SAEON eNews 3/2013

Mega-transect of Senqu-!Gariep River system sets baseline for the future

Read about an exciting river journey to collect potential baseline 'change-indicator' samples along the Senqu and !Gariep rivers.

Looking beyond South Africa's borders to secure the future of local agriculture

Researchers from SAEON's Ndlovu Node and the University of the Witwatersrand look at lessons learned from 50 years of citrus cultivation in Iran.

SAEON Egagasini goes to the Southern Ocean

All breaths were held as SAEON's Dr Charles von der Meden attempted the first sea deployment of the node's SkiMonkey III benthic camera during the annual Marion Island relief voyage.

SAEON student develops sustainability indicators for two biosphere reserves

The reserves are both located in the Cape Floristic Region in the Western Cape, one of South Africa's eight World Heritage sites.

SAEON’s role in the national Research Infrastructure Strategy

SAEON MD Johan Pauw highlights the strategic value of SAEON’s research infrastructure, data and programmes.

Meet the team

SAEON's Grasslands Forests Wetlands Node has become a hub of activity since the arrival of two new technicians and three interns at the node.

Building on a legacy of coastal and marine science in South Africa

SAEON and SAIAB provide significant platforms for coastal and marine research, well as for monitoring the movements of marine animals along SA's east coast.

Shinkai 6500 and its Quest for the Limit of Life

It is expected that a great wealth of information will be collected during the expedition, which will further our understanding of marine organisms in the unexplored depths of the ocean.

SAEON camp opens up the fascinating world of environmental science

The camp exposed the group of learners to teamwork, career options in science, and scientific thinking in a fun and exciting way.

Competition highlights the plight of our oceans

To celebrate World Oceans Day 2013, SAEON's Elwandle Node invited learners to enter an artwork featuring the marine environment into a special competition organised by the node.

A new look for SAEON's Graduate Student Network

GSN committee members have been working tirelessly to give the network a "facelift" and to make Indibano 2013 a memorable event.

SAEON in the media

SAEON's people and projects received coverage in a wide range of media.

Interesting link

Lauren De Vos, a former postgraduate student of SAEON researcher Dr Albrecht Götz, has been selected as one of the 200 Young Inspiring South Africans by Mail & Guardian. View an interview with Lauren here.
A landmark statement released in May 2013, formulated from a review published in Nature last year, illustrates how effectively and rapidly bridges can be built between science and society. Read more.

Blog spot

Follow the activities of Lauren De Vos and SAEON researcher Dr Albrecht Götz as they deploy baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS) in False Bay, providing the first comprehensive survey of fish and sharks across all habitats. Visit the blog

Quote of the Month

"The human brain now holds the key to our future. We have to recall the image of the planet from outer space: a single entity in which air, water, and continents are interconnected. That is our home." - David Suzuki, academic, science broadcaster and environmental activist