SKUKUZA – The Kruger National Park (KNP) will once again host multitude of scientists and researchers from around the world at the 13th annual Savanna Science Network Meeting which is taking place from March 9-1 at the Nombolo Mdhluli Conference Centre.
The meeting will host about 200 delegates representing 70 different institutions from 12 countries.
With the theme “sense-making over diverse knowledge domains for sustained conservation”, the programme will explore about 107 presentations covering a wide range of topics and research conducted in all Savanna National Parks and Protected Areas.
“Whilst the Savanna Science Network Meeting provides a platform for dialogue and debate about ecological science and conservation matters between scientists; it is also one of the most crucial events in our organizational calendar.
It affords us an opportunity to measure the effect of our research programmes; whilst assessing the progress in line with the SANParks objectives for biodiversity conservation, commented the KNP’s GM: Communications & Marketing, Mr William Mabasa.
Mabasa further said that many topical issues will be covered during the week, including the effects of anthropogenic activities on savannas, the impact of herbivores on their environment and their own response to changing environments, changes in vegetation structure and patterns as well as regulated and illegal resource use.
According to Mabasa,SANParks scientists engage and collaborate with a wide range of scientists, research partners and funders from within South Africa and the world.
Mabasa adds that the networking and dialogue opportunities between academics and park authorities that the meeting facilitates, is a key to promoting insights, a pro-active evidence-based decision making and directing research into priority conservation management needs.
