World-class environmental research platforms for a sustainable society
South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) is a long-term environmental observation and research facility of the National Research Foundation (NRF). SAEON’s three focus areas are environmental observation, data management and education outreach. The Department of Science and Innovation provides core funding for these activities.
SAEON has a distributed network of seven nodes, three research infrastructures and a national office. The research network covers the major terrestrial and marine ecosystems in South Africa and supports well over 100 researchers and students a year.
Title: Durban Eddies: Coastal Drivers in the Shadow of the Agulhas Current
Presenter: Dr. Gustav Rautenbach (NRF-SAEON Egagasini Node)
The KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Bight is a sheltered embayment on South Africa’s east coast, bordered by Richards Bay in the north and Durban in the south, where valuable Marine Protected Areas (MPA) have been designated. As the Agulhas Current reaches Richards Bay, it becomes unstable, forming frontal eddies along its shoreward edge. These eddies, known locally as Natal Pulses and Durban Eddies, play a key role in regional ocean dynamics. While Natal Pulses have been well studied due to their large size and long lifespans, Durban Eddies have received less attention—largely due to limitations such as cloud cover and coarse spatial resolution associated with satellite observations and in-situ measurements. To address this, we use a high-resolution (1 km) ocean model to investigate the generation, structure, and evolution of these eddies. Our simulation reveals that Durban Eddies are semi-permanent features that occur frequently in the KZN Bight. We identify two distinct types: stationary eddies that remain trapped within the bight, and propagating eddies that detach and move downstream. The latter are larger, more intense, and more frequent than their stationary counterparts. A case study of a propagating eddy shows that it originates from the inshore frictional boundary layer of the Agulhas Current. After detaching from the KZN Bight, the eddy interacts with both the coastline and the Agulhas Current, causing it to break apart and eventually dissipate. The eddy is surface-intensified, with strong cyclonic circulation and uplifted isopycnals at its core. The domed isopycnals, combined with a high Richardson number, bring cold, nutrient-rich water to the surface, where it mixes with coastal waters and supports primary production. Given their frequent occurrence and physical influence, Durban Eddies likely play an important role in shaping the coastal environment, particularly by driving nutrient supply and enhancing biological productivity along the east coast where valuable MPA’s have been designated.
GIS for Educators and Learners: free online learning programme aligned to the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statements.
Presenters: Kogie Govender, Caitlin Ransom, Keneilwe Hlahane, and Rion Lerm
SAEON encompasses seven Research Nodes throughout South Africa and a National Office that is located in the country’s political capital of Pretoria.
SAEON manages three research infrastructures developed by the Department of Science and Innovation as part of the South African Research Infrastructure Roadmap (SARIR).
EFTEON aims to provide and operate a network of instrumented landscape-level platforms for the South African environmental research community, focused on socially relevant terrestrial landscapes and their coupled hydrological systems.
The SMCRI provides an array of instruments and physical research platforms around the coast of South Africa and its sub-antarctic islands to collect long-term reliable data for scientific research to help decision makers formulate appropriate environmental policies to lessen the risk and vulnerability of the coastal zone to climate and global change.
The SAPRI is designed as a consortium hosted at the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON). The ultimate objective of SAPRI is to enable balanced research growth across the polar disciplines, and to maintain and further expand the world-class long-term observational datasets already established.
SAEON facilitates and conducts research through platforms and these have grown into a diverse array of sites, instruments, infrastructure, datasets, models and staff, widely distributed across both marine and terrestrial environments.
Riesna R. Audh, an early career researcher from NRF-SAEON/SAPRI, was awarded the prestigious IAPSO Eugene La Fond Medal at the 2025 BACO Joint Assembly in South Korea. Her PhD research revealed unexpected biogeochemical activity in Antarctic winter sea ice—challenging long-held assumptions and showcasing South Africa’s leading role in polar science.
How can we better use data to reduce disaster risks in an increasingly uncertain world?
This article shares insights from the recent G20 virtual stakeholder workshop hosted by Department of Science, Technology and Innovation South Africa, which brought together global experts to support open innovation for disaster risk reduction (DRR). From real-time data systems to early warning tools, participants shared best practices to tackle challenges like informal urbanisation and flood risk.
🚀 NRF-SAEON was proud to exhibit at the DSTI Budget Vote Outreach and the launch of the NRF-SAAO Visitor Centre and Remote Operations Centre on 9 July 2025!
From virtual reality trips to Antarctica, interactive LEGO ocean vessels, and live data demos — our nodes brought science to life for learners, educators, and national leaders. With a visit from Minister Blade Nzimande and strong interest from youth, the event highlighted the power of science engagement to inspire future careers.
