Prof. David M. Richardson

• Dr Mirijam Gaertner  (Year started: 2007)  Project title: "(2010) “Impacts of invasive alien Eucalyptus species on riparian ecosystems: Implications for restoration of ecosystem functions”; (2007) “Effects of invasive alien plants species and cultivation on nitrogen cycling, plant species composition, and colonisation by secondary invaders: Implications for the ecological restoration of fire-prone fynbos vegetation on Agulhas Plain, South Africa". 
  E-mail: gaertnem@sun.ac.za 
  Web page: http://academic.sun.ac.za/cib/team/academic/mgaertner.asp 
• Dr Rainer Krug  (Year started: 2008)  Project title: "Spatial and temporal dynamics of biological control agents and their target species at the landscape scale and implications for alien species management". 
  E-mail: Rainer@krugs.de 
  Web page: http://academic.sun.ac.za/cib/team/academic/rkrug.asp 
• Dr Sabrina Kumschick  (Year started: 2012)  Project title: "Developing objective ways of prioritising risk of impact for non-native organisms". 
  E-mail: sabrinakumschick@sun.ac.za 
  Web page: http://academic.sun.ac.za/cib/team/academic/skumschick.asp 
• Dr Vernon Visser  (Year started: 2011)  Project title: "Ecological and environmental determinants of invasiveness using a phylogenetic approach". 
  Web page: http://academic.sun.ac.za/cib/team/academic/vvisser.asp 

• Ms Carla Alves Gairifo dos Santos  PhD affiliated position, Stellenbosch University: "Modeling spatial distribution of alien plant species: the case study of Acacia in Portugal".  (Year started: 2012)  — co-supervisor. 
  E-mail: carlagairifo@sun.ac.za 
  Web page: http://academic.sun.ac.za/cib/team/academic/csantos.asp 
• Mr Ryan Blanchard  PhD in Botany, Stellenbosch University: "The implications for biodiversity of South Africa’s biofuels strategy".  (Year started: 2009)  — principal supervisor. 
  E-mail: rblanchard@csir.co.za 
  Web page: http://academic.sun.ac.za/cib/team/academic/rblanchard.asp 
• Ms Joice Ndlovu  PhD in Botany, Stellenbosch University: "Molecular ecology of Acacia pycnantha in Australia and South Africa".  (Year started: 2009)  — principal supervisor. 
  E-mail: jndlovu@sun.ac.za 
• Mr Sheunesu Ruwanza  PhD in Botany, Stellenbosch University: "The effectiveness of active restoration on fynbos riparian zones heavily invaded by invasive Eucalyptus species".  (Year started: 2010)  — principal supervisor. 
  E-mail: sheunesu@sun.ac.za 
  Web page: http://academic.sun.ac.za/cib/team/academic/sruwanza.asp 
• Mr Farai Tererai  PhD in Botany, Stellenbosch University: "The impact of Eucalyptus species on riparian ecosystems: implications for restoration of ecosystem functioning".  (Year started: 2010)  — principal supervisor. 
  E-mail: farai_tererai@sun.ac.za 
  Web page: http://academic.sun.ac.za/cib/team/academic/ftererai.asp 
• Ms Genevieve Thompson  PhD in Botany, Stellenbosch University: "The ecology of Western Australian acacia introductions into South Africa: insights from molecular techniques".  (Year started: 2008)  — principal supervisor. 
  E-mail: gen@sun.ac.za 
  Web page: http://academic.sun.ac.za/cib/team/academic/gthompson.asp 

• Mr Jason Donaldson  MSc in Botany, Stellenbosch University: "The invasion ecology of Australian Acacia species introduced as ornamental plants to South Africa, with special emphasis on A. elata".  (Year started: 2012)  — co-supervisor, with J.R.U. Wilson. 
  E-mail: jedonaldson@sun.ac.za 
  Web page: http://academic.sun.ac.za/cib/team/academic/jdonaldson.asp 
• Mr Dickson Mazibuko  MSc in Botany, Stellenbosch University: "Investigating the role of genome size, hybridization and polyploidy in Prosopis invasions".  (Year started: 2010)  — principal supervisor. 
  E-mail: mazibukodm@sun.ac.za 
• Mr Luke Potgieter  MSc, Stellenbosch University: "An assessment of the distribution, status, invasion dynamics and implications for management of Casuarina spp. in South Africa".  (Year started: 2012)  — co-supervisor. 
  E-mail: lukepotgieter@sun.ac.za 
  Web page: http://academic.sun.ac.za/cib/team/academic/lpotgieter.asp 

:: Click on hyperlinks to be directed to selected publications from their work ::

• Ms Janet C.N. Allsopp  MSc in Botany, University of Cape Town,  1996 – 1998.  Topic: "The reconstruction of changing vegetation patterns on the west coast over the past 20,000 years using charcoal data from Elands Bay Cave and climatic modelling" ( co-supervisor, with R.M. Cowling ). 
  Deceased
• Ms Karen P. Alston (Sands)  MSc in Conservation Biology, University of Cape Town,  2003 – 2004.  Topic: "The roles of habitat features, disturbance, and distance from putative source populations in structuring alien plant invasions at the urban/wildland interface on the Cape Peninsula, South Africa" ( sole supervisor ). 
  Current position: Assistant to the Managing Director, Ramsay Media Publishing
  E-mail: E-mail@ramsaymedia.co.za 
• Dr Stephane Baret  Post-doc, University of Cape Town,  2003 – 2004.  Topic: "Modelling the dynamics of invasive alien plants on La Réunion, Mascarene Islands" 
  Current position: Chargé de mission flore, Parc national de La Réunion, ST-DENIS, La Réunion, France
  E-mail: stephane.baret@reunion-parcnational.fr 
• Mr Ryan Blanchard  MSc in Botany, University of Cape Town,  2005 – 2006.  Topic: "Factors influencing restoration potential in riparian zones of the Western Cape, South Africa" ( co-supervisor, with M.T. Hoffman ). 
  Current position: PhD candidate, Centre for Invsion Biology, Stellenbosch University, based at the CSIR, Stellenbosch
  E-mail: rblanchard@csir.co.za 
• Mr Bastian Bomhard  MSc in Conservation Biology, University of Cape Town,  2003 – 2004.  Topic: "Potential impacts of future land use and climate change on the Red Data Book status of the Proteaceae in the Cape Floristic Region" ( principal supervisor ). 
  Current position: World Heritage Officer, IUCN - The World Conservation Union, Gland, Switzerland
  E-mail: bastian.bomhard@iucn.org 
• Dr Alana den Breeyen  Stellenbosch University,  2008 – 2009.  Topic: "Role of fungal endophytes in promoting invasiveness of Australian Acacia species" ( principal supervisor ). 
  E-mail: alanadb@sun.ac.za 
• Dr Philip B. Desmet  MSc in Botany, with distinction, University of Cape Town,  1994 – 1996.  Topic: "An investigation of the restoration potential of Namaqualand coastal vegetation in the diamond mining area on the West Coast of South Africa" ( co-supervisor, with R.M. Cowling ). 
  Current position: Free-lance ecologist
• Dr Benis Egoh  PhD in Botany, Stellenbosch University,  2004 – 2008.  Topic: "Integrating ecosystem services into conservation planning in South Africa" ( principal supervisor ). 
  Current position: European Commission - Joint Research Centre, Institute for Environment and Sustainability
  E-mail: benis.egoh@jrc.ec.europa.eu 
  Web page: http://ies.jrc.ec.europa.eu 
• Dr Llewellyn C. Foxcroft  PhD in Botany, University of Cape Town,  2004 – 2006.  Topic: "Patterns and processes of invasion in an African savanna ecosystem, with emphasis on spatial and temporal scales and implications for management" ( principal supervisor ). 
  Current position: Scientist: Invasion Ecology, Conservation Services, South African National Parks
  E-mail: LlewellynF@sanparks.org 
• Ms Michelle Gibson  MSc in Botany, Stellenbosch University,  2009 – 2012.  Topic: "Invasive alien acacias- breeding biology and effects on native pollination networks in Cape fynbos" ( principal supervisor ). 
  E-mail: mishka.r.g@gmail.com 
• Dr Steven I. Higgins  PhD in Botany, University of Cape Town,  1994 – 1997.  Topic: "Predicting rates and patterns of alien plant spread" ( principal supervisor ). 
  Current position: Professor for Applied Physical Geography, Goethe University, Germany
  E-mail: higgins@em.uni-frankfurt.de 
• Dr Donald Midoko Iponga  PhD in Botany & Post-doc, Stellenbosch University,  2005 – 2009.  Topic: "Invasive potential of the Peruvian pepper tree (Schinus molle) in South Africa" ( co-supervisor, with S.J. Milton ). 
  E-mail: dmiponga@gmail.com 
• Ms Haylee Kaplan  MSc in Botany, Stellenbosch University,  2010 – 2011.  Topic: "Assessing the invasiveness of Acacia stricta and Acacia implexa: is eradication an option?" ( co-supervisor ). 
  E-mail: hkaplan@sun.ac.za 
• Dr Jessica Kemper  MSc in Botany, University of Cape Town,  1994 – 1996.  Topic: "The effects of fragmentation of South Coast Renosterveld on vegetation patterns and processes" ( co-supervisor, with R.M. Cowling ). 
  Current position: Researcher, Ministry for Fisheries and Marine Resources, Namibia
  E-mail: jkemper01@gmail.com 
• Dr Richard Lechmere-Oertel  MSc in Botany, University of Cape Town,  1996 – 1998.  Topic: "The environmental determinants of the fynbos/succulent karoo boundary at the Matjiesrivier Nature Reserve, Western Cape" ( co-supervisor, with R.M. Cowling ). 
  Current position: Biodiversity planner and ecological consultant based in Hilton, KwaZulu-Natal
  E-mail: richard@maloti.org 
• Ms Pumeza Nodaba  MSc in Conservation Biology, University of Cape Town,  1998 – 2000.  Topic: "An ecological and sociological assessment of six models of alien plant clearing in the Cape Peninsula, South Africa" ( principal supervisor ). 
  Current position: Senior Geographer, Streamflow Reductions Allocations, Department of Water Affairs & Forestry, Pretoria , South Africa
• Ms Fatima Parker-Allie  MSc in Botany, University of Cape Town,  1998 – 2002.  Topic: "The impacts of different methods of alien plant control on the recovery of fynbos" ( princiapl supervisor ). 
  Current position: Researcher, Global Change Research Group, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch, South Africa
  E-mail: Parker@sanbi.org 
• Ms Natalie Prins  MSc in Botany, University of Cape Town,  1998 – 2003.  Topic: "The restoration of riparian plant communities following alien plant clearing in the Western Cape" ( principal supervisor ). 
  Current position: Environmental Officer, Eskom
• Dr Şerban Procheş  Post-doc, Stellenbosch University,  2005 – 2006.  Topic: "Accumulation of insect herbivore loads in introduced plant species in South Africa" ( principal supervisor ). 
  Current position: Associate Professor, School of Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal
  E-mail: setapion@gmail.com 
• Ms Samantha J. Ralston  MSc in Conservation Biology,  2003 – 2004.  Topic: "New invasive alien plant species on the Cape Peninsula : Towards a protocol for the detection and characterization of emerging weed problems" ( sole supervisor ). 
  Current position: Conservation Scientist, Land Use Advice Unit, Cape Nature
  E-mail: landuse@capenature.co.za 
• Dr Mathieu Rouget  MSc in Conservation Biology, PhD & Post-doc, University of Cape Town,  1998 – 2003.  Topic: "Pine invasions in fragmented landscapes in the Kango Valley" (MSc: 1998 - 1999); "Modelling the current and potential distribution of woody plants, with special emphasis on the importance of spatial scale and environmental factors" (PhD: 2000 - 2002); "Modelling alien tree invasions in the Cape Floristic Region" (Post-doc: 2003)" ( principal supervisor ). 
  Current position: Associate Professor, Department of Plant Science, University of Pretoria
  E-mail: mathieu.rouget@up.ac.za 
• Dr Núria Roura-Pascual  Stellenbosch University,  2007 – 2009.  Topic: "Developing an integrated tool for managing biological invasions across spatial scales" ( principal supervisor ). 
  Current position: Assistant Professor, Departament de Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Ciències, Universitat de Girona, Catalonia, Spain
  E-mail: nrourapascual@gmail.com 
  Web page: http://nrourapascual.blogspot.com/ 
• Mr Kim C. Tucker  MSc in Conservation Biology, University of Cape Town,  1993 – 1993.  Topic: "An expert system for screening potentially invasive plants in South African fynbos" ( sole supervisor ). 
  Current position: Researcher, Meraka Institute, CSIR, Pretoria, South Africa
• Dr Nicola J. van Wilgen  PhD in Zoology, Stellenbosch University,  2007 – 2010.  Topic: "Alien invaders and reptile traders: Risk assessment and modelling of trends, vectors and traits influencing introduction and establishment of alien reptiles and amphibians" ( principal supervisor ). 
  Current position: Global Change Scientist: Cape Research Centre, South African National Parks
  E-mail: nvanwilgen@gmail.com 
• Ms Waafeka Vardien  MSc in Botany, Stellenbosch University,  2010 – 2011.  Topic: "Molecular ecology and invasive species management: unravelling the dynamics of Lantana camara invasions in Kruger National Park using a molecular approach" ( co-supervisor ). 
  E-mail: wvardien@sun.ac.za 
• Ms Shelley Vosse  MSc in Botany, Stellenbosch University,  2006 – 2007.  Topic: "Natural rehabilitation potential of riparian zones after alien clearing in the fynbos biome" ( co-supervisor, with K.J. Esler ). 
• Dr John R.U. Wilson  Stellenbosch University,  2005 – 2009.  Topic: "Modelling invasion dynamics of invasive alien plants" ( principal supervisor ). 
  Current position: Researcher: biological invasions, South African National Biodiversity Institute and Centre for Invasion Biology, Stellenbosch University
  E-mail: jrwilson@sun.ac.za 
  Web page: http://academic.sun.ac.za/cib/team/academic/jwilson.asp 
• Ms Stephanie Yelenik  MSc in Botany, University of Cape Town,  1998 – 2000.  Topic: "Effects of invasive alien trees and shrubs on soil processes in the fynbos biome" ( principal supervisor ). 
  Current position: Post-doctoral researcher, Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society Oregon State University Corvallis, OR 93777, USA
  Web page: http://www.forestry.oregonstate.edu/cof/fs/people/faculty/yelenik.php