Justin is an ecologist with over 10 years of research experience in South Africa. He holds a PhD from the University of Cape Town and has spent three years as a post-doctoral research fellow, investigating climate-coupling and groundwater dependence in terrestrial and semi-aquatic ecosystems. He has been awarded six consecutive research scholarships to conduct his research, published his research in top-tier scientific journals and spoken at numerous local and international conferences. 

Justin’s primary interest is understanding complex ecological systems and their sensitivity to threats such as climate change and development. His work is centred around the investigation of ecosystem dynamics at multiple spatial and temporal scales, with a focus on how fine-scale biophysical and evolutionary processes influence landscape level processes. He has developed an extensive and diverse skillset in field-based data collection, statistical modelling, spatial ecology, GIS and remote sensing, including drone-based vegetation monitoring. Justin’s work has included the set-up and management of large, multi-year climate-change experiments as well as long-term, collaborative ecosystem monitoring projects in South Africa. During this time, he has also worked as an environmental consultant on the TMG aquifer project, monitoring changes in sensitive wetland systems. He also has an interest in marine ecosystems and has worked as a Passive Acoustic Monitor for the offshore oil and gas industry, mitigating against the harm of marine mammals during seismic exploration surveys.  

Justin’s current focus is to leverage his understanding of ecosystem and evolutionary processes to pinpoint key areas of ecosystem sensitivity. His goal is to develop strategies that mitigate threats to vulnerable ecological processes and employ cutting-edge monitoring tools to assess the effectiveness of these mitigation measures. 

Formal education: 

PhD (Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town) 

MSc (Biological Sciences , University of Cape Town) 

Honours (Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town) 

BSc (Applied Biology, Ecology & Evolution, University of Cape Town) 

Memberships/Accreditations 

Protected Species Observer (Seiche) 

Specialisations:  

Specialist in climate coupling and groundwater dependence in terrestrial and semi-aquatic systems. Remote sensing, spatial ecology and statistics. Scientific learning and supervision. Ecosystem monitoring. Plant ecophysiology.