SAEON and UFS Launch Southern Africa’s Highest Weather Station in Drakensberg: A Game-Changer for Climate and Water Research
South Africans passionate about our natural wonders have fresh reason to celebrate as a groundbreaking weather station now sits atop the iconic Amphitheatre in the Mont-aux-Sources area of the Maluti-Drakensberg. Installed at a dizzying 3,100 metres above sea level, this automatic setup is the highest in Southern Africa and promises real-time data to help scientists track climate shifts, extreme weather, and water health in a spot bursting with unique plants and animals. The project, a team effort between the South African Environmental Observation Network and the University of the Free State’s Afromontane Research Unit, marks a big step in keeping an eye on our mountains’ changing world.
This new tool is part of a bigger push to understand how our environment is holding up, especially in high spots that feed major rivers and support life downstream. With live readings open to everyone from hikers to experts, it opens doors for better planning against droughts and floods. As climate worries grow, this station could help safeguard livelihoods in provinces like the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal. Here’s a closer look at the setup, its goals, and why it matters for our future.
A High-Altitude Marvel: Details of the New Station
Perched on the edge of the dramatic Amphitheatre, the weather station records basics like temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, incoming solar radiation, rainfall, and air pressure. These non-stop measurements are key for spotting patterns in climate change, wild weather, and water flow in real time. “These continuous measurements are essential for tracking climate change, extreme weather, and catchment health in real time,” said biogeochemist and manager of the Northern Drakensberg project, Dr Kathleen Smart.
The spot covers vital alpine and high-up ecosystems in the Drakensberg, making round-the-clock watching crucial for research and saving nature. It is one of just two such stations in South Africa’s alpine zone, filling a big gap since most weather tools sit in lower, busier areas. This high perch gives unique insights into mountain weather, where data has been scarce until now.
The setup is one of five along an 800-metre height climb, starting from the University of the Free State’s Qwaqwa Campus at 1,693 metres, up through Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge, to the top of the Maloti-Drakensberg edge. This spread lets experts compare weather at different levels, painting a fuller picture of how changes hit various spots.
Behind the Scenes: Years of Teamwork and Tech
This milestone stems from long-term ties between SAEON and the ARU, backed by SAEON’s Expanded Freshwater and Terrestrial Environmental Observation Network, Grasslands Node, and the ARU’s know-how. “It opens a window into the environmental processes that shape mountain ecosystems, which are vital for water security and biodiversity,” said ARU director Professor Ralph Clark.
The Mont-aux-Sources Long-Term Socio-Ecological Research Platform, Africa’s only cross-border mountain-focused research hub, now includes this station. It already tracks stream flow and wetland water levels in this open-air lab, which boasts the continent’s highest research stay-over spot. Chief instrument technician Abri de Buys and technician Jeremy Moonsamy handled the install, ensuring it runs smooth in tough conditions.
SAEON, set up in 2002 under the National Research Foundation, focuses on spotting environmental shifts. This fits their goal of building networks for long-haul watching, helping predict and handle changes like warmer temps or odd rains.
Why It Matters: Safeguarding Water and Wildlife
This area is a lifeline as a water source, kicking off big rivers like the Orange, Tugela, and Vaal that quench thirst for millions in the Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, and Lesotho. “It is, therefore, vital to monitor and understand the conditions and processes driving change in this region, including issues such as climate change, land use and land management impacts, and atmospheric pollution,” said Moonsamy.
Many locals rely on these mountains for clean water, farming, and nature-based jobs like tourism. At a country level, it backs key farming zones. The station’s data will help track how warmer weather or pollution hits these flows, aiding plans for droughts or floods that have wrecked havoc lately.
For biodiversity, the Drakensberg hosts rare plants and animals found nowhere else. Continuous info will spot threats early, guiding saves for these spots. Hikers, tour guides, and land keepers can tap the data for safe trips and smart choices.
Live readings are free on SAEON’s online platform, where you can grab datasets too. This open access lets researchers, managers, and everyday folks dive into the info, fostering wider understanding of our changing world.
Broader Push: Building Research Networks Across SA
This station is part of SAEON’s growing web of tools in the Northern Drakensberg, blending water and land watches. The MaS platform already keeps tabs on rivers and wetlands, now boosted by weather insights. Professor Johan van Tol, who leads the effort, noted its role in supporting lives downstream through better ecosystem know-how.
SAEON’s work stretches beyond, with stations in grasslands and coasts tracking shifts nationwide. This helps spot big trends, like how rising seas or hotter spells hit food and water safety. In a warming world, such data is gold for policymakers crafting plans to cut risks and build toughness.
The ARU, focused on mountain studies, brings expertise in high-altitude life, making this tie-up a perfect match. Together, they aim to fill info gaps in remote spots, where human footprints are light but changes hit hard.
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