The South African Risk and Vulnerability Atlas (SARVA) provides a centralised repository for global change research (www.rvatlas.org.za) as well as a collection of integration and awareness tools. The current focus of the Atlas is on South Africa, but expansion opportunities into other parts of the region are being assessed. This field report was compiled for the AdaptationCommunity platform, which hosts more detailed information on SARVA as well as method briefs for other adaptation projects.
Scope and entry points
Based on a broad stakeholder engagement exercise, SARVA was identified as a necessary resource to address the grand knowledge challenges facing South Africa over the next decade (see DST, 2009[1]). In particular, the Atlas was identified as a tool to facilitate access to the best available knowledge on global change risks and vulnerabilities in South Africa to those that need it most.
SARVA's open access electronic spatial portal provides internet users with access to spatial and non-spatial data sets and resources, as well as various search, upload/download and data manipulation and presentation capabilities. The portal is organised according to a variety of relevant themes including socio-economics, human settlements, climate and weather, biodiversity, forestry, ground and surface water, disaster management, agriculture, emissions and air quality, coastal and marine and environmental health.
In addition to the electronic spatial portal, the platform also has a number of synthesised, targeted and offline products to suit various user needs. Electronic Spatial Portal users are able to search for datasets and research according to theme, keywords or geographic area. Geographic information available for mapping can be manipulated according the user needs using the portal mapping and analysis functions.
Although general search functions and research outputs such as case studies are available for non-technical audiences, a basic level of GIS training is required for advanced manipulation and interpretation of geospatial data available on the portal. To bridge the gap between technical GIS users and non-technical users interested in gaining a better understanding of global change, the new SARV-GAP tool has been developed to introduce key concepts with no prior technical knowledge or internet connection required.
Resources (personnel, expertise, data demand, funds, time)
Implementation of the Atlas is currently coordinated by two managers and one project officer based at CSIR NRE. These include a manager leading the electronic spatial portal and theme convenors (~80%), a manager focused on the coordination of partnerships and outreach (<50%) and shared program management functions and; a candidate researcher involved in stakeholder engagement, capacity building and monitoring and evaluation (<50%). All aspects of implementation however are balanced across this team based on available expertise and resource and according to specific plans.
The work of the coordination team is supported by a working group devoted to Atlas data integration, product development and outreach activities. Here the coordination team is joined by others with expertise in Geospatial analysis and Geoinformatics, Urban and Regional Planning and other sectors (e.g. Disaster Management, Risk Analysis; Information Architecture). Another key aspect of the Atlas involves the data and coordination efforts of the theme convenors on the electronic spatial portal. Theme convenors are a group of recognised experts in their respective fields who are tasked with leading the acquisition and availability of relevant Atlas data and supplementary support to research and outreach activities.
Finally, the South African Earth Observation Network (SAEON) is responsible for the technical development, maintenance and functioning of the electronic spatial portal infrastructure as well as data cataloguing and related functions, while communications support is provided for the overarching Atlas website (which links to the electronic spatial portal) newsletters and other communications. The annual budget for the Atlas is between approximately 4-6 million South African Rand (ZAR) per annum (approximately half a million USD).
Conclusions for future application
SARVA products including the hardcopy Atlas, the electronic spatial portal and others have been well received by local and international audiences, in particular for bringing the multiple stressors and vulnerabilities of global change to local and international audiences of all kinds. The Atlas has been used by South African parliamentary members and policy makers around global change, by scientists and analysts assessing risk and vulnerability and by officials and others planning responses to the multiple stressors and vulnerabilities facing the country today and into the future. The Atlas has also been targeted for possible expansion at a regional level.
References and External Links
- Explore the Atlas: www.rvatlas.org.za
- Hardcopy of the Atlas: Archer, E. (ed.) 2010. The South African Risk and Vulnerability Atlas.
- Faccer, K. & Mambo, J. (eds.) forthcoming. The South African Risk and Vulnerability Atlas, 2nd edition.
- Department of Environmental Affairs. 2012. National Climate Change Response Policy.
- ↑ Department of Science and Technology (DST), 2009. 10-Year Global Change Research Plan for South Africa.
Reference persons for further information
- Kristy Faccer, Research Group Leader: Sustainable Social-ecological Systems, CSIR Natural Resources and the Environment, kfaccer@csir.co.za
- Dr Julia Mambo, Senior Scientist: Climate Studies, Modeling & Environmental Health, CSIR, jmambo@csir.co.za
