Thabisisani Ndhlovu
South African National Biodiversity Institute, Directorate of Biodiversity Evidence, Department Member
Professional Background:
Thabisisani Ndhlovu is a passionate and experienced conservation ecologist with a strong academic and professional background in ecological consultancy, climate change adaptation, and field research. He earned his Ph.D. in Conservation Ecology from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, where his thesis focused on the vegetation response to the control of invasive European rabbits on South African offshore islands. Thabisisani also holds a Master’s degree in Conservation Ecology from the University of Stellenbosch and a Master’s degree in Tropical Resource Ecology from the University of Zimbabwe.
Research and Professional Experience:
With over a decade of experience, Thabisisani has developed extensive expertise in ecological dynamics, restoration strategies, and environmental assessment methodologies. He has worked as a Climate Change Adaptation and Ecological Consultant since 2011, contributing to various international projects. Previously, he served as a consultant at C4 EcoSolutions, where he led significant climate change adaptation and ecological restoration projects in Angola, Ghana, Zambia, and Uganda.
His work has been published in several peer-reviewed journals, including the African Journal of Range & Forage Science, African Journal of Ecology, and Restoration Ecology. His research has made substantial contributions to understanding the impacts of invasive species on ecosystems and developing strategies for ecological restoration and climate resilience.
Key Projects:
Angola Conservation Areas: Developed a full submission package for the Global Wildlife Program child-project, focusing on improving the management of national parks and strengthening the resilience of local communities and ecosystems to climate change.
Ghana Climate-Resilient Landscapes: Revised and updated a funding proposal and feasibility study for a Global Climate Fund project aimed at catalyzing climate-resilient agricultural practices and alternative livelihoods in northern Ghana.
Zambia Ecosystem-based Adaptation: Created a comprehensive submission package for a project designed to enhance the capacity of Zambian communities to adapt to climate change through ecosystem-based adaptation.
Uganda Wetland and Forest Management: Developed project documents and strategies to integrate ecosystem-based adaptation into forest and wetland management plans in Uganda.
Academic Contributions:
Thabisisani has been involved in teaching and mentoring students, having worked as a Teaching Assistant at Stellenbosch University, where he demonstrated vegetation sampling techniques and graded student assignments. He has also contributed to the academic community through his involvement in research fellowships and as a research assistant.
Contact Information:
Email: thabisisani.ndhlovu@gmail.com
Phone: +27 717 555 789
Country of Residence: South Africa
Professional Affiliations:
Professional Natural Scientist - Ecology (SACNASP Reg no.116890)
Summary:
Thabisisani Ndhlovu’s extensive experience in conservation ecology, coupled with his strong academic background and commitment to climate change adaptation, positions him as a valuable asset to interdisciplinary research teams and ecological consultancy projects. His analytical skills and pragmatic approach to environmental challenges enable him to contribute significantly to the understanding and preservation of ecosystems globally.
Thabisisani Ndhlovu is a passionate and experienced conservation ecologist with a strong academic and professional background in ecological consultancy, climate change adaptation, and field research. He earned his Ph.D. in Conservation Ecology from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, where his thesis focused on the vegetation response to the control of invasive European rabbits on South African offshore islands. Thabisisani also holds a Master’s degree in Conservation Ecology from the University of Stellenbosch and a Master’s degree in Tropical Resource Ecology from the University of Zimbabwe.
Research and Professional Experience:
With over a decade of experience, Thabisisani has developed extensive expertise in ecological dynamics, restoration strategies, and environmental assessment methodologies. He has worked as a Climate Change Adaptation and Ecological Consultant since 2011, contributing to various international projects. Previously, he served as a consultant at C4 EcoSolutions, where he led significant climate change adaptation and ecological restoration projects in Angola, Ghana, Zambia, and Uganda.
His work has been published in several peer-reviewed journals, including the African Journal of Range & Forage Science, African Journal of Ecology, and Restoration Ecology. His research has made substantial contributions to understanding the impacts of invasive species on ecosystems and developing strategies for ecological restoration and climate resilience.
Key Projects:
Angola Conservation Areas: Developed a full submission package for the Global Wildlife Program child-project, focusing on improving the management of national parks and strengthening the resilience of local communities and ecosystems to climate change.
Ghana Climate-Resilient Landscapes: Revised and updated a funding proposal and feasibility study for a Global Climate Fund project aimed at catalyzing climate-resilient agricultural practices and alternative livelihoods in northern Ghana.
Zambia Ecosystem-based Adaptation: Created a comprehensive submission package for a project designed to enhance the capacity of Zambian communities to adapt to climate change through ecosystem-based adaptation.
Uganda Wetland and Forest Management: Developed project documents and strategies to integrate ecosystem-based adaptation into forest and wetland management plans in Uganda.
Academic Contributions:
Thabisisani has been involved in teaching and mentoring students, having worked as a Teaching Assistant at Stellenbosch University, where he demonstrated vegetation sampling techniques and graded student assignments. He has also contributed to the academic community through his involvement in research fellowships and as a research assistant.
Contact Information:
Email: thabisisani.ndhlovu@gmail.com
Phone: +27 717 555 789
Country of Residence: South Africa
Professional Affiliations:
Professional Natural Scientist - Ecology (SACNASP Reg no.116890)
Summary:
Thabisisani Ndhlovu’s extensive experience in conservation ecology, coupled with his strong academic background and commitment to climate change adaptation, positions him as a valuable asset to interdisciplinary research teams and ecological consultancy projects. His analytical skills and pragmatic approach to environmental challenges enable him to contribute significantly to the understanding and preservation of ecosystems globally.
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established populations on over 800 islands worldwide, posing significant threats to biodiversity and human livelihoods. European rabbits have been introduced to some of the more than 33 offshore islands that occur along the southern African coast, 24 of which are part of South African territory.
While the impact of invasive European rabbits on global ecosystems has been extensively studied, research on their effects on southern African offshore islands is comparatively sparse. A handful of studies have assessed rabbit herbivory’s impact on the vegetation of some South African offshore islands, but the vegetation’s response to rabbit control remains largely unexplored. Given that European rabbits are classified as a Category 1b invasive species under South Africa's National Environment Management: Biodiversity Act 10 of 2004, understanding how offshore island vegetation might respond to rabbit control is crucial, especially considering the islands' long history of rabbit occupation and highly degraded ecosystems. This thesis examined an attempt to restore degraded vegetation on Robben Island, South Africa, through the control of invasive European rabbits. The aim was to understand the impact of rabbit
control on the island's vegetation, particularly the potential effects of their removal. Changes in plant species cover were monitored at nine sites, including strand (n=3), eucalyptus (n=3), and inland dune (n=3), on the south-eastern part of Robben Island over four years (2010-2013). Vegetation monitoring followed an attempt to eradicate European rabbits from the island between 2008 and 2009. Robben Island, the largest and most environmentally degraded of South Africa's offshore islands, has a long history of rabbit occupation dating back to 1654. It is the only South African offshore island where there has been a deliberate and sustained effort to eradicate European rabbits. While South African offshore islands vary in geology, size, distance offshore, and climatic conditions,
insights into vegetation dynamics on Robben Island following rabbit control could provide valuable understanding of potential vegetation responses on other invaded South African offshore islands.