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

Cape Mountain Zebra Conservation – Ensuring the Future Stability of this Vulnerable Sub-Species

The project aims to gain a better understanding of current threats to Cape mountain zebra conservation, such as problems associated with small isolated populations. Activities necessary to deal with these threats will be identified and a comprehensive conservation and management plan will be compiled.

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.

A Pilot Exercise of Biodiversity Mapping in Cape Town’s Illicitly Harvested Habitats for Future Conservation Reference

The project aims to pilot development of GPS reference habitat management tools detailing locally illicitly harvested species in order to enhance conservation efforts.

Beyond Expectation Environmental Project

BEEP aims to use nature as a platform to help the youth to reconnect with their core being whilst they learn about the broader environmental issue

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.

Quantifying Patterns, Determinants and Consequences of Human-Carnivore Conflict in the Farmlands of South Africa

The project will provide objective measures of current patterns, influential factors and impacts of human-carnivore conflict in South African farmlands, as a first step toward conflict mitigation.

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.

Namaqua National Park: Anatolian Dogs for Wildlife Conservation

The project aims to supply Anatolian dogs to livestock farmers surrounding Namaqua park, mostly on areas which are under ecological stress. The dogs will contribute to income for the owner by reducing stock losses. Trial results show that people losing 30-40 sheep a year reduce losses to 1-5 when they have a dog and this in turn reduces trapping of animals, which contributes to the conservation of multiple species in the area.

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.

The Distribution and Conservation of Cave-Dwelling Bats in Southern and Central Africa

The aim of the project is to model current and future (using a range of climate change scenarios) potential distributions of focal cave-dwelling bat species. Surveys will be carried out to ‘ground truth’ the current distribution predictions.

The Distribution, Ecology and Conservation of Cave-Dwelling Bats in Southern Africa

The overall project aim is to ascertain current distributions for focal threatened bat species by using use ecological niche modelling and surveys to ground truth these predictions and to extrapolate the potential impacts of climate change on distributions these species.

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.