Running out of heat
As temperatures rise globally, attention is increasingly focused on learning how to cope with the heat. What better than to study the pitch-black Namib beetle, which is active during the heat of the day in a desert with insufficient water to afford evaporative cooling.
Science and technology in action
An ecological forecasting initiative for Africa
Ecoforecast Africa’s inaugural training event on iterative near-term ecological forecasting attracted 27 participants from South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Japan, Switzerland and the USA.
Tracking greenhouse gas fluxes in South African estuaries
An Elwandle Node research team conducted in-situ GHG flux measurements in three estuarine systems. These will provide valuable data on the potential of coastal wetlands to mitigate the effects of global warming.
NRF-SAEON spreads its branches within the SA Botanical community
At the annual conference of the South African Association of Botanists, the work shared by Ndlovu Node staff and associated students encompassed the broad topics of grassland dynamics and restoration, and savanna disturbance and resilience.
SAEON at sea: South African scientists join One Ocean expedition
The participation of SAEON’s Dr Kathryn Morrissey and Brishan Kalyan highlights the importance of investing in research and training opportunities that combine hands-on fieldwork with advanced data analytics.
Monitoring the Agulhas Current system during SEAmester VIII
While the SEAmester expedition significantly advances our understanding of the dynamic Agulhas Current system, it simultaneously fosters the growth of South Africa’s next generation of ocean scientists.
SAEON’s work showcased at landmark symposium in the Republic of Korea
The work of the Egagasini/SAPRI research team is shedding new light on the drivers of ocean variability and the implications for regional climate, marine ecosystems and global ocean health.
Spotlight on ocean modelling
SAEON ocean forecast modeller Gustav Rautenbach presented his PhD research to the Coastal Ocean and Shelf Seas Task Team, an international initiative under OceanPredict that fosters collaboration to advance coastal ocean forecasting and prediction systems.
Climate Change Scenario Workshops in support of SA National Adaptation Strategy
In her presentation, Caroline Mfopa, a data scientist at SAEON’s uLwazi Node, focused on extreme rainfall and temperature trends from NASA’s CMIP6 statistically downscaled model.
Message from the MD
Global and regional networks
Strengthening academic and policy linkages
The 10th SA IORAG meeting brought together academics, researchers and government officials to reflect on South Africa’s role in the Indian Ocean Rim and to chart a collaborative path forward.
FLUXNET 2025 – A Network of Networks
It is envisaged that SAEON-EFTEON eddy covariance sites would ultimately be part of FLUXNET, one of the largest ecosystem networks in the world, where the high level of collaboration among scientists would ensure the robustness of data.
Building vital capacity
Young scientists dive into water quality exploration
SAEON’s Grasslands Node hosted an engaging Grade 10 science camp focused on exploring water quality in different water bodies, inspiring learners to think critically about freshwater ecosystems and the factors affecting the health of these systems.
National Science Week: Inspiring the next generation of ocean scientists
Presented by a diverse, youthful and highly skilled SAEON team, the outreach programme exposed learners to real-world career opportunities in science, introduced them to relatable role models who have walked the path they might choose, and made ocean science hands-on, interactive and personal.
Introducing young minds to the scientific arena and terrestrial ecology
The Arid Lands Node hosted a Grade 9 Science Camp at the Mokala National Park – to expose learners to the exciting world of science using different scientific methods, tools and equipment that scientists use to collect terrestrial data.
Science engagement
Supporting the linchpins of our education system
The Ndlovu Node presented an educators’ workshop on South African biomes and the Egagasini Node ran an exhibition and workshop at this year’s Science Teacher Day Workshop.
Leaves to landscapes
The Fynbos Node’s multi-faceted exhibit at the South African National Biodiversity Institute’s Career Day showcased most of the science team’s fields of expertise.
NRF-SAEON in the media
SAEON’s people and projects received coverage in national print, broadcast, online and social media.