SALLY ARCHIBALD
I work on understanding the dynamics of savanna ecosystems in the context of global change. My work integrates field ecological data, remote sensing, modelling, and biogeochemistry. I am involved in collaborative research projects with Yale University, Edinburgh University and the University of Liverpool among others which variously work on fire-grazer interactions, inter-continental savanna comparisons, the importance of land-atmosphere feedbacks, and pursuing a global theory of fire. I am closely linked with research projects at the Global Change and Ecosystems group at the CSIR where I hold an affiliate position.
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current students
Sibusiso Dlamini - Doctor of Philosophy Candidate
My study background is in Agriculture. My Masters research Biological Nitrogen Fixation by Bambara groundnut in Swaziland. Studying the phylogeny, symbiotic functioning and ecological traits of indigenous soil microsymbionts nodulating Bambara sparked my interest in soil microbes. Right now, I am registered under the Soil Microbial Community Ecology Lab and I am investigating soil microbial diversity and their functional traits sampled from grass species at Kruger National Park. Additionally, the study will test the plant growth promoting (PGP) traits of the soil microbes under greenhouse conditions. My research interests are on Plant Physiology and Soil Microbial Ecology and their potential use as biofertilizers in Agriculture and phytoremediation in Mining industries. |
Praxedes Vimbai Rukuni - Doctor of Philosophy Candidate
I am a conservation ecologist, interested in community ecology. My current study aims to understand how harvesting choices in the Zambezi teak woodlands influence woodland structure and composition. The main objective is to identify the “human harvesting bottleneck”, detailing the preferred harvested species and sizes in these woodlands. Using qualitative and quantitative plot data this study will then provide information relating to diversity across the size class strata and regeneration capacity of the dominant woodland species in both community and protected woodlands. This study is supported by the SEOSAW partnership (https://seosaw.github.io/). |
Tanaya Nair - Doctor of Philosophy Candidate
Tanaya (she/her) is an early career ecologist and artist from India. She is a visiting research student at the Archibald lab and is otherwise based at the Environmental Change Institute at University of Oxford. Her research interests in biodiversity resilience and nature recovery expand across scale (from fine scale to macro scale) and across various biomes (savannas, grasslands, forests). Here, she is using the latest microclimate modelling techniques to model frost at fine scales across Southern African grasslands. In addition to ecology, she also has a professional and educational background in dance and yoga and is interested in finding ways to bring together art and science in meaningful, inclusive, and collaborative settings. |
Humbelani Thenga - Doctor of Philosophy Candidate
My Research explores the impact of woody plant encroachment (WPE) on soil organic carbon (SOC) in savanna systems with a focus on fundamental questions of: How does WPE affect SOC in magnitude and direction? How litter quality, edaphic factors (e.g. soil physicochemical properties and moisture) and changes in micro-environment (temperature and microbial diversity) mediate these effects? This study will allow us to address some of the burning questions on the role of WPE in sequestering carbon. There is a growing consensus derived from satellite monitoring technique, which suggests that WPE in dry and semi-arid lands is a good nature-based solution for sequestering atmospheric carbon. The major challenge to this simplistic linear thinking is that there is lack of understanding on the mechanisms driving the Net carbon sequestration (plant + soil) and the sustainability of this carbon pool under changing climate compared to that of grasses, which are reportedly more resilient to climate extremes. |
Mthokozisi Moyo - Doctor of Philosophy Candidate
My project focuses on the ecophysiological and biogeographical evidence for the onset of wet-dry seasonality in Africa. The aim of my project is to detect when wet-dry seasonality began in Africa in the late Miocene. I am also looking at the traits that are important for plants and animals to survive in seasonal environments. I will use past fossil records and other paleobotanic evidence to see when these traits evolved in the past. These traits will be used with phylogenetic and paleo-ecological data to test alternative hypotheses on the timing of the spread of seasonally arid systems in Africa. Lastly, I am interested in creating a model of all the factors that control seasonality in Africa. With a changing climate, understanding how plants responded to changes in the past will help us to understand how they may change in the future. |
Elaine Slooten- Doctor of Philosophy Candidate
I’m conducting this research through North West University, with the guidance of Prof. Frances Siebert as my primary supervisor and Prof. Sally Archibald as co-supervisor since 2021, with support from Future Ecosystems for Africa (FEFA). My field of interest lies in South African grasslands, focusing on grassland health, biodiversity, and recovery following both endo- and exogenous disturbances. My research investigates the impact of exogenous disturbances, specifically ploughing, on the recovery of total carbon stocks in the Highveld grasslands of South Africa. We are examining carbon stock recovery more than 20 years after a ploughing event, quantifying the long-term effects on grassland ecosystems by analysing both plant and soil organic carbon at selected sites. While many studies in South Africa have assessed carbon stocks in the context of the carbon credit system, with most focus on improving soil organic carbon (SOC) storage through regenerative farming practices. However, the combined contribution of plant carbon, particularly the belowground plant carbon pool, has been largely overlooked in South African grassland science. Originally conceptualised as a master’s project, the expanded scope and potential significance of this work led to its upgrade to a PhD. Additionally, I am working on a joint project with MSc student Eulalia Jordaan. |
Mr Tatenda Gotore - Doctor of Philosophy Candidate
I am a Forest Ecology and Management Researcher focusing on sustainable harvesting of miombo woodlands. His research, which is collaboratively supported by the Miombo Network (http://miombonetwork.org/) and the SEOSAW Partnership (https://seosaw.github.io/) looks at using a network of tree plot data to inform sustainable utilisation of the miombo woodlands. His research interest is in exploring relationships between biomass accumulation and disturbance (human, fire, elephant) in miombo woodlands and its impact on biomass change, in order to optimise utilisation but also in view of biodiversity conservation and climate change. Twiter: https://twitter.com/TatendaGotore Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tatenda-gotore-38aa2848/ |
Robert Ang'ila - Doctor of Philosophy Candidate
I am currently pursuing a PhD in Environmental Studies at Karatina University, Kenya. My research focuses on understanding the responses of savannah ecosystems to disturbances, including varying livestock stocking rates and prolonged drought conditions. Additionally, I explore how fine-scale variations in edaphic factors influence the movement patterns of large mammalian herbivores. I am based at the Mpala Research Centre in Kenya. This research is critically important for developing strategies to promote sustainable rangeland management, conserve biodiversity, and mitigate the impacts of climate change on savannah ecosystems. This research is part of the Future Ecosystem for Africa (FEFA) program and is conducted under the supervision of Dr. Duncan Kimuyu and Prof. Sally Archibald. |
Tiisetso Mphela - Master of Science Student
There has been a higher occurrence of fires in forest plantations in more recent years. My Masters research project focuses on understanding what the potential drivers of fires in forest plantations are and what strategies are put in place to mitigate fire risks in these landscapes and to what extent they are implemented. My research interests include climate change, extreme climate events, management strategies in forest plantations specifically, and remote sensing. |
Eulalia Jordaan - Master of Science Student
I am currently employed as an Ecological Technician at the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA), within the Scientific Services Department, and I am in the process of completing my MSc in Environmental Sciences at North-West University (NWU). With the support of my supervisor, Prof. Frances Siebert, and co-supervisor, Prof. Sally Archibald, as well as their respective research groups—the Forb Ecology Research Group (FERG) and Future Ecosystems for Africa (FEFA)—we have been working on this project since 2022, completing data collection in 2023. My primary interest lies in grasslands and their remarkable faunal and floral diversity. For this master’s project, however, the focus is on quantifying the effects of long-term agricultural practices, specifically ploughing, on floristic and functional diversity in the Highveld grasslands (high and low rainfall regions) of South Africa. It has been particularly interesting to observe the impacts of (mis)management, not only on the species diversity of recovering old-ploughed sites but also on the unploughed grasslands. This research also ties in well with my role at the MTPA, as it provides valuable insights into the ecological processes that inform grassland conservation, restoration, and management strategies within protected areas. This project is also a collaborative effort with another PhD candidate, Elaine Slooten, whose research focuses on the recovery of total carbon stocks in these grasslands. |
POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWS
REsearch fellows
Penny Mograbi, PhD
I am a Post-Doc in ecosystem dynamics and global change at the School of Animal, Plant & Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand. I’m interested in the socio-ecology of savannas, particularly in the co-adaptive response of human-environment systems to human use and the response of vegetation communities and ecosystems to multiple pressures. Previously, my Phd focused on landscape-scale structural changes in woody vegetation in communal rangelands across a fuelwood harvesting gradient. Currently, I am exploring the effects of human use (e.g. timber, fuelwood, edible fruit) on southern and eastern African savanna tree biodiversity. I am also the SEOSAW Project Scientist, coordinating the scientific work of the SEOSAW partnership by facilitating the plot data collection and database management, as well as supporting the network of researchers and facilitating knowledge exchange. I am a global fellow and lead author on the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services’ (IPBES) sustainable use of wild species thematic assessment. I work closely with the LANDteam at the School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh, where I have links to their research projects. |
Anya Courtenay, MSc
My research focusses on the biogeography of Savannas and grasslands, and the environmental drivers that shape their plant diversity. I manage the Global Grassy Group network and database, collaborating with members of the Archibald lab and others to collect and analyse ground-layer species composition data across gradients of fire, herbivory, topography and land use. I am based at the University of Edinburgh and Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, and my work is supported by Future Ecosystems for Africa and the Global Centre on Biodiversity for Climate. |
Jone Fernando Júnior
A Forest Ecology Researcher with over a decade of experience in forest management, climate change, biodiversity conservation, and remote sensing. His primary interest focuses on the multitemporal study of forest ecology and dynamics under different types of disturbances, as well as the application of participatory and precise methods for the collection and analysis of dendrometric data in Sub-Saharan African woodlands. Jone has worked extensively as a Research Assistant on various international projects at Eduardo Mondlane University in partnership with institutions such as the University of Edinburgh, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Lisbon University and others. He is currently a Data Quality Officer at SEOSAW, based at University of Witwatersrand, South Africa, where he contributes to forest monitoring and conservation efforts across Southern Africa. |
OTHER Past students and Postdoctoral Fellows
Belinda Mtetwa (Honours) 2024 - 2024:
Darren Lowrey (Honours) 2024 - 2024:
Kiara Boyd (Honours) 2024 - 2024:
Fezile Mtsetfwa (PhD)
Kayla Goodfellow (Honours) 2023 - 2023: Currently an MSc student at the University of the Witwatersrand
Caroline Mashau (PhD) 2018 - 2024: Currently a Grass Taxonomist at SANBI
Edith Singini (PhD) 2020 - 2024: Currently a technician/post-doc at Stellenbosch Forestry Institute
Mpilo Khumalo (PhD) x - 2024: Currently a PhD candidate at Stellenbosch University
Londiwe Mokoena (MSc) 2020 - 2023: Currently a PhD candidate at the University of Pretoria
Shedron Mukhumo (Honours) 2022 - 2022: Currently working for the Organisation for Tropical Studies
Evalt Lebese (MSc) 2019 -2021: Currently a Data Insights Officer and Ecological Lead at the Africa Foundation
Kagiso Mogajane (Honours) 2021 - 2021: Currently an intern at Meat Naturally
Nonthando Ngobeni (Honours) 2021 -2021: Currently an MSc student with UNISA and working for WoFire
Mathieu Milan (PostDoc) 2020 - 2021: Currently a PostDoc Fellow at the Czech Academy of Sciences
Busisiwe Jaxa (Honours) 2020 - 2020: Currently a MSc student at the University of the Witwatersrand, Completing graduate programme at Rand Water
Emma Wright (Honours) 2020 - 2020: Currently a MSc student at the University of Cape Town
Anabella Cardosa (PostDoc) 2019 - 2021: Currently a Science Team Manager for NASA's BioSCape Program: A Biodiversity Survey of the Greater Cape Floristic Region
Chao Wu (PostDoc) 2019 - 2021: Currently a PostDoc Fellow at the University of Utah
Tamryn Hamilton (MSc) 2018 - 2020: Currently a PhD candidate at the North West University, Information intern at SAEON
Monique Botha (PostDoc): 2018 - 2019: Currently a PostDoc fellow at the University of Pretoria
Caitlin Ransom (MSc) 2017 - 2019: Currently a Science Engagement Officer at SAEON
Dylan Beukes (MSc) 2017 - 2019: Currently an NRF intern at the University of Pretoria
Gareth Hempson (PostDoc) 2018 - 2021: Currently a Research Affiliate at Glascow University
Swanni Alverado (PostDoc) 2018 - 2018: Currently a PostDoc Fellow at Universidade Estadual do Maranhão
Margaret Parrish (MSc) 2017 - 2018: Currently a data manager at Indigo Consulting In Santa Fe
Michael Voysey (MSc) 2017 - 2018: Currently a PhD candidate at Harvard University
Liakae Ramasimong (MSc) 2017 - 2018: Currently working as a consultant
Jason Donaldson (PhD) 2015 - 2015: Currently a postdoctoral fellow at Wake Forest University
Alekzandra Szewczuk (Honours) 2016 - 2017: Currently a PhD student at the University of the Witwatersrand
Felix Skhosana (MSc) 2015 - 2016: Currently a PhD studentship at the CSIR
Basand Nondlazi (MSc) 2012 - 2016: Currently a PhD studentship at the CSIR
Zoey Luhdo (MSc) 2013 - 2015: Currently a reserve manager at Stevensford Game Reserve
Nthambeleni Masia (MSc) 2012 - 2015: Currently a senior research technician at Agricultural Research Council in Mpumalanga
Drew Pollard (MSc) 2013 - 2014: Currently a reserve manager at Karingani Game Reserve
Melissa Howes-Whitecross (PhD) 2012 - 2014: Currently a program manager at BirdLife International
Nicola Stevens (PhD) 2010 - 2014: Currently a Trapnell Research Fellow for Oxford University
Kuda Mugengi (PhD) 2012 - 2014 (MSc): Currently a lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe
Sajith Vezhapparambu (PostDoc) 2012 - 2013: Currently a researcher at Amrita University
Evalt Lebese (MSc)
Jess Rickenback (PhD)
Celia Gomes (PhD)
Darren Lowrey (Honours) 2024 - 2024:
Kiara Boyd (Honours) 2024 - 2024:
Fezile Mtsetfwa (PhD)
Kayla Goodfellow (Honours) 2023 - 2023: Currently an MSc student at the University of the Witwatersrand
Caroline Mashau (PhD) 2018 - 2024: Currently a Grass Taxonomist at SANBI
Edith Singini (PhD) 2020 - 2024: Currently a technician/post-doc at Stellenbosch Forestry Institute
Mpilo Khumalo (PhD) x - 2024: Currently a PhD candidate at Stellenbosch University
Londiwe Mokoena (MSc) 2020 - 2023: Currently a PhD candidate at the University of Pretoria
Shedron Mukhumo (Honours) 2022 - 2022: Currently working for the Organisation for Tropical Studies
Evalt Lebese (MSc) 2019 -2021: Currently a Data Insights Officer and Ecological Lead at the Africa Foundation
Kagiso Mogajane (Honours) 2021 - 2021: Currently an intern at Meat Naturally
Nonthando Ngobeni (Honours) 2021 -2021: Currently an MSc student with UNISA and working for WoFire
Mathieu Milan (PostDoc) 2020 - 2021: Currently a PostDoc Fellow at the Czech Academy of Sciences
Busisiwe Jaxa (Honours) 2020 - 2020: Currently a MSc student at the University of the Witwatersrand, Completing graduate programme at Rand Water
Emma Wright (Honours) 2020 - 2020: Currently a MSc student at the University of Cape Town
Anabella Cardosa (PostDoc) 2019 - 2021: Currently a Science Team Manager for NASA's BioSCape Program: A Biodiversity Survey of the Greater Cape Floristic Region
Chao Wu (PostDoc) 2019 - 2021: Currently a PostDoc Fellow at the University of Utah
Tamryn Hamilton (MSc) 2018 - 2020: Currently a PhD candidate at the North West University, Information intern at SAEON
Monique Botha (PostDoc): 2018 - 2019: Currently a PostDoc fellow at the University of Pretoria
Caitlin Ransom (MSc) 2017 - 2019: Currently a Science Engagement Officer at SAEON
Dylan Beukes (MSc) 2017 - 2019: Currently an NRF intern at the University of Pretoria
Gareth Hempson (PostDoc) 2018 - 2021: Currently a Research Affiliate at Glascow University
Swanni Alverado (PostDoc) 2018 - 2018: Currently a PostDoc Fellow at Universidade Estadual do Maranhão
Margaret Parrish (MSc) 2017 - 2018: Currently a data manager at Indigo Consulting In Santa Fe
Michael Voysey (MSc) 2017 - 2018: Currently a PhD candidate at Harvard University
Liakae Ramasimong (MSc) 2017 - 2018: Currently working as a consultant
Jason Donaldson (PhD) 2015 - 2015: Currently a postdoctoral fellow at Wake Forest University
Alekzandra Szewczuk (Honours) 2016 - 2017: Currently a PhD student at the University of the Witwatersrand
Felix Skhosana (MSc) 2015 - 2016: Currently a PhD studentship at the CSIR
Basand Nondlazi (MSc) 2012 - 2016: Currently a PhD studentship at the CSIR
Zoey Luhdo (MSc) 2013 - 2015: Currently a reserve manager at Stevensford Game Reserve
Nthambeleni Masia (MSc) 2012 - 2015: Currently a senior research technician at Agricultural Research Council in Mpumalanga
Drew Pollard (MSc) 2013 - 2014: Currently a reserve manager at Karingani Game Reserve
Melissa Howes-Whitecross (PhD) 2012 - 2014: Currently a program manager at BirdLife International
Nicola Stevens (PhD) 2010 - 2014: Currently a Trapnell Research Fellow for Oxford University
Kuda Mugengi (PhD) 2012 - 2014 (MSc): Currently a lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe
Sajith Vezhapparambu (PostDoc) 2012 - 2013: Currently a researcher at Amrita University
Evalt Lebese (MSc)
Jess Rickenback (PhD)
Celia Gomes (PhD)
Field technicians
Happy Mangena
Amanuel Abraham
Amanuel Abraham