Opportunities - 1 MSc project available
I am always interested in hearing from prospective students, and post docs, who feel that their research interests might align with that of mine. While investigating new collaborative opportunities in Aotearoa NZ, I continue active collaboration with colleagues in southern Africa - so there are likely to be options, with in-country co-supervisor/s in South Africa, depending also on where your geographical interests lie...
MSc Opportunity:
An exciting opportunity, for an MSc student to conduct research in South Africa, in collaboration with Prof. Michael Somers (Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria) and Dr Haemish Melville (Unisa) is currently available. You can find all the details here.
Below are some snapshots from the field providing an idea of the research that I have been involved with in different systems using a range of research technologies and techniques, to investigate both species-specific and broader ecological questions.
Main image: Waterbuck male, Telperion Nature Reserve, South Africa (© W. Maartin Strauss)
About me
Email: maartin.strauss@canterbury.ac.nz
Field biologist, lecturer, and researcher
I am a biologist with extensive field experience on two continents, having led and/or participated in a number of conservation and/or research projects in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Namibia, and South Africa. In doing so, I have worked with a variety of small (e.g., rodents, and small carnivores) and large mammals (e.g., numerous antelope species, hyaena and African lion), as well as birds (e.g., houbara bustards, and sand grouse). I have extensive animal population survey experience (ground-based and aerial), as well as experience conducting vegetation surveys.
I have supervised 10 MSc students to completion, and am currently supervising / co-supervising two MSc and three PhD students. After several years at the University of South Africa, I joined the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Canterbury in February 2024, where I co-teach Population Ecology and Conservation (3rd year), Diversity of Life (1st year), Ecology, Evolution and Conservation (1st year), and Principles of Ecology (2nd year).
Image: Sunrise over the Kavango River, Namibia (© W. Maartin Strauss)
Teaching
I have taught a number of undergraduate and Honours-level (4th year) modules/courses, including practical training/contact courses to students. I have also developed new course material for first to fourth year (Honours) modules.
Practical conservation management techniques
I have extensive experience in teaching conservation management techniques to university students, as well as general field research techniques to protected area staff. I have developed course content for, and have coordinated, a practical contact course for students registered in the Diploma in Nature Conservation at UNISA. The practical contact course was offered in close collaboration with SANParks staff e.g., the conservation manager and the park manager in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park and the Marakele National Park, home to the Big 5, in the Limpopo province, South Africa.
During their 7-10 days in the field, students actively participated in hands-on conservation management techniques using the experiential learning model, including techniques related to population estimation (census), combating soil erosion, vegetation condition assessment, invasive plant species control, the use of fire in wildlife management, etc.
Teaching theory
I have taught, and developed blended learning study material for, a variety of undergraduate courses, incorporating animal physiology, animal behavior and adaptations, zoogeography and population genetics, to conservation resource management (wildlife management).
I have taught a module focusing on research methodology in the biological sciences to students enrolled in the Advanced Diploma in Nature Conservation and/or the Advanced Diploma in Horticulture at UNISA. I conceptualized, developed the blended learning study material and assessment procedures, and taught the module Conservation in the face of climate change in the Postgraduate Diploma in Nature Conservation at UNISA.
At the University of Canterbury I am co-teaching the courses Population Ecology and Conservation (3rd year), Principles of Ecology (2nd year), Diversity of Life (1st year), and Ecology, Evolution and Conservation (1st year).
Pedagogy
Student centered learning
Blended learning
Flipped classroom
Research supervision
Current students
Mika Vermeulen
PhD (expected 2025)
Mika is registered for her PhD in Nature Conservation in the Wildlife Ecology Lab at the Nelson Mandela University, George Campus. Mika is jointly supervised with Prof. Jan Venter (Nelson Mandela University) and Prof. Hervé Fritz (CNRS & Nelson Mandela University).
Daleen Steenkamp
MSc
Daleen is investigating the seasonal importance of wetlands to selected ungulates in the grasslands of Mpumalanga, South Africa. She is registered for her MSc in Nature Conservation in the Department of Environmental Science at Unisa, and jointly supervised with Prof. Leslie Brown (ABEERU, Unisa) and Prof. Michael Somers (Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria)
Zara Schwann
PhD
Zara, who is SASSCAL-funded and registered at the University of Botswana, is investigating the importance of fine-scale behavioural flexibility in four antelope species as a potential buffer against anthropogenic climate change. Zara's research is conducted in the KAZA Transfrontier Conservation Area, and she is jointly supervised with Dr Gaseitsiwe Masunga (University of Botswana) and Dr Johannes Signer (Goetingen University).
Main image: Aerial view of North Luangwa National Park, Zambia (© W. Maartin Strauss)
Recent graduates
Janiel Padayachy
MSc in Zoology (University of the Witwatersrand) 2024 - with distinction
Janiel investigated surface water dependency and activity patterns of mammalian herbivores using Snapshot Safari South Africa camera trap data.
Zach Mills
MSc in Zoology (University of the Witwatersrand) 2023
Zach studied the movement patterns of spotted hyaena in relation to environmenmtal heat loads in Khaudum National Park, located in remote north esastern Namibia. Zach currently is employed as a wildlife biologist in the state of California.
MSc in Nature Conservation (UNISA) - 2022
Kobus investigated the range use patterns, seasonal diet selection and population performance of a reintroduced white rhino population in the South African lowveld. Kobus currently is the Head of Operations & Development at Peace Parks Foundation.
MSc in Environmental Science (UNISA) - 2021
Grant developed a new approach to counting the four rare antelope species (roan antelope Hippotragus equinus, sable antelope Hippotragus niger, eland Tragelaphus oryx & tsessebe Damaliscus lunatus) in the Kruger National Park using a helicopter platform. Grant currently works as ATPL Helicopter Pilot.
MSc in Zoology (University of Fort Hare) 2020 - with distinction
Diana investigated the spatio-temporal ecology of slender mongoose in the Highveld grasslands of South Africa.
Konrad Muller
MSc in Nature Conservation (UNISA) 2020
Conrad investigated the behavioural ecology of brown hyaenas (Hyaena brunnea) on the Shamwari Private Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa.
MSc in Nature Conservation (UNISA) 2019 - with distinction
Angela investigated the effect of light on Namib Desert bats.
Rouxlyn Botha (nee Roux)
MSc in Environmental Science (UNISA) 2018 - with distinction
Rouxlyn investigated the behavioural ecology of rusty spotted genets. Rouxlyn was jointly supervised with Prof. Emanuel Do Linh San (University of Fort Hare & ASCaRIs). Rouxlyn currently is a Research Technician at BioScience Research CC.
MSc in Zoology (University of the Witwatersrand) 2018 - with distinction
Julia investigated the trophic ecology of rusty spotted genets Genetta maculata.
MRes (Imperial College, London) 2016 - with distinction
Maria investigated the role that springhares Pedetis capensis play in providing shelter, by means of the burrow systems they dig, to other small vertebrates.
Image: Blue wildebeest crossing the Etosha Pan, Etosha National Park, Namibia (© W. Maartin Strauss)
Photos
A selection of photographs taken by me while doing field research across Southern Africa. Please contact me should you want to make use of any of these images.
