Navigating the ‘Anthropocene’: Trends and opportunities in modern organismal biology

In this Perspective, we reflect on the rich history of organismal biology in South Africa, particularly focusing on the manuscripts submitted to the South African Journal of Science (SAJS).Some of our discussions highlight the evolution of organismal research in South Africa and its significance within the South African scientific community.A key contribution of this piece is its exploration of submission trends in SAJS and the identification of pressing research needs for the Journal.We also emphasise areas that warrant further investigation that could enhance the field of organismal biology. An overview of organismal biology in South AfricaSouth Africa boasts extraordinary levels of biodiversity and endemism relative to many other countries worldwide. 1,2his diversity results from the country's unique habitats and a wide range of climatic zones and biomes, such as the beautiful Nama Karoo of the Northern Cape, the Savanna of the Limpopo, the humid coastal Mediterranean climates that boast of fynbos, and many others.Many European settlers and explorers in the 17th and 18th centuries recorded the region's diverse flora and fauna, laying the foundation for future scientific studies.These early records, primarily by nature enthusiasts, formed a baseline of how the region looked before the Anthropocene period.Most research was centred around natural history, behaviour, and species composition during this period.With the rise of modernisation and industrial development, scientific research in South Africa saw notable advancements in organismal biology.The establishment of scientific journals like the South African Journal of Science (SAJS) in the early 1900s is a testament to the growth of scientific research in general.The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the establishment of vital scientific institutions that advanced organismal biology.Similarly, when one thinks about the establishment of museums and various botanical gardens, such as the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, one can see how these institutions provided crucial infrastructure for biological research.The University of Cape Town and other universities began offering programmes in biological sciences, fostering local expertise.The early 20th century saw the burgeoning of iconic wildlife protection areas such as Kruger National Park, Addo National Park, and many others, to protect against overexploitation of the dwindling wildlife.