James Gambiza

Prof. James Gambiza is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Environmental Science at Rhodes University. Trained as a plant ecologist, his research interests include fire ecology, systems ecology, rangeland ecology, natural resource management, plant–animal interactions, ecological modelling and land degradation. He has extensive experience in grazing management systems, agroforestry, community-based natural resource management, livestock production and ecological modelling, and has worked widely in rural areas of Zimbabwe and South Africa.

He has supervised more than 40 MSc and PhD students in Zimbabwe and South Africa and continues to supervise postgraduate students. He has published more than 100 research reports, papers, book chapters, conference presentations and policy briefs.

Prof. Gambiza has collaborated with international organizations including FAO, UNCCD, UNDP, CIRAD, CIFOR and the Wildlife Conservation Society in programmes on natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, land degradation and teaching and learning. Nationally he is a member of the National Coordinating Body and the Committee on Science and Technology advising the Minister of Environmental Affairs on land degradation matters. He also serves on the Land Degradation Neutrality National Working Group overseeing the review of national targets under Sustainable Development Goal 15. He is a member of the Advisory Board of the Centre for African Conservation Ecology at Nelson Mandela University and of the Steering Committee of the South African Ecosystem-based Adaptation Research Network.