by Ria Olivier | Feb 26, 2024 | Antarctica, Biosecurity, Engineering, Mammology, Marine Protected Area, Marion Island, Research, SANAP
Dr Mia Wege chaired the session on Marine Mammals during the 6th SANAP Symposium that resorts within the Marine and Antarctic Research Strategy – ecosystems, biodiversity and biodiscovery. The session includes talks on various marine and the presentations were arranged according roughly to species and area. This Included elephant seals, fur seal, Ross seal, whales in ice, whales along the Southern African coast The session was presented in panel, discussion format, that allowed for questions form the audience. (Photo Credit: ALSA Archive)
- Dr Christian Murray: Understanding the drivers of Marion Island’s elephant seal population. (Abstract)
- Leandri de Kock: Considering individual variation when investigating marine predator behaviours during life- history events(Abstract)
- Dr Liezl Pretorius and Dr Greg Hofmeyr (presenting): Canine morphometrics as a tool for distinguishing species, sex and age in Southern Ocean fur seals(Abstract)
- Dr Mia Wege: The conveyor belt of Ross seals in the Lazarev Sea and their behaviour. (Abstract)
- Matthew Germishuizen: Sea ice declines coincide with a period of reduced reproductive success in Southern Ocean top predator (Abstract)
- Oluwaseyi Paul Babalola: Entropy-based Detection and Classification of Bryde’s Whale Vocalizations: An Approach for Understanding and Conserving an Endangered Species(Abstract)
(Above L-R: Dr Christian Murray, Leandri de Kock, Dr Greg Hofmeyr, Oluwaseyi Paul Babalola)
It was great to see the Mammal Research Institute Whale Unit of the University of Pretoria based in Hermanus, Western Cape represented during the symposium by Dr Els Vermeulen, Matthew Germishuizen, Elisa Seyboth and Antonia Immerz. (Above L-R)
The Prince Edward Island scientific expedition was able to join the symposium on the 30th November and Chris Oosthuizen did his presentation in the session, ‘Data Management and the Summer Survey Participants’ chaired by Dr Christel Hansen. Liezel Pretorius was also able to join the conference on the Thursday. (Above L-R: Chris Oosthuizen, Liezel Pretorius, Yinhla Shihlomuhle)
- Dr Chris Oosthuizen. Marine predators: ecosystem sentinels that help inform Southern Ocean management. (Abstract)
An initiative by Mia Wege was to use the SANAP symposium to bring all “bio loggers/trackers” together, that included researchers who tag animals, mostly top predators across the globe. The purpose was to get some structure going and talk about a potential larger workshop specifically for the entire community. The meeting was well represented, and this was a great opportunity used.
Two of the Principal investigators of the project were able to attend the symposium. ( Nico de Bruyn(left) – University of Pretoria and Jaco Versfeld (Right) Stellenbosch University)
by Ria Olivier | Feb 23, 2024 | Biosecurity, Ecology, Environment, Invasion Biology, Marion Island, Research, SANAP, SANAP Student
Michelle Greve chaired another session on Ecosystems “Major threats to terrestrial sub-Antarctic ecosystems – climate change and invasions” , including how climate and species interactions are driving leaf endophyte communities, how warming directly, and indirectly (through heightened microbial decomposition and nutrient release) affects plant performance) affect plant growth, and how vegetation communities on Marion Island have changed since the 1960s on a warmer, drier and more invaded Marion Island. The session ended with a summary of the knowledge garnered from the National Status Report on Invasions, which includes a chapter on the Prince Edward Islands, and summarised all we know about invasions to the offshore territory. Michelle(right) gave an introduction and then was followed by oral presentations. (Above, l-r: Joshua Tsamba, Michelle Greve, Laura Fernadez-Winzer, Stephni van der Merwe, Nita Pallett) (Photo Credit: Michelle Greve)
- Joshua Tsamba – Fungal endophytes on Marion Island. (Abstract)
- Nita Pallett – Sub-Antarctic plant nitrogen uptake in a changing world. (Abstract)
- Stephni van der Merwe – Long-term vegetation change (1965-2020) in response to rapid warming and drying in a sub-Antarctic tundra: evidence from repeat photography (interactive poster) (Abstract)
- Laura Fernandez Winzer – An assessment of the status of biological invasions and their management on the Prince Edward Islands. (Abstract)
Another student Janine Schoombie of Peter le Roux of University of Pretoria presented in the ad hoc session chaired by Christel Hansen. They only arrived on 30 November after the Prince Edward Island scientific voyage. “Studies of wind, plants and seabirds on Marion Island”. (Abstract) A poster presentation by Elsa van Ginkel , student of Peter le Roux “Examining the potential for entomophilous pollination on sub-Antarctic Marion Island” was mentioned in the ad hoc session.(Abstract) (Above l-r: Peter le Roux, Janine Schoombie, Elsa van Ginkel)
by Ria Olivier | Feb 22, 2024 | Biosecurity, Ecology, Invasion Biology, Marion Island, Research, SANAP, SANAP Student, Uncategorised
Prof Bettine Jansen van Vuuren (left) chaired the session of Ecosystems, Biodiversity and Biodiscovery with the first plenary talk of the symposium by Peter Convey(right) of the British Antarctic Survey ” Terrestrial biological invasions and their potential impacts in the maritime Antarctic”. (Abstract) Peter Convey discussed that there are around 15 species of non-native plants and invertebrates currently known to be established in the maritime Antarctic . He further emphasize that effective biosecurity measures are required to ensure that further human-assisted transfer both on Signy Island and beyond is avoided. Prof Bettine Jansen van Vuuren chaired the session of Ecosystems, Biodiversity and Biodiscovery.
Bettine gave an overview of research that included research done by Daniela and Shilpha as they could not attend as they were on Marion Island. Foregrounding geodiversity in landscape ecology studies: insights from the sub-Antarctic – Daniela Monsanto (Abstract) Detecting signals of adaptive selection of an invasive springtail on sub-Antarctic Marion Island – Shilpha Parbhu (Abstract)
Daniela Monsanto, Shilpa Parbhu, Sandra Durand, Arsalan Emami-Khoyi, Peter Teske, David Hedding
Morgan Raath-Kruger(left) and student of Peter le Roux at University of Pretoria gave an oral presentation and an introduction to her poster.
- Long-term spatially-replicated data show no physical cost to a benefactor species in a facilitative plant–plant interaction. (Abstract)
- Do anisotropic processes influence fine-scale spatial genetic structure of a keystone sub-Antarctic plant species? (Abstract)
Another abstract submitted but Carol Jacobs(right) could not present is on the biosecurity within the South African National Antarctic Programme. (Abstract)https://alp.lib.sun.ac.za/handle/123456789/29301
by Ria Olivier | Feb 19, 2024 | Oceanography, Research, SANAP, SANAP Student, Science, Southern Ocean, Uncategorised
MARIS started the first session on Southern Ocean research within SANAP with focus on SEA ICE. Above: Rutger Marquart, Magata Mangatane, Dylan White, Anand Nair, Wayne de Jager, Leila Nefdt, Safiyyah Moos, Tokoloho Rampai, Marcello Vichi, Robyn Verrinder, Hayley Swait, Riesna Audh, James van Niekerk. (Photo Credit: MARIS)
The first ocean session covered the Antarctic sea ice research field led by the Sea Ice Team from the Marine and Antarctic Research for Innovation and Sustainability (MARiS). The research themes covered in this session were innovation and development, oceans and marine eco-systems under global change and earth systems observations. The presentations and posters under these research theme covered a diverse range of projects from large-scale sea ice observations, tracking and measurements to the small-scale sea ice dynamics, properties and biogeochemistry. Antarctic sea ice research has received a comparatively limited focus compared to its Arctic counterpart. The MARiS sea ice team is constituted of the departments of Oceanography, Electrical and Chemical Engineering at the University of Cape Town, with projects aimed to contribute new insights and push the boundaries within this research domain. The presentation within this session were on a variety of earth system observations models, simulations of sea ice wave interactions, innovative tool development for lab-based experiments and field-based work investigating sea ice dynamics and properties and the ecological impacts of algae and their biogeochemical significance. The session under the MARS theme; Oceans and marine ecosystems under global change was chaired by Principal investigator Tokoloho Rampai and it included an overview of Maris by Robyn Verrinder. The session was done in round table fashion and included posters and oral presentations. Tokoloho concluded the session with a closing statement
Oral presentations:
- Robyn Verrinder – Overview of MARIS.
- Rutger Marquart – Numerical modelling of sea ice dynamics and thermodynamics in the Antarctic marginal ice zone. (abstract)
- Anand Nair – Three-Dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics Modelling of Pancake Ice on Waves. (abstract)
- Safiyyah Moos – Investigating the dynamics and exchanges across the ice-ocean interface in artificial sea ice. (abstract)
- Hayley Swait – Investigating Brine and Air Porosity in Sea Ice from the Eastern Antarctic Marginal Ice Zone. (abstract)
Poster Presentations were displayed in the venue during the symposium and presenters gave a quick introduction to their posters during the round-table session.
- Wayne De Jager – Sub-daily Antarctic sea-ice variability estimates using swath-based retrieval methods. (abstract)
- Dylan White – Discussion on the Premise of, and Challenges in, the Development of a Ship-Based Radar System for the in-situ Measurement of Sea Ice Thickness. (abstract)
- Magata Mangatane – Antarctic sea-ice thickness reconstruction. (abstract)
- Marcello Vichi – Wind- and wave-driven free-drift dynamics in Antarctic Sea ice.(abstract)
- Tokoloho Rampai – Sea ice growth dynamics and their influence on the physical, structural and mechanical properties-A discussion on innovation in in situ testing. (abstract)
- James van Niekerk – Investigation of the Interactions Between Sea Ice Algae from the Marginal Ice Zone of Antarctica and Artificial Sea Ice. (abstract)
- Riesna Audh – Winter biogeochemical activity is enhanced by rafting in growing Antarctic Sea ice. (abstract)
After the session the group took pictures (Credit: Leila Nefdt)
by Ria Olivier | Feb 16, 2024 | Data Management, Marion Island, Prince Edward Island, Research, SA Agulhas II, Science, Uncategorised
During the 6th Symposium sessions were allocated to cross cutting disciplines and it led to great presentations and discussions. 12- 16 February is International Love Data Week with the theme “My Kind of Data” and this is about the data presentations at the SANAP Symposium “the SANAP community kind of data.”
Data Management
Anne Treasure(right) South Africa’s representative at Standing Committee on Data Management(SCADM) at SCAR and Data Products and Society Manager of the South African Polar Institute(SAPRI) chaired the main session on data management. This session included very interesting presentations from various science disciplines.
Above(l-r): Leigh McGaughey, JP Barnard, Bjorn Boyes
- First Presentation was by Leigh McGaughey on “Ecosystem modelling to explore ecosystem dynamics at the Prince Edward Islands.” (abstract)
- Data management with JP Barnard delivering a presentation on “Management of Recorded Voyage Data for the SA Agulhas II.” and discuss intricate models to ensure vessel data is manage correctly. (Abstract)
- Bjorn Boyes had everyone listening to his talk ” on how to digitally construct sub-Antarctic Marion Island. (Abstract)
On the 30th November more data presentations was given in an ad hoc session chaired by Christel Hansen. Above(l-r): David Hedding, Christel Hansen, Pierre Cilliers
- David Hedding: A geospatial database for the sub-Antarctic Prince Edward Islands (Abstract) Read more here and see the dataset
- Christel Hansen delivered a presentation on “Consistent mapping and geospatial information representation in the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic: why South Africans should care.” (Abstract)
- During the last research theme session chaired by Stefan Lotz of SANSA, Pierre Cilliers delivered a presentation on ” The long-term variation of the geomagnetic field in Antarctica as measured in Hermanus, Maitri and at SANAE-IV since 2007.” (Abstract)
by Ria Olivier | Feb 12, 2024 | Antarctica, Research, SANAP, SAPolarRI, Uncategorised
During the 6th Symposium sessions were allocated to cross cutting disciplines and it led to great presentations and discussions.
Science Engagement and Awareness within SANAP
Anché Louw of the South African Polar Institute and co-investigator of the Antarctic Legacy if South Africa chair the session and begin the session with a presentation on the Antarctic Legacy Internet footprint.
She told her story when she started within the SANAP program as an honors student in Botany. she highlight the importance that as researchers we need to communicate our work and create awareness for the science that we participate in.
Sarah Fawcett asked Anché to highlight the possibilities of Wiley publishing and due to an agreement researchers can publish in a huge variety of journals at no cost, and those papers will be fully open access. Similar agreements have recently been negotiated with Springer and Elsevier, so there’s really no reason any of us should be paying for publication. A Leaflet was include in the welcoming package of all participants. Dr. Pete Convey also mentioned the possibilities and opportunities within SCAR where researchers can publish.
The session included an e-poster by Ria Olivier of the LSA digital museum. The museum can be downloaded from the ALSA archive
Dr Mia Wege chaired the session on Marine Mammals during the 6th SANAP Symposium that resorts within the Marine and Antarctic Research Strategy – ecosystems, biodiversity and biodiscovery. The session includes talks on various marine and the presentations were arranged according roughly to species and area. This Included elephant seals, fur seal, Ross seal, whales in ice, whales along the Southern African coast The session was presented in panel, discussion format, that allowed for questions form the audience. (Photo Credit: ALSA Archive)
Two of the Principal investigators of the project were able to attend the symposium. ( Nico de Bruyn(left) – University of Pretoria and Jaco Versfeld (Right) Stellenbosch University)
Michelle Greve chaired another session on Ecosystems “Major threats to terrestrial sub-Antarctic ecosystems – climate change and invasions” , including how climate and species interactions are driving leaf endophyte communities, how warming directly, and indirectly (through heightened microbial decomposition and nutrient release) affects plant performance) affect plant growth, and how vegetation communities on Marion Island have changed since the 1960s on a warmer, drier and more invaded Marion Island. The session ended with a summary of the knowledge garnered from the National Status Report on Invasions, which includes a chapter on the Prince Edward Islands, and summarised all we know about invasions to the offshore territory. 
Michelle(right) gave an introduction and then was followed by oral presentations. (Above, l-r: Joshua Tsamba, Michelle Greve, Laura Fernadez-Winzer, Stephni van der Merwe, Nita Pallett) (Photo Credit: Michelle Greve)
Another student Janine Schoombie of Peter le Roux of University of Pretoria presented in the ad hoc session chaired by Christel Hansen. They only arrived on 30 November after the Prince Edward Island scientific voyage. “Studies of wind, plants and seabirds on Marion Island”. (
Prof Bettine Jansen van Vuuren (left) chaired the session of Ecosystems, Biodiversity and Biodiscovery with the first plenary talk of the symposium by Peter Convey(right) of the British Antarctic Survey ” Terrestrial biological invasions and their potential impacts in the maritime Antarctic”. (
Bettine gave an overview of research that included research done by Daniela and Shilpha as they could not attend as they were on Marion Island. Foregrounding geodiversity in landscape ecology studies: insights from the sub-Antarctic – Daniela Monsanto (
Daniela Monsanto, Shilpa Parbhu, Sandra Durand, Arsalan Emami-Khoyi, Peter Teske, David Hedding
Morgan Raath-Kruger(left) and student of Peter le Roux at University of Pretoria gave an oral presentation and an introduction to her poster.
Another abstract submitted but Carol Jacobs(right) could not present is on the biosecurity within the South African National Antarctic Programme. (Abstract)
MARIS started the first session on Southern Ocean research within SANAP with focus on SEA ICE. Above: Rutger Marquart, Magata Mangatane, Dylan White, Anand Nair, Wayne de Jager, Leila Nefdt, Safiyyah Moos, Tokoloho Rampai, Marcello Vichi, Robyn Verrinder, Hayley Swait, Riesna Audh, James van Niekerk. (Photo Credit: MARIS)
Oral presentations:
Poster Presentations were displayed in the venue during the symposium and presenters gave a quick introduction to their posters during the round-table session.
During the 6th Symposium sessions were allocated to cross cutting disciplines and it led to great presentations and discussions. 12- 16 February is 
Anne Treasure(right) South Africa’s representative at Standing Committee on Data Management(SCADM) at SCAR and Data Products and Society Manager of the South African Polar Institute(SAPRI) chaired the main session on data management. This session included very interesting presentations from various science disciplines.
Christel Hansen
During the 6th Symposium sessions were allocated to cross cutting disciplines and it led to great presentations and discussions. 
She told her story when she started within the SANAP program as an honors student in Botany. she highlight the importance that as researchers we need to communicate our work and create awareness for the science that we participate in.
Sarah Fawcett asked Anché to highlight the possibilities of 
