By Vera De Cauwer, Associate Professor Natural Resource Management, Namibia University of Science and Technology. First published in The Conversation on October 19, 2023 The Kaokoveld region, covering north-western Namibia and south-western Angola, is one of the remotest areas in southern Africa. Although it’s extremely dry, it is a centre of species endemism: many species […]
Continue readingFebruary 2026
Maintaining natural resilience for a sustainable future
By Prof Leon Hugo, former head of the Department of Geography at Pretoria University. First published in Environatics.co.za Nature maintains a delicate balance between growth and decay. For instance, trees in a forest perpetually grow, yet the total biomass of the forest remains constant. This chapter will delve into the control mechanisms, that serve as […]
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Clearing alien trees can help reduce climate change impact on Cape Town’s water supply
By Petra Brigitte Holden – Researcher, University of Cape Town; Alanna Rebelo – Senior Researcher, Agricultural Research Council; Joyce Kimutai – Climate Scientist, University of Cape Town; Kamoru Abiodun Lawal – Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Atmospheric Science, University of Cape Town; Mark New – Director, African Climate and Development Initiative, University of Cape Town; Piotr […]
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Lost fynbos seeds from underground ‘time capsules’ in South Africa can grow again – new study
By Alanna Rebelo – Senior Researcher, Agricultural Research Council; Karen Joan Esler – Distinguished Professor of Conservation Ecology, Stellenbosch University; Patricia Holmes – Plant ecologist, Stellenbosch University; Tony Rebelo – Scientist, South African National Biodiversity Institute. First published in The Conversation on March 17, 2025 Underground seed banks in South Africa that date back over […]
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The quest for sustainability: understanding environmental degradation
by Prof Leon Hugo, former head of the Department of Geography at Pretoria University. First published in Environatics.co.za It’s a sobering reality that thousands, primarily children, succumb annually to dire environmental conditions and hunger in Africa. There looms a genuine threat of our planet’s production systems collapsing, potentially leaving us all without sufficient food. Since […]
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Making wine takes a lot of energy. How South Africa’s vintners can cut back
by Alan Brent – Professor of Engineering Management and Sustainable Systems, Stellenbosch University This article was published in The Conversation Wine production consumes large amounts of energy and generates a sizeable quantity of greenhouse gases. A looming carbon tax and greater consumer awareness about reduced energy use has led to a growing interest in the […]
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