Download current projects - South African National Parks

CURRENT PROJECTS
Researcher
name
Title
Home range analysis of African
buffalo (Syncerus caffer): test of a
new method
Comparing grass biomass production
between sodic sites and crests in the
Alard GF
semi-arid granitic savannas of the
lowveld
A comparison of community dynamics
Andelman SJ in North American and South African
savannas and grasslands
The potential for community-based
conservation in promoting biological
Anthony BP
conservation and human rural
development
Vegetation monitoring in the Kruger
Aplin P
National Park using multiscale remote
sensing analysis
Abeare SM
Basson S
Bermeister
O
Bird TLF
Objectives
Status
To investigate the spatial distribution of buffalo
relative to vegetation variables, distance to
Current
water, topography and visibility.
Hypothesis: Grass biomass production is
higher on sodic sites than on the crests.
To explore scale-dependence in the
relationship between biodiversity and
ecosystem function.
To examine the nature of the relationship
between Hlanganani communities and the
Kruger National Park.
Knowledge of vegetation distribution is crucial
to facilitate our understanding and
management of the environment.
[email protected]
Current
[email protected]
Current
[email protected]
Current
[email protected]
Current
[email protected]
To gauge different applications of a natural
substance, gypsum (CaSO4) to the soil in
Unnaturally eroded sodic soils
order to verify its potential to be used for
Current
rehabilitation report
reclamation and stabilisation of sensitive sodic
soild in localities where anthropogenic soil
erosion occurs.
The
investigation is primarily concerned with
An examination into nutrient
looking into the nutrient contents of soils
distribution in soils around artificial
Current
watering sites on the northern plains around open and closed artificial watering
points in the northern plains of the KNP.
of Kruger National Park
Transmission of bovine tuberculosis
(Mycobacterium bovis) in African
buffalo (Syncerus caffer) in Kruger
National Park
E-mail
To investigate some of the aspects of
transmission of bovine tuberculosis (BTb) in
Current
African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) in the Kruger
National Park (KNP
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Researcher
name
Bond WJ
Title
Forest Colonization od savannas:
Pattern and Process
Objectives
To determine how broad-leaved forest species
invade savannas and what limits, and what
Current
promotes the invasion process.
The main objective is to develop a
methodology to monitor the recovery process
Assessment of the influence of woody
of vegetation by comparison of time series
and grass vegetation in the regrowth
Boonen M
information derived from coarse resolution
process
image sequences instead of analyzing it as
single change events.
The water requirements for seedling To determine if rainfall variability limits
Botha S
establishment of savanna woody
seedling survival of different tree species
species in the Kruger National Park
during certain years.
Aim is to ascertain if common habitat
Habitat patch selection of breeding
preferences exist between mixed herds across
herds of African buffalo (Syncerus
Bowers J
different substrates and to ascertain buffalo
caffer caffer) in the Satara region of
utilisation and prioritisation of seasonal
the Kruger National Park.
resources
To document and develop a tourism product
San rock art in the Kruger National
Braack LEO
around San rock art in the Kruger National
Park
Park.
Studies of stick insects (Phasmida) of To identify Phasmid species present in the
Brock P
Kruger National Park, including the
Kruger National Park's fauna.
description of new species
Population dynamics models will be developed
Modelling the declines of large
Buckland ST
for the main ungulate species of Kruger
ungulates in Kruger National Park
National Park.
Improving cardio-pulmonary function To develop safer field anesthesia for white
Bush M
for a safer field anesthesia of white
rhinoceros.
rhinoceros
Monitoring a water hyacinth
The development of an intergrated
infestation on Engelhardt Dam as part management plan for water hyacinth control,
Byrne M
of an ntergrated management plan
combining biological control, herbicidal control
for water hyacinth control in South
and nutrient control tailored to the climatic
Africa
regions of South Africa.
Current / Monitoring Projects
Status
E-mail
[email protected]
Current
[email protected]
Current
[email protected]
Current
[email protected]
Current
[email protected]
Current
[email protected]
Current
[email protected]
Current
[email protected]
Current
[email protected]
Page 2 of 2
Researcher
name
Cadenasso
ML
Cameron S
Carlens H
Citino SB
Title
Structure and function of riparian
upland boundaries
Collection of insects for evolutionary
studies of their relationships
The optimization and validation of
climate and remote sensing data
based fire risk assessment with fire
occurrence data
Developing a safe, effective
anaesthesia protocol for rapid
anaesthesia of free-ranging giraffes
Objectives
To characterize and quantify the three
dimensional structure of boundaries between
riparian and upland vegetation in Kruger
National Park.
To collect insects of different genera for
evolutionary studies of their relationships.
To link the fire risk models and drought
indices, derived from meteorological data,
obtained from the local weather stations, with
the fire history records.
To develop a safe, effective anaesthetic
protocol for the rapid induction of anaesthesia
in free-ranging giraffe.
Current
[email protected]
Current
[email protected]
Current [email protected]
[email protected]
Current
[email protected]
To determine seasonal and spatial differences
in diets and habitat use of Kruger National Park Current
elephant.
[email protected]
Codron D
Codron J
The sampling method of elephant
(Loxodonta africana) tusks
Colvin C
E-mail
Current
Seasonality and change in the feeding To investigate seasonality in the quality of
ecology of herbivore communities in forage available to herbivorous mammal
communities living in the Northern Basalt
the Northern Basalt Plains of the
Plains of the Kruger National Park.
Kruger National Park
Coetsee C
Status
Study of the interactions between
Investigate the role of fire on nutrient cycling.
fire, vegetation and nitrogen
Current
dynamics in the Kruger National Park
To produce on a national scale a summary of
Investigation of the ecological role of known and probable groundwater dependent
Current
aquifers at Shingwedzi research site, ecosystems in South Africa, based on
Kruger National Park
geohydrological-type settings.
[email protected]
[email protected]
Craine J
To determine the nature of nutrient limitation
Below ground processes experiments in restructuring ecosystem processes across
different soil types and climates.
Current
[email protected]
Cross PC
Longitudinal studies of bovine
Understanding the dynamics of BTB in the
tuberculosis in the buffalo population buffalo population.
of the Kruger National Park
Current
[email protected]
Current / Monitoring Projects
Page 3 of 3
Researcher
name
Title
The geochemistry and isotopic
relations of the Mashikiri formation in
de Bruiyn H
the Kruger National Park, Sabi and
Zimbabwe
Development of a methodology to
monitor fire fuel status and identity
Deman K
optimal fuel models using high
resolution multi-spectral satellite
imagery
Why do giraffes occur in aggregated
Doherty JB
dispersion patterns?
Breonadia salicina response to the
2000 flood, Sabie River, Kruger
Dowson LM
National Park: Implications for rule
based modelling and monitoring.
Ungulate browsing as an ecosystem
process: An investigation into
Du Toit J
browser plant-soil interactions in a
southern african savanna
Objectives
Status
The significance of the project lies in
determining the composition and evolution of
Current
[email protected]
the mantle or crustal sources of these
volcanics.
To improve and develop high spatial resolution
earth observation based parameters to
estimate fire probability.
Current [email protected]
To have an improved understanding of giraffe
Current
social biology
To examine the response of Breonadia salicina
to the 2000 flood in the different
Current
geomorphological channel types of the Sabie
River.
Determination of the effects of browsing on the
savanna woody vegetation.
Current
To investigate rates of growth and water use
patterns of a wide selection of indigenous tree
Water use in relation to biomass of
production systems, and to make economic
Dye P
indigenous tree species in woodland,
Current
and hydrological comparisons to current
forest and plantation conditions
commercial forestry systems (and other
potential land uses).
Development of an alien vegetation
To provide an overview of the effectiveness of
clearing protocol based on ecological existing clearing methods for major invasive
Eustoncriteria for mesic savannas and sweet species in South African mesic savanna and
Current
Brown D
grassveld for the Working for Water sweet grassveld ecosystems.
Programme
To determine what value tourists place on
Tourist willingness to pay for
Fannin TGD
Current
biodiversity.
Biodiversity Conservation
Mechanism of grass/tree interactions Explaining tree/grass coexistence within
February EC
Current
savanna ecosystems.
in savannas
Current / Monitoring Projects
E-mail
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Page 4 of 4
Researcher
name
Title
Objectives
Status
The genetic structure, physiology and To investigate the possibility of genetic
differences between tall and stunted Mopane in Current
February EC phenology of tall and stunted C15
riparian and upland zones.
growth forms
The availability of nutrients is an important
The effect of the free regime on plant determining factor in the distribution of plant
carbon allocation and associated soil species and hence affecting the distribution
Feig G
Current
microbial community composition
movement and the carrying capacity of an area
on animal species.
Using hyperspectral remote sensing To determine the relationship between
of plant chemicals to explain the
browsing, soil properties and vegetation quality
Ferwerda J
Current
interaction between secondary plant using spatial statistics and linear modelling.
compounds and herbivores
An investigation of the status of
To investigate the status of the particular fish
Gagiano CL Chiloglanus engiops in the Letaba
species in the Letaba River after the 2000
Current
river after the 2000 floods
floods.
To record all Earlier Stone Age artefact
Investigation into the earlier stone
locations and landscape types, to understand
Gibbon RJ
Current
age (ESA) of the northern Kruger
their relationship with the landscape, past and
National Park
present.
The aim of this study would therefore be to
Feeding status and habitat selection reveal baseline quantitative nutrient values for
roan antelope populations in South Africa with Current
Grant CC
of the roan antelope Hippotragus
which any population could be compared with
equinus
should a nutrient deficiency be expected.
Greeff JM
To understand the relationship between
permanent water sources (including subThe influence of additional permanent
surface water) and local and regional
water on the resilience of a complex
Current
biodiversity and ecosystem function with
adaptive ecosystem
specific emphasis on the antelope that are rare
in the KNP (selective herbivores)
The present status and future
To understand the sustainability of the
sustainability of the pollination
pollination system of Ficus sycomorus in the
Current
face of climatic and habitat changes.
system of Ficus sycomorus in the
Kruger National Park
Current / Monitoring Projects
E-mail
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Page 5 of 5
Researcher
name
Greyling M
Grobler J
Hanan N
Hanan N
Hanan N
Hay TC
Henley S
Title
Population dynamics and movements
of elephants in the associated Private
Nature Reserves adjoining the Kruger
National Park
Rule based modelling of
sediment/water and vegetation
interaction in the instream
environment
Objectives
Status
To provide data on emigration/immigration
patterns, birth and mortality rates of elephants
Current
within the associated Private Nature Reserves.
To develop knowledge and ability to model the
sediment, water and vegetation interaction and
Current
the associated morphological change in semi
arid rivers.
To investigate ecological complexity in the
Biocomplexity in African savannas
Current
context of African savannas
To provide a better understanding of the
Biocomplexity in African Savannas:
complex relationships and feedbacks between
Nutrient Stoichiometry of soils, trees
soil and vegetation nutrient dynamics, and
and grasses and implications for
Current
their interactions with herbivores, fire and
savanna structure and function in the
woody community dynamics in savanna
Kruger National Park
systems.
To provide a better understanding of woody
community dynamics in savanna systems,
Biocomplexity in African Savannas:
including interactions with herbivores and fire.
Ecological self-thinning in the Kruger
Current
Specifically, we plan to examine the role of
National Park as a measure of tree on
tree on tree competition in structuring savanna
tree competition
plant communities through use of the
ecological self-thinning concept.
The predation risk hypothesis predicts that
Movements, activity patterns and
males will exploit areas of abundant, high
choice of social environment in the
male buffalo (Syncerus caffer) in the quality food to maximize size and strength for Current
central region of the Kruger National competitive interactions with other males, but
at an expense of an increased predation risk.
Park
Habitat dependency and nutriotional
ecology of sable antelope in two
regions of the Kruger National Park
Current / Monitoring Projects
Understanding the processes underlying the
observed decline in sable antelope.
Current
E-mail
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Page 6 of 6
Researcher
name
Title
SynBioSys Kruger - An information
system for the evaluation and
Hennekens supporting the management of
SM
biodiversity among plant species,
vegetation types and landscapes in
the Kruger National Park
Spatial demography of selected tree
Hofmeyr MV species in the Kruger National Park in
relation to elephant impacts
Inward D
Jackson CR
Jacob S
Joubert RE
Keet DF
Kemp LV
Global soil macrofauna diversity and
ecosystem function: Baseline data
from South Africa
Habitat preferences, home range and
general biology of the critically
endangered Juliana's golden mole
(Neamblysomus julianae) in Kruger
National Park
Biogeochemistry, herbivory and plant
productivity in riparian ecotones and
associated savanna upland
ecosystems
Filling gaps in vegetation data south
of the Sabie River in the Kruger
National Park
The impact of tuberculosis caused by
Mycobacterium bovis on lions in the
Kruger National Park
The fourth wild dog and the second
cheetah photographic censusus in the
Kruger National Park and
neighbouring reserves
Current / Monitoring Projects
Objectives
To enhance safeguarding of data and further
data collation using Kruger developed
software, SynBioSys Kruger.
Status
E-mail
Current
[email protected]
To identify factors influencing selected tree
species population dynamics and demography Current
in the Kruger National Park.
To survey the soil macrofauna community in
the Kruger National Park as part of the global
soil macrofauna sampling programme.
Current
To determine physical, chemical and biological
correlates of habitat variables associated with
Current
the presence of Juliana's golden mole.
Nutrient availability will increase with
decreasing distance to the river.
To process the floristic data and interpret the
vegetation types by means of the
environmental data collected.
[email protected]
[email protected]
Current
[email protected]
Current
[email protected]
To monitor the impact of Mycobacterium bovis
on lion population.
Current
The fourth wild dog and the second cheetah
photographic censuses in the Kruger National
Park and neighbouring reserves
[email protected]
Current
[email protected]
[email protected]
Page 7 of 7
Researcher
name
Title
Kryger P
Ecology of the honey bees (Apis
mellifera scutellata) in the Kruger
National Park, South Africa
Kutsch W
Analyses of the carbon balance of a
savanna ecosystem in Skukuza,
South Africa
Langbauer
W
Leslie BJ
Objectives
To predict Varroa destructor impact using
molecular techniques.
Status
E-mail
Current
[email protected]
To analyse the influence of climatic factors on
the regulation of carbon dioxide, water vapour
Current
and sensible heat fluxes between savanna
ecosystems and the atmosphere.
The effects of translocation of African To study the effects of translocation on a
Current
breeding herd of elephants
elephant vocal and social behaviour
To develop an understanding of migration and
Migration and habitat selection of
Luvuvhu river tigerfish (Hydrocynus movement of tigerfish and the environmental
Current
cues involved in the regulation of this
vittatus) population in the Kruger
behaviour in the Luvuvhu river.
National Park
A study of the habitat requirements The main aim of this project is to contribute
and movements of Large Scale Yellow towards developing a more comprehensive
fish, Labeobarbus marequensis, in the understanding of the ecological aspects of the
Leslie BJ
Crocodile River System in the Kruger Large Scale Yellow Fish
National Park, to contribute towards
management guidelines, using
telemetry
To develop a sound understanding of the
A scaled perspective of the context, spatial and temporal dynamics of vegetation
structure and dynamics of
patch mosaics in a manner which contributes
Levick SR
riparian/savanna
to both the theory of landscape ecology and
boundary vegetation patch mosaics
vegetation/landscape mosaic management
within the Kruger Park.
To develop a remote sensing based regreening
Development of a regreening index
index that can be used for identifying the
Lhermitte S for monitoring vegetation regrowth
spatial and temporal variability of vegetation
after fires
throughout the park.
To reconstruct past environmental change for
High resolution stable
the sub-Saharan region of Africa using carbon
Loader N
dendroclimatology of the African
isotope analysis of Adansonia digitata.
boabab
Current / Monitoring Projects
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Current
Current
[email protected]
Current
[email protected]
Current
[email protected]
Page 8 of 8
Researcher
name
Title
Objectives
A comparative study of rodent and
To investigate the possible role that rodents
shrew diversity and abundance in and and shrews play as bio-indicators of habitat
outside the Nwashitshumbe enclosure destruction.
site in the Kruger National Park
A systematic review of the
To determine the intergeneric and interspecific
Chrysochloridae based on molecular phylogenetic relationships within the family:
data with emphasis on the population Chrysochloridae based on sequences from the
Maree S
genetics, intraspecific phylogeography cytochrome b, 16S rRNA and 12S rRNA
in an endemic, insectivorous,
mitochondrial genes and a suite of nuclear
subterranean golden mole species of genes.
South Africa, Neamblysomus julianae
Documentation, visualization and
To document, present and interpret targeted
interpretation of archaeological sites archaeological and cultural heritage of Kruger
Meskell L
in Kruger National Park: The
National Park.
Thulamela Case Study
The purpose is to describe a sense of the social
Human Habitation pre-Kruger
history of the area under investigation and
National Park: Overview of a Social
Miller SJ
provide comment on the implications of this
History North of the Shingwedzi,
towards a more inclusive tourism package for
Woodlands and Shangoni Ranger
the KNP.
Sections.
To develop an assay that will effectively solve
The development of an Interferonthe diagnosis of BTB and provide the solution
Morar D
Gamma (IFNg) assay for the
to a rapid test for the diagnosis of TB in live
diagnosis of tuberculosis in rhinoceros
rhinos.
The effect of woody plant clearing
Clearing of vegetation along road verges will
along road verges on grass species
alter grass species composition and
Mugwabana
composition and productivity in the
productivity.
FH
Northern region of the Kruger
National Park
To develop techniques for monitoring
Predicting and monitoring of
vegetation growth so as to map fuel type, load
Nackaerts K
ecosystem disturbance by fire
and status (moisture content) for fires.
MacFadyen
DN
Current / Monitoring Projects
Status
E-mail
Current
[email protected]
Current
[email protected]
Current
[email protected]
Current
[email protected]
Current
[email protected]
Current
[email protected]
Current
[email protected]
Page 9 of 9
Researcher
name
Nortje G
Title
The impacts of off-road driving and
other concessionaire activities on
physical soil degradation
A survey of the composting fungi in a
Mopani landscape and the effect of
O'Brien OM
different fire regimes on their species
composition
Rule based modelling of fish
facilitating strategic adaptive
O'Keeffe JH management of the Kruger National
Park rivers through model
development and technology transfer
O'Neill FH
Otte D
Panagos M
Parsons M
Parsons M
The plasma lipids, lipoproteins and
plant sterols of South Africa
Objectives
Status
To quantify the impacts of off-road driving and
other concessionaire activities on soils, soil
Current
erosion and soil compaction.
[email protected]
The main aim of this project is to determine
the effect of different fire regimes on the
diversity of composting fungi present in plant
litter and soil fungi under mopani trees.
Current
[email protected]
Current
[email protected]
Current
[email protected]
To enhance aquatic ecosystem management
through the further development and transfer
to management of qualitative rule-based
models (QRBM).
It is generally recognized that human
lipoprotein metabolism is very different from
that of other animals.
To provide biologists in South Africa with a tool
which they can use to identify all known
Overview and review of South African
Orthoptera (jumping insects such as
Current
Orthoptera
grasshoppers, crickets, bush crickets, cave
crickets etc).
To determine which vegetation monitoring
The measurement of herbaceous
technique/s best reflect reality in terms of the
layer dynamics of three Lowveld
Current
herbaceous layer species composition and
savanna types
density at three sites.
Post flood response of the Sabie
River, 2000-2003: Re-survey of
riparian vegetation transects
Patterns of post-flood riparian
vegetation response in the Sabie
River
Current / Monitoring Projects
E-mail
To examine the response of the Sabie river to
the 2000 flood, as it stands 3 years after the
Current
event.
To examine the influence of hydrology,
riverscape heterogeneity and channel
Current
morphology on post-flood vegetation response.
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Page 10 of 10
Researcher
name
Title
Objectives
To determine the role of the woody debris piles
The function of woody debris and
herbivory in succession of the riparian deposited during the floods in regeneration of
Pettit N
vegetation community after a large- the riparian vegetation community.
scale flood in the Kruger National
Park
An Investigation into the use of Bat
To find a viable economic and ecological
Houses as a method of bat control in solution for the problem of bats living within
Pollard IH
the Letaba Rest Camp, Kruger
the tourist facilities of the Letaba Rest Camp.
National Park
Towards catchment water security
To pilot the Socio-ecological Systems approach
through linking water and livelihoods: in understanding the relationship between
Pollard S
Contributions towards constructing a catchment water security and livelihoods.
socio-ecological system (SES) of the
Sand River Catchment
TEMBO, the elephant movements ans To develop and optimize management
Prins HHT
bio-economic optimality program
techniques that can be used by park
(South Africa)
managers.
To investigate the process for the
The Phabeni gate project in the
establishment of the Phabeni gate in the
Prinsloo CL Kruger National Park: A case study of
Kruger National Park as an example of a
community-based conservation
community-based conservation project.
Interference potential of the alien
To determine the allelopathic potential of
invasive plant Parthenium
Parthenium.
Reinhardt CF
hysterophorus with indigenous plant
species in the Kruger National Park
To improve and develop high spatial resolution
Development of a remote sensing
earth observation based parameters for
Rommens R based index for monitoring vegetation
monitoring parameters describing vegetation
structure parameters
structure.
The aim of this proposed project is to identify
A study of fungal pathogens on native
tree pathogens and potential tree pathogens in
Roux J
tree species in Kruger National Park
the Kruger National Park.
Current / Monitoring Projects
Status
E-mail
Current
[email protected]
Current
[email protected]
Current
[email protected]
Current
[email protected]
Current
[email protected]
Current
[email protected]
Current [email protected]
Current
[email protected]
Page 11 of 11
Researcher
name
Ryan SJ
Sanson G
Schmidt S
Scholtz CH
Smith M
Title
Objectives
Status
A GIS model of bovine tuberculosis in To elucidate the spatial characteristics of the
the African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) BTB epidemic through a rule-driven cell based
Current
population of the Kruger National
model.
Park, South Africa
The demography of a culled sample of To age buffalo with tooth cementum rings and
African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) in
to compare tooth cementum rings (age) with
the Kruger National Park with
the degree of tooth wear in buffalo from
Current
particular emphasis on correlating
different soil types.
age with tooth wear and habitat
To determine whether there are structural
A morphological study of the placenta
differences between the placenta of the African Current
of the African buffalo
buffalo and that of the domestic cow.
Dung beetle richness, dung
preference and assemblage structure
in the Kruger National Park, South
Africa
Habitat features that determine the
presence of rodents along a catena
Using isotopic evidence of large
Sponheimer
mammal nutritional ecology to track
M
vegetation change through time
Global climate change and primary
production: The effect of inter-rainfall
interval on grass growth
Modelling buffalo-lion interactions and
implications for the spread of bovine
Tambling CJ
btuberculosis in the Kruger National
Park
Swemmer
AM
Current / Monitoring Projects
To assess the diversity of dung scarabs in the
Kruger National Park
To understand what environmental attributes
affect rodent distribution.
To study vegetation changes in the Kruger
National Park using stable isotope analysis of
large bodied mammals.
[email protected]
[email protected]
Current
[email protected]
Current
[email protected]
Current
[email protected]
To determine the effects of the length of interrainfall intervals on the productivity and
Current
composition of local grass communities.
To determine how the interactions between
lion and African buffalo impact on the spread
of BTB in Kruger National Park.
E-mail
Current
[email protected]
[email protected]
Page 12 of 12
Researcher
name
Title
Proposed pilot study to test telemetry
innovations, with applications for
further studies on lion (Panthera leo)Tambling CJ
buffalo (Syncerus caffer)-bovine
tuberculosis (BTB) interactions in
Kruger National Park
Objectives
The primary objective is to test telemetry
technology that could assist in the
investigation of species interactions (in
particular predator-prey dynamics).
Status
Current
To determine the processes between the
edaphic pattern in these sodic sites; the
Salvadora australis as an ecosystem vegetation response through the halophyte
Teren G
Current
engineer of alluvial sodic sites in the Salvadora australis; the animal response in
northern Kruger National Park
terms of herbivory; and the eventual feedback
to the soil and vegetation in this dynamic
system.
Harvesting, rearing and
To apply skills and knowledge to assist further
reintroduction of the second-hatched re-introduction of Ground Hornbills into other
Turner AMS
Current
chicks of the Southern ground
parts of their historical range.
hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri)
To obtain age specific population parameters
Rapid assessment of the population
Van Aarde
from which to derive population statistics
Current
demography of elephants in the
RJ
independently from population counts.
Kruger National Park
Van der
Merwe FC
Van
Schalkwyk
OL
To create an ACCESS database which
The digital capturing of data in official
corresponds to the one that will be used for
Current
diaries of selected game rangers in
the new rangers diaries in which to capture the
the Kruger National Park
data.
To determine if the giraffe's skeleton differs in
Bone density and calcium and
calcium and phosphorus content and bone
phosphorus content of the giraffe
Current
density from other ruminants.
(Giraffa camelopardalis) skeleton
Assessing and monitoring local scale To investigate the degree of change in
Van
impacts of invasive alien plant species invertebrate assemblages as a result of alien
Rensburg BJ n invertebrate assemblages in the
plant species invasion in KNP.
Kruger National Park, South Africa
Current / Monitoring Projects
E-mail
Current
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Page 13 of 13
Researcher
name
Title
Van Vuuren The identification of influentials:
D
validation of the questionnaire
Objectives
To validate the scale developed by the
Institute fur Demoscopie, Allensbach, Germany Current
for South African conditions.
Improve and develop new low spatial
Fire risk assessment by fuel status
resolution EO based parameters towards
Verbesselt J assessment using low resolution earth
classification of fuel amount and monitoring of
observation
fuel status.
To study the characteristics of Nothobranchius
fish habitats in the Great Limpopo
A study of the characteristics of
Transfrontier Park with an emphasis on the
Nothobranchius fish habitats in the
Watters B
geological characteristics of the habitat
Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park
substrates and the geomorphological factors
controlling their distribution.
Assessing the relationship between
The main objective of the proposed research is
Vegetation Condition Assessment
to test the correlation between VCA biomass
Wessels K
(VCA) biomass estimates in Kruger
estimates and growth season sum of 1km
National Park with growth season
AVHRR NDVI satellite data (hereafter referred
integrated NDVI of 1km AVHRR data to as ΣNDVI).
Population dynamics and the effects To contribute to a better understanding of
of herbivory and fire on the
savanna woodland regeneration dynamics,
regeneration ecology of Acacia
through an investigation of the effects of
Wilson B
nigrescens and Dichrostachys cinerea herbivory and fire on the population dynamics
in the Kruger National Park, South
and regeneration ecology of the two species
Africa
Movements and feeding behavior of To locate and monitor roosts of epauletted fruit
Winkelmann
Epauletted fruit bats and their impact bats in order to determine home range, and
J
spatio-temporal patterns of foraging
on the regeneration of fig trees
Zituta MN
Mayfly communities, water quality,
SASS 5 method
Current / Monitoring Projects
Status
To identify and describe mayfly communities
found in the selected river sites.
E-mail
[email protected]
Current
[email protected]
Current
[email protected]
Current
[email protected]
Current
[email protected]
Current
[email protected]
Current
[email protected]
Page 14 of 14
MONITORING PROJECTS
Researcher
name
Bengis RG
Title
Tsetse fly (Glossina morsitans) surveillance in the Kruger
National Park
Bertschinger Non-lethal control of African elephant (Loxodonta africana)
HJ
populations by means of immunocontraception
De Vos V
The ecology of anthrax in the Kruger National Park
Eckhardt HC
Fixed-point photography as an aid for long-term vegetation
monitoring in the Kruger National Park
Objectives
To institute an early warning system
to monitor the possible incursion of
Tsetse flies into the
Limpopo/Luvuvhu drainage system.
Contraception of African elephant
with porcine zona pellucida (pZP)
vaccine.
Anthrax has emerged as a
formidable weapon in bio-warfare
and bio-terrorism.
To use fixed point photographs to
demonstrate vegetation changes
over time in an objective visual way
To use these photographs as a tool
for ecological monitoring, especially
changes in vegetation cover and
species composition.
To establish whether seedlings of
Regeneration of riparian vegetation on the Sabie river in the
riparian species differentially utilize
Kruger National Park regeneration of riparian vegetation on
geomorphic sites during
the Sabie river in the Kruger National Park
regeneration processes.
To understand and map earthquake
Seismic monitoring of Southern Africa and the Mozambique
Graham G
in South Africa.
channel
To quantify the extent of the
Evaluation of biological control of Opuntia stricta in the
Hoffmann JH
damage caused by Cactoblastis
Kruger National Park
cactorum on Opuntia stricta.
Out of 1000 indegenous edible wild
Holtzhausen Ennobling the wild African marula (Sclerocarya birrea subsp.
fruits, marula will be the first to be
LC
Caffra Sond.)
commercialised.
Vertical aerial photography as an aid for ecological
monitoring in the Kruger National Park
Current / Monitoring Projects
Status
E-mail
On
going
[email protected]
On
[email protected]
going
On
going
[email protected]
On
going
[email protected]
On
going
On
going
On
[email protected]
going
On
going
[email protected]
On
going
[email protected]
Page 15 of 15
Researcher
name
Title
Mansell MW Collection and study of insects in the Kruger National Park
Mills MGL
Pack dynamics and movement patterns of wild dogs in the
Kruger National Park
Peel MJS
Towards a predictive understanding of savanna ecosystem
dynamics in the Eastern Traansval Lowveld
Vosloo W
The role of cloven-hoofed animals in the epidemiology of
foot-and-mouth disease
Whyte IJ
Aspects of the ecology of elephant (Loxodonta africana)
relevant to the management of the Kruger National Park
population
Hippopotamus population monitoring in the Kruger National
Park
Censusing and monitoring the herbivorous large mammal
population of the Kruger National Park using aerial transects
surveys (ALT's)
Aspects of the ecology of buffalo (Syncerus caffer) relevant
to the management of the Kruger National Park population
Current / Monitoring Projects
Objectives
To establish reference collections
and an electronic database of
insects (specifically mayflies) from
different biotopes of the Park.
To obtain a better understanding of
the manner in which the wild dog
population fluctuates and is
regulated by documenting changes
in pack composition and
reproductive success.
To investigate the potential of the
natural resources of the Lowveld to
contribute to the economy and
development of the region in
harmony with social and
environmental needs.
To implement measures to prevent
the escape of foot-and-mouth
disease virus to adjacent domestic
animal populations.
To monitor by means of radio
telemetry, the movements of
various selected clans in the
population.
To monitor hippos and other riverine
species which may act as ecological
indicators.
To monitor population trends of
more abundant large ungulates in
the Kruger National Park.
Status
E-mail
On
going
[email protected]
On
going
[email protected]
On
going
[email protected]
On
going
[email protected]
On
going
[email protected]
On
going
On
going
To assess the impact of buffalo
On
herds on the habitat as well as the
effect of deteriorating habitat on the going
population.
Page 16 of 16
Researcher
name
Title
The current living tuskers
Zambatis N Monitoring the climate in the Kruger National Park
Field layer dynamics of the Kruger National Park
Current / Monitoring Projects
Objectives
To identify and catalogue the
current large tuskers of the Kruger
National Park through photographic
material submitted by staff and
tourists.
To monitor the KNP climate daily
according to the Weather Bureau
standards.
To monitor both the woody and the
herbaceous cover of the Kruger
National Park's vegetation
Status
E-mail
On
going
On
going
[email protected]
On
going
Page 17 of 17