The Tzaneen Eco Club invites you to join them for an amazing presentation by ecologist Wiam Haddad on ‘Forest Ecology’ on Friday 16 November. He will begin by exploring the global concept of forests and how it relates to our South African context.
Then he will page back through the history of forest conservation in the region. He may, however, get lost in examples of fascinating forest interactions and adaptations, such as parasitic trees, unpredictable mass flowering, niche differentiation and the mysteries of dispersal over huge distances.
Finally, he will focus on the invaluable ecosystem services that forests provide to humanity and highlight some of the threats our South African forests face in the 21st century.
Wiam grew up in Pretoria and after matriculating, enrolled at Pretoria University to study architecture. To his family’s dismay he decided to switch to BSc Plant Sciences in his first semester.
Read: HOEDSPRUIT: Up, up and pines away
He loved this new course and never looked back! His attention is caught by any opportunity to explore, and after completing an Honours degree in Plant Ecology in 2011, he applied for a year-long position as field biologist on the sub-Antarctic Marion Island. Upon returning to the mainland he continued studying, this time towards an MSc, investigating the biodiversity and ecosystem services of the Koedoes River catchment right here in Limpopo.
After completing this degree in 2015, he took a position as ecologist with the local agricultural giant ZZ2, where he is tasked with helping to develop their Natuurboerdery philosophy, which aims to use insights from nature and apply them to agricultural practices.
This outstanding presentation is not to be missed! The talk will begin at 6:30pm; tea, coffee and mince pies will be served. Visitors are most welcome and pay a small fee of R25. Contact Marianne McKenzie for further information 082 835 4185.
