Thozamile Yapi
thozamile is currently a junior researcher in the CSIR’s Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Research Group, based in Western Cape (Stellenbosch), South Africa. He works on understanding the impacts of woody invasive alien plants on ecosystem services (especially rangeland based services). His work incorporates field ecological data, agricultural census data and GIS mapping and modelling.
His research background is in woody plants invasions on natural rangelands, where he contributed to improved understanding regarding the ecological impacts of invasive Australian wattle species on South African rangelands.
Thozamile has research interests in: rangeland ecology, natural resource management, land degradation, ecological modelling, remote sensing and interactions between rural communities and natural environment.
CURRENT PROJECTS:
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Towards prioritizing invasive alien plants by developing a better understanding of species aggressiveness and ease of control
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Exploring “success” in clearing invasive alien plants as part of the Working for Water Programme
NETWORKS:
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Ecosystem service modelling and mapping
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Degradation and restoration