The Sustainable African Rivers Initiative (SARI) is an applied research initiative of Charles Sturt University (CSU) and the Oppenheimer Generations, Research and Conservation (OGRC) implemented in southern Africa with Rivers of Life. The SARI is an aquatic ecology, fisheries and ecosystem services, and water resources management research initiative located in the Lowveld of South Africa.
SARI has been established through collaborative efforts between CSU in Australia, and North-West University and the University of Mpumalanga with funding from OGRC, and scholarship, and in-kind funding from CSU. The SARI will address the dearth of knowledge pertaining to our understanding of southern Africa’s vulnerable freshwater ecosystems, their biodiversity, ecosystem processes and ecosystem services. SARI will also characterise the threat of stressors affecting ecosystems and people, and the requirements for sustainable socio-ecological systems.
The SARI will develop regional capacity through formal post-graduate student training, and offer a range of sustainable water resources, aquatic ecology, fisheries and ecosystem services capacity development training initiatives to existing regulators, managers, conservationists and stakeholders. Finally, SARI will support the development of best international water resource sustainability management and conservation practice, working closely with partners and regional stakeholders.
Our four research themes are:
WATER RESOURCE PROTECTION
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION GENETICS
FISHERIES RESEARCH
CAPACITY BUILDING AND TRAINING
