Newly established polar research infrastructure offers multiple opportunities

The South African Polar Research Infrastructure (SAPRI) will expand the world-class, long-term observational research infrastructure and datasets already established within South African polar and oceanographic research.

Science and technology in action

Little patches of diversity: the value of small fragments of pristine grasslands

One of South Africa’s grassland ecosystems that is particularly threatened, is the Woodbush Granite Grassland in Limpopo. Only about six percent is still in a natural state, with the largest fragment being 192 ha. This small fragment contains ~660 plant species.

Megacarcasses have the potential to create impacts that are large in both extent and longevity, possibly lasting decades

From beyond the grave: Elephant impacts on savannas even after death

A multinational team of researchers, including scientists from SAEON, believe that the decay of even a single elephant carcass, because of its large size, can be significant in creating heterogeneity in the composition and ecological processes in savannas.

Drought effects on vegetation in the southern Succulent Karoo

The area experienced widespread drought from 2015 to October 2021. These dry conditions, exacerbated by abnormally high temperatures, little cloud cover and high evapotranspiration rates, were to bring about major changes in vegetation, economics and land ownership.

Project FIND sets out to strengthen research on the Mozambique Channel and the Agulhas Current

Professor Juliet Hermes, manager of the Egagasini Node, is one of seven international oceanographers selected by Seatrec to be equipped with world-class, sustainable technology to help save the ocean.

A video, Lalela uLwandle, encourages learners to think about marine issues and the concerns that coastal communities may have.

Creating South Africa’s very own Blue Schools

Blue Schools is an international programme aimed at improving the level of Ocean Literacy and Ocean Sciences. SAEON has been tasked with implementing the programme in South Africa.

Farewell message from the MD

Over the hill

As I am now reaching the top of Retirement Hill and looking back, it is fair to say that the journey I experienced with my fellow travellers in SAEON has been nothing short of exceptional. We have already moved far beyond our original vision and created a globally recognised institutionalised LTER network, the functionality of which is somewhat different from that of both a common bricks-and-mortar research institute and a network of such research institutions.

Tributes from the SAEON community

Heading out to the confluence of the Amazon River with the Rio Negro

Steering the SAEON ship through the anchoring phase

William Bond, Albert van Jaarsveld, Joh Henschel and Abeda Dawood trace the trajectory of SAEON’s remarkable growth and the pioneering role played by MD Johan Pauw.

A fully fledged SAEON stretches its wings and soars

Fellow travellers in the SAEON Nodes remark on an incredible journey that stretched far beyond their expectations.

Spearheading SAEON’s infrastructure and data management

SAEON’s development as a distributed network with strong data management capabilities and an integrated operational focus positioned it as the ideal host for the environmental infrastructures in the SARIR stable.

Environmental science education outreach

Crucial role in building future capacity

SAEON has helped build the foundations of a new generation aware of, and capable of, coping with future environmental challenges.

From the central hub of activity

Staff members of the SAEON National office in Gauteng, from where Johan Pauw operated, pay tribute to him.

Michael Mirtl, Manuel Maass, Gilbert Siko, Leluma Matooane and Clifford Nxomani

Peer (re)views – local and international

Peers from ILTER, the Department of Science and Innovation and the NRF acknowledge the role played by Johan in ILTER and the NSI.

Embarking on the next chapter

“Goodbye tension, hello pension.” Johan, may you enjoy adventuring across all the biomes in your retirement.

SAEON in the media

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

The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one who gets the people to do the greatest things.

~ Ronald Reagan

SAEON eNews