07 November 2024
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Story Precious Shamase
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Photo Supplied
The 'RangeX' project site on top of the Maloti-Drakensberg, at Witsieshoek, on which the Norway-South African projects 'NatuRA' and 'INTEREST' will build on and add to for social-ecological understanding of alpine systems.
The Afromontane Research Unit (ARU) at the University of the Free State (UFS) has achieved another milestone by securing two Norwegian-South African grants. The latest funding, awarded through a combined Norway-South African bilateral programme (NatuRA) and through Norway's NORPART programme (INTEREST), will support capacity development and knowledge exchange in the field of mountain research in both South Africa and Norway.
NatuRA: A foundation for sustainable resource use
The NatuRA programme, titled ‘Sustainable use of natural resources in alpine and mountain grassland ecosystems under global change’, focuses on bringing together complex ecological data and traditional knowledge in alpine areas in South Africa (Qwaqwa Maloti) and Norway (Fjordlands) within communally managed mountain rangelands. NatuRA was proposed by the University of Bergen, and was co-developed with the ARU (UFS), the University of Pretoria, and the University of Venda, in partnership with local rangeland custodians (including the Royal Houses in Qwaqwa, and Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge).
Addressing critical challenges
By addressing the impact of various global change drivers on mountain grassland ecosystems, NatuRA is directly relevant to the ‘areas under pressure’ theme of the NORPART call. The project's unique feature is its focus on all five main global change drivers, emphasising challenges related to climate and the environment.
Strengthening research excellence and capacity development
The new grant, titled ‘INTEREST: Integrating Ecological Research and Education to fill societal knowledge needs on the nature crisis’, aligns closely with NatuRA.
INTEREST will contribute to increasing research excellence and capacity development between Norway and South Africa. By developing novel trans- and interdisciplinary research approaches – including young researchers – and working jointly on planning, execution, analysis, and dissemination of data and results, the project will strengthen both individual competence and institutional capacity.
Building on previous success
These new grants build on the success of the ARU's EU Biodiversa ‘RangeX project, which has been implemented over the past four years as part of a global consortium, and which is locally a novel experiment in the alpine grasslands of the Maloti-Drakensberg. NatuRA will build on this complex open-top chamber experiment in the ARU’s alpine lease area at Witsieshoek, enabling a three-year extension of the infrastructure, combined with new experiments. This all contributes to the intellectual standing of the Mont-aux-Sources Long-term Social-Ecological Research Site, of which the ARU alpine lease area forms a part.
Prof Vasu Reddy, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Internationalisation, commented: “This second wave of grants confirms the ARU’s local and international standing. It is a great achievement ahead of other successes, including the looming second Southern African Mountain Conference scheduled from 17 to 20 March 2025. NatuRA is a bilateral project, with NOK4 000 000 (= R6 464 440, valued on the date of the exchange rate). The UFS – via the ARU – is the lead South African partner. I am exceptionally proud of our leadership in the ARU, and even more so, our leadership in mountainscape research.”
FYI:
- NatuRA is a bilateral project, with NOK4 000 000 (4 million = R6 464 440) to NO and R3 000 000 (3 m) to ZA (all three ZA partners combined) – total R9 464 440
- INTEREST is NOK5 000 000 (5 m) = R8 080 550
- Combined value from both = R17 544 990
ARU's position as a leading research unit
The ARU's involvement in these projects – and as local lead for NatuRA – further solidifies its position as a leading African research unit in mountain research and international collaboration. This achievement also emphasises the university's commitment to addressing global environmental challenges and contributing to sustainable development.
The ARU's success in securing these grants reflect the university's strong partnerships with international institutions and its ability to attract funding for innovative research projects. As the ARU continues to make significant strides in the field of mountain research, it is poised to play a pivotal role in addressing the pressing environmental challenges facing both South Africa and the world.