Recent Publications

Conradi, T., Slingsby, J. A., Midgley, G. F., Nottebrock, H., Schweiger, A. H., & Higgins, S. I. (2020). An operational definition of the biome for global change research. New Phytol., 227(5), 1294–1306. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.16580 Cite

Kattge, J., Bönisch, G., Díaz, S., Lavorel, S., Prentice, I. C., Leadley, P., Tautenhahn, S., Werner, G. D. A., Aakala, T., Abedi, M., Acosta, A. T. R., Adamidis, G. C., Adamson, K., Aiba, M., Albert, C. H., Alcántara, J. M., Alcázar C, C., Aleixo, I., Ali, H., … Wirth, C. (2020). TRY plant trait database – enhanced coverage and open access. Glob. Chang. Biol., 26(1), 119–188. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.14904 Cite

Lin, D., Crabtree, J., Dillo, I., Downs, R. R., Edmunds, R., Giaretta, D., De Giusti, M., L’Hours, H., Hugo, W., Jenkyns, R., Khodiyar, V., Martone, M. E., Mokrane, M., Navale, V., Petters, J., Sierman, B., Sokolova, D. V., Stockhause, M., & Westbrook, J. (2020). The TRUST Principles for digital repositories. Scientific Data, 7(1), 144. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-020-0486-7 Cite

Mokua, R. A., Glenday, J., Nel, J., & Butler, M. (2020). Combined use of stable isotopes and hydrochemical characteristics to determine streamflow sources in the Jonkershoek catchment, South Africa. Isotopes Environ. Health Stud., 56(3), 238–259. https://doi.org/10.1080/10256016.2020.1760861 Cite

Pagel, J., Treurnicht, M., Bond, W. J., Kraaij, T., Nottebrock, H., Schutte-Vlok, A., Tonnabel, J., Esler, K. J., & Schurr, F. M. (2020). Mismatches between demographic niches and geographic distributions are strongest in poorly dispersed and highly persistent plant species. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A., 117(7), 3663–3669. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1908684117 Cite

Purdon, J., Shabangu, F., Pienaar, M., Somers, M., & Findlay, K. (2020). South Africa’s newly approved marine protected areas have increased the protected modelled habitat of nine odontocete species. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 633, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps13190 Cite

Purdon, J., Shabangu, F. W., Pienaar, M., Somers, M. J., & Findlay, K. (2020). Cetacean species richness in relation to anthropogenic impacts and areas of protection in South Africa’s mainland Exclusive Economic Zone. Ocean & Coastal Management, 197, 105292. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2020.105292 Cite

Purdon, J., Shabangu, F. W., Yemane, D., Pienaar, M., Somers, M. J., & Findlay, K. (2020). Species distribution modelling of Bryde’s whales, humpback whales, southern right whales, and sperm whales in the southern African region to inform their conservation in expanding economies. PeerJ, 8, e9997. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.9997 Cite

Scheiter, S., Moncrieff, G. R., Pfeiffer, M., & Higgins, S. I. (2020). African biomes are most sensitive to changes in CO2 under recent and near-future CO2 conditions. Biogeosciences, 17(4), 1147–1167. https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-1147-2020 Cite

Skelton, R. (2020). Stem Diameter Fluctuations Provide a New Window into Plant Water Status and Function. Plant Physiol., 183(4), 1414–1415. https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.20.00897 Cite

Skelton, R. P. (2020). Quantifying plant hydraulic function becomes a tall order. J. Exp. Bot., 71(14), 3927–3929. https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/eraa240 Cite

Skelton, R., & Diaz, J. (2020). Quantifying losses of plant hydraulic function: seeing the forest, the trees and the xylem. Tree Physiol., 40(3), 285–289. https://doi.org/10.1093/treephys/tpz141 Cite

Slingsby, J. A. (2020). Forest restoration or propaganda? The need for Transparency and Openness Promotion (TOP) scores to uphold research integrity. S. Afr. J. Sci., 116(7/8). https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2020/7684 Cite

Slingsby, J. A., Moncrieff, G. R., & Wilson, A. M. (2020). Near-real time forecasting and change detection for an open ecosystem with complex natural dynamics. ISPRS J. Photogramm. Remote Sens., 166, 15–25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isprsjprs.2020.05.017 Cite

Slingsby, J. A., Moncrieff, G. R., Rogers, A. J., & February, E. C. (2020). Altered ignition catchments threaten a hyperdiverse fire-dependent ecosystem. Glob. Chang. Biol., 26(2), 616–628. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.14861 Cite

Smith‐Martin, C. M., Skelton, R. P., Johnson, K. M., Lucani, C., & Brodribb, T. J. (2020). Lack of vulnerability segmentation among woody species in a diverse dry sclerophyll woodland community. Funct. Ecol., 34(4), 777–787. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.13519 Cite

Treurnicht, M., Pagel, J., Tonnabel, J., Esler, K. J., Slingsby, J. A., & Schurr, F. M. (2020). Functional traits explain the Hutchinsonian niches of plant species. Glob. Ecol. Biogeogr., 29(3), 534–545. https://doi.org/10.1111/geb.13048 Cite

Weideman, E. A., Slingsby, J. A., Thomson, R. L., & Coetzee, B. T. W. (2020). Land cover change homogenizes functional and phylogenetic diversity within and among African savanna bird assemblages. Landsc. Ecol., 35(1), 145–157. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-019-00939-z Cite

Allsopp, N., Slingsby, J. A., & Esler, K. J. (2019). Identifying research questions for the conservation of the Cape Floristic Region. S. Afr. J. Sci., 115(9/10). https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2019/5889 Cite

Magadzire, N., Klerk, H. M., Esler, K. J., & Slingsby, J. A. (2019). Fire and life history affect the distribution of plant species in a biodiversity hotspot. Divers. Distrib., 25(7), 1012–1023. https://doi.org/10.1111/ddi.12921 Cite

Moreira, F., Allsopp, N., Esler, K. J., Wardell‐Johnson, G., Ancillotto, L., Arianoutsou, M., Clary, J., Brotons, L., Clavero, M., Dimitrakopoulos, P. G., Fagoaga, R., Fiedler, P., Filipe, A. F., Frankenberg, E., Holmgren, M., Marquet, P. A., Martinez‐Harms, M. J., Martinoli, A., Miller, B. P., … Beja, P. (2019). Priority questions for biodiversity conservation in the Mediterranean biome: Heterogeneous perspectives across continents and stakeholders. Conservat Sci and Prac, 1(11), 2017. https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.118 Cite

Samuels, M. I., Allsopp, N., & Hoffman, M. T. (2019). Traditional Mobile Pastoralism in a Contemporary Semiarid Rangeland in Namaqualand, South Africa. Rangeland Ecol. Manage., 72(1), 195–203. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rama.2018.08.005 Cite

Slingsby, J. A., & Slingsby, P. W. O. (2019). Monitoring the critically endangered Clanwilliam cedar with freely available Google Earth imagery. PeerJ, 7, e7005. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.7005 Cite

Dornelas, M., Antão, L. H., Moyes, F., Bates, A. E., Magurran, A. E., Adam, D., Akhmetzhanova, A. A., Appeltans, W., Arcos, J. M., Arnold, H., Ayyappan, N., Badihi, G., Baird, A. H., Barbosa, M., Barreto, T. E., Bässler, C., Bellgrove, A., Belmaker, J., Benedetti-Cecchi, L., … Hickler, T. (2018). BioTIME: A database of biodiversity time series for the Anthropocene. Glob. Ecol. Biogeogr., 27(7), 760–786. https://doi.org/10.1111/geb.12729 Cite

Melly, B. L., McGregor, G., Hofmeyr, G. J. G., & Plön, S. (2018). Spatio-temporal distribution and habitat preferences of cetaceans in Algoa Bay, South Africa. J. Mar. Biol. Assoc. U. K., 98(5), 1065–1079. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0025315417000340 Cite

Melly, B. L., Gama, P. T., & Schael, D. M. (2018). Spatial patterns in small wetland systems: identifying and prioritising wetlands most at risk from environmental and anthropogenic impacts. Wetlands Ecol. Manage. https://idp.springer.com/authorize/casa?redirect_uri=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11273-018-9626-7&casa_token=Z_YD0OqQqxAAAAAA:YEEWj6ehI2fiEue_cFjTHIViraNByWhRaE8eQBZ3PE5hxDnKz7d_shDhnkKOKCt1h09_QGcht6ApTwMR Cite

Poulos, H. M., Barton, A. M., Slingsby, J. A., & Bowman, D. M. J. S. (2018). Do Mixed Fire Regimes Shape Plant Flammability and Post-Fire Recovery Strategies? Fire, 1(3), 39. https://doi.org/10.3390/fire1030039 Cite

Aiello-Lammens, M. E., Slingsby, J. A., Merow, C., Mollmann, H. K., Euston-Brown, D., Jones, C. S., & Silander, J. A., Jr. (2017). Processes of community assembly in an environmentally heterogeneous, high biodiversity region. Ecography, 40(4), 561–576. https://doi.org/10.1111/ecog.01945 Cite

Chambers, L. E., Barnard, P., Poloczanska, E. S., Hobday, A. J., Keatley, M. R., Allsopp, N., & Underhill, L. G. (2017). Southern hemisphere biodiversity and global change: data gaps and strategies. Austral Ecol., 42(1), 20–30. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/aec.12391 Cite

Jucker, T., Caspersen, J., Chave, J., Antin, C., Barbier, N., Bongers, F., Dalponte, M., van Ewijk, K. Y., Forrester, D. I., Haeni, M., Higgins, S. I., Holdaway, R. J., Iida, Y., Lorimer, C., Marshall, P. L., Momo, S., Moncrieff, G. R., Ploton, P., Poorter, L., … Coomes, D. A. (2017). Allometric equations for integrating remote sensing imagery into forest monitoring programmes. Glob. Chang. Biol., 23(1), 177–190. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.13388 Cite

Mander, M., Jewitt, G., Dini, J., Glenday, J., Blignaut, J., Hughes, C., Marais, C., Maze, K., van der Waal, B., & Mills, A. (2017). Modelling potential hydrological returns from investing in ecological infrastructure: Case studies from the Baviaanskloof-Tsitsikamma and uMngeni catchments, South Africa. Ecosystem Services, 27, 261–271. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2017.03.003 Cite

Melly, B. L., Schael, D. M., & Gama, P. T. (2017). Perched wetlands: An explanation to wetland formation in semi-arid areas. J. Arid Environ., 141, 34–39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2017.02.004 Cite

Miller, E. T., Farine, D. R., & Trisos, C. H. (2017). Phylogenetic community structure metrics and null models: a review with new methods and software. Ecography, 40(4), 461–477. https://doi.org/10.1111/ecog.02070 Cite

Roux, M. M. le, Wilkin, P., Balkwill, K., Boatwright, J. S., Bytebier, B., Filer, D., Klak, C., Klopper, R., Koekemoer, M., Livermore, L., Lubke, R., Magee, A., Manning, J., Paton, A., Pearce, T., Slingsby, J., van Wyk, B.-E., Victor, J., & von Staden, L. (2017). Producing a plant diversity portal for South Africa. Taxon, 66(2), 421–431. https://doi.org/10.12705/662.9 Cite

Slingsby, J. A., Merow, C., Aiello-Lammens, M., Allsopp, N., Hall, S., Kilroy Mollmann, H., Turner, R., Wilson, A. M., & Silander, J. A., Jr. (2017). Intensifying postfire weather and biological invasion drive species loss in a Mediterranean-type biodiversity hotspot. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A., 114(18), 4697–4702. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1619014114 Cite

Stevens, N., Lehmann, C. E. R., Murphy, B. P., & Durigan, G. (2017). Savanna woody encroachment is widespread across three continents. Glob. Chang. Biol., 23(1), 235–244. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.13409 Cite

Daru, B. H., van der Bank, M., Maurin, O., Yessoufou, K., Schaefer, H., Slingsby, J. A., & Davies, T. J. (2016). A novel phylogenetic regionalization of phytogeographical zones of southern Africa reveals their hidden evolutionary affinities. J. Biogeogr., 43(1), 155–166. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbi.12619 Cite

Higgins, S. I., Buitenwerf, R., & Moncrieff, G. R. (2016). Defining functional biomes and monitoring their change globally. Glob. Chang. Biol., 22(11), 3583–3593. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.13367 Cite

Koopman, M. M., & De Jager, K. (2016). Archiving South African digital research data: How ready are we? S. Afr. J. Sci., 112(7–8), 1–7. http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0038-23532016000400017 Cite

Moncrieff, G. R., Scheiter, S., Langan, L., Trabucco, A., & Higgins, S. I. (2016). The future distribution of the savannah biome: model-based and biogeographic contingency. Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. B Biol. Sci., 371(1703). https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2015.0311 Cite

Moncrieff, G. R., Bond, W. J., & Higgins, S. I. (2016). Revising the biome concept for understanding and predicting global change impacts. J. Biogeogr., 43(5), 863–873. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbi.12701 Cite

Sandberg, R. N., Allsopp, N., & Esler, K. J. (2016). The use of fynbos fragments by birds: Stepping-stone habitats and resource refugia. Koedoe, 58(1), 1–10. http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0075-64582016000100001 Cite

Stevens, N., Archibald, S. A., Nickless, A., Swemmer, A., & Scholes, R. J. (2016). Evidence for facultative deciduousness in C olophospermum mopane in semi-arid A frican savannas. Austral Ecol., 41(1), 87–96. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/aec.12302 Cite

Van Wilgen, N. J., Goodall, V., Holness, S., Chown, S. L., & McGeoch, M. A. (2016). Rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns in South Africa’s national parks. Int. J. Climatol., 36(2), 706–721. https://rmets.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/joc.4377 Cite

Verboom, G. A., Herron, M. L., Moncrieff, G. R., & Slingsby, J. A. (2016). Maintenance of species integrity in the context of a recent radiation: the case of Jamesbrittenia (Scrophulariaceae: Limoselleae) in southern Africa. Bot. J. Linn. Soc., 182(1), 115–139. https://doi.org/10.1111/boj.12447 Cite

Waller, P. A., Anderson, P. M. L., Holmes, P. M., & Allsopp, N. (2016). Seedling recruitment responses to interventions in seed-based ecological restoration of Peninsula Shale Renosterveld, Cape Town. S. Afr. J. Bot., 103, 193–209. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2015.09.009 Cite

Wigley, B. J., Slingsby, J. A., Díaz, S., Bond, W. J., Fritz, H., & Coetsee, C. (2016). Leaf traits of African woody savanna species across climate and soil fertility gradients: evidence for conservative versus acquisitive resource-use strategies. J. Ecol., 104(5), 1357–1369. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2745.12598 Cite

Allsopp, N., Anderson, P. M. L., Holmes, P. M., Melin, A., & others. (2015). People, the Cape floristic region, and sustainability. http://ir.sun.ac.za/cib/bitstream/handle/123456789/1878/Holmes_Chapter15_2015.pdf?sequence=1 Cite

Molina‐Venegas, R., Aparicio, A., Slingsby, J. A., Lavergne, S., & Arroyo, J. (2015). Investigating the evolutionary assembly of a Mediterranean biodiversity hotspot: deep phylogenetic signal in the distribution of eudicots across elevational belts. J. Biogeogr., 42(3), 507–518. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbi.12398 Cite

Moncrieff, G. R., Hickler, T., & Higgins, S. I. (2015). Intercontinental divergence in the climate envelope of major plant biomes. Glob. Ecol. Biogeogr., 24(3), 324–334. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/geb.12257 Cite

Moncrieff, G. R., Scheiter, S., Slingsby, J. A., & Higgins, S. I. (2015). Understanding global change impacts on South African biomes using Dynamic Vegetation Models. S. Afr. J. Bot., 101, 16–23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2015.02.004 Cite

Potts, A. J., Moncrieff, G. R., Bond, W. J., & Cowling, R. M. (2015). An operational framework for biome boundary research with examples from South Africa. S. Afr. J. Bot., 101, 5–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2015.07.002 Cite

Seymour, C. L., Simmons, R. E., Joseph, G. S., & Slingsby, J. A. (2015). On bird functional diversity: species richness and functional differentiation show contrasting responses to rainfall and vegetation structure in an arid landscape. Ecosystems, 18(6), 971–984. https://idp.springer.com/authorize/casa?redirect_uri=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10021-015-9875-8&casa_token=iSwJFYRX_nUAAAAA:vnBumAxmdP9Hgs_juEDaDPuwbbLO4PGM_y_JxoOAmCIJCweKBYFfUtGsOP6XHEZlHzkiGxR4Wnz4tsLW Cite

Shook, E., Wren, C., Marean, C. W., Potts, A. J., Franklin, J., Engelbrecht, F., O’Neal, D., Janssen, M., Fisher, E., Hill, K., Esler, K. J., Cowling, R. M., Scheiter, S., & Moncrieff, G. (2015). Paleoscape model of coastal South Africa during modern human origins: progress in scaling and coupling climate, vegetation, and agent-based models on XSEDE. XSEDE ’15, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1145/2792745.2792747 Cite