SKUKUZA, South Africa’s Kruger National Park (KNP) is hosting scientists and researchers from around the world who have gathered for the 15th Annual Savanna Science Network Meeting at the Skukuza’s Nombolo Mdluli Conference Centre here this week.
The five-day meeting, which began last Sunday, is being attended by about 200 delegates representing 79 different scientific and conservation organizations from 14 countries worldwide, says South African National Parks (SANParks) Acting Head of Communications William Mabasa.
Describing the meeting as one of the most crucial events in the agency’s organizational calendar, he explains: This meeting has grown from one encouraging scientific dialogue around biological research in the KNP to one which is now encouraging a broader social-ecological savanna focus from across different continents.”
The programme includes 110 presentations and 28 poster presentations which provide an opportunity for scientists to share their latest research findings conducted in national parks and other conservation areas within the savanna biome.
This includes numerous research projects from conservation areas mostly within South Africa (with the KNP the best represented), but also drawing in relevant research and understanding from other savanna protected areas across the globe, including those in Australia, South America, the United States and Asia.
Many topical issues in ecological and social sciences will be covered during the four days of presentations, including:
* Issues related to conservation management for example restoration, monitoring animals and plants, river management, problem animal management, animal reintroductions, among others;
* Ecological issues for example fire, nutrients, soils, hydrology, climate, predation, herbivory, disease, among others; and
* Social issues for example poaching, tourism, beneficiation, ecosystem services, wildlife/livestock interface, among others, processes and a session dealing with the drought.
In order to provide a sound scientific platform from which to address the knowledge needs to manage biodiversity and protected areas in a changing world, SANParks scientists are engaging and collaborating with a wide range of national and international scientists, research partners and funders, Mabasa says.
A mix of basic and applied research, spanning the biophysical and social domains will strengthen research and monitoring efforts as well as capacity-building, he adds.
The close interactions between academics and park authorities facilitated by this meeting are key to promoting pro-active evidence-based decision-making, and directing research into priority conservation management needs. We have been hosting this meeting for 15 years now which is an honour for us because many researchers rate this meeting as the leading savanna meeting in the world, Mabasa says.
Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK