RECENT EVENTS
2025
|
Sally has been awarded the The John F W Herschel Medal for 2025 by the Royal Society of Southern Africa for her outstanding contributions in evolutionary biology, functional ecology, fire ecology, climate science, and ecosystem management which have profoundly enhanced our understanding of grassland ecosystems and their complexities.
By integrating insights from various disciplines, her research has been crucial in tackling intricate ecological issues and developing effective conservation and management strategies. Her notable achievements and groundbreaking ideas have garnered esteemed grants and leadership positions, amplifying her impact on global biodiversity conservation and climate mitigation efforts. As a dedicated mentor and educator, she remains a source of inspiration and guidance for the next generation of scientists, continually advancing knowledge within her field. Congratulations! |
Thank you to the Future Ecosystems for Africa team for a fantastic presentation at the Oppenheimer Generations Research Conference – see this beautiful graphic of how this project integrates disciplines to drive just and sustainable pathways for Africa and the world
See more here:
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/future-ecosystems-for-africa-fefa_orc2025-activity-7386341219058053120-j4Ei?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAALHmTkBzIYKtT7xHbmAHBj2zNAOxoCHGBs
See more here:
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/future-ecosystems-for-africa-fefa_orc2025-activity-7386341219058053120-j4Ei?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAALHmTkBzIYKtT7xHbmAHBj2zNAOxoCHGBs
2024
|
|
Some snapshots of the Archibald Lab, as well as some additional APES and former APES peers, at the 13th Oppenheimer Research Conference - held from 09-11 October 2024.
|
|
In 2024, a couple members of the Archibald Lab did some fieldwork in the Bicuar National Park, Angola. The research team joined the existing research group at Bicuar and set out to demonstrate ground-layer diversity and its response to different environmental dynamics down a catena. Additionally, the team set out to calibrate microclimate models to predict seasonal frost occurrence in response to vegetation and tree cover. For more details on this expedition, see the blogpost by Anya, Tanaya, and Ruth at the following link: https://globalgrassygroup.github.io/2024/02/28/bicuar.html
|
|
We had a visiting researcher from the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina - Dr Lucía Mochi.
"In my doctoral research, I investigated woody encroachment processes in Argentinean savannas. Assessing impacts of cattle grazing and grasses on the early stages of encroacher tree species in these ecosystems. My focus is on understanding the determinants of tree seedling establishment to identify potential management tools for early control of woody encroachment. During my visit to South Africa, I participated in a workshop on fire management at Tswalu with researchers from the University of Pretoria, Rhodes University, and SANPark managers. I also collaborated in fieldwork in Dullstroom, where floristic vegetation censuses are performed. As part of my collaboration with the Archibald’s lab, I also initiated a literature review on tree establishment in savannas." |
2023
|
|
Two budding researchers Elaine Slooten and Eulalia Jordaan, from the North West University (NWU) in South Africa embarked on a two-month sampling journey to gather soil and floristic data. This expedition was part of the Future Ecosystems for Africa (FEFA) program for their MSc’s, supported by Oppenheimer Generations Research and Conservation, Frances Siebert (NWU), and Sally Archibald (University of Witwatersrand). You can read more in a short blogpost here: globalgrassygroup.github.io/2023/01/10/southafrica.html
|
Jason, Sally, Tanaya, Nontobeko & Edith.
|
August 2023, Lab alumnus Jason Donaldson joins lab and discusses some great new collaborations!!
|
|
ORC 2023 held 4-6 October 23, Archibald lab member and lab affiliates enjoying the ORC and sharing their current research.
|
|
|
This year we celebrated with three of our lab members as they advanced from various levels of their academic careers. Congratulations to our 2023 Graduates Ms Tiisetso Mphela, Ms Londiwe Mokoena and Dr Aluoneswi C. Mashau.
|
|
Our Lab PI Prof. Sally Archibald has recently become a Fellow of the Royal Society of South Africa, congratulations are in order!
|
|
|
|
The Archibald Lab convened at the Pirates Club in Greenside, Braeside Road for a bowls day celebrating some of the 2023 Graduates.
|
2022
|
|
Archibald Ecology Lab at the 11th Oppenheimer Research Conference in Midrand, held 5-7 October 2022. Lab member and PhD Candidate Mthokozisi Moyo scooped the award for best student presentation.
|
2019
|
|
Archibald Ecology lab members at the 2019 School of Animal, Plant & Environmental Sciences (APES) Gala!
|
