RESEARCHER
Young researcher of the month : Kgomotso Morake
For our new “ young researcher of the month ” feature , we caught up with Kgomotso Morake . from the Conservation Ecology department at Stellenbosch University .
What are you currently researching ?
I am researching two common trees in the Kruger National Park : the Marula fruit tree ( Sclerocarya birrea ) and the Knobthorn tree ( Senegalia nigrescens ). These trees grow to be large trees and large trees are keystone in the Savanna biome as they provide shelter , nutrients and even perching sites .
There has been an observed decline in these large trees , and I am investigating what the bottleneck is in these species between the seed and establishment phases . That is , are we loosing many individuals during these phases and why ?
What is your favourite part of research and being in science ?
My absolute favourite part of research is being out in the field and collecting the information you have so long wondered about , seeing firsthand what the
conditions are like around these massive trees and getting a great dose of nature therapy !
Tells us more about the research you presented on at the last GSSA conference ?
I presented on the regeneration and germination bottlenecks of Marula and Knobthorn in a field experiment where seeds of both species were planted in the Kruger National Park . We found that more than 60 % of all seeds were eaten , which was the biggest bottlenecks for seeds . We found that Marula needed to be buried to germinate while Knobthorn needed to be on the soil , these two species have different strategies for germination . Lastly for Marula , many seeds are eaten by elephants , the seed that went through the gut of an elephant had the highest germination success . This shows that the relationship between the elephants and the Marula species is important .
These findings are important because it shows us what the seed fate of these species is . It shows us the possible reasons for these species not successfully
moving to their next phase of growth . This will help us to better manage these species in their observed decline .
Are there any challenges face as a young scientist ?
I would say the main challenge is finding networks within my field . But since the GSSA conference I have seen how conferences are the best place to connect . And I have also seen the value of connecting outside of my field .
Are there any scientists you really look up to ?
I would say the scientists I look up to the most are definitely my supervisors : Professor Karen Esler and Dr Laurence Kruger . I have seen the work that they do first hand , seen the passion that just keeps growing and I have also seen how they live their lives .
It is beautiful to see what a life in Conservation can be , both in academia and your personal life .
Email : morakekgomotso1 @ gmail . com Instagram : @_ conservator
13 Grassroots Vol 24 No 1 March 2024