Global Change and Ecosystem Research in South Africa: A National Overview

1. Global Change and Ecosystem Research in South Africa: A National Overview Reneé Le Roux SA NCP: Global Change and Ecosystems

2. Outline • Rationale for SA’s interest in environmental research • Bigger picture: In perspective • Current environmental research expertise in SA • Success in previous FP projects • Benefits/limitations and challenges for SA participation

3. Committed to supporting Sustainable Development Mandated to implement a number of National Acts/Policies Signatory to a number of International Conventions • Capacity development /building • Scientific excellence Fundamental and Applied Rationale for South Africa’s interest in environmental research • The UN Convention on Biodiversity (CBD), • the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC), • the Convention to Combat Desertification (CCD) • the RAMSAR Convention on the Conservation of Wetlands, • the BONN Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, • MONTREAL protocol for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, • World Heritage Convention, • Antarctic Treaty, • Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, and the • Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) • National Environment Management: Air Quality Act (2004) • National Environment Management: Biodiversity Act (2004) • The Marine Living Resources Act (1998) • National Water Act (1998) • National Forest Act (1998) • Policy on Agriculture in sustainable development • DST’s R&D Strategy • Imperative pillars • Economic • Social • Environmental RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

4. In perspective Number of researchers in GCR SA- 104 Africa- 1380

5. AU • NEPAD • Action Plan for Environment Initiative • S&T framework- biodiversity, energy, water and desertification • SEACHANGE • Biosystematics Programme (SABI) • SAEON- SAEOSS • South African River Health Programme • Desert Margin’s Programme • SANAP, etc • Earth Science System Partnership (ICSU) • International Long-Term Ecological Research • GEOSS • Bilateral/Multilateral S&T Agreements including the EU’s FPs • BENEFIT, BCLME + ASLME • ACEP, SWIOFP, WIOMSA • BIOTA- southern Africa • ELTOSA • etc

6. Current SA expertise “What we have to offer” • Climate change, pollution, and risks- Pressures on environment and climate • Pollution and waste –CSIR Group • Atmospheric pollution chemistry for a strong focus on the deposition of biogeochemically import trace species and hazardous air pollutants – Prof Pienaar, North-West University • Anthropogenic and natural contributions to the tropospheric ozone budget over Africa- Prof Diab, University of KwaZulu Natal • Sustainability studies of atmospheric, land and urban systems using remote sensing, GIS and energy analyses- Prof Annegarn, Rand Afrikaans University • A web-based, digital South African Atlas of Agrohydrology and Climatology with meta data links for use by practitioners and researchers engaged in ecological, climatological, climate change, sustainable agricultural and water resources- Prof Schulze, University of KwaZulu Natal

7. Current SA expertise “What we have to offer” Climate change, pollution, and risks- Pressures on environment and climate cont… • Ocean-Atmospheric-chemistry interactions – Prof Piketh, Climatology Research Group, University of the Witwatersrand • Physical Oceanography and climate variability-Dr Ansorge, Prof Reason and Prof Shillington, Oceanography Department, University of Cape Town • Hydrology, climate and global change processes and Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies- Dr Tadross, Prof Hewitson, Climate Systems Analysis Group (CSAG), University of Cape Town • Land use/Land cover change and resilience and sustainability under conditions of global environmental change in fragile environments- Prof Coleen Vogel, Dr Emma Archer, University of Witwatersrand, Dept of Geography

8. Current SA expertise “What we have to offer” Climate change, pollution, and risks- Pressures on environment and climate cont… • Nowcasting System: Towards an Integrated Mitigation Strategy – Prof Pegram, UKZN + SAWS+ DWAF • Climate change and biodiversity/ecosystem functioning: Dr Guy Midgley and Dr Phoebe Barnard, SANBI • Ecosystems group: Prof Bob Scholes, CSIR • Ecosystem dynamics and ecosystem change in the context of climate change – Prof Bond, Dr February, University of Cape Town

9. Current SA expertise “What we have to offer” Climate change, pollution, and risks- Environment and health • Atmospheric pollution: • Environmental pollutants in Durban: implications for the health of the vulnerable, Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, Prof Gqaleni, UKZN • Water pollution: • CSIR: Water resourcesgroup • An investigation into levels of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) - DDT in selected rivers in Limpopo Province, and their associated health risks to ruralcommunities who are users of the water, Prof Fatoki, University of Venda • DDT and male reproductive health in the Limpopo Province, South Africa, Prof De Jager, University of Pretoria • Development of an assessment test array to link bacterial water quality to diarrhoeal disease in exposed human populations, Prof Jagals, Central University of Technology

10. Current SA expertise “What we have to offer” Climate change, pollution, and risks- Environment and health cont… • Social and economic aspects • Pesticides and Health: What are the social and economic burdens to human health and the environment in relation to their benefits?Prof London and Dr Dalvie: School of Public Health and Family Medicine, UCT • Medical Research Council- undertakes health studies and commissions studies

11. Current SA expertise “What we have to offer” Climate change, pollution, and risks- Natural hazards • Nowcasting System: Towards an Integrated Mitigation Strategy’ – Prof Pegram (UKZN) + South African Weather Service+ Department of Water Affairs and Forestry • Flood prediction modelling in SA, Prof Stephenson, UKZN

12. Current SA expertise “What we have to offer” Sustainable Management of Resources- – Conservation and sustainable management of natural and man-made resources • South African Biosystematics Initiative: South African Tree of Life • Society, Ecosystems and Change (SEAChange): marine environment • Ecosystems & Change • Ecosystems & People • Ecosystem Functioning • Ecology- human interface • Arid Zone Ecology Forum • Fynbos Forum • Grassland Society • Thicket Range Forum • Dynamics and Management of freshwater resources- biological organisms as indicators of ecosystem health (supported by NRF and WRC)

13. Current SA expertise “What we have to offer” Innovative approaches to develop economic activities from ecosystem services • Tree biotechnology- FABI, University of Pretoria • Community utilisation of resources: Institute of Natural Resources + Rhodes University + CBOs • Resource-based sustainable development –CSIR • Marine Aquaculture- Rhodes University • IKS + utilisation of plant resources- various institutions

14. Current SA expertise “What we have to offer” Sustainable management of forests • Forestry Unit- CSIR • Sustainable management of natural and plantation forests: Prof Scholes, University of Witwatersrand • The ecology, conservation and management of the indigenous forest biome in South Africa- UKZN • Department of Water Affairs and Forestry Programmes (including IKS)

15. Current SA expertise “What we have to offer” Sustainable management of the urban environment • Urban and settlement ecology: Natural and social processes in sustainable urban environments - an integrated approach, Prof Cilliers, North-West University • Urbanisation processes: Prof Parnell, University of Cape Town • Cities research: consortium led by University of Cape Town

16. Current SA expertise “What we have to offer” Evolution of marine environments • Marine and Coastal Management Research Branch- all major aspects • CSIR e.g. marine pollution • South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity: ichthyology • Oceanographic Research Institute-fisheries management • Nelson Metropolitan University- estuarine research • University of Cape Town- Marine Biology: plants and animals, Physical oceanography • KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife: Marine Conservation Planning

17. Current SA expertise “What we have to offer” Evolution of marine environments cont… • Others: Marine Biology • University of Western Cape: biogeography and systematics of marine invertebrates • University of KwaZulu-Natal- phytoplankton + cetacean biology • Natal Shark’s Board- sharks + tourism • Environmental Evaluation Unit, University of Cape Town, Coastal Fisheries and co-management, Fisheries compliance (social + economic dimensions) • The Programme for Land and Agrarian Studies (PLAAS)-Fisheries management: knowledge base and institutional arrangements, Community-based natural resource management

18. Current SA expertise “What we have to offer” Environmental Technologies • Community water supply and sanitation - Cape Peninsula University of Technology • Catchment management information systems - Central University of Technology • Water and wastewater technology- Durban Institute of Technology • Water and health e.g. Water-related Health Impact Assessment Toolikit- University of Johannesburg • Sustainable processes for clean and waste water treatment for low income communities or informal settlements- Prof Harrison, University of Cape Town • CSIR- strong focus on technology development

19. Current SA expertise “What we have to offer” Earth observation • South African Environmental Observation Network – Johan Pauw (NRF), Bob Scholes (CSIR), Albert van Jaarsveld (US), Annegarn (UJ) • In situ and ex situ observations- supports SAEOSS • Inland node: Kruger Park area (gradient along a “near natural” to transformed environment • Marine and Coastal node • Fynbos node • Arid zone node • South African Biodiversity Information Facility (SABIF)- the SA node of GBIF

20. Current SA expertise “What we have to offer” Assessment tools for sustainable development • Policy studies: • Environmental Evaluation Unit • PLAAS • Research on sustainable development (including indicators) • The impact of wealth inequality and social heterogeneity on the use and management of natural resources: An experimental approach, Visser, University of Cape Town • Refining the concept of sustainable development within the context of a developing country such as South Africa, Hattingh, University of Stellenbosch • Towards an equitable balance between environmental protection and economic development in International Law, Prof Tladi, UNISA

21. GCR: FP6 projects

22. GCR: FP6 projects

23. GCR: FP6 Projects

24. Benefits/limitations/challenges for participation • Finding the right partners • Research interests (scope, context) • Research value • Cultural attributes • Communication (geographic proximity) • Knowledge transfer and ownership • Funding benefits/costs (e.g. co-funding • Awareness raising and information sharing

25. Further information: contact SA NCP: Reneé Le Roux renee@nrf.ac.za Tel: +27 12 481 4056