Staff

Dr Ruth-Mary Fisher

Scientist: Inland waters, Cape Research Centre

Location: Office 3, Cape Research Centre, Tokai

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: +27 (0)21 713 7511

Introduction

The role of the inland waters scientist is to conduct monitoring and research in national parks on inland waters to inform park management, establish and conduct monitoring programmes, write up findings, translate scientific information into management and policy, contribute to education and awareness-raising through publications, conferences, blogs and other communication with the public, contribute to management of healthy, functioning national parks, mentor and supervise staff and students, develop and maintain state of knowledge reports, represent SANParks on national committees and task teams, meetings, publish findings, liaise with external scientists and coordinate projects where needed, seek involvements in collaborative projects, manage budgets, establish and maintain data management protocols, and keep abreast of current scientific thinking and pursue appropriate development and growth to maintain scientific credibility and recognition.

Education

• B-Sc, 1998, University of the Western Cape
• B-Sc Honours, 1999, University of the Western Cape
• MSc (Geography), 2003, University of the Western Cape
• PhD Candidate, Department of Entomology and Conservation Ecology, University of Stellenbosch, title “Soil physical and hydrological properties in relation to fire and woody invasive alien species in the fynbos biome”

Research Focus and Interest

• Soil physical properties and the effects of fire
• River health
• Wetland surveys

Current Programmes and Projects

• There has not been much research conducted on soil physical properties in the fynbos biome. Most of the soil research has looked at soil nutrient status and chemical properties. My research focuses on soil physical properties, specifically hydrophobicity, in relation to fire and alien invasive woody tree species. I am looking at pre- and post-fire conditions at different soil depths and seasonally. In Agulhas National Park I am looking at burnt and unburnt areas. In Table Mountain National Park I am looking at pre- and post-fire conditions. Together with hydrophobicity I am looking at infiltration rates, and the relationship between hydrophobicity, infiltration, soil moisture and soil texture.
• The National Freshwater Ecosystem Priority Atlas (NFEPA) Wetland GIS layers were conducted as a desktop study with expert opinions and GIS modeling. These GIS layers were not groundtruthed. I am working with a team of representatives from SANBI Working for Wetlands, CapeNature and SANParks to groundtruth the GIS layers in Agulhas, Bontebok and Tankwa-Karoo National Parks. The groundtruthing involves updating the national NFEPA Wetland GIS layers by verification in the field. Thus far the Ratel River catchment on the Agulhas Plain has been completed. The team will continue with the Nuwejaars catchment on the Agulhas Plain and Bontebok National Park during 2015.

Publications