Freshwater Ecology at UJ

Some info on the work of our MSc student Keagan Fredericks on the thermal tolerance of aquatic macroinvertebrates in streams...

, today shines the spotlight on our MSc candidate, Keagan Allistar Fredericks, who specializes in . His research explores the thermal tolerance of aquatic , an important step in understanding how respond to environmental change. 🌊✨

Curious to learn more about his journey? See his profile below
UJ Faculty of Science University of Johannesburg Postgraduate School Freshwater Ecology at UJ

Beautiful words. What a tragic loss.
This man was a true friend and a truly passionate and dedicated scientist. He was such a mentor figure in our field, guiding so many others, and made fieldtrips a joyful and fun experience.
The world has lost a truly great one!
Rest in power indeed, Chief.

In Loving Memory of Mr Musa Mlambo 🕊️

It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of our dear colleague, mentor, and friend, Mr Musa Mlambo, Head Researcher in Freshwater Invertebrates at the Albany Museum.

Musa was more than a scientist — he was a bridge between communities and rivers, between students and their futures, between data and meaning. He believed in the power of knowledge to uplift and the importance of mentorship to empower.

On Monday, 28 July 2025, Musa’s life was tragically cut short in a road accident while en route to a research engagement in Gauteng. He died doing what he loved: pursuing science, nurturing collaboration, and contributing to the greater good.

Though the weight of this loss is unbearable, we take solace in the legacy Musa leaves behind — in his research, in the students he guided, and in the hearts of those who walked this journey with him.

📍 A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, 4 August 2025 at 15h00, at the Rhodes Chapel (The Chapel of St. Mary and All the Angels), Rhodes University, Makhanda.
All are welcome to join us as we remember and celebrate a life lived in pursuit of truth, connection, and service.

For those who are far and wide — Musa’s friends, collaborators, and former students across the globe — we are working to make the service available via livestream. Details will be shared soon.

Rest in power, Skhokho! Elinxeba linzulu..Phumla MntakaMfundisi sohlala sikukhumbula!
Your footprints remain at every riverbed you studied, in every student you encouraged, and in every community you inspired.

This week's features Neo Radebe, an MSc candidate whose research focuses on evaluating the effects of herbicide spraying on fish health in the Bronkhorstspruit Dam. Learn more about his academic journey by checking out his story below.

UJ Faculty of Science Bronkhorstspruit Catchment Management Forum

A global assessment of environmental and climate influences on wetland macroinvertebrate community structure and function Determining organism responses to environmental variables and taxon associations across broad spatial scales is vital for predicting their responses to climate change. We compiled a global dataset of...

Our PhD student Refilwe Chilo continues to do us proud... THIRD PLACE in the National Three-Minute Thesis Competition held in Bloem last Friday. Go Refilwe!! 🥳
https://www.ufs.ac.za/centreforgraduatesupport/centreforgraduatesupporthome/events/three-minute-thesis

For more info on Refilwe's work:
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1019723726823207&set=a.506518664810385


UJ Zoology

Do you want to know , let me introduce Mr. MM Mathonsi! He started as a assistant and has grown into our highly skilled . Read more about his journey in the profile below.

Representing our Freshwater Ecology lab at UJ, well done Refilwe! 2nd place in the UJ 3-minute thesis competition. And a nice cash prize 😉 Now off to the Cape for an adventurous fieldtrip... living the PhD dream! 😅

FRC researcher, Dr Bruce Paxton, has spent ten years working in the the Koue Bokkeveld region of the Cederberg trying to balance the water needs of ecosystems and people.

This work is part of a bigger, collective action project convened by international climate action NGO, WRAP, and delivered by WWF South Africa which aims to "bring together the food and drink value chain to collectively protect the water resources for both planet and people".

Bruce has developed a tool that makes the complex task of water management that much easier. The "sustainable water management metric" is used to assess water use at a catchment scale and to ensure the delivery of "environmental flows" downstream. In other words, that enough water is left in the river to meet the needs of the ecosystem itself and the people who rely on it.

Watch this great short film showcasing the project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbgmLUtSJII

WWF South Africa Wolseley Water Users Association Suikerbossie Guest Farm Worldwide Fruit Ltd

An excerpt from the feature film, Hidden Rivers of Southern Appalachia, here's an intimate glimpse at some of the most overlooked creatures in river ecosystems, their remarkable behaviors, and the biologists who are working to restore these imperiled animals. Presented in Partnership with the Little Tennessee Native Fish Conservation Area Partners, in cooperation with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. Produced with support from Lyndhurst Foundation, Riverview Foundation, Tennessee Valley Authority, US Forest Service, Tallassee Fund, World Wildlife Fund, many others. Music by Humming House. Directed by Jeremy Monroe & David Herasimtschuk. Sound Design by Matt Kellam. Narration by Suzanne Frank. BECOME AN FI MEMBER for full educational access to our film catalog and Freshwater Archive of films, imagery, photo print discounts, and more - www.freshwatersillustrated.org K-12 TEACHERS - get free educational access to films and teaching resources through our Water Teachers program - sign up for free at www.waterteachers.org Freshwaters Illustrated is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity. #hiddenrivers #rivers #cleanup #conservation #southeast #appalachia

An excerpt from our short film Judy's Creek - Discovering the Secret Life of the Streambed. Follow ecologist, educator, and author, Dr. Judy Li, into the world of caddisflies, the artisans of the aquatic world. With contagious passion, Judy shares how her childhood curiosity led to a career in freshwater science, and how she has found ways to share the joys of science with audiences of all ages. Visit our film page at: https://www.freshwatersillustrated.org/judys-creek Produced in Partnership with the Society for Freshwater Science, and presented by Oregon State University Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, & Conservation Sciences. Music by Chad Lawson / www.musicbed.com. Directed by Jeremy Monroe & David Herasimtschuk. Sound Design by Matt Kellam. BECOME AN FI MEMBER for full educational access to our film catalog and Freshwater Archive of films, imagery, photo print discounts, and more - www.freshwatersillustrated.org K-12 TEACHERS - get free educational access to films and teaching resources through our Water Teachers program - sign up for free at www.waterteachers.org Freshwaters Illustrated is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity. © Freshwaters Illustrated 2023 #ecology #river #insect #biodiversity #freshwater

One of our very own! Nice bio sketch of our PhD student Refilwe Chilo and her work on water beetles. Supervised by Dr Matthew Bird (UJ), Prof Dave Bilton (University of Plymouth) and Dr Helen Dallas (Freshwater Research Centre)

Today our spotlights Refilwe Chilo 🐞, our climate change warrior and water beetle whisperer 🌊🔬! This PhD candidate is making waves in aquatic systems research. Follow her journey as she dives deep into the impacts of climate change on our precious water resources. 🌍💧🔍