University of South Africa - Cape Town Campus

The next frontier for African genomics - safeguarding African biodiversity

The African BioGenome Project aims to sequence the genomes of Africa's endemic plants, animals, fungi, and protists. This will build resilience in breeding, sustainable food systems, and biodiversity conservation, aligning with the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

SourceUniversity of South Africa - Cape Town Campus·JournalNature·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMar 15, 2022

Nature-based solutions in mountains can reduce climate change impact on drought

Research led by Dr. Petra Holden from the University of Cape Town found that catchment restoration through alien tree management can reduce climate change's impact on drought streamflow. The study shows that clearing moderate levels of invasion can result in a 3-16% amelioration of human-derived climate change impact.

SourceUniversity of South Africa - Cape Town Campus·JournalNature·DateMar 9, 2022

African Heritage Sites threatened by coastal flooding and erosion as sea-level rise accelerates

Climate change is threatening African cultural and natural heritage sites, with 56 of 284 sites identified as highly exposed to extreme sea levels and erosion. The number of affected sites is projected to triple by 2050 under high emissions scenarios, highlighting the need for urgent climate change adaptation measures.

SourceUniversity of South Africa - Cape Town Campus·JournalNature Climate Change·DateFeb 10, 2022