NWU Forb Ecology Research Group - FERG

Congratulations Dr Marlize Muller! You make us proud!
We know that you have a fantastic future ahead of you.

Environmental Sciences & Management NWU Frances Siebert

: Congratulations to Marlize Muller on being awarded her PhD from the North-West University! Marlize specialised in grassland ecology with the Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management in her thesis titled: "Effects of climate variability, land-use change and transformation on grassland plant diversity in South Africa". Marlize is currently expanding her knowledge and experience in wetland ecology as she assists Dr Kyle Lloyd (Wetland Conservation Project) as a SANBI Groen Sebenza Intern at BirdLife South Africa.

BirdLife South Africa Environmental Sciences & Management NWU NWU Forb Ecology Research Group - FERG

𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐮𝐧!😁
“Count the number of F’s in this sentence: FINISHED FILES ARE THE RESULT OF YEARS OF SCIENTIFIC STUDY COMBINED WITH THE EXPERIENCE OF YEARS.”

Upon first glance, you may count fewer F’s than there actually is (watch this insightful video for the correct answer) 😊

🌿🌱🌺🌱🌿
Just as with the F’s, it’s easy to overlook many things we may be unaware of. Forbs🌺 are also often overlooked, despite their incredible ecological importance.

Listen to Dr Helga van Coller ([email protected]) explaining the importance of forbs in semi-arid savanna conservation, management and research: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lBRNkBHQNA&t=364s&ab_channel=ShareScreenAfrica

The importance of forbs in semi-arid savanna conservation, management, and research Unlocking the Secrets of Semi-Arid Savanna: Dr. Helga van Coller Explores the Vital Role of Forbs in Conservation and Management. Join us for an enlightening...

We would like to congratulate one of our dear FERG members, Marlize Muller, on accepting an internship position at BirdLife in Dullstroom. Marlize has already started fieldwork in wetlands and she’s actively working alongside Kyle Lloyd on the conservation of the Critically Endangered White-winged Flufftail.

We will miss you, Marlize!
We wish you all the best and may this new chapter bring you so much joy and fulfilment!

Welcome to FERG, Michelle Louw! Michelle is a PhD student registered at Utrecht University in the Netherlands. Michelle and Prof Frances Siebert are currently in Port Elizabeth to discuss, amongst other things, her research on SA grassland forb diversity and ecology with all her supervisors.

FERG students representing Botany and the North-West University for the 48th Annual South African Association of Botanists (SAAB) conference.

Go FERG!!

NWU-Pukke Environmental Sciences & Management NWU

Tsumbedzo Ramalevha (FERG PhD student) got the amazing opportunity to visit Yolanda Pueyo's lab in Spain to collaborate, network, learn and share some knowledge.

Here he is with Mariluz Giner (IPE.CSIC, Spain) doing sample pre-treatment for phosphorus and organic matter analysis.

Have a wonderful time in Spain, Tsumbedzo!

Go check out the Campus Tree Route!

Our fellow FERG member, Wynand Muller (MSc student), had a hand in developing this exciting project.

Wynand is an avid cartographer with exceptional GIS skills!

BIG Congratulations to Danielle Botha, a fellow FERG student, on winning the 3MT competition for Masters level across faculties, across all three NWU campuses 🥳🥇

Well done, Danielle! You make us proud!!

OPPORTUNITY: Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management (UESM)