News

The Kruger National Park (KNP) will host multitude of scientists and researchers from around the world at the 18th annual Savanna Science Network Meeting taking place on 01 – 05 March 2020 at the Nombolo Mdhluli Conference Centre in Skukuza. The meeting will host about 193 delegates representing 88 different institutions from most continents. The programme will explore about 119 presentations covering a wide range of topics and research conducted in all Savanna National Parks and Protected Areas.

“The Science Network Meeting provides 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 Kruger National Park the best represented), but also drawing in relevant research and understanding from other savanna protected areas across the globe, including Australia, North America and Asia”, commented the GM: Communications & Marketing, Isaac Phaahla.

The conference is also an important forum for dialogue and debate about ecological science and conservation matters; and a pivotal point for future research collaborations. Many topical issues in ecological and social sciences will be covered during the week. This year, there is a range of sessions covering topics and these include:

• Ecological patterns e.g. animal space-use patterns, large scale biodiversity patterns) and understanding ecological processes (erosion, predation, plant recruitment, herbivory, fire, disease and decomposition)
• Better understanding of how humans interact with and affect their natural environment (ecosystem services, ecological effects of different land uses, conservation ideologies, wildlife/livestock interaction, anthropogenic threats to freshwater systems, climate change).
• The meeting also has some fascinating sessions where some of the newest technologies used in conservation science are showcased (drone-based LiDAR surveys).

SANParks scientists engage and collaborate with a wide range of scientists, research partners and funders from within South Africa and the world. The close interactions between the academics and park authorities that the meeting facilitates, is key to promoting pro-active evidence-based decision making and directing research into priority conservation management needs. The meeting has always valued capacity building, and as such students share the platform with world-renowned savannah scientists from across the globe.

For more information on the SANParks Scientific Services please visit https://www.sanparks.org/conservation/scientific_new/

Issued by:
South African National Parks (SANParks) – Kruger National Park: Communications & Marketing Department.
Media enquiries:
Ike Phaahla: GM: Communications and Marketing – KNP, Tel: 013 735 4363/012 426 5034;
Cell: 083 673 6974 and
Email: [email protected]