Eco Minute 13:30

BULLETIN 17 February 1:30 pm

Good afternoon, here is your Eco Minute:

# The South African Weather Service says disruptive rain across the central and eastern regions of South Africa will continue until Thursday. The rainfall accumulation is expected to be in the region of 20 to 50 millimetres in provinces including North West, Gauteng, Free State and Mpumalanga. South African Weather Service forecaster, Lehlohonolo Thobela, says the transport of moist tropical air from continental low over Botswana is the main source of the current cloudy and showery conditions:

# A new study by the National Research Foundation Centre of Excellence in Food Security has identified key proteins that enable sorghum to withstand drought and heat stress. Sorghum is a staple food for over 500-million people across more than 30 countries. The study found unique changes in protein expression when it was exposed to both drought and heat stress. Furthermore, responses varied between leaves and roots.

# And finally: South Africa’s West Coast is fast becoming a significant whale-watching destination, with year-round sightings of humpback, southern right, and Bryde’s whales. This resurgence follows the 1986 international whaling ban, leading to increased whale populations. Happywhale’s southern Africa data manager, Alex Vogel, says in just one month a supergroup of humpback whales spotted on the West Coast included an astonishing 297 individuals. This phenomenon offers unique opportunities for researchers, conservationists, and tourists to engage with these majestic marine mammals.

Stay tuned for more news………….