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Profile:
Rembu Magoba was born and grew up in Venda , Limpopo Province of South Africa. He completed his BSc (Botany and Zoology) degree at the University of Venda (UNIVEN) in 2001. His interest in Freshwater ecology persuaded him to continue his studies at the University of Venda where he completed his BSc Hons in Conservation Biology with a particular interest on Fish in 2003. His BSc Hons project assessed the reliability of gill rakers in alien Oreochromis mossambicus ( Mozambique tilapia), indigenous Oreochromis niloticus (Nile tilapia), and their hybrids identification in Limpopo River . While completing his BSc Hons, he was employed part time with Working for Water Programme in Mafikeng ( North West Province ). This further stimulated his desire to study further, focusing mostly on plant invasions. He enrolled his Master of Science (MSc) degree in Ecological Assessment with the Department of Botany at University of Stellenbosch (US) in 2004,with the project assessing the effect of invasion and clearing of alien riparian vegetation on benthic macroinvertebrate and adult Odonata (dragonflies) assemblages in Soutpansperg Rivers, Limpopo Province . He completed his MSc in February 2005 and worked as a Freshwater Ecologist with Southern waters ecological research company . He decided to further his studies and enrolled for a PhD (Entomology) with the University of Stellenbosch in 2006. With the experience in aquatic insects, he decided to shift his focus towards terrestrial insects with a PhD project assessing the impact of Vineyards and alien plants on biodiversity. He plans to get involved in Environmental Impact assessment research, with more focus on Biodiversity management after his PhD.
BSc:
I did my BSc degree majoring in Botany and Zoology with the department of Biological Sciences at the University of Venda during the year 1999 – 2001.
BSc Hons:
I did my BSc Hons in Conservation Biology again with the department of Biological Sciences at the University of Venda in 2002 with a research project assessing the reliability of gill rakers to identify alien Oreochromis mossambicus (Mozambique tilapia), indigenous Oreochromis niloticus (Nile tilapia), and their hybrids in Limpopo River.
The study area was the Limpopo River , in the Vhembe Nature Reserve, Limpopo Province ( South Africa ). The O. niloticus is an invasive species in the Limpopo River . There is no significant different between the O. niloticus and the O. mossambicus which is native in the Limpopo River . O. niloticus is the most successful species in the Limpopo River and its tributaries and can invade the river without people noticing its impact. The presence of O. niloticus in the Limpopo River leads to a hybridization between the O. niloticus and the O. mossambicus. O. niloticus is now dominating Limpopo River more than the O. mossambicus . However, O. niloticus is of great value for aquaculture because it is more successful to live and reproduce in the pools. Taxonomists have used several body characteristics like tails, fins, and bars on the body and gill rakers count to identify between the O. niloticus and the O. mossambicus . Most taxonomist considered the gill rakers count method to be the best, since they are not easily damaged compared to other body characteristics. The main aim was to determine whether the gill raker's count can be used to identify the O. niloticus , O. mossambicus and their Hybrids in the Limpopo River . The study showed that this method is not reliable to distinguish the two species from their hybrids because the number of gill rakers in their hybrids overlapped between that of O. mossambicus and O. niloticus.
Supervisor: Prof. BCW Van der Waal.
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O. niloticus Pic: by Schraml E |
MSc:
I did my MSc degree in Ecological Assessment with the department of Botany at the University of Stellenbosch in 2004, with the project assessing the effect of invasion and clearing of alien riparian vegetation on benthic macroinvertebrate and adult Odonata (dragonflies) assemblages in Soutpansperg Rivers, Limpopo Province .
One of the burning questions was whether the stream fauna can recover when alien riparian vegetation is removed. I determined the effect of invasion and subsequent removal of invasive alien riparian vegetation on aquatic macroinvertebrates and adult dragonflies. Forty two benthic macroinvertebrate taxa and 33 adult Odonata species were recorded. Reaches of streams with natural or cleared alien riparian vegetation supported greater abundance of benthic macroinvertebrates than reaches of streams shaded by dense alien riparian vegetation. Furthermore, greatest benthic macroinvertebrate diversity was in reaches of streams bordered by natural vegetation, followed by streams bordered by cleared vegetation, and the lowest where the riparian corridor was alien vegetation. The highest number of adult Odonata species was along streams cleared of dense alien vegetation. The type of riparian vegetation, as well as stream flow and microhabitats, were the most influential variables for benthic macroinvertebrates. For adult Odonata assemblages, riparian vegetation type, shade and water temperature were the most important environmental variables. Clearing of dense invasive alien riparian vegetation strongly benefited indigenous biodiversity when conditions were restored to their natural state. Alien clearing also benefited dragonfly species richness. However, when the natural tree canopy was mature, the effect was similar to that of habitat shaded by alien vegetation. Invasive alien riparian trees reduce sun-loving invertebrate specialist species, especially dragonflies, with lesser impact on shade-loving species. These specialists return when alien trees are removed. My results clearly indicate that removal of a highly invasive, dense canopy of riparian alien trees is remarkably beneficial for aquatic biodiversity, and illustrate that such removal is a conservation management activity that is so positive and worth persuing at other locations around the world.
Supervisor: Prof. Michael J. Samways.
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Sheefera plantation |
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Stream at Sheefera plantation Pic. by Mbula |
PhD:
I registered my PhD (Entomology) with the Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology , Centre for Agricultural Biodiversity at the University of Stellenbosch in 2006. My study is assessing the impact of Vineyards as compared to invasive alien plants on insect Biodiversity in the Western Cape .
While it is known that conversion of the natural landscape for agricultural activities and the effect of invasive alien plants are reducing insect populations, it is not known whether these impacts are comparable. Put simply, are agricultural patches and invasive alien plants similar in character, and are they affecting indigenous insect assemblages in a similar way or not? The similarities and differences are likely to have an impact on population levels, assemblage composition, and functional relationships at various spatial scales.
The main aim of this PhD study is to determine what the comparative impacts of invasive alien plants (IAPs) and agricultural patches are on insect assemblages in the Western Cape, a major agricultural area and heavily infested with IAPs, and yet a global biodiversity hotspot. The secondary aim is to determine the boundary effect on arthropod diversity, which will also helps designing the landscape.
Supervisor: Prof. Michael J. Samways.
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Dornier Wines |
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Hautte Cabri è re Wines Pic. by Mbula |
Publications:
Magoba RN , Samways MJ, and Taylor S. 2006. Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Response to Removal of Invasive Alien Riparian Trees. Submitted.
International Conference:
- 2006: Represented South Africa on Integrated Water Management programme in Belgium , France and Netherlands .
- 2005: Presented during Fynbos Forum (national conference) in Port Elizabeth .
Contacts:
Department of Entomology
and Centre for Agricultural Biodiversity
Faculty of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences
University of Stellenbosch
Private Bag X1
7602 Matieland
South Africa
Fax: +27-21-808-4807
Tel: +27-21-808-4779
Cell ph: +27-82-962-6662
E-mail: rembu@sun.ac.za or rnmagoba@yahoo.com |
