On the photo: Ms Dikonketso Tlaamela outside Nombolo Mdhluli Conference Centre, Skukuza, Kruger National
Park.
Ms Dikonketso Tlaamela, a PhD candidate in Botany (funded by the NRF) from the Department of Biological Sciences, and supported by the SARChI Chair, was selected to participate in the prestigious Biodata Advanced Course held at Skukuza, Kruger National Park. The course, which took place from November 18 to 22, 2024, was organised by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) in collaboration with the University of Free State, the University of Oslo, and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF).
The five-day course provided an in-depth focus on using biodiversity data through various visualisation tools and applications.
Its primary objective was to train researchers in the extraction, cleaning, and effective use of data from the GBIF platform. Participants learned how to utilise this data for species distribution models, employing software tools such as R and Google Earth Engine. The course also expanded beyond observational and specimen data to include the application of DNA data in assessing biodiversity’s value.
The Biodata Advanced Course brought together South Africa and Norway scholars, researchers, and experts, providing a platform for collaborative learning and knowledge exchange. The skills gained in this course are vital for modern biologists and are integral to the goals of Ms Tlaamela’s doctoral research. Engaging with fellow scholars and experts allowed for meaningful discussions, where challenges were addressed and solutions shared. The course culminated in the presentation of attendance certificates to all participants.
Ms Tlaamela is optimistic that this training will significantly enhance her research capabilities and open up more opportunities within the field of biodiversity research. Her PhD project, titled “Un-derstanding the Negative Impacts and Benefits of Invasive Alien Populus alba: Implications for Management in South Africa”, is supervised by Prof Peter Tshisikhawe, with co-supervision by Prof Lourens Swanepoel (SARChI) and Dr Sebataolo Rahlao (Oceanographic Research Institute, Durban).
This professional development experience further strengthens her research efforts to explore and mitigate the ecological impacts of invasive species in South Africa and will undoubtedly contribute to advancing the field of biodiversity conservation.
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