CONGRESS of grass identification when scanning a grass inflorescence and submitting it to a web-based app that may result in a correct identification ? Students consequently question why they are being taught “ outdated ” plant identification skills , however , if the app does not have the species you are looking for , then what do you do ? When the plant identification experts who developed the app retire , who will have the skills to replace them if these skills are not taught ? How do we balance teaching essential , classical skills with the ability to exploit the information explosion ?
The high proportion of published papers emanating from universities indicates a healthy academic system , however , the high number of postgraduate students as first authors also points to , but not exclusively so , reporting on short-term studies structured around degree requirements . Recent national initiatives in South Africa have enhanced capacity for long-term monitoring of the environment across many ecosystems , including grasslands and savannas , but what has happened to long-term experiments ? Should they not also be supported by some national initiative ? For example , long-term grazing experiments are few and far between , and yet papers on grazing management are included in the most read and the most cited paper in our journal .
Rangeland ecology has advanced in recent decades , from the Range Model , through State-and Transition Models , Non-equilibrium Theories and Resilience thinking . All of these additions to our state of knowledge point to adaptive , flexible approaches to managing resources , whether in agricultural or conservation scenarios . Do we apply this thinking in the design of long-term experiments ? Most experiments are designed and applied in a rigid manner with statistical analyses in mind to ensure the acceptance of publications in reputable journals . Including adaptive treatments in experiments brings a whole new level of complexity to the design and interpretation , and adds many years of assessment to the experiment .
For example , adding a full season rest to a grazing system every four years in a rigid design might take 12 , 16 years or even longer to properly evaluate the impacts of the rest . However , incorporating rest irregularly based on adaptive principles may take much longer to evaluate . Where are the long-term grazing experiments that will allow the incorporation of adaptive principles based on current rangeland theory ?
What is the alternative ?
Current issues facing the world include climate change , ecosystem degradation and decline in ecosystem services . A perusal of scientific literature , both in our journal as well as internationally , reveals a significant focus on these issues , and in our field , with a particular focus on the impacts of climate change on grasslands and savannas . This includes bush encroachment as well as impacts of nutrients , drought , carbon dioxide and temperature on ecosystem dynamics . Experiments aimed at addressing these issues are relatively easy to set up and run , and produce results in a relatively short time . Consequently , there is a proliferation of such experiments . As valuable as they might be , do we have the experience and “ field-cred ” to apply this new knowledge to management of veld for livestock , when there is obvious uncertainty around grazing management even without considering climate change ? Are we in a position to be able to monitor and understand the impacts of applying such new knowledge , when we are not really monitoring and understanding the current situation ? Maybe a “ back to basics ” approach is called for .
Let ’ s look at some other predictions from 2000 . I predicted that our journal and bulletin ( now called Grassroots ) would be published electronically . This has happened , but in 2000 there was no thought of virtual congresses , webinars and virtual meetings . In 2000 I commented on the proliferation of scientifically dubious information . This has undoubtedly increased over the last 21 years with a proliferation of dubious predatory journals and social media experts . As scientists , we need to develop and impart skills of scientific discernment . In 2000 I commented on the decline in institutional support for the GSSA and other professional societies . This decline in support has continued and is being felt by the society in various ways , particularly in the organisation and running of the annual congresses . Solutions will need to be sought for the continued sustainability of our annual congresses .
A phenomenon that was not predicted at all in my 2000 address was the rise and the role of social media . The GSSA has developed an important presence on various social media platforms which serves to raise the profile of our Society and the science underpinning the Society , disseminating important scientific and other information , and maintaining a “ GSSA community ” online . The poster session at the 2020 virtual congress was presented in public social media space . This was very successful , resulting in significant interest from outside the attendees and society members . This approach is being followed again for the 2021 congress and is likely to continue even when congresses revert to physical meetings . This social media presence will undoubtedly play an increasingly important role .
In 2000 , I made a call for greater mobility of scientists , looking at more flexible modes of employment and sharing of expertise between institutions , so that the impact of scientists could be spread more widely and so that scientists could focus on science . This has not developed to any significant degree but remains an opportunity .
So , in concluding the reflective look at the last 21 years , the GSSA has advanced in many ways . The journal has improved significantly and increased it impact ratings . This reflects positively on the state of our science in southern Africa . Our popular publication “ Grassroots ” has gone from strength to strength and is widely read online . Congresses have continued to grow in size and stature , attracting an increasingly diverse group of attendees from various fields and disciplines . What direction should the GSSA take for the next 21 years ?
My suggestions are to firstly continue building on existing strengths . Continue the impressive growth of the African Journal of Range and Forage Science and extend the reach of the Grassroots publication . Increase and formalise the use of the various social platforms to develop an awareness of our science , our Society and our members . Continue adding value to members in the form of regular webinars and courses as a means of stimulating debate and developing skills .
Secondly , develop webinars aimed at disseminating information to land users and stimulating debate about the application of scientific principles in practice . Develop online courses for land users on topics that are important , such as grazing management , fire management and grass identification .
Lastly , I suggest that the Society increases its presence in terms of influencing the education of scientists in our general field , influencing research direction by highlighting research needs and increases its sphere of influence in the practical application of science among all land users , particularly agricultural land users .
Grassroots Vol 21 No 3 November 2021 38