have been working hard to not only collect data for research purposes, but also to educate and develop the young minds of the future.

“Despite our small team, we are striving for impact at various levels, particularly for learners, students and communities,” says node manager Zanele Ntshidi. “Based on the positive feedback we have received so far, we are well on our way to achieving this goal. It must be said that this could not have been possible without the phenomenal teamwork of all the individuals involved, which also talks to the value of working together.”