Speakers
William Bond
Emeritus Professor
Why are (were) our upland grasslands tree-less?
Southern African upland vegetation is dominated by extensive grasslands. They contrast with savannas at lower elevations and Karoo shrublands in more arid climates. The existence of these montane grasslands is an unresolved biogeographic puzzle. Why are there no trees? And why are trees beginning to invade these grasslands? In this talk I discuss ideas about the absence of trees and attempts to test them. Upland climate with more frost and shorter growing seasons, human deforestation, frequent fire, hostile soils have all been considered. Tests at diverse scales include correlations, dynamic vegetation models (DVMs), field and laboratory experiments. Recent studies suggest that increasing atmospheric CO2 over the last half century has been a major factor tipping the balance to favour woody plants. However factors accounting for the ‘savanna treeline’ pattern and dynamics remain at least as enigmatic as the global treeline with much to be discovered.
Justin Du Toit
Specialist Researcher at DALRRD - Grootfontein ADI
His research specializes in the biotic and abiotic factors influencing Karoo vegetation dynamics, with a special focus on grazing, drought and rainfall patterns and the impact of fire.
Richard Fynn
Professor at University of Botswana
After participating in several post doc. positions from 2003 to 2009, I have been employed at the Okavango Research Institute in Maun, Botswana since August 2009, where I am now an associate professor in rangeland ecology. My research interests include vegetation ecology, plant-herbivore interactions, herbivore ecology and community-based conservation. A key focus of my research is on optimal livestock management and linking this to plant seasonal above- and below-ground growth patterns, ecophysiology and large herbivore seasonal adaptive foraging strategies. I have
authored/coauthored 57 journal articles and 5 book chapters.
Guy Midgley
Director School for Climate Studies of Sun
Professor Guy Midgley is a distinguished researcher at Stellenbosch University and Acting Director of the School for Climate Studies specializing in climate change impacts, with a focus on carbon dynamics and semi-arid rangelands. His work focuses on understanding the resilience and vulnerability of ecosystems to climate change. Midgley has contributed significantly to global climate assessments and has authored numerous publications. His research aims to inform sustainable management practices and policy decisions to mitigate climate change effects on biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Lehlohonolo Adams
PhD Student at University of KwaZulu-Natal
Donna Berjak
Candidate Scientist at KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
Kim Canavan
Post Doctoral Fellow at Rhodes University
Marc Caplan
Retired director of AES
Ralph Clark
Director & Associate Professor in Geography of Afromontane Research Unit / University of the Free State
Liam Cogill
PhD student at Agricultural Research Council
Matthew Danckwerts
MJ Danckwerts Consulting (Pty) Ltd.
Anisha Dayaram
Vegetation scientist at SANBI
Lindokuhle Dlamini
PDP Postdoctoral Researcher at South African Environmental Observation Network
Sibusiso Trevor Dlamini
PhD Candidate at University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
Sachin Doarsamy
Biodiversity Technicians at SAEON
Saintalex Arquior S. Fossou
Leb (Université de Parakou), Parakou, Benin
Sindisile Goni
Grade C Production Scientist at Dohne Agricultural Development Institute
Victoria Goodall
VLG Statistical Services
Londiwe Gule
Biodiversity Intern at South African Environmental Observation Network
Onalenna Gwate
Posdoctoral Researcher at University of the Free State
Ntongayesizwe Hawu
Student at Department of Animal Science, School of Agricultural Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Mmabatho, South Africa
Martin Hughes
Lecturer at University of the West Indies
Thulisile Jaca
South African National Biodiversity Institute
Susan Janse van Rensburg
Node Coorindator at SAEON Grasslands-Forests-Wetlands Node
Debbie Jewitt
Kznwildlife
Imanathi Kekaya
Student at Agricultural Research Council - Animal Production: Rangeland and Forage Sciences
Mantji Tshenolo Mirriam Kgama
Kevin Kirkman
Professor at University of KwaZulu-Natal
Helga Knoetze
Biodiversity Scientist at NRF-SAEON
Urs Kreuter
Professor at Texas
KGOMOTSO LEKGETHO
STUDENT at NORTH WEST UNIVERSITY
Peter Le Roux
Thabo Patrick Magandana
Production Scientist at Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development Agrarian Reform
Matome Nelson Maila
PhD Student at PO Box 463 rebone
Lesego Malekana
Student at Afromontane Research Unit / University of the Free State
Fortune Manganyi
Research Technician at Agricultural Research Council - Animal Production: Rangeland and Forage Sciences
Grant Martin
Rhodes University
Peter Mashaba
Ecological and Environmental Monitoring Coordinator at Lapalala Wilderness
Dikonketso Matjuda
Junior Researcher at Agricultural Research Council
Dikonketso Matjuda
Junior Researcher at Agricultural Research Council
Lwando Mbalala
Devan McGranahan
Assistant Professor at North Dakota State University
Bridgette Mc Millan
Doctoral Student at Rhodes University
Nhlonipho Mhlongo
Student at Agricultural Research Council - Animal Production: Rangeland and Forage Sciences
Ntuthuko Raphael Mkhize
University of KwaZulu Natal
Boitumelo Mongale
Lecturer at University of South Africa
Maphale Monyeki
South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI)
Moleseng Moshobane
Senior Scientist 1 at SANBI
Lesego Motshekga
Pasture Science Lecturer at University of Limpopo
Thamsanqa Mpanza
Researcher at Agricultural Research Council
Ntokozo Happy Msiza
Siza Mthi
Production Scientist at Department Of Agriculture
Silas Mudyiwa
Francuois Müller
Senior Research Scientist at Agricultural Research Council
Thabisisani Ndhlovu
Nothando Ngcobo
Research Assistant at Agricultural Research Council - Animal Production: Rangeland and Forage Sciences
Nasiphi Ngcoliso
PhD student at University of Pretoria
Nothando Teddy Ngobeni
MSc student/fire researcher at UNISA/ WORKING ON FIRE
Brien Norton
Associate Professor (Emeritus) at Utah State University
Stephanie Payne-Smith
Postdoctoral Fellow at University of the Free State
Matome Collen Rabothata
Senior Development Technician at Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Administration
Patrick Rakau
Junior Researcher at ARC
Tsumbedzo Ramalevha
PhD Student at North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus)
Monde Rapiya
Nelmarié Saayman
Scientist at Western Cape Department of Agriculture
Makoshane Seloana
Ecologist at Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo
Nkosomzi Sipango
Thandeka Skosana
Student at Stellenbosch University
Sesethu Sokoko
post graduate student at Agricultural Research Council - Animal Production: Rangeland and Forage Sciences
Mihle Sokupa
Siphelele Takata
MSc student at Agricultural Research Council
Sive Tokozwayo
Wataru Tokura
Student at University of Cape Town
Michele Toucher
Hydrologist at Saeon
Wayne Twine
Associate professsor at WITS UNIVERSITY
Andri Van Aardt
Senior lecturer at University of the Free State
Brian Van Wilgen
Emeritus Professor at Stellenbosch University
Stephni Van der Merwe
Postdoctoral Fellow at SANBI
Susanne Vetter
Prof at Rhodes University
Mandla Yawa
Production Scientist at Department Of Agriculture
Siphe Zantsi
Agricultural Economist at Agricultural Research Council
Thantaswa Currinta Zondani
Senior Research Assistant at ARC