Independent experts nominated by country party

Mmoto Leonard Masubelele

Title
Dr.
First name
Mmoto Leonard
Last name
Masubelele
Gender
Male
Nominating Country
Date of Nomination
Discipline of Expertise
Biology
Environmental sciences/ecology
Other Disciplines
Botany and Conservation biology and other Thematic areas: Alien invasion, habitat change
Thematic Areas
Adaptation
Climate change
Conservation
Land degradation
Landscape ecology
Mitigation
Vegetation change
UN languages spoken

English

Geographical Focus
South Africa
Job function
Scientist
Division
Landscape Ecology & Climate Change Adaptation, Conservation Services
Email
mmoto.masubelele@sanparks.org
Telephone number
021713 7512
Work experience
I have been leading projects for the last Ten years, the projects vary from changes in ecological
processes (nutrients cycling in Savanna ecosystem), long term environmental and vegetation change in
three Biomes: (Nama Karroo, Grassland and Albany thicket) and assessment of degradation and
prospects of rehabilitation of the arid rangelands in the Tanqua Karoo region. In the National parks at
an organizational level, I have led the development of climate change adaptation strategy and
implementation plan and few climate change mitigation projects. I advise many students you have
worked on some of this projects whom have completed PhD and MSc degrees with various
universities in the country. Of those students four are male and five women. I collaborate
internationally on climate change resilience in indigenous communities. I represent SANParks on
various advisory committees in the Department of Environmental Affairs.
Highest Academic achievement and qualification
PhD in Botany, University of Cape Town (UCT) ,2012
Publication titles
1. Annecke W. & Masubelele M.L. 2016. A Review of the Impact of Militarization: The Case of Rhino Poaching in Kruger National Park, South Africa. Conservation and Society 14 (3), 195.
2. Masubelele M.L., Hoffman, M.T. & Bond, W.J. 2015. Biome stability and long-term vegetation change in the semi-arid, south-eastern interior of South Africa: A synthesis of repeat photo-monitoring studies. South African Journal of Botany 101: 139-147.
3. Masubelele M.L., Hoffman, M.T. & Bond, W.J. 2015. A repeat photograph analysis of long‐term vegetation change in semi‐arid South Africa in response to land use and climate. Journal of Vegetation Science 26 (5): 1013–1023.
4. Masubelele M.L, Hoffman, M.T., Gambiza, J and W.J. Bond. 2014. A 50 year study shows grasslands expanding into shrub lands in semi-arid South Africa. Journal of Arid Environments 104: 43-51.
5. Masubelele M.L., Hoffman, M.T., Bond, W. & Burdett, P. (2013). Vegetation change (1988–2010) in Camdeboo National Park (South Africa), using fixed-point photo monitoring: The role of herbivory and climate. Koedoe 55(1), Art. #1127, pages. http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/koedoe.v55i1.1127
Other activities
1. SACNASP 400213/16
2. Grassland Society of Southern Africa
3. External examination of thesis at the universities
Awards
GreenMatter fellow 2012
Organisation nature
Cape Research Center
Organisation street address
South African National Parks
SANParks, P O Box 216; Steenberg, 7947
Organisation city
Cape Town
Organisation post code
947
Organisation country
South Africa