Land degradation determination through state parameter shift
This proposal has been funded for three years by the South African National Research Foundation. The grant-holder is Prof Bob Scholes of the Global Change and Sustainability Research Institute, University of the Witwatersrand. Prof Scholes is also co-chair of the global Land Degradation and Restoration Assessment of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services.
The aim of the project is to put the detection, diagnosis and quantification of land degradation onto a more scientifically sound basis in Southern Africa, using a new conceptualization of degradation based on persistent depression of ecosystem services, ecological insights into the functioning of semi-arid landscapes and state-of the art remote sensing approaches.
A MSc-level bursary is available, from 1 January 2016, for a student to conduct ecophysiological field research under the supervision of Prof Scholes, leading to a Masters or PhD degree. Applicants must be South African citizens and hold at least a BSc Honours degree in ecological sciences. The standard NRF bursary conditions apply: R80 000 for two years for a MSc or R120 000/y for 3 years for a PhD. These amounts must cover fees payments and living expenses, but research costs will be covered by the project over and above the above amounts. Candidates may simultaneously apply for and hold other bursaries, up to a NRF-defined maximum.
Interested applicants should send a CV, including academic transcripts, and one-page expression of interest and motivation to Prof Scholes, at bob.scholes@wits.ac.za, by 19 February 2016.
