Introduction
At Campbell Scientific, we are committed to providing cutting-edge weather station solutions to organizations around the world. We take great pride in highlighting our partnership with the African Mountain Research Foundation (AMRF) and their transformative impact in safeguarding vital mountain ecosystems and ensuring a sustainable supply of fresh water in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
Background
AMRF was founded by Professor Ralph Clark and Alex Hickman. Registered as a UK charity in June 2021, the foundation's mission is to install scientific equipment in strategic locations across the mountain systems of the SADC region. This equipment generates crucial data to support national and regional mountain conservation and restoration programs, with a focus on preserving the mountain’s ability to provide essential ecosystem services, including acting as water towers and biodiversity havens.
Since its inception, AMRF has successfully raised funds from individuals and businesses in the UK and Southern Africa to support its mission.
AMRF’s Work and Impact
AMRF has set ambitious goals for installing a network of weather stations at elevations above 1,700 m (5,577 ft) on mountains across Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, Namibia, Mozambique, Malawi, Madagascar, Lesotho, and the Democratic Republic of Congo by 2028. As of 2023, it has already achieved significant milestones, with installations in Zimbabwe and Malawi and plans to expand to Madagascar in 2024.
Two Primary Paths for Making an Impact
AMRF's work is making a significant impact in two areas:
AMRF collaborates closely with national authorities, local institutions, universities, and non-governmental organizations (NGO) to maximize the impact of its work. These partnerships are crucial for the successful delivery of its programs.
Collecting and Disseminating High-Elevation Data
One of the key contributions of AMRF is its open-access hydrometeorological (hydromet) data, made possible through the deployment of advanced weather monitoring stations from Campbell Scientific. Our durable and research-grade meteorological monitoring stations serve as the backbone of this data-collection initiative. Designed for demanding environments, our stations deliver highly accurate measurements for a wide range of variables. This system not only measures standard meteorological parameters such as air temperature, wind speed, humidity, and rainfall, but it can also calculate various weather-related algorithms. Furthermore, the stations can be tailored to specific needs with customizable options, making the system an indispensable tool for organizations such as AMRF to safeguard mountain ecosystems and ensure water security in Southern Africa.
Campbell Scientific sensors are vital for generating defensible data in environmental research and supporting critical operations dependent on continuous weather monitoring. The data-sharing approach is vital because AMRF is the sole organization generating high-elevation hydromet data across the SADC region. Without this data, the region's mountains would remain a "data black hole," hindering efforts to understand the impact of climate change and neglecting the region's people, cities, agriculture, and biodiversity.
AMRF's data are already benefiting various organizations, including the Climate Hazards Center (CHC) at UC Santa Barbara, the Meteorological Services Department of Zimbabwe, the Trans-African Hydro-Meteorological Observatory (TAHMO), and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
If you would like to access the data for free, please email Clara Hickman at clara@africanmountainresearch.com.
Benefits
AMRF's weather stations in the Southern African mountains offer significant advantages:
Conclusion
The data from these weather stations drive research, conservation, policy, and disaster prevention, benefiting the region and fostering international cooperation.
The AMRF-Campbell Scientific partnership exemplifies our commitment to providing innovative weather station solutions that have a lasting impact on conservation and water security in Southern Africa. AMRF's dedication to safeguarding vital mountain ecosystems and ensuring a sustainable water supply aligns perfectly with our mission to provide cutting-edge technology for a brighter, more sustainable future. Together, we are making a difference in the world, one weather station at a time.