Conservation
Scientific Services
Latest News
Media Release: KNP to host Savanna Science Symposium
Date: 2010-03-05
The Kruger National Park (KNP) will once again host scientists and researchers from around the world at the 8th annual Savanna Science Network Meeting whichwill take place from 7-12 March 2010 in the Gold Fields Auditorium in Skukuza.
Scientific services includes the conservation biologists, and is responsible for:
- Identifying key research themes necessary for national parks to achieve their conservation objectives.
- Conducting research on key themes.
- Coordinating research projects conducted by external scientific institutions in national parks.
- Integrating best available biodiversity data into park management through interactions with external researchers and research institutions.
- Maintaining inventories of biodiversity in national parks, including species checklists for vertebrates and higher plants, and the mapping of landscapes, geology, soil and vegetation.
- Identifying and averting threats to biodiversity in national parks, including
- overabundance of certain wildlife populations,
- invasive alien plant and animal species,
- pollutants,
- human development,
- excessive resource exploitation,
- climate change or other factors.
- Ensuring that development within parks takes place in a manner that does not compromise biodiversity conservation.
- Conservation plans for rare and threatened species.
- Provide scientific inputs on the rehabilitation of degraded landscapes.
- Providing scientific inputs on biodiversity aspects of park management plans and activities.
- Identifying biodiversity conservation priorities for park expansion.
- Building capacity in conservation biology and related sciences, particularly in persons from historically disadvantaged population groups.
- Scientific Services is separated into three regional units as follows:
- Savanna Ecosystems Research Unit, situated in Skukuza, responsible for Kruger, Mapungubwe and Marakele National Parks.
- Arid Ecosystems Research Unit, situated in Kimberley and Port Elizabeth, responsible for Golden Gate, Addo Elephant, Mountain Zebra, Karoo, Augrabies, |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld and Namaqua National Parks.
- Cape Floristic Region and Marine Ecosystems Research Unit, situated at Rondevlei, responsible for Tsitsikamma, Knysna, Wilderness, Agulhas, Bontebok, Cape Peninsula, West Coast and Tankwa Karoo National Parks.
- Frequently Asked Questions