Biodiversity may be defined as the variety of forms of living organisms at various levels. Conservation Biology is the study of how we can prevent species and habitats from being lost while still maintaining sustainable human societies. The Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology (BCB) at the UWC teaches and trains in these fields to promote an understanding of conservation.
The department teaches at an ecosystem level, approaching the disciplines of Botany and Zoology in an integrated manner. Within the BCB department, nine areas of specialisation exist.
Related to this, a newly funded project (2014 – 2016) will look at kelp ecosystems that respond to human-induced climate change and climate variability all over the world (collaborating with Prof. John Bolton, UCT; Dr. Rob Anderson, Seaweed Unit, DAFF; and Dr. Thomas Wernberg, the University of Western Australia).
In most regions, kelp forests are retreating due to ocean warming and human pressure, while in South Africa, uniquely, early evidence suggests that kelp ecosystems might be expanding, possibly due to cooling from increased upwelling.
The project will contribute to a number of parallel projects which we are members of, including an Australia-South Africa study on genetics and climate change in Ecklonia radiata, the global KEEN project on kelps and climate change, and a project on molecular systematics of kelps.
Other ongoing research includes a project on the systematic conservation planning of the KwaZulu-Natal offshore marine environment (with Dr. Jean Harris and Mrs. Tamsyn Livingstone at Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, in collaboration with Prof. Atte Moilanen at the University of Helsinki, Finland); research on the distribution of micro plastics in the marine environment and consequences for fish (with Dr. David Glassom and Mr. Trishan Naidoo at the UKZN); and using stable isotopes of N to trace the source and distribution of anthropogenic N sources along rocky shores of KZN (with Ms. Shivanee Pillay at the UKZN).
Issues related to the propagation of vegetables, the quality thereof in terms of being fit for human consumption and, informing the affect communities about the research outcomes to encourage sustainable development.
● Biodiversity Economy Project – Understanding land-use tradeoffs relating to agriculture, mining, and conservation in Northern Namibia, with Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) and UNU Flores Dresden, Germany.
● CHIDA – Understanding Nature Based Solution for urban development in rural towns in the Eastern Cape South Africa and Malawi, with Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Chancellor Colledge Zomba Malawi, ACDI at University of Cape Town and Rhodes University
The department teaches at an ecosystem level, approaching the disciplines of Botany and Zoology in an integrated manner. Within the BCB department, nine areas of specialisation exist.
These include:
- African Amphibian Studies (investigating the diversity of African amphibians)
- Offshore Marine Biology (examining patterns and processes in pelagic and offshore benthic marine systems around southern Africa)
- Reptile ecology, evolution and conservation (understanding the relationships between reptiles, their ecosystems, and people)
- Plant Ecophysiology (how plants function in relation to their environment)
- Southern African Angiosperm Systematics (taxonomic and phylogenetic studies of selected indigenous and invasive plants)
- Behavioural Ecology (the roles of ecological and sexual selection in promoting biodiversity)
- Medicinal Plant Use (identification and characterisation of South African medicinal plants)
- Marine Benthic Biodiversity (understanding biodiversity and zonation patterns of seaweeds and molluscs on rocky shores) and
- Landscape and Social Ecology (interactions between people and their environment)
Marine Benthic Biodiversity is one of several areas of research specialisation in the Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology at the UWC. Within this specialisation, there are four thematic programmes. The first of these programmes, Coralline Algal Biodiversity, comprises an international project focusing on the global taxonomy, systematics and ecology of non-geniculate (encrusting) coralline red algae. Coralline algae are vitally important both ecologically and economically and the aim here is to document the biodiversity of the planet’s non-geniculate coralline species with a view to understanding their role in a changing climate. The second programme, Rocky Shore Ecology, investigates the role of molluscs in controlling intertidal species distribution patterns on rocky shores. The ultimate aim of this project is the documentation of intertidal marine species diversity for the public and for education. The third programme, Integrated Aquaculture, is attempting to understand the role of seaweeds as feed and mitigation of the effects of land-based abalone and sea urchin aquaculture. Seabirds are considered the most threatened group of birds worldwide and several seabird species endemic to Southern Africa are listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List. The fourth programme, Seabird Conservation, is attempting to understand the effects of anthropogenic activities on African penguin colonies in the Western Cape, South Africa, and to assessment the rescue, rehabilitation and post-release survival of Southern African seabirds.
African amphibians molecular systematics, taxonomy and life history strategies
Current Projects
- Molecular phylogeny and revision of the taxonomy of African river frogs.
- Genetics of the invasive Guttural Toad. A collaborative programme.
- Isolation of Banded Stream Frog populations on the Cape Fold Mountains.
- Effects of human habitation on amphibian diversity in northern Zambia.
Plant Ecophysiology:
- Plant mineral nutrition: a collaborative programme investigating the roles of mineral nutrients, salinity, and non-essential elements (including heavy metals) in plants.
- Plant water relations: a programme examining the effect of water quality on plants, and plants on water quality.
- Plant stress physiology: a programme investigating the use of plants as environmental monitors.
Offshore Marine Biology is one of several areas of research specialisation in the Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology at the UWC. This study area includes both studies in the pelagos and the benthos. The department has networked extensively across the world in order to develop local expertise in the taxonomy of a number of marine invertebrate taxa including bryozoans, sponges, polychaetes, nematodes and foraminifera, as well as jellyfish. All of these taxa are relatively difficult to identify, but they are nevertheless important ecological components of the systems in which they occur. Within the specialisation of Offshore Marine Biology are two broad ranging thematic programmes.
The first of these programmes, Communities and Ecosystems, examines the factors responsible for driving temporal and spatial patterns in marine species diversity, and the scales at which they operate.
The second programme, Species, comprises interdisciplinary studies on the modern taxonomy, biology and ecology of functionally important marine organisms. Within these programmes, projects are moulded to suit the preferences and abilities of different students.
The first of these programmes, Communities and Ecosystems, examines the factors responsible for driving temporal and spatial patterns in marine species diversity, and the scales at which they operate.
The second programme, Species, comprises interdisciplinary studies on the modern taxonomy, biology and ecology of functionally important marine organisms. Within these programmes, projects are moulded to suit the preferences and abilities of different students.
Current Projects
- Laboratory studies on the growth and development of Chrysaora polyps
- Ecology and biology of Namibian jellyfish
- Soft bottom communities in offshore waters of Namibia
- Taxonomy and population genetics of regional jellyfish
- Ecology of marine zooplankton in the SW Indian Ocean
- Ecology of the bearded goby, Sufflogobius bibarbatus
Southern African Angiosperm Systematics - A collaborative programme dedicated to taxonomic and phylogenetic studies of selected indigenous and invasive plants.
Current Projects
- Taxonomy and Systematics – A collaborative programme documenting the S.A. asphodeloids, legumes and others.
- Nama Karoo Flora – A collaborative programme documenting the floristic diversity and evolution of the Nama- Karoo.
Her research focus area is on emergent and submerged macrophyte dynamics and functioning, estuarine functioning and habitat use with a particular focus mangrove forests.
Current Project:
- Ecological functioning of temperate mangrove forests.
- Long term monitoring of growth and environmental conditions in mangrove forests along a latitudinal gradient.
- Measuring the importance of habitat connectivity and complexity to the nursery function of estuarine habitats.
Current Research
The work on seawater temperature, above, has added a new dimension to my research, and ongoing studies are looking at consequences for inshore bio geographic patterns along the Southern African coast, particularly in the light of climate change.Related to this, a newly funded project (2014 – 2016) will look at kelp ecosystems that respond to human-induced climate change and climate variability all over the world (collaborating with Prof. John Bolton, UCT; Dr. Rob Anderson, Seaweed Unit, DAFF; and Dr. Thomas Wernberg, the University of Western Australia).
In most regions, kelp forests are retreating due to ocean warming and human pressure, while in South Africa, uniquely, early evidence suggests that kelp ecosystems might be expanding, possibly due to cooling from increased upwelling.
The project will contribute to a number of parallel projects which we are members of, including an Australia-South Africa study on genetics and climate change in Ecklonia radiata, the global KEEN project on kelps and climate change, and a project on molecular systematics of kelps.
Other ongoing research includes a project on the systematic conservation planning of the KwaZulu-Natal offshore marine environment (with Dr. Jean Harris and Mrs. Tamsyn Livingstone at Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, in collaboration with Prof. Atte Moilanen at the University of Helsinki, Finland); research on the distribution of micro plastics in the marine environment and consequences for fish (with Dr. David Glassom and Mr. Trishan Naidoo at the UKZN); and using stable isotopes of N to trace the source and distribution of anthropogenic N sources along rocky shores of KZN (with Ms. Shivanee Pillay at the UKZN).
Issues related to the propagation of vegetables, the quality thereof in terms of being fit for human consumption and, informing the affect communities about the research outcomes to encourage sustainable development.
Snake ecology and conservation are key components of the research in our department. Our work seeks to understand the functional roles of snakes in African ecosystems. We have several ongoing projects that address questions regarding snake natural history, ecology, communities, and conservation. Our interests and questions span a number of study systems including active study sites within the fynbos, nama karoo, and savannah biomes. We utilise a number of approaches to collect the data required to answer these questions including intensive sampling in the field using drift fence arrays, artificial cover objects, and radio-telemetry. Other projects are exclusively computational and seek to model the distributions of species or to analyse citizen science data.
Emerging infective Zoonosis and bio invasion risks in urban areas across southern Africa: A study focussed on the human-rodent interface.
Current projects
- A collaborative programme: Chromosome painting and recombination in vlei rats, and also chromosome painting in southern African mongoose.
- A collaborative programme: Phylogeography of selected taxa in a Biodiversity Hotspot.
My research interests focus on the roles of ecological and sexual selection in promoting biodiversity, using insects and fish as model species.
Current Projects:
- Ecology and Mate choice and speciation: Intra- and inter-specific variation in bladder grasshoppers (Orthoptera; Pneumoridae)
Ongoing projects
● EI4WS project (Ecological Infrastructure for Water Security) - Natural capital accounting for Ecological Infrastructure South African Biodiversity Institute.● Biodiversity Economy Project – Understanding land-use tradeoffs relating to agriculture, mining, and conservation in Northern Namibia, with Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) and UNU Flores Dresden, Germany.
● CHIDA – Understanding Nature Based Solution for urban development in rural towns in the Eastern Cape South Africa and Malawi, with Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Chancellor Colledge Zomba Malawi, ACDI at University of Cape Town and Rhodes University
