Aquatic Systems Research Group, School of Biology and Environmental Sciences at University of Mpumalanga
Our research group is housed in the School of Biology and Environmental Sciences at University of Mpumalanga. Our mission is to employ our expertise in plankton ecology, trophic ecology, environmental monitoring and assessment, biodiversity and conservation to test ecological theory and to understand and develop approaches for solving diverse environmental problems. We are particularly interested in how ecological systems respond to an environmental disturbance caused by anthropogenic impacts, hydroperiod and invasive species. Working with fellow ecologists, resource managers and policy makers often stimulates new directions for my research. Most of our projects use field observations, and experiments, to better understand the effects of natural and anthropogenic factors on flora and fauna and their role in aquatic ecosystems. Field studies are used to identify interesting patterns in nature that may indicate ecological and environmental problems or an interesting natural phenomenon. Manipulative experiments in artificial microcosms and mesocosms are used to confirm cause-effect relationships. Our work takes place in the rivers, wetlands and reservoirs of South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Democratic Republic of Congo, United Kingdom and China.
We collaborate widely with colleagues (fellow scientists, managers, communities) from different universities/institutes, private and government on different projects. We often team up with National Park and/or Game Reserve scientists and field staff at the front lines of conservation. We publish our findings mainly as peer-reviewed articles, popular articles and research reports.