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. I teach undergraduate courses in Fundamentals of Ecology, Whole Plant Physiology Functional Ecology in Changing Environments. I also teach a 2 week MSc course on systems ecology called "Maintaining Ecosystem Processes" CURRENT STUDENTS: Edith Singini (PhD): Water-relations in South African Savannas – How does water availability differentiate between tree seedlings and grasses, and modify their responses to elevated atmospheric CO2? Londiwe Mokoena (MSc): Investigating the impacts of different physiological drought responses in C4 grasses on flammability Caroline Mashau (PhD): Range size and dispersal in grasses (Poaceae) Humbelani Thenga (PhD): Soil carbon and bush encroachment Evalt Lebese (MSc): Temperature and CO2 controls on vegetation in the Drakensberg Mthokozisi Moyo (PhD): Ecophysiological and biogeographical evidence for the onset of wet-dry seasonality in Africa PAST STUDENTS: Tamryn Hamilton (MSc): Long-term Reconstruction of Rainfall and Fire for the Kavango East and Zambezi Regions, Namibia and the Impact of people on Past Fire Regimes Caitlin Ransom (MSc): Trophic downgrading or trophic replacement?: Comparing elephants and humans as agents of disturbance in Miombo vegetation Jason Donaldson (PhD): Impact of fire-grazer interactions on savanna grass communities Liakae Ramasimong (MSc) Climate and livestock relations in Lesotho Michael Voysey (MSc) Consequences for grazing lawns of changes in the form of herbivory from wildlife to livestock Dylan Beukes (MSc) Consequences of grazing resistance adaptations on Rhodohypoxis bauerii var platypetala population genetics Melissa Whitecross (PhD 2016) "Investigating the benefits an early green-up strategy can provide for two semi-arid savanna trees" Felix Skosana (MSc 2017): "Palatability and grazing tolerance of highveld grass species" Basanda Nondlazi (MSc 2016): ""Identifying limits for grass growth across gradients of increasing tree density: the role of tree functional traits"" Drew Pollard (MSc 2015): "Grazer response to fire in an African Savanna – Exploring the role of fires in grazing lawn formation" Zoe Luhdo (MSc 2014): "Determining the role and relative importance of predator avoidance and nutrition as processes influencing herbivore use of burnt areas" Nthambeleni Masia (Msc 2014): "How seasonal patterns of leaf display impact life histories of savanna trees" Maggie Parish (MSc 2016) "Heavy grazing in the Highveld: impact on forb communities"