Johnny Wilson - Forest Research

I collaborated with Rebecca Stirnemann and the South African Expedition of Global Vision International (GVI) to empower ordinary citizens (as volunteers) to do applicable high quality conservation research that can be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at international conferences. The second tier of my collaborative effort with GVI focuses on biodiversity associated with Afromontane forests in South Africa’s Blyde River Canyon area. Volunteers survey high – and low altitude forests, as well as the associated habitat matrix (pine plantation, eucalypt plantation, grassland and an isolated patch of fynbos) for reptiles, small mammals and invertebrates. The results from this endeavor will enable us to gain a better understanding in how to better conserve severely fragmented afromontane forests. Current research themes include edge effects, trophic levels , and patch heterogeneity.