Publications
The faunistic diversity of spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) of the South African Cape Floristic Kingdom
A comprehensive survey of spider diversity in the Cape Floral Region Protected Areas, part of South Africa's Cape Floristic Kingdom (CFK), reveals 960 species across 62 families, representing 42.4% of South Africa's known spider fauna. The study, based on data from the South African National Survey of Arachnida (SANSA) up to 2023, identifies 269 endemic species (28%) and highlights conservation concerns for 49 species (5.1%). While most species (71%) are widely distributed with no known threats, significant data gaps remain, particularly among the 229 Data Deficient species. The Salticidae family dominates with 128 species, including 30 endemics, followed by Gnaphosidae, Thomisidae, and Lycosidae. This research underscores the CFK's rich but understudied arachnid biodiversity, emphasizing the need for further exploration to uncover and describe its hidden diversity.
Determination of Hydrological Niche of Restionaceae Species in Silvermine, South Africa
A groundbreaking study reveals the critical role of hydrological factors in shaping the distribution and survival of Restionaceae species within the Cape Floral Region (CFR), a globally significant biodiversity hotspot. This research, conducted at Silvermine, South Africa, demonstrates that microclimate-level hydrological variables are pivotal in determining the niche of these threatened plants, which face existential threats from urbanization, agriculture, and groundwater extraction. By generating unique hydrological datasets, the study not only models species niches with unprecedented accuracy but also provides a robust framework for assessing conservation strategies and predicting long-term impacts of climate change on plant diversity. This work builds upon the CFR's established role as a test case for biodiversity modeling, offering critical insights that could reshape conservation efforts in semi-arid environments worldwide.
Biomes are nobody’s kingdom: on environmental and historical plant geography
This study argues that biomes and floral kingdoms serve distinct, non-overlapping roles in global plant geography. While floral kingdoms (phytochoria) reflect evolutionary history and are defined by endemic taxa, biomes are primarily shaped by environmental factors like climate and soil, with no significant evolutionary component. The research contrasts these concepts, emphasizing that biomes should not be defined by lineage presence or evolution. It highlights the Cape Floral Kingdom's expansion to include diverse biomes, challenging the notion of contiguous floral kingdoms. The study also notes mismatches between biodiversity priorities (phytochoria) and ecosystem service values (biomes), advocating for separate mapping approaches in conservation efforts.
Disentangling native and alien plant diversity in coastal sand dune ecosystems worldwide
A global analysis of coastal sand dune ecosystems reveals distinct patterns and drivers for native and alien plant diversity. Native species richness increases along the sea-to-inland gradient, particularly in the Cape and Paleotropical floristic kingdoms, while alien species richness remains relatively consistent across regions but is strongly influenced by anthropogenic factors such as gross domestic product (GDP). The study, which analyzed 14,841 vegetation plots worldwide using generalized linear models (GLMs) and mixed models (GLMMs), found weak support for the invasion paradox, suggesting that spatial scale plays a minor role in native-alien richness patterns. These findings highlight the need to consider native and alien species separately when studying biodiversity, offering insights for targeted conservation and management strategies.
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