A5004941430- Animal and Plant Science Education
- Urban Green Space and Health
- Plant and animal studies
- Urban Agriculture and Sustainability
- Land Use and Ecosystem Services
- Plant Parasitism and Resistance
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Urban and Rural Development Challenges
- Innovative Approaches in Technology and Social Development
- Sustainable Building Design and Assessment
- Plant Reproductive Biology
- Plant pathogens and resistance mechanisms
University of Pretoria
2023-2024
University of Cape Town
2019-2023
Urbanization transforms environments in ways that alter biological evolution. We examined whether urban environmental change drives parallel evolution by sampling 110,019 white clover plants from 6169 populations 160 cities globally. Plants were assayed for a Mendelian antiherbivore defense also affects tolerance to abiotic stressors. Urban-rural gradients associated with the of clines 47% throughout world. Variation strength was explained changes drought stress and vegetation cover varied...
Multifunctional green infrastructure, a key component of compact sustainable cities, is challenged by the pressures associated with rapid urbanization. In this paper, we present method that uses remote sensing, GIS modeling and stakeholder engagement to produce decision support tool communicates availability need for infrastructure benefits. The case study presented City Tshwane, South Africa, Global city facing We found mapping benefits can provide simultaneous oversight on multiple...
Abstract Rapid urbanization is projected for African cities at the cost of urban green space, which could jeopardize biodiversity and human benefits. Studies focusing specifically on human–green space relationships in Global South are lacking, validity extrapolating results from studies North remains questionable cannot provide local context-specific design solutions. This study combines methods perspectives ecology geography with landscape to better understand benefits people derived...
Urban ecosystems are increasingly viewed as an important component within strategies for wildlife conservation but shaped much by natural systems they social and political processes. At the garden scale, attitudes preferences govern design maintenance choices including decision to encourage or discourage specific faunal presence. global charismatic taxa that well-liked attract more funding volunteer stewardship. Amphibians a class of animals both loved loathed making them suitable subject...
Abstract Converting road verges and Public Open Space (POS) to floral-rich resources is an important strategy for supporting populations of urban pollinators. One the ways this can be achieved through adjusting mowing schedules, either with a “delayed start” after end winter, or reduction in frequency. In Mediterranean climate ecosystems mild, wet winters, plant growth continues winter season definition unclear. This study sought identify strategic period suspension activities city South...
In this paper, we lean on experiences from South Africa as a point of departure for discussing the unrealized potentials and complications applying collaborative, transformative citizen science (CS). We first show value exploring community-based ecological restoration artistic approaches in development research. Building these empirical insights, outline ideas integrating CS into such research, not only to collect additional data, but way increase incentives capacities among both...
Background: Urban landscapes present an important opportunity for pollinator conservation, but little is known about the status and distribution of populations in urban habitats Africa. This represents a major gap development global understanding pollinators – particularly from rapidly urbanising context. study uses speciose clade flower-visiting beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Hopliini) to explore patterns metropolitan area South Objectives: We investigated community composition across...
Abstract Urban ecosystems are increasingly viewed as an important component within strategies for wildlife conservation but shaped much by natural systems they social and political processes. At the garden scale, attitudes preferences govern design maintenance choices including decision to encourage or discourage specific faunal presence. global charismatic taxa that well-liked attract more funding volunteer stewardship. Amphibians a class of animals both loved loathed making them suitable...