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5 the state of science in south africa
B I O L O G I C A L S C I E N C E S
factor, driven by the medical challenges skills. It is ironic that in South Africa, with
provided by the African environment (most its wealth of indigenous plant species, the
recently, for instance, by emergent diseases practice of alpha taxonomy (the naming,
such as human immunodeficiency virus classification and revision of plant families)
(HIV)). Parasitology and vector studies are dwindled to the extent that work started
areas of obvious overlap between zool- in 1960 and intended to culminate in the
ogy and medicine, as is the convergence definitive Flora of Southern Africa, has not
between oncology and cell biology. The yet been completed. However, some alpha
health sciences, broadly speaking, share taxonomy continues to be undertaken, es-
technologies with veterinary science and pecially by SANBI and at some universities.
plant pathology, which are also relatively The Southern African Botanical Network
well-established in South Africa. There is a (SABONET) programme under the aegis of
centuries-long tradition of ethno-pharma- SANBI has proved to be an excellent en-
cological studies in South Africa. In recent terprise, fostering collaborations among
decades it has taken on a stronger element southern African botanists and generally
of intellectual property protection, benefit- raising the level of expertise, and improving
sharing and bio-prospecting. Large frac-
and expanding collections in herbaria and
tions of the biota have been screened for
botanical gardens. Before it was finalised in
potentially useful properties, and several
2005, the SABONET programme attracted
have attracted in-depth studies.
and forged lasting links among taxono-
mists, scientists focused on plant diversity,
5.2 Plant sciences
as well as horticulturalists, from ten coun-
tries of the Southern African Development
Community (SADC) Region. Taking cogni-
S
ince the field is vast, a comprehensive
sance of the dearth of taxonomists and sys-
survey is not possible. Some of the
major research themes being pursued
tematists, the South African Biosystematics
in South Africa are highlighted here.
Initiative (SABI), created under the aegis of
the Department of Science and Technology
(DST) and the NRF, is a current programme
5.2.1 Taxonomy and systematics
aimed at significant enhancement of capac-
ity in biosystematics research.
T
he inter-related fields of taxonomy
(describing, identifying, naming and The advent and increasingly wide use of
classifying organisms) and systemat- molecular methodologies have also revived
ics (relationships and diversification of or- interest and provided a much-needed im-
ganisms over time) provide the basis for all petus for studies in plant systematics. Thus,
studies in the plant sciences. Nevertheless, analysis of DNA sequence data is being used
the worldwide trend in research in the plant to study the evolutionary development and
sciences has moved away from taxonomy diversification (phylogenesis) among plant
and systematics, to the extent that these genera, families or orders. South African
have virtually assumed the status of scarce plant systematists embraced molecular
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