My primary research focuses on the understanding of plant-animal interactions in conservation of different ecosystems: Among others, I have examined seed dispersal of the invasive non-native plants by animals, and its potential impacts on persistence of the coexisting indigenous plant communities in South Africa using contemporary paradigms in movement ecology. This work has also included evaluation of efficiency of the biological control methods in suppressing seed production in aggressive invader Acacia cyclops whereby current seed removal rates and dispersal potential were quantified and compared with those prior inception of biological control; and the appraisal of the role of non-native plants in ecosystems’ livelihood and human wellbeing (e.g. food security) under climate change.
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