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).Â
Gough Island (owned by the United Kingdom) where South Africa leases the land to undertake observations.Â
The Dronning Maud Land (DML) section of Antarctica where SANAE IV is located.Â
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:
- Field gear
- Maintenance of scientific equipment and field gear
- Monitoring equipment (e.g. animal tags)
- Logistical support
- 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
2026/2027 season
Tara Naeser
Killer Whale / Seal Field Researcher
NRF-SAEON (Egagasini Node)
Asive Tyawana
Seal Field Researcher
NRF-SAEON (Egagasini Node)
Marc Limbert
Seal Field Researcher
NRF-SAEON (Egagasini Node)
Shani Fourie
Seabird Field Researcher
NRF-SAEON (Egagasini Node)
Rhiannon Gill
Seabird Field Researcher
NRF-SAEON (Egagasini Node)
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 team departs for Marion Island annual relief voyage
The South African Polar Research Infrastructure (SAPRI) team has commenced its journey to Marion Island as part of the annual relief voyage, marking the beginning of another important field season in support of South Africa's long-term polar and sub-Antarctic research...
Celebrating National Science Month: Science, Technology and Innovation are for everyone
July 2026 marked a significant milestone for public engagement with science in South Africa as the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande, officially elevated National Science Week into a month-long National Science Month (NSM),...
SAPRI receives Certificate of Excellence at the launch of the inaugural National Science Month
The South African Polar Research Infrastructure (SAPRI) was honoured to receive the Certificate of Excellent Exhibition in recognition of its exhibition and contribution to the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation's (DSTI) inaugural National Science Month...