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Secrets below the soil — Earth detectives search deep for clues to the future
How can we use the past to better navigate our future? What hidden indicators lie beneath the surface of lakes across the globe? And how can understanding these mysteries help society make smarter decisions about ecosystem conservation? Palaeoecologists — or as they sometimes like to call themselves, “earth detectives” — believe many of the answers are buried deep within ancient data, locked in the sediment beneath the Earth’s surface. As Ke Zhang, a professor at the Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, explains: “Globally, lakes are facing similar challenges. Understanding how lake ecosystems have changed over time — and the underlying causes — can help inform future management strategies.” Professor…
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Oceans’ call: Urgent need for deeper marine research
Marine science in Africa receives only “a drop in the ocean of national budgets”. But new interest in the “blue economy” holds promise, reckons expert. By Kemunto Ogutu Growing up near Lake Victoria, in Kenya, Dr Arthur Tuda had little to do with the huge freshwater body. The distant sea was even more out of mind. “The nearest ocean was over 900km from my childhood home, requiring a two-day bus ride to reach it,” he says. Which is why Tuda’s career has really been a case of marine science choosing him, rather than the other way around. University places were few for dentistry and health sciences, his preferred fields of…
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Beyond oblivion: Critical trade-offs necessary to balance biodiversity and community needs in South Africa
Conservationists can no longer neglect community needs in the pursuit of biodiversity, says SANParks executive conservation manager, Howard Hendricks. By Matthew Hattingh All South Africans will remember 2023 when loadshedding truly hit home, exceeding all previous years and plunging the country into the equivalent of 72.6 days of blackouts. And what about Cape Town’s Day Zero drought, which peaked in 2017/18 when Mother City taps came perilously close to running dry? These are a couple of examples of what are sometimes called tipping points – moments of crisis that force us to re-examine how we do things. There’s a growing view that parts of our natural world, including the rich…
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Indigenous knowledge systems: Preserving and profiting from what’s ours
Webinar calls for action to recognise indigenous knowledge as complementary to modern science By Charlene Wandera Indigenous knowledge is not a relic of the past; it is a living and breathing body. However, because it is handed down by word of mouth, it risks being lost. The know-how, practices and understanding that traditional communities have for their land, its plants and animals offers practical solutions to many of the problems we face today. From healthcare, to climate change and sustainable agriculture, indigenous knowledge systems have vast potential to improve our lot. Yet these systems remain poorly understood, its value insufficiently appreciated, and its wisdom neglected in mainstream education. These were…
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Voices of Future Conservation Leaders Make an Impact in the Greater Kruger.
A Khetha pilot initiative paves the way to promote conservation through art and creative writing projects If we can’t imagine a better world, how are we ever going to create it? Writing is an immensely powerful tool for sharing our experiences and shaping the world. So says Sboniso Phakahti, the lead adjudicator of a pilot writing competition that invited learners from the Greater Kruger area to share their personal connections with nature. They were given the option to write letters to Mother Earth or journalistically styled articles on why wildlife matters. The initiative, titled Voices of Future Conservation Leaders, is part of the Khetha 2024 Story Project, aimed at…
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Roots of change: Nourishing hope in the Greater Kruger
Deep in the Greater Kruger landscapes, a vibrant, youth led eco- village is uniting community and conservation efforts By Buntu Duku A few years ago, Katekani Martin Mathabele, a young man from the village of Sigagule, found himself in a tense standoff with a pack of African wild dogs. On a crisp winter afternoon, Mathabele and his soccer team took a shortcut near a broken fence line, only to encounter these impressive hunters. “Stay calm, stay together, move back slowly, and never run. You can’t outrun wild dogs,” Mathabele recalled. His quick thinking and calm demeanour helped his teammates navigate the encounter safely. Although their soccer match ended in defeat,…
