6th SANAP Symposium Reflections: Earth System Observations

6th SANAP Symposium Reflections: Earth System Observations

Prof Werner Nel chaired the session on earth system Observations under the title: “Antarctic and sub-Antarctic Earth Science”. The session opened with a talk by Geoff Grantham of University of Johannesburg and Werner then introduced research Landscape and climate interactions in the sub-Antarctic.  The session was in the format of a panel  and roundtable discussion. (Above group photo of Landscape research in mountain and polar environments)

In this session  four higher education Institutions were represented.

Above l-r: Geoff Grantham (UJ), Liezel Rudolph (UFS), Abu Nguna (UFH), Sibusiso Sinuka (UFH), Zenande Kabase(UFH) 

  • Dr Geoff Grantham:  Geological and Geophysical Research in Western Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica. Fieldwork, Laboratory Methods, History and Progress over ~40 years. (Abstract)
  • Prof Werner Nel:  Landscape and climate interactions in the sub-Antarctic: Past, present and future. (Abstract)    
  • Dr Elizabeth Rudolph:  The deglaciation of sub-Antarctic Marion Island. (Abstract)
  • Mr Sibusiso Sinuka:  Towards determining the formation ages of the lithologies on sub-Antarctic Marion Island. (Abstract)
  • Mr Abuyiselwe Nguna: Preliminary results of fallout 137Caesium techniques on Aeolian land features on sub-Antarctic Marion Island . (Abstract)   
  • Mr Zenande Kabase:  Long term trends in extreme daily temperature and precipitation on sub-Antarctic Marion Island from 1950 to 2020. (e-Poster)(Abtract)

Other presentations of this project were given in the data management and humanities sessions as well as David Hedding in the summer survey as he only joined on 30 November due to the Prince Edward Island Scientific Expedition. (l-R: David Hedding (UNISA), Marike Stander (UFS), Bjorn Boyes (UFS)

 

6th SANAP Symposium Reflections : Marine Mammals

6th SANAP Symposium Reflections : Marine Mammals

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)

6 SANAP Symposium Reflections Ecosystems part 2

6 SANAP Symposium Reflections Ecosystems part 2

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)

6th SANAP Symposium Reflections – Infrastructure sessions

6th SANAP Symposium Reflections – Infrastructure sessions

On the 2nd day of the symposium there were two sessions on infrastructures in SANAP. It was the first time at a SANAP symposium that this was held. First session the South African Polar Research Infrastructure (SAPRI) was presented to the SANAP community.

SAPRI was represented by Anne Treasure, Tammy Morris, Anche Louw, Rabia Mathakutha, Errol Julies, Abuyiselwe Nguna and Riesna Audh. During the SAPRI session, information was provided about what SAPRI is, what has been achieved and what is to come from the four SAPRI Integrated Facilities (Data, Products and Society (DPS), Long-Term Observations on Land (LTO-Land), Long-Term Observations in the Ocean (LTO-Ocean) and the Polar Lab, the SAPRI Data Centre, Societal Platforms and details on the Society activities.

Above: (L-R) back: Abuyiselwe Nguna (LTO-Land Research Coordinator), Errol Julies (Senior Electronics Technician), Tammy Morris (Ocean & Polar Coordinator for SAEON/SAPRI), Anche Louw (Society Manager), Rabia Mathakutha (DPS Research Coordinator); (front) Marcello Vichi (Polar Lab User Fora Chair), Anne Treasure (DPS Coordinating Manager) and Riesna Audh (Polar Lab Research Coordinator). Photo Credit: Anché Louw

To highlight:

The SAPRI Data Centre: The SAPRI Data Centre was introduced to the SANAP community as a unified repository with a dedicated Data Management Plan and a trustworthy data repository for marine and polar data. The SANAP community is encouraged to make use of this new infrastructure.  If you would like to take part in the user needs assessment of the SAPRI data and information systems, please click here.

Societal Platforms: Do you want to be a mentor or a mentee? As Rabia demonstrated during the presentation, it all starts with that one person (in some cases more than one) who pulled you out of your comfort zone and took you on board, ensuring you reach new levels within your studies or your early career.   

SAPRI is currently doing a user needs assessment for the SAPRI Mentorship Programme for postgraduate students and Early Career Researchers (ECRs), in collaboration with the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists South Africa (APECS SA) and the South African Network for Coastal and Oceanic Research (SANCOR). SANAP postgraduate students and ECRs are encouraged to take part in this needs assessment. Click here.

Society: Please contact Anche Louw, if you would like to be part of the SAPRI Science Engagement efforts, especially, if your project is infrastructurally supported (or you would like it to be supported) by SAPRI.

Polar Lab: On the 4th day of the Symposium Marcello Vichi gave an overview of the Polar Lab its design and activities that will take place at this laboratory

SCALEThe infrastructure sessions was concluded with a session on SCALE chaired by Sandy Thomalla with the question where to next and when. Info on SCALE2022 here

  • Read more about SAPRI in the leaflet supplied in 6th SANAP Symposium Delegates bag.
  • SAPRI proposal executive summary available here.

Text for SAPRI session supplied by Anché Louw. Photo credit of presenters: Anché Louw

6 SANAP Symposium Reflections: Cross-Cutting themes 1

6 SANAP Symposium Reflections: Cross-Cutting themes 1

During the 6th Symposium sessions were allocated to cross cutting disciplines and it led to great presentations and discussions. After the governance session on the 2nd day of the symposium a few cross-cutting themes took place. This post focus on:

CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT within SANAP

Prof Isabelle Ansorge of UCT and PI of SEAmester chaired the session on capacity development and she introduce the session with the presentations: “SEAmester 6 Voyages later.”

She outlined the strength of SEAmester is that it combines theoretical classroom learning with the application of this knowledge through ship-based, and more importantly, hands-on research through the Agulhas System Climate Array (ASCA) programme. During past voyages 241 students from 26 universities all over South Africa having participated in these cruises. The presentation showed how successful this programme has been, but also the challenges that have been faced. A few were showcased of what has become of some of the SEAmester students. Isabelle’s presentation was followed by two SEAmester students. Themba Mbalati(above left) a SEAmester student gave a presentation on:” The perceptions of participants on the impact of South Africa’s Class Afloat Program (SEAmester) and its links with travel and tourism.”

Rudzani Silima, the top student for SEAmester in 2019 gave a presentation on the Antarctic Youth Coalition. Rudzi become part of this coalition when she has been nominated the top student. She outlined the aim and mission of the AYC and the importance of attracting new members and challenge the Gateway cities into practicing sustainability, using the model of Antarctic governance for instance, cooperation, diplomacy, science and best of all collaboration between countries to meet a sustainable end.

Sandy Thomalla of SOCCO concluded the session with the presentation:” The SOCCO Trajectory – A brief synopsis of our origin, emergence and strategic direction”.  The presentation gave the impact of SOCCO that continues to make a growing contribution to our understanding of the role that fine-scale dynamics play in shaping the phasing and magnitudes of the seasonal cycle and its inter-annual variability. Phase IV will bring the Ocean Climate science to the south African society.

Please see more posts on Cross-Cutting themes such as infrastructures and data management on the SANAP website!

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