Recognising voluntary contributions to long-term monitoring

For two years Mr Adrian Simmers voluntarily collected weekly data from the six weirs, twelve rain gauges and weather station at Jonkershoek (Picture: Abri de Buys) One of the Jonkershoek weirs (Picture: Dr Nicky Allsopp) Mr Simmers’s long history with the Jonkershoek site and local experience has been invaluable in bringing the new Fynbos Node Technician, Abri de Buys, up to speed on the monitoring (Picture: Dr Nicky Allsopp)

- Abri de Buys, Field Technician, SAEON Fynbos Node

The Jonkershoek Experimental Catchment outside Stellenbosch, one of the oldest catchment experiments in the world, has been a hive of activity in the last three months.

March 2011 saw a transfer of data for Jonkershoek’s weir, rainfall and weather stations to SAEON’s Fynbos Node from Mr Adrian Simmers. Mr Simmers had been voluntarily collecting weekly data from the six weirs, twelve rain gauges and weather station at Jonkershoek since March 2009. This is no mean feat considering it was done on foot, come snow or blistering heat. A weekly round would sometimes start at 7 am and end after 7 pm.

One of the key aspects of managing a long-term research site is consistency in methods and operating procedures. Mr Simmers’s long history with the Jonkershoek site and local experience has been invaluable in bringing the new Fynbos Node Technician, Abri de Buys, up to speed on the monitoring. Abri has been coming to grips with the process of routine data collection and site maintenance. This is an important process that has been continued by several technicians since the late 1930’s when the project started.

The opportunity to learn from Mr Simmers “on the job” aids the transfer of not only the methods and procedures, but also the rationale and some of the history behind them. Abri feels this has boosted his ability to think on his feet should problems arise in the future.

Attention to detail

Mr Simmers’ appreciation for the history and importance of the Jonkershoek experimental catchment was evident in the care and attention to detail with which he shared his knowledge. This allowed for productive training sessions and an overall smooth transition. The Fynbos Node’s good working relationship with him will remain an asset into the future.

The Fynbos Node has also been purchasing and preparing new equipment for Jonkershoek with a grant from the National Research Foundation. Watch this space for news on our progress with that in the next issue.

Related content:

• SAEON extends period of financial support to Jonkershoek
• Long-term hydrological monitoring at Jonkershoek aids climate change studies
• SAEON safeguards 80 years of long-term observation records