Category: Research Blog
Case Study

Lake Sibaya

Lake Sibaya is South Africa’s largest freshwater lake, known for its high levels of biodiversity and endemic species, making it a landscape of national and international importance. However, the lake has declined over the past 20 years due to a combination of below-average rainfall and forestry expansion, leading to conflict over water resources between humans, livestock, and economic activities such as commercial forestry licensing. The decline of the water has also affected the ecosystem services Lake Sibaya provides in the catchment. This case study highlights how past land use and land cover changes have affected the water resources in the catchment.

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Research Blog

Crime

There are many variables (i.e. society, economy, climate, culture etc.) which influence the occurrence, rates and types of crimes perpetuated in an area. This variables determine the vulnerability of communities to various crimes. This blog showcases some of the country’s crime statistics published by the South African Police Service (SAPS) for the financial year 2020/2021.

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Natural Environment

Terrestrial Protected Areas

Compiled utilising information from the 2018 National Biodiversity Assessment (NBA) by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), this blog speaks to the current status and protection level of South Africa’s terrestrial ecosystems.

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Natural Environment

Marine Protected Areas

Compiled utilising information from the 2018 National Biodiversity Assessment (NBA) by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), this blog speaks to the current status and protection level of South Africa’s marine ecosystems.

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Research Blog

Climate Change

The earth is projected to become generally warmer and drier as a result of global climate change. This blog is aimed at interrogating climate change for the Southern Hemisphere, coupled with the expected risks and vulnerabilities associated with changes in rainfall and temperature under different mitigation scenarios.

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Research Blog

Disasters

South Africa is at risk from a wide range of natural and technological hazards that can lead to disasters such as droughts, floods, major fires, tornadoes, major oil spills and even earthquakes.

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Research Blog

Affordable and Clean Energy

The South African energy supply is dominated by coal which constituted 69% of the primary energy supply in 2016, followed by crude oil with 14% and renewables with 11%.

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Research Blog

Air Quality

Since the industrial revolution, episodes of poor air quality and pollution have become common phenomena in many cities across the world.

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