Long-term vegetation dynamics at the savanna-grassland boundary, South Africa

The savanna-grassland ecotone consists of different vegetation assemblages at the limits of their environmental and competitive tolerance; it is therefore particularly sensitive to changes in climate and disturbances. This project aims to study the spatial and temporal changes in the savanna-grassland boundary and identify the position of climatic and disturbance thresholds. The project will contribute to the development of conceptual models which explore how feedbacks between climatic and anthropogenic factors can cause phase transitions in ecosystems and enable managers to intervene if ecological system or process is close to an intrinsic limit. 

Further information for Dr. Lindsey Gillson can be found on her departmental site