Nicole Hagenah
Post-Doctoral Associate
School of Biological and Conservation Sciences
University of KwaZulu-Natal
Private Bag X01
Pietermaritzburg, 3209, South Africa
Email: Hagenah@ukzn.ac.za
Education
2006 Ph.D Production Ecology and Resource Conservation, Wageningen University, Netherlands
2001 MSc Biology, University of Hanover, Germany
Nicole's CV
Research Interests
My research is motivated by an interest in addressing ecological questions within the context of Conservation Biology. In my current research, I focus on the impacts of natural disturbances and global environmental changes on mesic savanna grassland ecosystems. I am particularly interested in the interactive effects of grazing, fire and global climate change (primarily through altered precipitation) on South African savanna grasslands and North American tallgrass prairie. Specifically, I would like to know how future changes of these key drivers will affect savanna grasslands globally.
I typically use field experiments in my research, to investigate how large native ungulates (such as rhino, buffalo, zebra and wildebeest in South Africa; bison in North America) respond to fire-managed grassland ecosystems and how this in turn affects plant community and ecosystem processes. As one of the Postdoctoral fellows within the Savanna Convergence Project, I am responsible for the studies that examine the degree of convergence in ecosystem (productivity, N and C cycling) and community responses (composition, diversity, dynamics) to fire and grazing in mesic savanna grasslands in South Africa (Kruger National Park and Ukulinga Research Farm, Pietermaritzburg) and North America (Konza Prairie Biological Station).
At the Ukulinga Research farm, South Africa, I am exploring how all three drivers - precipitation, grazing, and fire - interact to affect plant community dynamics-, and ecosystem productivity in mesic savanna grasslands. These grasslands are predicted to experience more extreme droughts, altered fire regimes, and loss of herbivore diversity due to climate and land use changes.
In addition, I am responsible for the Nutrient Network experiment (NutNet) at the Ukulinga Research farm, South Africa. That experiment is part of a large international collaborative project and has been replicated at over 50 grassland sites in 11 countries and 6 continents. It examines the effects of multiple resource additions (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium plus other nutrients) and top-down control (herbivore foraging) on the community structure and ecosystem processes of grassland ecosystems.
Previous Research
PhD Research
For my PhD, I addressed the ecological importance of the interactions between murid rodents and larger herbivores for the maintenance of South African savanna ecosystems. Additionally, I looked at how the landscape use of various herbivore species was affected by fire history. To date my PhD has resulted in the publication of two papers, with an additional two in preparation.
Despite a heavy emphasis on savanna grasslands, my research interests incorporate a wide range of biomes. IÕve worked in deserts and fynbos (South Africa), dry deciduous forests (Madagascar), and tropical rainforests and mangroves (Costa Rica, Ecuador). As a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Pretoria, I investigated the effects of subterranean rodents (African mole-rats, Bathyergidae) on plant productivity, community dynamics, and soil properties in deserts and fynbos. To date, I have submitted one paper from this work and have another three in preparation.
Masters Research
For my Masters, I investigated the behavioural ecology of the Golden-Brown mouse lemur (Microcebus ravelobensis). The study provided the first data on the spatial behaviour, social network and mating system of this small nocturnal primate species. The results of that study resulted in the publication of one paper.