Functional ecology

My primary interests lie in functional ecology, in particularly species’ response to disturbance. During the course of my PhD my work focussed on the importance of resprouting in South African coastal forests, Fynbos and savannas. I also explored patterns and consequences of life history strategies adopted by over-storey Proteoid species in relation to fire in the Fynbos. I intend to continue exploring general patterns of plant life history strategies.

Ethnobotany

Closely allied to my work on plant life history strategies is an interest in ethnobotany. In particular, I find the link between functional ecology and ethnobotany critical. Apart from my curiosity about which species are used traditionally for medicines and building materials, my background in the study of plant life history strategies has piqued an interest in how these species respond to harvesting. This is particularly pertinent in most parts of South Africa, where many people still rely heavily on natural resources. Here an understanding how species respond can guide sustainable management and harvesting practices.

Plant animal interactions

Pollination and dispersal ecology have long been an interest of mine, as it combines inter-disciplinary interactions, which serves to keep me abreast of subject matter I ordinarily wouldn’t have time to indulge in. It also satisfies the natural historian in me.

Conservation

A large portion of my private consulting work has been in the field of conservation, in particular conservation planning. This work included surveys of natural habitats (biodiversity surveys), identifying the threats (development, habitat transformation, alien vegetation/faunal invasives) and setting conservation targets. These are then combined in conservation planning models to produce core conservation areas. This work provides me with the opportunity to become more actively involved in conservation, whilst still engaging on a theoretical level.

Resume

Education

• Ph.D. - 2003. University of Cape Town. Dissertation on the ecology of resprouting in South African woody vegetation
• BSc (Hons) – 1994. University of Cape Town. Botany: Ecology and Ecophysiology
• BSc – 1993. University of Cape Town. Majoring in Botany, Zoology (Ecology, Systematics and Ecophysiology)
• 1988. Matriculation from Pretoria Boys High School

Awards

• 2001 - 2002: National Research Foundation PhD Grant-holders scholarship
• 1997 - 1998: Foundation for Research and Development MSc scholarship
• 1997: Pretoria Software Solutions, R 8000.00 scholarship
• 1994: Foundation for Research and Development scholarship

Key Qualifications and Core Skills

• Extensive experience in project management
• Excellent communication and motivational skills
• Confident public speaker
• Excellent logistical skills
• Competency in a range of computer packages (MS Excel, Word, Powerpoint, Statistica, Outlook)
• Highly qualified in outdoor activities and wilderness leadership

Work and Educational Experience

PhD resident phase: University of Cape Town

• Contributing lecturer and tutor on an OTS undergraduate course, Costa Rica, April 2003. Presented lectures on South African ecological issues, assisted with student assignments.
• Lecturer/facilitator on the Quo Vadis, Rudolf Steiner Gap Year Course, March 2003. Presented lectures on South African biomes and opportunities for students in the field of biology. Ran a field course on Fynbos ecology.
• Lecturer and course coordinator of the UCT Botany Department 3rd year BOT309f Ecology course, January – July 2003. Presented 16 lectures on four major ecological themes, designed and assisted students with field problems and independent projects. Managed the logistics of the field course.
• Managed the logistics and field course for the Zululand leg of the Andrew Mellon 3M field trip to South Africa, July 2002.
• Participated in assessment of and establishment of South African National Veldfire management strategy, Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, March 2001 – June 2003.
• Conducted a botanical survey of the Greater Addo National Park (GANP) for the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). April – September 2001. Assisted in the conservation planning for the GANP.
• Conducted botanical and land transformation survey for the conservation plan for Greater Oyster Bay - Jeffrey's Bay district, September – December 2000.
• Undertook collaborative analysis of the 2000 fires in the Cape Peninsula for the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, June – July, 2000

PhD fieldwork phase: Southern Cape Forests, KwaZulu Natal.

• Tutor, contributing lecturer and logistics manager for UCT Botany Department, 3rd year Ecology Field Courses, 1996 –2002. Provided for 15 – 30 students for three week field course.
• Conducted a feasibility study of the rehabilitation of badly degraded fynbos community in the St Francis Bay region for Department of Land Affairs, Landcare Project. January – April 1999.
• Worked as a research ecologist and camp manager on an Earthwatch elephant research project, in Hluhlulwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve, Northern KwaZulu-Natal, June – September 1999.

Independent environmental consultant

Cape Town

• Performed specialist environmentalist role for the environmental assessment of developments associated with Cape Town’s Olympic games bid, Ninham Shand. February – November 1997.

Masters fieldwork phase

Cape Peninsula, southern Cape forests

• Guided a collecting field trip of Swedish Uppsala Lichenologists around the southern Cape Forests on a collecting trip. Provided expert technical assistance and organized the logistics of the expedition, November 15 – December 5, 1996.

Travel and casual work

• Conducted research into the establishment of a reserve network in St Francis Bay. Drew up an environmental management plan for the nature reserves around Cape St Francis, Cape Province, South Africa. September 1995 – February 1996:
• Worked as a field biologist and logistics manager on a TREX expedition to Northern Bolivia. Conducted biological inventory in Madidi district, Northern Bolivia, June – September 1995.

Papers and Reports Published

Papers

• Kruger, L.M., Midgley, J.J. & Cowling, R.M. (1997) Resprouters vs reseeders in South African forest trees: a model based on forest canopy height. Functional Ecology. 11, pgs 101 – 105.
• Midgley, J.J. & Kruger, L.M. (2000) Senescence in fire adapted Cape Proteaceae. Journal of Mediterranean Ecology. 1: 181 – 185.
• Kruger, L.M. & Midgley, J.J. (2001) The influence of the abundance of resprouting forest canopy species in richness in southern Cape Forests. Global Ecology and Biogeography. 10, 567 – 572.
• Kruger, F.J., van Wilgen, B.W., Bridgett, J.A., Jayiya, T.P., Forsyth, G.G. & Kruger, L.M. (in press) Managing veldfire risk: the introduction of a fire danger rating system for South Africa.
  

Reports

• Kruger, L.M. & Cowling, R.M. (1996) Management plan for the St Francis Open Space Systems. Institute for Plant Conservation Report.
• Kruger, L.M. (1999) Santareme land rehabilitation and community farming project. Feasibility study prepared for LandCare Project: Department of Land Affairs, on behalf of the St Francis Bay TLC.
• Kruger, L.M. & Sykes, C.D. (2001) Vegetation, Land Use and Alien Vegetation Survey of the proposed Greater Addo National Park. Report prepared for the CSIR: Greater Addo National Park Conservation Plan.

Activities and Interests

I enjoy being physically active and spend a great deal of my time outdoors. My primary interests are mountaineering, rock climbing, sailing, soccer, white-water and sea kayaking, mountain biking and, especially, surfing. Over the years I have also developed a keen interest in photojournalism, a hobby that complements my outdoor lifestyle. In my spare time I play the guitar and Djembe drums and read copiously.

During my hitchhiking travels from South Africa to Kenya, expeditions through South America and sailing between Cape Town and Rio de Janeiro I have developed keen insight into and respect for myself, others and in particular, our environment.

Referees

Professor William Bond

Harry Bolus Professor of Botany
Botany Department
University of Cape Town
University Private Bag
Rondebosch, 7700,
Cape Town
Telephone: +27 21 650 2438
Facsimile: + 27 21 650 4041
Email: bond @ botzoo.uct.ac.za

Associate Professor Jeremy Midgley

(PhD supervisor)
Head of department
Department of Botany
University of Cape Town
University Private Bag
Rondebosch 7700,
South Africa
Telephone: (+27 21) 650 2438
Facsimile: (+27 21) 650 4041
Email: midgleyj @ botzoo.uct.ac.za

David Balfour

Coordinator of Ecological Advice,
Zululand
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife
P.O. Box 1202
Eshowe, 3815
KwaZulu Natal
Telephone (mobile): + 27 82 905 8660
Tel/fax: +27 35 474 4332
Email: dbalfour @ mweb.co.za