Researchers affiliated with the Centre for Environmental Management (CEM) at the University of the Free State (UFS) formed part of the international BioSCape team that received a prestigious NASA Group Achievement Award for contributions to biodiversity and ecosystem research.

The award recognises individuals who participated in and contributed to the Biodiversity Survey of the Cape (BioSCape) project – NASA’s first biodiversity-focused airborne and field campaign conducted in South Africa’s Greater Cape Floristic Region. The initiative brought together more than 150 scientists from more than 40 institutions worldwide to advance understanding of ecosystem structure, function, and composition through advanced airborne remote sensing and field-based research.

Among the recognised contributors were Petri Oberholster, PhD student, Dr Piet-Louis Grundling, and Dr Anthea Grundling, both fellows in the UFS Centre for Environmental Management.

According to NASA, the project captured ecosystem data using four NASA instruments mounted on two aircraft, contributing to global biodiversity monitoring efforts and supporting future satellite missions.

For Prof Vasu Reddy, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies, this accolade drives a game-changer at an international level: “This recognition by NASA affirms the University of the Free State’s commitment to advancing responsible societal futures through evidence-based research that addresses biodiversity loss, climate resilience, and ecological sustainability on a global scale. The BioSCape collaboration reflects the power of transdisciplinary and international partnerships in shaping data-driven solutions for sustainable ecosystems and inclusive environmental stewardship.”

Research supports blue carbon and climate studies

Oberholster participated in field sampling activities in the Garden Route National Park, where he assisted in collecting estuarine sediment cores across intertidal zones with peatland components.

“The main focus was to collect core samples for analysis, which was crucial for the blue carbon estimates,” he explained.

The research formed part of broader efforts to better understand estuarine biodiversity and the carbon cycle of the Greater Cape Floristic Region. The collected core data will contribute to improving South Africa’s blue carbon estimates and help scientists better understand the potential impacts of climate change on these ecosystems.

Dr Grundling contributed to the field component of the project and was consulted for his specialised knowledge of wetlands and peat ecosystems. According to Oberholster, Dr Grundling also served as team leader in the field during aspects of the campaign.

The project involved collaboration between international and South African researchers and institutions, including the University of Maryland, Baltimore County in the United States, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), and the Agricultural Research Council (ARC).

Oberholster said he felt honoured to be recognised as part of the BioSCape team.

“I feel greatly honoured and privileged to have received the NASA Group Achievement Award for my contribution towards the project,” he said.

The NASA Group Achievement Award is regarded as one of the agency’s highest honours for collaborative scientific achievement and recognises teams that have made exceptional contributions to NASA’s mission and scientific endeavours.