LTO-LAND
LONG-TERM OBSERVATIONS ON LAND
INTEGRATED FACILITY (IF)
The LTO-Land Integrated Facility (IF) aims to ensure the continuity of the established long-term observation networks in three different regions:
The Prince Edward Island system, which includes Marion and Prince Edward Islands (owned by South Africa).
Gough Island (owned by the United Kingdom) where South Africa leases the land to undertake observations.
The Dronning Maud Land (DML) section of Antarctica where SANAE IV is located.
This is done by fulfilling the polar and sub-Antarctic terrestrial infrastructural needs for long-term monitoring by the land-based observation networks.
The IF will enhance the existing capacity, strengthen existing research themes, and allow for the development of new themes with a focus on local human capacity development and international collaboration.
HOST OF LTO-LAND
IMPACT OF LTO-LAND
LTO-Land aims to contribute to South Africa’s already recognised capacity in undertaking long-term observations of the polar environment. LTO-Land will enhance South Africa’s scientific research capabilities by providing a dedicated platform for monitoring and studying various aspects of the land environment in polar regions. This will include areas such as oceans and marine ecosystems under global change, earth system observations, ecosystems, biodiversity, and biodiscovery. By expanding the scope of research and data collection, LTO-Land would enable South Africa to contribute even more significantly to international research initiatives and collaborations.
The impact of LTO-Land would be the generation of valuable long-term datasets that can be used to better understand and address global challenges related to climate change, conservation, and sustainable development. These datasets would not only benefit the scientific community, but also support evidence-based decision-making and policy development at national and international levels.
For more information: refer to Section 2.2.1 LTO-Land in the SAPRI Proposal (2021).
LTO-LAND LOCATIONS
Large infrastructures on Marion Island, Gough Island and Antarctica are managed and administered by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE).
LTO-LAND RESEARCH AREAS
LTO-Land comprises a large variety of research areas with existing capacity.
Marine
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Marine predators (mammals and seabirds observed from land)
Terrestrial
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Geology
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Geophysics
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Geomorphology
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Permafrost and ice sheet dynamics
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Terrestrial ecology
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Microbiology and Genomics
Atmospheric & Space Observations
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Meteorology and atmospheric sciences
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Space physics
SAPRI LTO-Land will enable this research by integrating long-term observational networks to ensure sustainability and field equipment support for collecting the identified essential variables.
LTO-LAND INFRASTRUCTURE
Infrastructure includes:
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Field gear
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Maintenance of scientific equipment and field gear
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Monitoring equipment (e.g. Animal tags)
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Logistical support
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Inventory database (coming soon)
ESTABLISHED LTO-LAND NETWORKS
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NRF-SANAP Funded Research Projects
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Marion Island Marine Mammal Programme (MIMMP)
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Expanded Freshwater and Terrestrial Environmental Observation Network (EFTEON)
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Shallow Marine and Coastal Research Infrastructure (SMCRI)
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South African Weather Service (SAWS)
MEET THE LTO-LAND TEAM
Abuyiselwe A. Nguna
LTO-Land Research Coordinator
NRF-SAEON (Egagasini Node)
Yinhla Shihlomule
Top Predator Monitoring Coordinator
NRF-SAEON (Egagasini Node)
Prof Werner Nel
LTO-Land User Fora Chair
Dept. of Geography & Environmental Science University of Fort Hare
Marion Island Overwintering Teams
2025/2026 season
Andile Kuzwayo
Seabird Field Researcher
NRF-SAEON (Egagasini Node)
Jana Rau
Seabird Field Researcher
NRF-SAEON (Egagasini Node)
Camilla Smyth
Seal Field Researcher
NRF-SAEON (Egagasini Node)
Kwanele Khuzwayo
Seal Field Researcher
NRF-SAEON (Egagasini Node)
Chandler Patel
Killer Whale / Seal Field Researcher
NRF-SAEON (Egagasini Node)
2024/2025 season
Rhiannon Gill
Seabird Field Researcher
NRF-SAEON (Egagasini Node)
Dylan Manyoka
Seal Field Researcher
NRF-SAEON (Egagasini Node)
Megan Clarkson
Killer whale / Seal Field Researcher
NRF-SAEON (Egagasini Node)
Peter Cunningham
Seal Field Researcher
NRF-SAEON (Egagasini Node)
CONSORTIUM PARTNERS & STAKEHOLDERS
Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI)
Scientific research functions of the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP)
National Research Foundation (NRF)
Funding agency responsible for grant making on behalf of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI)
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE)
Management and administration of big infrastructure (Marion Island station, Gough Island station, Antarctica (SANAE IV station) and the S.A. Agulhas II)
South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON)
Maintenance of the station on Marion Island, Gough Island station and Antarctica (SANAE IV)
FEATURED NEWS
SAPRI participates in the IASSIST 2025 Conference in Bristol, UK
In June 2025, Dr Anne Treasure, Manager of the Data, Products and Society (DPS) Integrated Facility (IF) of the South African Polar Research Infrastructure (SAPRI), attended the International Association for Social Science Information Service and Technology (IASSIST)...
SAPRI 2025/26 Marion Island Overwinterers Appointed
2025 saw the appointment of the second cohort of the South African Polar Research Infrastructure (SAPRI) team of Marion Island overwinterers in March. This dedicated team of marine mammal and seabird field researchers forms part of the Marion Island Top Predator...
SAPRI Inspires Youth at Ministerial Launch of NRF-SAAO’s Remote Operations and Visitor Centres
The South African Polar Research Infrastructure (SAPRI) was invited to exhibit at the Ministerial Launch of the National Research Foundation's South African Astronomical Observatory (NRF-SAAO)’s Remote Operations and Visitor Centres on 9 July 2025 in Cape Town, South...