Post Graduate template Olalekan Agboola (PhD Candidate) BTech Hons Environmental Biology (Ladoke Akintola University of Technology), MTech Environmental Biology (Ladoke Akintola University of Technology) Email: olamilekan21@yahoo.com Brief Description of Research Monitoring and assessment of macroinvertebrate communities in support of river health management in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Supervisor Dr G O’ Brien, Prof CT Downs Theme: Effect of changing land use- river Jarryd Alexander (PhD Candidate) BSc Ecology and conservation, and Zoology (University of the Witwatersrand) BSc Hons Ecology and conservation (University of the Witwatersrand) MSc Ecology and conservation (University of the Witwatersrand), Email: jarryd1004@gmail.com Brief Description of Research The influence of eco-estates on the animal biodiversity of KwaZulu-Natal, focusing on the difference in biodiversity between sugarcane monoculture and eco-estates previously developed on sugarcane land. Animal biodiversity will be determined through the assessment of species abundance and richness of small and large mammals, bats, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. The research is supported by the Durban Action Research Partnership: Global Environmental Change Programme and aims to contribute to creating data sheets as well as suggesting beneficial management plans for existing and future eco-estates. Supervisor Prof CT Downs Theme: Effect of changing land use- urban
Camille Fritsch (MSc Candidate) BA Environmental Science (University of California, Santa Barbara) Email: camille.jacques10@gmail.com Brief Description of Research Behaviour and habitat use of hippopotamus at Ndumo Game Reserve. This includes their interactions with Nile crocodiles. Supervisor Prof Colleen Downs Theme: Mammalian terrestrial vertebrates – ecology and conservation Nombuso Gongo (MSc Candidate) BSc Environmental Sciences (University of KwaZulu-Natal) BSc Hons Ecological Sciences (University of KwaZulu-Natal) Email: gyedwa@yahoo.com Brief Description of Research Ecological risk assessment of the responses of Macrobenthos community to environmental variable changes in the Thukela Estuary. In this study, the Relative Risk Method (RRM) will be implemented to conduct an ecological risk assessment of multiple stressors to selected ecological end points to the wellbeing of macrobenthos community in the Thukela estuary by assessing their responses to changes in water quality, flows and habitat due to various land uses in the catchment. The outcomes of this study will provide managers and stakeholders with information on how to reduce risks from the stressors and also increase efforts at balancing the use and protection of the Thukela Estuary resources. Supervisor(s) Dr G O’Brien, Prof CT Downs Theme: Effect of changing land use- rivers
Gary Robson (PhD Candidate) BSc (University of Natal, PMB), BSc Hons Zoology (University of Natal, PMB) MSc Zoology (University of Natal, PMB), HDE (University of Natal, PMB) Email: garygeorgerobson1@gmail.com Comparative ecology, life strategy, biogeography, phylogeography and evolution of Scutellastra aphanes and Scutellastra obtecta. In 1985 I described a new species of limpet, Scutellastra aphanes and reinstated Scutellastra obtecta. Both species are sympatric and endemic to the east coast of South Africa. Molecular phylogeny has revealed them as recently diverged sister species and members of a monophyletic territorial clade. As no comprehensive ecological research has been conducted or published on either species, the aim of my research is to compare ecology, life strategy, biogeography, phylogeography and evolution of these sister species. Supervisor Prof CT Downs Warren Schmidt (MSc Candidate) Email: Brief Description of Research Snake Population Declines from an African perspective I am researching snake population structure and conservation in relation to current global snake population declines. The objective of this research is to determine whether African, and in particular, South African snakes, are experiencing population declines as documented in several northern hemisphere species. This research will also investigate conservation issues affecting snakes, including the impact of road mortality, urban development, agricultural practices and other environmental stresses. Supervisor Prof CT Downs Theme: Effect of changing land use- herps