Research

The herbarium has three main research interests:

  • Taxonomic research aimed at documenting and understanding the flora of the Eastern Cape Province.
  • Ethnobotanical studies aimed at documenting and understanding the value of plant diversity to humans, this being a collaborative programme with social scientists at the Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER) on Rhodes campus.

Research is based on extensive fieldwork, throughout the country but primarily in the Eastern Cape Province, with support from collaborative Rhodes University departments and support services. Previous collaborative research with other universities, SANBI, Missouri Botanical Garden, Bolus Herbarium and Uppsala Herbarium is reflected in recent herbarium publications.

Research is jointly funded by Rhodes University Research Committee grants and the Albany Museum.

Research findings are published in popular and peer reviewed journals and magazines and presented at conferences and at public talks. The aim is to contribute to scientific knowledge as well as public knowledge through education and awareness of plants.

Recent publications include:

Mucina, L., Dold, A.P., Tichý, L., & Van Niekerk, A. 2018. Classification of the Albany Coastal Forests. In L. Mucina (ed) Vegetation Survey and Classification of Subtropical Forest of Southern Africa. Springer, Switzerland. Pp 59 – 90.

Peter, C.I., Dold, A.P., Melidonis, C & Abraham, S. 2017. Protea foliosa. Flowering Plants of Africa 65: 42–48.

Sholto-Douglas, C., Shackleton, C.M., Ruwanza, S. & Dold, A. 2017. The effects of expansive shrubs on plant species richness and soils in semi-arid communal lands, South Africa. Land Degradation and Development 28,7: 2191-2206.

Last Modified: Wed, 11 Sep 2019 10:12:38 SAST