Projects in South Africa

Comparative Phylogeography of Pseudobarbus, Barbus, Sandelia and Galaxias Scies in the Breede and Associated River Systems, South Africa: Implications for Conservation of a Threatened Fauna

The study aims assess priority areas for the conservation of threatened indigenous freshwater fish species in the Breede and associated river systems within the Cape Floristic Region in South Africa.

Conservation of the Threatened Namaqua Dwarf Adder

This project aims to improve our knowledge of the biology and habitat requirements of the threatened Namaqua Dwarf Adder (Bitis schneideri).

Burning for Biodiversity in Southern Africa: Faunal Responses to Fire

This new project aims to improve biodiversity conservation in southern Africa’s savannas through a multi-faceted programme of fire research, capacity building and effective fire management.

Sustaining the Hidden Harvest of Woodlands

A project looking at the sustainable use of non timber forest products in South Africa.

Devil's Claw in South Africa: Conservation and Livelihood Issues

This project is looking at the harvesting of Devil's Claw, a medicinal plant found in Southern Africa

Understanding and Mitigating the Impacts of Land-Use Management Strategies on Grassland Biodiversity

The aim of this project is to identify, using process-orientated data, the degree of compatibility between grassland land-use practices and biodiversity conservation in the Moist Highland Grasslands, with special emphasis on identifying thresholds.

Understanding and Mitigating the Impacts of Land-Use Management Strategies on Grassland Biodiversity

We propose to study bird diversity and reproductive success as responses to differing burning and grazing practices within the MHG with the aim of assessing which agricultural practices that utilise the natural resources of grasslands can be considered ‘conservation friendly’.

The Ecosystem Functioning of KwaZulu-Natal Estuaries, South Africa, and their Influence on the Nearshore Coastal Environment: Implications for their Conservation

The aim of the project is to determine the ecosystem functioning of selected estuaries in KwaZulu-Natal and represent their dynamics through ecosystem models to predict various scenarios for environmental threats.

Palaeoecology, Fire Management and Vegetation Dynamics in the Cederberg Wilderness Area, South Africa

To evaluate the effects of past land use changes and fire history on the vegetation of the Cederberg Wilderness Area, and to explore the implications for conservation management.

Identifying and Protecting Threatened Freshwater Ecosystems in the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa

This project seeks to develop tools and methodologies for identifying threatened freshwater ecosystems, develop an approach for the integration of freshwater and terrestrial perspectives in conservation planning, and assess the impact of the divergent water management policies on freshwater ecosystems in South Africa.

A Preliminary Investigation into the Size, Sex and Seasonal Ocurrence of White Sharks (Carcharodon Carcharias) within the Bird Island Marine Protected Area

The aim of this project is to collect information on the population dynamics of white sharks within Algoa Bay, specifically within the Bird Island Marine Protected Area.

Community Participation Programme for the Conservation of Threatened Bat Species and Rehabilitation of their Destroyed Habitats, Roosts and Caves in Mpumalanga Region, South Africa

The overall aim of this project is to address the drastic decline of the bat populations in the Pumalanga gold mine abandoned caves where their habitats, roosts and caves are being destroyed and vandalised.

Wetland Invertebrate Assemblages: Biodiversity and Biogeography

This project aims to establish large scale patterns in biodiversity and distribution of wetland macroinvertebrate assemblages in the Western Cape Province and their correspondence with different landscape classifications.

Facilitating Increased Community Participation in Biodiversity Stewardship in Umgano, KwaZulu Natal Province, South Africa

The project seeks to enhance the capacity of the Mabandla community in KwaZulu Natal Province of South Africa to effectively manage a community-based biodiversity stewardship initiative. The project will involve environmental education and awareness, participatory resource monitoring and stakeholder consultations for the development of a 3-year community action plan.

The Influence of Land-Use Types on the Population Density of the Leopard (Panthera Pardus) in the Cederberg Mountains, South Africa - Identifying Conflict Hotspots and Core Safe Areas to Conserve a Unique Population

This study aims to establish the first rigorous population estimates for leopards in the Cederberg mountains (recently proclaimed a World Heritage Site), quantify the extent of leopard removal from the region, identify conflict hotspots and assist in dealing with leopard-farmer conflict.

Ocean Messengers

Ocean Messengers will make aware of the present and future situation inside and around the Algoa Bay during and after its proposed idustrialisation. We want to educate public and industry to limit damage to nature and humans.

Ocean Messengers – 100 Dive Project

The aim of this project will be to promote local awareness by sponsoring dive certificates for local and mainly formerly dispriviliged people.

Applying a New Reliable and Rapid Field-Based Pregnancy Test to the Monitoring and Management of Endangered Black Rhinoceros

This project aims to test the utility of a new field-based faecal pregnancy assay as a monitoring tool for assessing the population performance of Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park’s strategic donor population of black rhinoceros.

Assessment of the Health of Native Trees in the Pondoland Centre of the Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany Biodiversity Hotspot, with a Specific Emphasis on Fungal Diseases

The aim of our project is to investigate fungal diseases in the Pondoland Centre, targeting on the species of three indigenous trees: Eugenia, Syzygium and Rhynchocalyx.

“Renu-Karoo”: Developing Indigenous Seed Orchards and Local Skills to Restore Mining and Grazing Damage in Arid Karoo Rangeland

The project will train and employ local people to collect and grow seeds of indigenous plants for use in ecological restoration in arid Karoo rangeland damaged by over-grazing or mining.

“Renu-Karoo”: Developing Indigenous Seed Orchards and Local Skills to Restore Mining and Grazing Damage in Arid Karoo Rangeland

The project will train and employ local people to collect and grow seeds of indigenous plants for use in ecological restoration in arid Karoo rangeland damaged by over-grazing or mining.

Developing Indigenous Seed Orchards and Local Skills to Restore Mining and Grazing Damage in Arid Karoo Rangeland

To develop a sustainable, ecological restoration business in the economically depressed, but biodiverse, semi-desert Central Karoo region of South Africa.

Distribution Patterns of Non-Native Sharptooth Catfish and Threatened Indigenous Fishes – Implications for Species Conservation in the Great Fish and Sundays Rivers

This study aims to assess habitats associated with indigenous fishes and document distribution patterns of invasive sharptooth catfish in the Great Fish and the Sundays River systems.