Postgraduate Scholarship at SANBI for interested graduates (Horticulture, Evolutionary biology/botany, Biological Invasions, Conservation Plant, Taxonom, etc.)

Joan Wrench Kirstenbosch Scholarship

 Evolutionary biology/botany Biological Invasions Horticultural Science / Conservation Plant Taxonomy Biodiversity Informatics Plant ecology Botany/Community Ecology Conservation / Vegetation Ecology

Call for postgraduate scholarships 2026

The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) is pleased to announce a call for applications for Honours, Masters and Doctoral (or equivalent NQF levels) scholarships for full time studies in 2026.

Projects:

Only projects relevant to SANBI’s mandate and research strategy, and identified as a priority will be considered. For specific projects and research themes click here. For other projects, please contact us before submitting an application to check if your proposal is suitable.

Requirements:

Candidates must be pro-active, enthusiastic, and interested in doing excellent research that can make a difference. These scholarships are only available to South African citizens and will be awarded in line with national equity targets. Students need to apply for university programmes themselves and the scholarship is conditional upon them securing their placement in a postgraduate programme and have provisional acceptance from prospective academic supervisors. Please contact the SANBI and university supervisors for endorsement prior to applying.

Conditions:

• Only full-time studies will be supported

• Applicants must be South African citizens and under 35 years at the time of application

• Applicants can register at any South African university

• Only research projects in line with SANBI’s mandate and research strategy will be considered

• Applicants must be based in the Western Cape for at least three (3) months of the study period for field work and face to face consultation with SANBI supervisors (where relevant).

• The focus of research projects, including field sites must be within the Cape Floristic Region

• Benefits to Kirstenbosch must be stated

• Applicants must not be employed

• Existing studies will not be supported

• Registration for a second Honours, Masters or Doctoral degree will not be considered

• Where applicants hold partial scholarships/bursaries, co-funding will be considered

• For Masters studies, applicants must hold an Honours degree/Postgraduate Diploma

Scholarship values: (to cover living expenses and university fees)

• Honours:  R120 000 for one year only

• Masters: R150 000/year for two years

• Doctoral: R180 000/year for three years

• Project running expenses will be covered separately and will vary depending on the project.

Applications are to include:

• a letter of interest;

• a project outline (one page for Honours and two pages for Masters and Doctoral);

• full CV;

• certified copy of academic record/transcript;

• certified copy of highest qualification;

• certified copy of ID;

• two letters of academic reference;

• letter from a prospective university supervisor as well as from a SANBI supervisor, indicating willingness to supervise;

• provisional registration/application from the university.

Contact details:

Academic queries:Ferozah Conrad

Application:

Complete the Online Application form and send documents to: r.dutoit@sanbi.org.za

Application form

SANBI reserves the right not to fill these scholarships. If no response has been received within 28 days of the closing date, candidates may assume that their applications were unsuccessful. 

Post by SANBI

Projects:

PGD or Hnonours

Field: Horticulture 

Level: Postgraduate Diploma 

Supervisors: Mr Roger Oliver (R.Oliver@sanbi.org.za), Dr Marinda Deutschlander (deutsms@unisa.ac.za) 

University for registration: University of South Africa (UNISA) 

Title: Effect of pre-germination treatments on Sesamum trilobum  (Bern.) Byng & Christenh.   

Description

The wild foxglove occurs in the provinces of Eastern Cape, Free State, Northern Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Mpumalanga. It grows in grassland, often in disturbed places.

Flowering during the warm summer and into autumn, this tall elegant annual adds a cool and lush feeling to the garden with its white or mauve. Given sufficient water, it can grow up to 1.5-2 m tall. In nature they are commonly found in the summer-rainfall areas of South Africa, especially the grasslands.

Sesamum trilobum can be considered as the crown-jewel of the Kirstenbosch summer annual-display. However, there are times when this species exhibit erratic germination resulting in diminished garden displays. This project will focus on the use of pre-germination treatments to ultimately improve germination and consistently provide seedlings for the Kirstenbosch annuals summer-display. Pre-treatments to be evaluated include: different scarification-methods and stratification. Seed-viability also need to be determined.

Location of Research: Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Field: Horticulture 

Level: Postgraduate Diploma 

Supervisors: Mr Roger Oliver (r.oliver@sanbi.org.za), Dr Christiaan Daniels (danielsc@cput.ac.za) 

University for registration: Cape Peninsula University of Technology 

Title: Towards the development of a propagation-protocol for the critically endangered Cephalophyllum parvifolium L. Bolus: Evaluating seed-propagation

 Description

Cephalophyllum parviflorum (Tygerberg trailing-vygie) is regarded as one of the lesser-known mesemb-species; it is predominantly a dwarf, trailing, succulent ground cover in the family Aizoaceae.

Cephalophyllum parviflorum has been given a threat status of CR (Critically Endangered), and it is of high conservation concern. This species is known from five localities, three of these populations are extinct and two are continuing to decline, because of ongoing habitat loss, caused by urban development and farming. Other threats include pollution affecting habitat and/or species.

The Tygerberg trailing-vygie has a very restricted distribution and is only known from a few very specific populations in the southwestern Cape, from Saldanha to Milnerton where it is found on rocky outcrops on Renosterveld.

Propagation-records of the species indicate that it is currently only being propagated vegetatively through internodal cuttings and runners. Given that seeds often carry a unique combination of inherited genetic material from parents, as well as the current threats facing the remaining populations, having knowledge of seed-propagation will enable horticulturists or conservationists  to grow or restore more resilient and adaptable plants. The study will focus on determining the seed-viability, seedling emergence and germination by incorporating aspects such as heat (fire and smoke), stratification and after ripening as pre-treatments.

Location of Research: Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Field: Conservation / Vegetation Ecology

Level: Honours 

Supervisors: Ms Samukelisiwe Msweli (Samukelisiwe.Msweli@mandela.ac.za) and Ms Anisha Dayaram (A.Dayaram@sanbi.org.za)

 University for registration: Nelson Mandela University, George, Western Cape 

Title: Delineating a protected Southern Afrotemperate Forest (FOz1) patch near George: A historical mapping approach 

Description

Background Indigenous forests are the smallest vegetation type in South Africa. The Southern Afrotemperate forest complex in the Western Cape is one of ecological importance, but its current extent is not well refined. Furthermore, changes in the management regime such as lack of natural burn events has led to woody thickening or afforestation in many forest patches which can be a threat to surrounding non-forest communities. Understanding the dynamics and trends of this forest over time is crucial for ensuring its adequate protection under national legislation, and ensuring that surrounding vegetation is not negatively impacted by management strategies

Aim The study aims to determine the current extent of the Southern Afrotemperate forest in George and to investigate changes in its size and vegetation composition over time through historical imagery.

Methods The historical extent will be determined using historical images and satellite imagery to observe changes in the forest's spatial extent over time. This will be complemented by refining the existing mapped polygon in the study area. Field surveys will be conducted within the forest to assess the species diversity, which will help to confirm the persistence of the forest ecosystem and identify potential sub-communities.

Potential outcomes The outcomes will shed light on the status of the forest patch in George. The detailed mapping of the forest extent, coupled with the assessment of species diversity, will contribute to the ongoing efforts to improve the quality and accuracy of the National Vegetation Map.

Masters:

Field: Botany/Community Ecology 

Level: Masters 

Supervisors: Prof Alastair Potts (alastair.potts@mandela.ac.za), Ms Samukelisiwe Msweli (Samukelisiwe.Msweli@mandela.ac.za) and Ms Anisha Dayaram (A.Dayaram@sanbi.org.za) 

University for registration: Nelson Mandela University 

Title: A new method to collect vegetation community data using citizen scientist platforms.  

Description

Background The description of vegetation communities has, by and large, relied on area-based surveys conducted by botanical experts. However, with the advent of online platforms, such as iNaturalist, there is an opportunity to develop new methods for collecting community data that take on more of a citizen science approach — i.e. enabling non-experts to collect and contribute community-level data.

Aim To compare discriminative ability of the recently developed point-based method, the "Rapid 10 method", with the traditional plot-based survey method across various vegetation types in the Greater Cape Floristic Region; the Rapid10 method as it involves documenting (via photography) ten plants per point at ten different points per site — all photographs, point and site labels are stored on iNaturalist, making the dataset immediately curated for long-term storage and usage.

Methods To use both the Rapid10 and plot-based method (likely 10x10 m) across a range of vegetation types (spanning biomes) at the same localities. Multiple vegetation types in localities within the Cape Floristic Region will be surveyed using these two methods. The resulting datasets will be compared using standard biodiversity metrics, multivariate analyses, and clustering algorithms.

Potential outcomes The data to demonstrate the utility of a new easily accessible method (parabotanists, not experts are required for the Rapid10 method) to describe vegetation types. This will have important implications for increasing the capacity for vegetation community data collection, which has a wide range of uses, including in improving and updating the National Vegetation Map.

The data collected from this project will contribute to several components of the VEGMAP Project and Kirstenbosch including:

1.    The terrestrial ecosystem map or national vegetation map

2.    The National Vegetation Database of vegetation plots

3.    The VEGMAPhoto (s afr) project on iNaturalist

4.    Specimens of any new species or plant of special interest will be collected during field sampling and sent to the Compton Herbarium at Kirstenbosch for identification and curation.

Field: Plant ecology 

Level: Masters 

Supervisors: Dr Andri van Aardt (vanaardtac@ufs.ac.za); Ms Anisha Dayaram (A.Dayaram@sanbi.org.za) 

University for registration: University of the Free State

 Title: Vegetation survey and mapping of potentially degraded expression of Drakensberg Amathole Afromontane Fynbos. 

Description

The National Vegetation Map is the basis for the Terrestrial Ecosystem Map in conservation planning, spatial planning, and prioritization processes in South Africa. Since the publication of the first iteration of the classification map in 2006, SANBI has focused on improving and refining parts of the map. These parts have been identified by authors of the vegetation types, and users of the map, as areas that need to be improved to strengthen the processes in which the map is used. As part of this work, new polygons of Drakensberg Amathole Afromontane Fynbos were identified by experts in the Free State province. This vegetation type represents a relict expression of Mediterranean vegetation with many overlaps with lineages in the Cape. These populations exists on cool, high elevation slopes with edaphic characteristics more akin to Mediterranean conditions compared to the surrounding grasslands. Limited studies have been undertaken to understand the community composition and dynamics of this ecosystem type, and previous studies have focussed on the natural expressions of the Drakensberg Amathole Afromontane Fynbos.

Given the need to fully describe ecosystems types under the Global Ecosystem Typology scheme developed by the IUCN, and the growing interest in understanding degraded states of ecosystem types to improve our understanding of ecosystem loss for processes such as national assessments of biodiversity, it is essential to include an understanding of the non-pristine community composition of our terrestrial ecosystem types. SANBI is involved in exploring the degraded state of ecosystems through the SBAPP Project to quantify the characteristics of ecosystems after disturbance, compared to the natural historical features.

Golden Gate Highlands National Park (GGHNP) can be divided into an older, more natural section in the west, and a more recent addition to the park in the east, which were historically rangelands before being incorporated into the GGHNP. Previous studies have focused on sampling the Drakensberg Amathole Afromontane Fynbos vegetation in the western, supposedly more natural portion of the park. However, little is known about how the communities differ in the eastern section of the park compared to the pre-degradation condition.

The communities in the degraded areas will help us understand how the species diversity and abundance of taxa are affected by historical land use. This will help us to build an ecosystem model for the existing vegetation type, and if it is shown to be different, it will help inform the description of the type and the red list assessment. This research can also add to and form an input into the SBAPP condition work. 

Field: Biodiversity Informatics 

Level: Masters 

Supervisors: Dr Fatima Parker-Allie (F.Parker@sanbi.org.za) & Dr Morne du Plessis (duplessismg@ufs.ac.za) 

University for registration: University of the Free State 

Title: Using biodiversity informatics approaches to produce high-quality data for publication and uptake towards effective decision-making, insights from the Western Cape 

Description 

Over the last decades, the development of key software tools for managing and publishing data along with the functioning of the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) were major steps towards sharing of the world’s biodiversity data globally, via the Internet. Nationally, the South African GBIF Node or SANBI-GBIF facilitates the development of capacity to support innovative approaches towards more effective data management and curation practices, this to ensure higher quality data for decision making. This project will have a special focus on the use and implementation of various taxonomic and ecological tools and approaches, and will look at effective practices, methodologies and workflows to produce high quality datasets for publication and uptake for decision-making. It will aim to focus on using enhanced techniques to improve the fitness-for-use of the data. The thematic area or taxon/s will be identified to support, key research questions and outcomes, to enhance efforts aligned to improving the bioeconomy and sustainable development.

Field: Plant Taxonomy 

Level: Masters 

Supervisors: Ms Thuli Dlamini (T.Makhoba@sanbi.org.za), Mr Luvo Magoswana (smagoswana@uj.ac.za), Prof Kowiyou Yessoufou (kowiyouy@uj.ac.za), Dr Kagisho Shadung (kagiso.shadung@spu.ac.za) 

University for registration: University of Johannesburg 

Title: Systematics of the genus Kleinia L. (Asteaceae: Senecioneae); it’s origin, diversity and allelopathic potential. 

Description

The genus Kleinia L. comprises about 40 succulent shrubs or shrublets with a widespread distribution in South Africa, from the Great Cape Floristic Region (GCFR) to as far north as Limpopo, and with an interesting disjunct distribution extending to Morocco and the Canary Islands, across to tropical Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, extending to India, and as far as Indochina.  Members of Kleinia are distinguished by their succulent stems and leaves, discoid or radiate capitula and an involucre with either uniseriate or biseriate involucral bracts. The genus was last treated taxonomically by Candolle (1838), who recognized about 25 species in two sections. Since then, several species have been described. Kleinia is often confused with some succulent members of Senecio and Curio which are currently recognised as priority genera. This has resulted in historical transfers and misidentifications between Kleinia and Senecio making species delimitation difficult. A comprehensive study of Kleinia is essential, not only to clarify its circumscription but also to help resolve the broader taxonomic problems within Senecio. Phylogenetic and biogeographic relationships within Kleinia have not yet been adequately analysed, although the systematic position of the genus in the tribe has been established. Due to its ethnobotanical properties the genus has been widely used traditionally to cure various inflammatory, skin and respiratory ailments. Finally, the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids and various secondary metabolites (allelochemicals) is thought to hinder plant growth of neighbouring plants. This study aims to revise the taxonomy of the genus, to resolve the confusion between species of Senecio and those of Kleinia, ascertain its monophyly within the tribe and to assess whether the tendency to produce allelopathic chemicals is phylogenetically conserved.

Field: Horticultural Science / Conservation 

Level: Masters 

Supervisors: Mr Ntuthuko Mabuya (n.mabuya@sanbi.org.za), Prof Sjirk Geerts GEERTSS@cput.ac.za 

University for registration: Cape Peninsula University of Technology 

Title: Integrated strategies to enhance seedling survival and growth, to improve effectiveness re-introduction of Aspalathus amoena

Description

Investigating effects of growth mediums, seedling age and fire on the survival of plants in the wild. Conducting site analysis of the chosen site, including its soil condition, rainfall, threats and vegetation type. Collecting plant material from the wild, including seeds and cuttings to propagate the plants to be used for reintroduction and reintroduced plants will be monitored in the glasshouse and in the wild for survival rate, flowering, fruit yield, plant growth, roots growth and sprouting. The project will contribute to the HortCORE strategy (ACTION 2.1.1– Lead species recovery projects (the core focus of the conservation programme on population reinforcement of 70% and re-establishment/reintroduction of 30%) and species recovery targets. Aspalathus amoena is found in the Wolseley-Bree River Station region in the Tulbagh and Worcester, as well as in the plains of the Breede River Valley. This species is classified as Critical Endangered on the Redlist and listed in priority 1 list of species by CREW, that need urgent recovery projects, with only three small subpopulations, each with fewer than ten individuals and an estimate of 50 individuals in the wild. Recently, we have conducted a study to look at the propagation protocol for this species and the results indicated that the species have sensitive root system and there was low survival when seedling and clones are transplanted.  The study will be conducted in the nursery at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden and the natural habitat in Wolseley, Western Cape.

 The study aims to:

·         establish protocols for transplanting seedlings and cuttings

·         establish desiccation tolerance if the species

·         determine the population size in the wild

·         determine if the species is a re-sprouter or re-seeder after fire

Field: Biological Invasions

Level: Masters

Supervisors Prof Kowiyou Yessoufou (kowiyouy@uj.ac.za), Mr Luvo Magoswana (smagoswana@uj.ac.za), Dr Tsungai Zengeya (t.zengeya@sanbi.org.za) 

Title: Modeling the population dynamics of a heavily invasive alien plant, Lantana camara, in the Great Cape Floristic Region, South Africa Background, Justification and Objectives 

Alien species face several ecological and anthropogenic barriers that they must overcome

before they can naturalize and become invasive. Unfortunately, when they become invasive,

they threaten the ecological integrity of the recipient ecosystems. To prevent the threats

inherent to the invasion of the alien species will depend on our ability to model their invasion

trajectory, that is, to predict their spread, identify vulnerable life stages, assess impacts, and

optimize control strategies. Such model provides a framework to understand the processes

underpinning the establishment, spread, and saturation of the populations of alien species,

while identifying the demographic stages that most strongly influence their population growth rates. Also, by incorporating life-history traits, environmental variability, and species interactions, a model of the population dynamic of alien species enable predictions of invasion trajectories and ecological impacts under current and future conditions (e.g., climate change). More importantly, such model is a powerful tool to guide management by allowing simulations of different control strategies and evaluating their effectiveness in reducing population growth below replacement levels. Beyond management, modeling also advances ecological theory by offering insights into invasion syndromes and the traits that promote alien plant success, thereby linking applied conservation needs with broader principles of population and community ecology. Therefore, the following objectives are set for the project: i) Understanding Spread and Establishment of alien species: The expectation here is to predict how quickly populations will grow, how far they will spread, and under what conditions establishment is possible. For example, logistic growth or matrix population models can capture thresholds beyond which invasion accelerates; ii) Identifying Key Demographic Drivers of invasion: Alien plants differ in their life history (seed germination, growth, survival, reproduction).

Population models (e.g., Leslie or Lefkovitch matrices, integral projection models) allow us to

quantify which life stages contribute most to λ (population growth rate). This helps identify

whether seed production, seedling recruitment, or adult survival is the main driver of invasion

success; iii) Predicting Ecological Impacts: Alien plant invasions often affect community

structure, nutrient cycles, and biodiversity. Modeling helps anticipate the potential ecological

footprint of invasion before it becomes severe. For example, models incorporating competition or herbivory can simulate how the invader will interact with native species; iv) Guiding Management and Control: Control programs (mechanical removal, herbicide application, biological control) have costs. Models allow simulation of different management strategies to see which action reduces population growth below replacement (λ < 1). This avoids trial-and error in the field and provides evidence-based prioritization.

Field: Plant Ecology 

Level: Masters 

Supervisors: Dr Andrew Skowno (a.skowno@sanbi.org.za), Dr Stephni van der Merwe (s.vandermerwe@sanbi.org.za / stephni.vandermerwe@uct.ac.za) 

University for registration: University of Cape Town 

Title: Assessing ecological condition and the potential for recovery of abandoned fields in the Cape Floristic Region 

Description

Abandoned agricultural fields in the Western Cape are often classified in land-cover datasets as “natural”, “fallow land” or “secondary natural,” yet little is known about how well they recover ecological structure, composition and function over time. These areas, especially prevalent in the fragmented lowland Fynbos landscapes, may appear semi-natural in satellite imagery but often remain ecologically altered, with uncertain biodiversity value. This MSc project will use a combination of remote sensing analyses (e.g., NDVI time series, and land-cover change data) and field-based ecological surveys (vegetation structure, species composition) to quantify the recovery trajectories and ecological condition of abandoned lands relative to intact reference sites.

By explicitly linking satellite-based assessments with field evidence, the project will provide spatially explicit insights into the condition of secondary natural landscapes, helping to determine whether they contribute to national biodiversity targets or require active restoration. The research aligns with strategic goals of strengthening the evidence base for biodiversity assessments and informing land-use decision-making. Outcomes will improve our understanding of post-disturbance recovery thresholds in the Cape Floristic Region, directly supporting national biodiversity assessments, ecosystem condition monitoring, and conservation planning in one of the most threatened yet biodiverse regions of South Africa.

Masters or Doctoral:

Field: Biological Invasions / Socio-ecological research 

Level: Masters or Doctoral 

Supervisors: Prof John Wilson (jrwilson@sun.ac.za); Ms Nolwethu Tshali (N.JubaseTshali@sanbi.org.za); Dr Sabrina Kumschick (sabrinakumschick@sun.ac.za);

Dr Jana Fried (jana.fried@coventry.ac.uk) 

University for registration: Centre for Invasion Biology, School for Climate Studies, Stellenbosch University (potential for a co-tutelle with Coventry University, UK if at the doctoral level) 

Title: The socio-economic impacts and perceptions of invasive plants in the Western Cape: linking place-based impacts and management to national reporting and initiatives 

Description

The impacts of biological invasions are cross-sectoral, affecting environment, human, plant, and animal health.  An increasing number of estimates of the impacts are available (recently reviewed for South Africa by van Wilgen et al. 2022) but estimates of socio-economic benefits and costs have not been systematically recorded.  Various tools have been proposed [e.g., the Socio-Economic Impact Classification of Alien Taxa (SEICAT) scheme; Bacher et al. 2018], but few have been used in practice. Similarly, it is unclear how social perceptions of invasive species affect regulation and management. How can we evaluate awareness of invasions in key sectors and with key stakeholders as a baseline against which regulatory and management interventions can be made?  Research in invasion science is increasingly exploring these issues (e.g., from South Africa: Woodford et al. 2016, Zengeya et al. 2017, Novoa et al. 2018).  But it is unclear how best to collate and report such data. Can the different sectors involved be better integrated through a One Health approach (Ogden et al. 2019) linking with the concept of One Biosecurity (Hulme et al 2025)?  How should such information be incorporated into reports?

 Of immediate importance to South Africa is the reduced central funding to clear invasive plants (e.g., through the Working for Water Programme). As a result, there is an imperative for more place-based management and facilitation of local initiatives to address invasions. Various recent research in the Western Cape has focussed on the issue highlighting several on-going initiatives (Jubase et al. 2021; van Velden et al. 2025). 

The proposed project will apply existing tools to evaluate the impacts and perceptions of invasive alien species in selected regions of the Western Cape and trial processes and workflows so that information both of this and of the efficacy of local management groups in addressing invasions can routinely feed through to decision-makers. 

Link to Research Strategy

·         LEGISLATED FUNCTION: Status of biological invasions—the “systematic quantification of the impacts of biological invasions” was identified as a key gap in the last statue report (SANBI & CIB 2023); and “An evaluation of public awareness and perceptions of biological invasions, their management, and how these change over time.” was identified as a key extension needed for future reports

·         SECTOR PRIORITIES: Management of biological invasions—the project will partially address the need for both basic information and questions of what, where, when, and how

·         SECTOR PRIORITIES: One Health—the project will look to identify issues where a One Health approach, including evaluating the link between biodiversity and health

There is potential for “Incorporating Indigenous and local knowledge (ILK)”; strengthening “Networks of excellence and impact”. The research will support “Action Based Research (ABR)” and by its nature will be “Multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary research”. The project will link with a proposal submitted to the British Council’s International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) “TOPAS - TOwards Place-based andgender-sensitive management of invasive Alien Species in South Africa” that is to be a collaboration primarily between Coventry and Stellenbosch Universities with SANBI as a partner. The ISPF does not provide funding for postgraduate bursaries but if the TOPAS project were funded, it would resources, support, and training opportunities for the prospective student.

Field: Biological invasions 

Level: Masters or Doctoral 

Supervisors: Dr Mlungele Nsikani (m.nsikani@sanbi.org.za); Dr Tlou Masehela (masehelats@gmail.com) 

University for registration: Cape Peninsula University of Technology / Stellenbosch University 

Title: Ecological and economic assessment of trends and impacts of Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer (PSHB) and its fungus on South Africa’s indigenous trees 

Description and link to Research Strategy:The Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer (PSHB), Euwallacea fornicates, is an ambrosia beetle native to Southeast Asia and was first discovered in South Africa in 2017. The beetle has a symbiotic relationship with the fungus Fusarium euwallaceae, which is largely responsible for the tree die off due to its damage. Thus far, research has established that PSHB infests stressed trees, primarily targeted as the reproductive hosts, whereas healthy non-stressed trees (related to the same stressed species), do not seem to be affected. To date, PSHB has been recorded in all provinces of South Africa, except for Limpopo and is known to affect both alien and indigenous tree species. Currently, the Western Cape is a high-pressure area where PSHB is having major impacts; therefore, it will be used as case study. Preliminary work is underway to monitor PSHB establishment, spread and impact, particularly in agriculture and forestry crops, native tress and indigenous forests. The extent of economic and ecological impact and losses associated with PSHB remains unpredictable and unclear for South Africa; particularly, the Western Cape. Thereby, making it important to establish the trends of these impacts (potential), especially for indigenous trees with cultural, economic and heritage value. Furthermore, PSHB is closely associated with stressed trees rather than healthy trees despite similar traits and abiotic factors. Therefore, mechanisms facilitating this will be explored in the study. This will be important in exploring future or potential spread and impacts, based on climate variability and individual traits. The findings of the study will contribute to the existing knowledge and network, control and management of PSHB, and preventing or reducing its negative impact on South African’s indigenous trees, forests, and biodiversity.

The project links to the research strategy in the following areas:

SANBI’s legislated function of monitoring and reporting on the state of invasive species. Furthermore, the study will contribute to sector priorities under management of biological invasions by providing information on PSHB, its impacts, and ecosystems affected, while indirectly protecting South Africa’s biodiversity through control and management measures.

Doctoral:

 Field: Plant systematics 

Level: Doctoral 

Supervisors: Dr Kenneth Oberlander (kenneth.oberlander@up.ac.za); Dr Marianne le Roux (M.LeRoux@sanbi.org.za) 

University for registration: University of Pretoria 

Title: Untangling the taxonomy and diversity of Serruria in the Proteaceae family 

Description and link to Research Strategy

Serruria Salisb., one of 14 indigenous Proteaceae genera in South Africa and the third largest after Leucadendron R.Br. and Protea L., comprises approximately 57 species endemic to the Cape Floristic Region, all restricted to the Western Cape Province. Known as ‘spiderheads’ or ‘spinnekopbosse’ in Afrikaans, Serruria is characterised by its shrubby nature, pinnately dissected leaves, and distinctive inflorescences with coloured involucres. The genus faces significant conservation challenges, with only eight species listed as Least Concern and the remainder ranging from Rare to Critically Endangered. It carries economic value because of its horticultural potential in the cut flower industry with S. florida (Thunb.) Salisb. ex Knight or ‘blushing bride’, and S. phylicoides (P.J.Bergius) R.Br. or ‘raspberry burst’ already available on the market. The last comprehensive revision of Serruria was conducted by Phillips and Hutchinson in 1912, dividing the genus into two sections based on inflorescence structure. Since then, extensive herbarium collections and distribution data have accumulated (e.g. with help from the Protea Atlas Project), and phylogenetic studies have confirmed Serruria as monophyletic, though inconsistencies remain in proposed infrageneric classifications. Given the outdated taxonomy, inconsistencies in classification, larger collections now available, high conservation concerns, and horticultural potential, Serruria urgently requires systematic re-evaluation and is [http://?]listed as a priority based on the strategy, [http://?]Research plan for plant taxonomy in SA 2020-2030.

 Field: Evolutionary biology/botany 

Level: Doctoral 

Supervisors: Dr Zaynab Shaik (zshaik@sun.ac.za), Prof Allan G. Ellis (agellis@sun.ac.za), Mr Thaabiet Parker (t.parker@sanbi.org.za) 

University for registration: Stellenbosch University 

Title: Pleistocene sea level effects on population genetic divergence in coastal specialist floras of the Cape Floristic Region, South Africa. 

Description and link to Research Strategy

The Cape Floristic Region (CFR) of South Africa has long been recognised for its high species richness and endemism. Key drivers of lineage diversification in the CFR include high environmental heterogeneity, period fire, pollinator specialisation, range-limited seed dispersal, and phenological shifts (reviewed in Linder 2003; Ellis et al. 2014). The role of Pleistocene glacio-eustatic sea level fluctuations, particularly their effects on coastal edaphic specialists, represents an understudied driver of lineage diversification in the Cape system. During the Pleistocene glacial and interglacial periods, large-amplitude sea level changes alternately exposed and submerged vast portions of the continental shelf along South Africa’s west and south coasts – an area known as the Palaeo-Agulhas Plain (PAP; Marean et al. 2014, 2020). At its greatest extent, this plain was nearly as large as the contemporary CFR (Fisher et al. 2010; Cawthra et al. 2020). Vegetation models suggest that during the Last Glacial Maximum and earlier glacial periods, the central PAP was dominated by limestone fynbos and a mosaic of dune fynbos-thicket (Cowling et al. 2020). As such, coastal floras on dunes and calcarenites can be considered largely relictual in their contemporary extent. This study tests the hypothesis that Pleistocene sea level fluctuations promoted range contraction and fragmentation in Cape coastal floras, promoting population genetic differentiation that may represent early stages of vicariant speciation. While the composition of Cape coastal floras has been well studied (Willis et al. 1996, Born et al. 2007, Grobler & Cowling 2021), no study to date has systematically evaluated the range sizes and spatial fragmentation of coastal endemic Cape plants, or assessed the degree to which range contraction and fragmentation have promoted strong population genetic divergence. To capture broad-scale patterns in range size and spatial fragmentation among Cape coastal plants, this project will use georeferenced herbarium records, citizen-science observations (iNaturalist.org), and new regionally modelled soil and climate layers to model the geographic distributions of coastal endemics in genera prominent in dune and calcarenite floras, including Agathosma, Aspalathus, Erica, Helichrysum, Hermannia, Indigofera, and Senecio (Grobler & Cowling 2021). The project will then quantify population genetic divergence and patterns of isolation-by-distance in coastal endemics and closely related non-endemics in Erica, Aspalathus, and Agathosma using latitudinal population sampling of genome-wide Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) markers. This work will generate voucher specimens for each of six species in Erica (2 spp.), Aspalathus (2 spp.), and Agathosma (2 spp.), to be deposited in the Compton Herbarium, contributing to long term curation of the regional flora. In addition to insights around an underappreciated mechanism of lineage diversification in the CFR, this study will provide the first SNP-based insights into population genetic connectedness among phylogenetically disparate coastal endemic plants and identify coastal regions of high genetic diversity that may represent conservation priorities.