A consortium led by the South African Enviornmental Observation Network ( NRF - SAEON) in partnership with a research unit from the University of the Free State’s Afromontane Research Unit (ARU), has installed in the Mont - aux - Sources area, part of the Maluti - Drakensberg mountain range, a spectacuar basalt plateau forming a natural border between Lesotho and South Africa, specifically above the Drakensberg amphitheatre, the highest weather station in Southern Africa at an altitude of 3.100 metres.
The development is part of SAEON’s EFTEON network, which includes five stations along an altitudinal range according to information from the South African Government News Agency.
This fully automated station addresses data gaps in high - mountain ecosystems that are particularly vulnerable to climate change. It collects high – resolution, real - time data on various climate variables, including temperature, humidity, wind, solar radiation, rainfall, and barometric pressure, essential information to follow phenomena such as climate change, extreme episodes and the health of the watersheds.
The data is publicly available through SAEON’s online platform, benefiting researchers, government, conservationists, as well as operators in the tourism sector including land managers, tour operators and anyone interested.
The data helps monitor climate trends and catchment health, supporting the cross - border MaS - LTSER research platform.
The collected data is especially important for water security, as the Maluti - Drakensberg is a crucial water source region for major South African river systems such the Orange, Vaal and Tugela, which makes it significant to understand how climate, land use and air pollution transform this landscape.
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