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Johan Baard

Johan Baard

Scientist: GIS & Planning, Garden Route & Frontier Research Unit

Location: Knysna

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: +27 (0)44 302 5608

Education

  • Diploma in Forestry, 1985, Saasveld: College for Forestry, George
  • National Higher Diploma: Conservation, 1992, Port Elizabeth Technikon
  • Masters Diploma in Technology: Forestry. (Dissertation: Description and analysis of the ground flora of the Southern Cape Forests), 1995, Port Elizabeth Technikon
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Geographical Information Systems, 2002, Port Elizabeth Technikon
  • Registered Professional GISc Practitioner (PGP 1381)

Research Focus and Interest

  • Invader Plant Control
  • Forest and Fynbos ecology
  • Geographical Information Systems
  • Plant Species of Conservation Concern
  • Flora inventories
  • Rehabilitation

Publications

Journal Articles

  • Kraaij T, Baard, J.A, Grobler A.B  & Miles, B. 2023. Effects of Acacia melanoxylon, an alien tree species to South Africa, on Afrotemperate forest tree sapling composition, Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science, DOI: 10.2989/20702620.2023.2198093
  • Miles, B., Baard, J.A. and Kraaij, T., 2022. Potential allelopathic effects of alien Acacia melanoxylon and indigenous Olea capensis macrocarpa on germination of Acacia melanoxylon. South African Journal of Botany, 148, pp.326-329.
  • Giddey, B.L., Baard, J.A. and Kraaij, T., 2022. Fire severity and tree size affect post-fire survival of Afrotemperate forest trees. Fire Ecology, 18(1), pp.1-13.
  • Giddey, B., Baard, J. A., Vhengani, L., & Kraaij, T. 2021. The effect of adjacent vegetation on fire severity in Afrotemperate forest along the southern Cape coast of South Africa. Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science, 1-6.  https://doi.org/10.1080/02571862.2021.1936686
  • Smit I.P.J., Joubert, M., Smith M.K.S, van Wilgen, N., Strydom, T., Baard, J. A. & Herbst, M. 2021. Fire as friend or foe: The role of scientists in balancing media coverage of fires in National Parks, African Journal of Range & Forage Science, DOI: 10.2989/10220119.2021.1991473
  • Baard, J.A. & Kraaij, T. 2019. Use of a rapid roadside survey to detect potentially invasive plant species along the Garden Route, South Africa. Koedoe 61(1), a1515. https://doi.org/10.4102/ koedoe.v61i1.1515
  • Kraaij, T., Baard, J.A., Arndt, J., Vhengani, L., van Wilgen, B.W. 2018. An assessment of climate, weather, and fuel factors influencing a large, destructive wildfire in the Knysna region, South Africa. Fire Ecology 14, 4. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42408-018-0001-0
  • Foxcroft, L.C., Van Wilgen, N.J., Baard, J.A. & Cole, N.S. 2017. Biological invasions in South African National Parks. Bothalia 47(2), a2158. https://doi.org/10.4102/abc. v47i2.2158
  • Kraaij, T., Baard, J.A., Rikhotso, D.R., Cole, N.S. & Van Wilgen, B.W. 2017. Assessing the effectiveness of invasive alien plant management in a large fynbos protected area. Bothalia 47(2), a2105. https://doi.org/10.4102/abc. v47i2.2105
  • Barendse, J., Roux, D., Erfmann, W., Baard, J.A., Kraaij, T. & Nieuwoudt, C. 2016. Viewshed and sense of place as conservation features: A case study and research agenda for South Africa’s national parks. Koedoe 58(1), a1357. http://dx.doiorg/10.4102/koedoe.v58i1.1357
  • Kraaij, T., Baard, J.A. and Crain, B.J. 2016. Conservation status and management insights from tracking a cryptic and Critically Endangered species of Orchidaceae. Oryx, , pp. 1–10. doi: 10.1017/S0030605316000272
  • Van Wilgen, B.W., Fill, J.M., Baard, J.A, Cheney, C., Forsyth, A.T., and Kraaij, T. 2016. Historical costs and projected future scenarios for the management of invasive alien plants in protected areas in the Cape Floristic Region. Biological Conservation 200 168–177.
  • Bezuidenhout, H., Kraaij, T. & Baard, J.A. 2015. Persistent effects of chemicals used to control shrub densification in semi-arid savanna. Earth Science Research 4(1): 31-39.
  • Baard J.A. & Kraaij T. 2014. Alien flora of the Garden Route National Park. South African Journal of Botany 94 51-63.
  • Baard, J.A. 2012. Gasteria polita, an endangered succulent from South Africa. Cactus World_30 (3): 159-161.
  • Kraaij, T., Baard, J.A., Cowling, R.M. Van Wilgen, B.W. and Das, S. 2012. Historical fire regimes in a poorly understood, fire-prone ecosystem: Eastern coastal fynbos. International Journal of Wildland Fire 22(3): 277-287.
  • Seydack, A.H.W., Grant, C.C., Smit, I.P.J., Vermeulen, W.J., Baard, J.A. and Zambatis, N. (2012). Climate and vegetation in a semi-arid savanna: Development of a climate-vegetation response model linking plant metabolic performance to climate and its effects on forage availability for large herbivores. Koedoe 54(1): Art. #1046. 12 pages. http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/koedoev54i1.1046
  • Seydack, A.H.W., Grant, C.C., Smit, I.P.J., Vermeulen, W.J., Baard, J.A. and Zambatis, N. 2012. Large herbivore population performance and climate in a South African semi-arid savanna. Koedoe 54(1): Art. #1047. 20 pages. http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/koedoev54i1.1047
  • Seydack, A.H.W., Vermeulen, W.J., Baard, J. and Kok, R.H. 2007. Demographic patterns of stinkwood (Ocotea bullata) in the forests at Weza, KwaZulu-Natal: Divergent modes of regeneration. In: J.J. Bester, A.H.W. Seydack, T. Vorster, I.J. Van der Merwe, and S. Dzivhani (Eds.), Multiple use management of natural forests and woodlands: policy refinement and scientific progress. Natural Forests and Savanna Woodlands Symposium IV, Port Elizabeth, South Africa, 15-18 May 2006. Symposium Proceedings, Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, Pretoria. Pp. 38-43.

Technical and Scientific Reports

  • Vermeulen, W.J., Baard, J.A. Sass, G. (2019). Tree response to fire in natural forest in the Garden Route National Park
  • Baard, J.A. and Kraaij, T. (2009). Species of Special Concern, Garden Route National Park. Scientific Services, South African National Parks, Knysna. 19 pp. Unpublished.
  • Baard, J.A and Kraaij, T. (2009). Field Guide of IUCN Red List Plant Species of the GRNP. Scientific Services, South African National Parks, Knysna. 87 pp. Unpublished.
  • Baard, J.A., Herd, H. and Mayoli, N. (2004). Management plan for Lelievlei Nature Reserve (Diepwalle Forest Estate). Scientific Services, Indigenous Forest Management, Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, Knysna. (Revision of 1993 plan).
  • Baard, J.A. (2004). Whiskey Creek Nature Reserve management plan. Scientific Services, Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, Knysna. (Revision of 1995 plan).
  • Baard, J.A. and Vermeulen, W.J. (2003). Management plan for Australian blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon): Southern Cape and Forest Regions. Scientific Services, Indigenous Forest Management, Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, Knysna. Unpublished.
  • Baard, J. A. (2003). Database for Cultural Historical Assets. Scientific Services, Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, Knysna. 26 pp. Unpublished.
  • Baard, J.A. (2002). Habitat determination of Bulbine latifolia in the southern Cape. Assignment for Post Graduate Diploma in GIS, Port Elizabeth Technicon. 38 pp.
  • Baard, J.A. (2002). Management plan for Millwood Nature Reserve (Farleigh Forest Estate). Scientific Services, Indigenous Forest Management, Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, Knysna.
  • Baard, J.A. (2001). Analysis of Rumohra adiantiformis phenological data. Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, Knysna. 12 pp. Unpublished.
  • Baard, J. A. (1999). Kultuurhistoriese bates van die Suid Kaap en Tsitsikamma bosbouareas. Scientific Services, Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, Knysna. 6 pp. Unpublished.
  • Baard, J.A. (1998). Ontleding van fenologie-moniteringsdata. Scientific Services, Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, Knysna. 16 pp. Unpublished.
  • Baard, J.A. and Wannenburg, A. (1998). Ondersoek na lae opbrengs van Rumohra adiantiformis. Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, Knysna. 8 pp. Unpublished.
  • Baard, J.A. (1992). Die monitering van die effek van blaarinoesting op seweweeksvaring (Rumohra adiantiformis). Seminar submitted for the National Higher Diploma in Forestry. Saasveld School for Forestry, George. 16 pp.

Popular Articles

  • Can the midge beat the wattle? SANParks Times, Spring Edition, 2016
  • Forest Creepers. Veld & Flora, September 2013.
  • Gasteria polita, eine bedrohte Sukkulente aus Südafrika. Avonia News, September 2013.
  • Discovery on the Garden Route: Another population of the rare Gasteria polita found. Veld & Flora, March 2012.
  • How to file your plant photos. Veld & Flora, June 2011.