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21 April 2023 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Supplied
Striving to make a difference in the field of biodiversity conservation, Dr Katlego Mashiane decided to pursue a PhD in Geography, focusing on the spatial modelling of grassland diversity and nutrients in subalpine environments. He received his PhD during the recent April graduation ceremonies on the Qwaqwa Campus.

In the small village of Ga-Mabotia about 25 km outside of Polokwane, Dr Katlego Mashiane grew up, surrounded by rocky mountains characterised by boulder outcrops, where he interacted with nature from an early age. 

He recently obtained his PhD, majoring in Geography, from the University of the Free State (UFS), which was conferred on him during the April graduation ceremonies that took place on the UFS Qwaqwa Campus. The title of his dissertation is Grass nutrients estimation as an Indicator of rangeland quality using satellite remote.

Predicting the presence of biodiversity and nutrients in an area

Based on the principle that diverse grasslands tend to perform better, environmental changes threaten the resilience and services these grassland ecosystems provide. The study examined how many different types of plants and animals can be found at a particular place to enhance our understanding of the ecosystem’s value to humans, and that biodiversity loss will reduce these ecosystem services. Focusing on spatial modelling of grassland diversity, Dr Mashiane specifically investigated the influence of topography and remotely sensed satellite data on species richness and diversity in subalpine environments, and how they are affected by the availability of grass species. To determine this, he used a random forest machine-learning algorithm to find the best information in the data that could be used to estimate the levels of species richness, diversity, and nitrogen in a protected national conservation park. 

His study discovered that some data types – such as the near-infrared variable and certain vegetation data (EVI and SAVI) – were especially useful for determining the number and variety of species in a certain area. With this information, scientists can create models that predict the presence of different types of biodiversity and nutrients in an area.

Playing a key role in protecting our natural assets

Equipped with this knowledge, one will be able to understand how to protect and preserve different types of biodiversity and promote the nutritional value of both plants and animals in the environment. “Land managers could use this information for conservation strategies,” states Dr Mashiane, who decided to pursue this study because he was curious about how environmental changes will affect species.

“Grasslands provide important ecosystem services underpinning human well-being, and therefore warrant our protection; I would like to play a role in protecting our natural assets and contribute to understanding our biomes, especially in the context of global change,” he says.

In the next five years, Dr Mashiane plans to pursue further research and mentor other students in his field of study.

News Archive

UFS theologians contribute to new Greek and Afrikaans Interlinear Bible
2012-12-25

 
At the event were, from the left: Prof. Francois Tolmie, Mr Chris Johnsen, Prof. Jonathan Jansen and Prof. Hermie van Zyl.
07 December 2012

Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Vice Chancellor and Rector of the university, received a copy of the new Interlinear Bible in Greek and Afrikaans from members of staff of the Faculty of Theology and CUM book publishers. The Bible was given to Prof. Jansen by Mr Chris Johnsen from CUM books.

The Greek and Afrikaans Interlinear Bible is a translation containing the original Greek text as well as a literal Afrikaans translation.

This Bible is the culmination of a project started seven years ago by a team of nine theologians including the Dean of the Faculty of Theology, Prof. Francois Tolmie as well as other faculty members, Prof. Hermie van Zyl and Prof. Pieter de Villiers. Mr Johnsen lauded the staff for their “tremendous contribution” to the project. With this edition, South Africa becomes the seventh country in the world to publish an Interlinear Bible.

“The departure point of this version is not a translation, it is the Greek text,” Mr Chris Johnsen said about the aim of this new work. Prof. Tolmie agreed with the publisher, saying this Bible is meant for people who do not have access to the Greek text and who want to understand it.

Prof. Jansen thanked all involved for his copy, noting the important role belief is playing in his own life as well as his work on campus.
 

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