Anusha Rajkaran

MSc (NMMU), PhD (NMMU)

Anusha’s research interests include Mangrove and Estuarine Ecology.  Mangrove forests are well known for their ecosystems services such as shoreline protection and providing nursery areas for a wide range of fauna but also for the variety of wood products they provide for local communities.  Anusha’s PhD covered a status assessment of mangrove forests in South Africa and measured the growth rates of mangrove species in South Africa. Matrix modeling was then applied to determine sustainable harvesting levels for the mangroves at Mngazana Estuary in the Eastern Cape. Her current lecturing topics are Plant Harvesting and Biological Invasions for second years, Aquatic Botany for thirds years and Estuarine Ecology for Honours.   

Recent publications:

Rajkaran A & Adams JB (2012). The effects of environmental variables on mortality and growth of mangroves at Mngazana Estuary-Eastern Cape, South Africa. Wetlands Ecology and Management. DOI 10.1007/s11273-012-9254-6

Rajkaran A & Adams JB (2011). Mangrove forests of KwaZulu-Natal: Sediment conditions and population structure of the largest mangrove forests in South Africa. Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Science Vol 10(1): 25-38

Hoppe-Speer SCL, Adams JB, Rajkaran A & Bailey D (2011). The response of the red mangrove Rhizophora mucronata Lam. to salinity and inundation in South Africa. Aquatic Botany 95 (2): 71-76

Current and Future Research

The effect of long term harvesting of mangroves has decreased the population size and aerial cover of this habitat type.  It has changed the sediment characteristics, particularly organic and moisture content which in turn influences the size of the nutrient pool in the forest floor.  This nutrient pool is important in buffering the effect of natural and anthropogenic disturbances as it allows the forest to recover faster and has not been determined in mangrove forests of South Africa.  Sea level rise as associated with accelerated climate change and sea storm surges is thought to encourage the movement of mangrove communities into salt marsh habitat but may also cause mortality when long term mouth closure takes place.  Changes in rainfall and therefore salinity, as well as vertical accretion of the sediment is also thought to be an important. Current research sites include; Mngazana Estuary, Wavecrest, Kwelera Estuary and Nahoon Estuary.