Willem Matthee

 

Qualifications:

National Diploma (Nature Conservation) – Nelson Mandela University; graduated April 2011.

BTech (Nature Conservation) – Nelson Mandela University; graduated April 2012.

MSc (Nature Conservation – Nelson Mandela University; graduated April 2015

PhD (Nature Conservation) – Nelson Mandela University; In progress

Personal website: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr1hp1YmE3c_FjApk406pSA

Expertise: Ecology; ornithology; bird conservation; botany; Karoo rehabilitation; island biogeography; frog ecology and conservation.

Research interests: The majority of my present research focuses on the diversity and ecology of birds in fragmented forests, and their use of the surrounding vegetation (including commercial pine plantations). I am also interested in the relationships between organisms and their environment, particularly the factors driving species distribution across fragmented landscapes. Current and past student projects have focused on:

• dispersal of indigenous and exotic plant species by Chacma baboons;

• the diversity of plant and animal species in commercial pine plantations;

• habitat preference and abundance of the endangered Knysna Leaf-folding Frog, Afrixalus knysnae;

• Karoo vegetation rehabilitation; and

• the impacts of high-intensity grazing on semi-arid grasslands.

Publications:

• Matthee, W. 2011. Population estimate and habitat preference of the endangered Knysna Leaf-folding Frog, Afrixalus knysnae. Unpubl. BTech manuscript. Nelson Mandela University, George.

• Matthee, W. 2015. Factors affecting the success of reseeding germination in the semi-arid Karoo, South Africa. M.Sc. Thesis. Nelson Mandela University, George.

Current Students:

• Rogan Bryce – Investigating the impacts of rehabilitation methods on seedling establishment in the succulent Karoo.

• Oswald van Straten – Investigating the impacts of rehabilitation methods on the hydrology of rehabilitated areas in the Nama Karoo.

Past Post-grad Student:

• Gert Stephanus Botha – The impacts of high-intensity grazing on species diversity and soil characteristics in natural xeric grasslands.