The goal of SAFARI 2000 is to understand the key linkages between the physical, chemical and
biological processes, including human activities, that comprise the southern African
biogeophysical system. More specifically, SAFARI 2000 aims to:
- characterize, quantify and understand the processes driving biogenic,
pyrogenic and anthropogenic emissions in southern Africa;
- combine atmospheric transport and chemistry models with ground-based,
airborne, and satellite-based observations to validate and extend our
understanding of the transport and transformations of these emissions;
- identify where, when and how the emissions are deposited, and determine
their impacts, and,
- lay the foundation for monitoring longer-term climatic, hydrological, and
ecosystem consequences of these biogeochemical and physical processes.
Although SAFARI 2000 will build upon the results of SAFARI-92, it differs from that effort in at
least two significant ways. First, SAFARI 2000 will be comprehensive in terms of observations,
analyses and integration of land processes, land use and land cover change, terrestrial ecology,
hydrology, aerosols and trace gas chemistry and transport, surface radiation, and cloud
characterization and radiative effects. Second, the project is intended to deal with these complex
systems by employing a regional observation network to capture as much of the variability in the
physical and biological systems as possible.
A wide range of intensive ground-based, airborne and remotely sensed measurements are needed
to accomplish SAFARI 2000 goals. Data collected during a series of intensive field campaigns
will be placed in the context of longer term, less comprehensive observations. The intensive
observation periods (IOP) and flying campaigns (IFC) will take place during both dry (August-September
1999 and 2000) and wet seasons (February-March 2000). In these periods, scientists
will collect data for the validation both of models and of the remote sensing data products.
An ancillary objective of SAFARI 2000 is to further enhance existing capacity through the
transfer of knowledge and technology among researchers, and by creating opportunities for direct
involvement of interested regional scientists in the project as principal investigators. This will
make the international community better aware of regional scientific activity. The contribution of
SAFARI 2000 to sound regional policy development and research issues should be significant.
