Laurence
Möhr Kruger, Ph.D. University
of Cape Town
Functional
ecology
My primary interests lie in functional ecology, in particularly
species’ response to disturbance. During the course
of my PhD my work focussed on the importance of resprouting
in South African coastal forests, Fynbos and savannas. I also
explored patterns and consequences of life history strategies
adopted by over-storey Proteoid species in relation to fire
in the Fynbos. I intend to continue exploring general patterns
of plant life history strategies.
Ethnobotany
Closely allied to my work on plant life history strategies
is an interest in ethnobotany. In particular, I find the link
between functional ecology and ethnobotany critical. Apart
from my curiosity about which species are used traditionally
for medicines and building materials, my background in the
study of plant life history strategies has piqued an interest
in how these species respond to harvesting. This is particularly
pertinent in most parts of South Africa, where many people
still rely heavily on natural resources. Here an understanding
how species respond can guide sustainable management and harvesting
practices.
Plant
animal interactions
Pollination and dispersal ecology have long been an interest
of mine, as it combines inter-disciplinary interactions, which
serves to keep me abreast of subject matter I ordinarily wouldn’t
have time to indulge in. It also satisfies the natural historian
in me.
Conservation
A large portion of my private consulting work has been in
the field of conservation, in particular conservation planning.
This work included surveys of natural habitats (biodiversity
surveys), identifying the threats (development, habitat transformation,
alien vegetation/faunal invasives) and setting conservation
targets. These are then combined in conservation planning
models to produce core conservation areas. This work provides
me with the opportunity to become more actively involved in
conservation, whilst still engaging on a theoretical level.
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