Professor of Ecology, University of the Witwatersrand
Sally Archibald works on understanding the dynamics of savanna ecosystems in the context of global change. Her work integrates field ecological data, remote sensing, modelling, and biogeochemistry. She is currently involved in collaborative research projects on grass functional traits, inter-continental savanna comparisons, and the origins of wet-dry seasonality in Africa.
Sally’s research on global fire regimes has highlighted misunderstandings about the role of humans in altering patterns of fire, and has provided new tools for managing fire in conservation areas to promote biodiversity. Insights from her collaborative research into savanna ecosystem functioning is contributing towards better definitions of degradation in tropical ecosystems.
Current research interests include understanding fire, herbivores and droughts as drivers of tropical grasslands, inter-continental savanna comparisons, and the origins of wet-dry seasonality in Africa.
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