Projects

Past and current projects we are involved in.

How megaherbivores change vegetation in the western and eastern cape – Research project

In the cape of South Africa megaherbivores have been absent for much of our recent history, but prior to colonization, occurred throughout much of the landscape and likely facilitated habitat for grazing species throughout the course of history. This work aims to provide a key glimpse into the past using our current understanding of large mammals to predict how historic mammals would have used the southern Cape and Palaeo-Agulhas Plain environment (a now submerged landscape off the southern Cape). Additionally, this work provides important information assisting protected area management to understand the effects of megaherbivores in the southern Cape.

Monitoring assistant with the Cape Parrot Project

Soil erosion control in Malawi

Land degradation across Africa is resulting in huge amounts of topsoil being lost forever. In Malawi we are working with local communities and NGO’s to restore degraded areas by fixing soil erosion, improving water infiltration and vegetation cover.

Integrated fire and alien invasive plant management

Alien invasive plants increase fuel loads and often lead to devastating fires. Integrating fire management and alien invasive plant clearing is key to providing cost effective management for controlling alien invasive plants while maintaining fire regimes within ecologically friendly boundaries.

Specialist Reports

  • Animal Species Specialist Report, proposed George Western bypass road (2023)
  • Terrestrial Biodiversity Specialist Report, proposed George Western bypass road (2023)
  • Animal Species Specialist Report, proposed Diepwalle tented camp, Knysna (2023)
  • Terrestrial Biodiversity Specialist Report, proposed Diepwalle tented camp, Knysna (2023)

Recent publications