UV-B radiation research 
Click to enlarge image above
of geographical distribution of atmospheric ozone measured by Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer onboard Nimbus 7 satellite
The decline in stratospheric ozone at both high and mid-latitudes in the northern and southern hemispheres due to anthropogenic emissions of ozone-depleting trace gases has raised concerns about the detrimental effects that increased amounts of biologically active ultraviolet-B radiation (UV-B: 280-315 nm) reaching the Earth's surface may have on human health and other biological systems. Increases in ambient sunlight have recently been reported at various sites across the world, but it is unclear how these will be distributed globally in the future. Research on UV-B effects on southern African ecosystems has focused on:
- The reproductive biology and genetics of the northwestern ( Namaqualand ) ephemeral flora, whose world-renowned springtime floral displays are a major tourist attraction contributing to the economy of the region.
Click to see figure showing UV-B Effects on reproductive processes 
Click image above to see effects of UV-B on a desert annual.
Click to see figure showing UV-B effects on genetic integrity
- Nitrogen fixation in traditional African commercial legumes, the cheapest source of nitrogen for maintaining soil fertility and sustainable yields in heterogeneous African soils with an intrinsically low fertility. The high cost of chemical fertilizers limits their availability in generally poorly developed African farming infrastructures.
Click image above to see UV-B Effects on Symbiotic Function
Click image above to see Cloud modified UV-B exposure distribution patterns.
For more information, contact Charles Musil. Photo credits : C.F. Musil, B.M. Chimphango, W. Mpoloka, and M. Scourfield. |
