Capacity Building: Early Career Researchers

PhD Theses

• Anders, Mina: The effect of climate and land-use change on pollination and biological pest control services for macadamia in South Africa (Functional Agrobiodiversity, University of Göttingen, WP 3).
  
• Bringhenti, Thomas: Ecophysiological characterization and modelling of macadamia orchards in Limpopo, South Africa (Tropical Plant Production and Agricultural Systems Modelling, University of Göttingen, WP 5).
  
• Mphethe, Vusani: Land-use and seasonal effects on fruit bat ecosystem services and disservices measured by diet, foraging ecology and seed dispersal in the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve (School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University Venda, WP 3).
  
• Muller, Marlize: Effects of climate variability, land-use change and management on grassland plant diversity and ecosystem function in South Africa (North-West University, WP 2).
  
• Muluvhahothe, Mulalo: Thermal biology of the two-spotted stink bug, Bathycoelia distincta Distant (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) as a tool for predicting population abundance, geographic distribution and pest dynamics in South African macadamia orchards (Department of Zoology, University of Venda, WP 3).
  
• Yazdan Baksh, Sara: Economic modeling and assessment of different scenarios and risk management options for agriculture in Limpopo region of South Africa (Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, University of Göttingen, WP 4).
  
• Musumuvhi, Tabelo: Cowpea variety trials and rotational impact on maize production (Department of Soil Sciences, University Venda, WP 5).
  

Completed PhD Thesis

• Mogale, Elisabeth Tlou: Grain sorghum-cowpea intercrop: A climate-smart approach for enhanced productivity, physiological responses and carbon dynamics under planted and simulated no-till conditions. (University of Limpopo, South Africa, WP 1)
  
• Moriri, Sanari: Evaluation of pigeon pea [Cajanus cajan (l.)] varieties and phosphorus fertilisation for drought tolerance mechanisms, grain yield, and nutritional value under no-till system in a smallholder farming system of South Africa. (University of Limpopo, South Africa, WP 1)
  
• Motshekga, Mina Lesego: Productivity and physiological responses of winter annual legumes to planting date and short term rotation with forage sorghum for sheep production under no-till system in Limpopo Province. (University of Limpopo, South Africa, WP 1)
  
• Lamega, Sala: Modelling multi-functional cover crops for feed-base strategies to overcome feed gaps in mixed farm-ing systems: A case study in Limpopo (Grassland Sciences, University of Göttingen, WP 1).
  
• Mokoka, Vincent: Effects of climate change and land-use on grass and tree populations and their consequences to the ecosystem multi-functionality, Limpopo, South Africa (Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Centre, Universtiy of Limpopo, WP 2).

Master Theses

• Lebeya, Martin: Rangeland regeneration after drought University of Venda, South Africa, WP2)
  
• Mpho Phela, Piet: Growth, yield and grain quality response of sorghum cultivars to nitrogen fertilization under no-till system in Limpopo province, South Africa (Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Centre, Universtiy of Limpopo, WP 1).
  
• Mokono, Khomotso: The influence of environmental change on the provision of cultural ecosystem services in rural Limpopo Province (School of Animal, Plant & Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, WPs 2, 4).
  
• Mulaudzi, Ntakadzeni Rose: Groundnut variety trials (Department of Soil Science, University of Venda, WP 5).
  
• Schmitz, Karola: Modelling the carbon cycle under current and future conditions in Africa (Senckenberg Nature Research Centre, DE, WP 6)
  
• Thaba, Sophy: Maize-lablab intercropping, using several lablab cultivars (Department of Soil Sciences, University Venda, WP 5).
  
• Rollmann, Helena: Tree mortality and reproduction: Will demographic rates change in tropical and subtropical ecosystems of Africa as a result of climate change? An analysis with the aDGVM. (Senckenberg Nature Research Centre, DE, WP 6).

Completed Master Theses - 2021

• Lehutjo, Carol: Growth response and fodder quality of annual winter hairy-vetch (Vicia villosa) to planting date and tillage (Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Centre, Universtiy of Limpopo, WP 1)
  
• Redders, Hannah: Risk perception of smallholder farmers in Limpopo, South Africa (Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, University of Göttingen, WP 4).
  
• Hegeler, Felix: Classification of small-scale farmers in the Province of Limpopo, South Africa: Identification of the key factors for the local farmers to enter the commercial market (Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, University of Göttingen, WP 4).
  
• Osten, Fabian: Effects of altitude and distance from natural habitats on insect diversity in macadamia plantations in Limpopo, South Africa (Functional Agrobiodiversity, University of Göttingen, WP 3).
  
• Owolabi, Moshood: Crop Modelling/Maize yield and water use/Smallholder systems/South Africa (Tropical Plant Production and Agricultural Systems Modelling, University of Göttingen, WP 7).
  

Completed Master Theses - 2020

• Bazoobandi, Fatemeh: Analyzing the potential impact and possible adaptation to El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events of maize cropping in the Limpopo Province (Tropical Plant Production and Agricultural Systems Modelling, University of Göttingen, WP 7).
  
• Rapholo, Edith: Modelling the effects of maize/lablab intercropping on soil water content and nitrogen dynamics using APSIM Model (Department of Soil Science, University of Venda, WP 5).
  
• Selamolela, Evidence: Modelling the effects of mulch application rates on cowpea growth, yield and soil water con-tent using APSIM (Department of Soil Science, University of Venda, WP 5).
  
• Somoye, Olagoke: How to quantify water stress in dryland vegetation (Assessing eco-hydrological indicators in a drought experiment) (Range Ecology and Range Management, University of Cologne, WP 2).
  
• Tshikambu, Ratshibvumo: The effects of experimental drought, grazing, and seasonality on ant and spider diversity in an arid region of South Africa (Department of Zoology, University Venda, WP 3).

Completed Master Theses - 2019

• Klinck, Leonhard: “No grass in the bush”: Exploration of feed-based systems and dry season rangeland forage quali-ty of cattle farms in Limpopo, South Africa, Göttingen (Grassland Sciences, University of Göttingen, WP 1).
  
• May, Carlotta: Water management strategies of smallholders / climate change / droughts in Limpopo, South Africa, Göttingen (Tropical Plant Production and Agricultural Systems Modelling, University of Göttingen, WP 5).
  
• Ramotjiki, Lorraine: Does observational methods affect the observed impacts of exotic plants on flower visitors in and around Macadamia orchards? (Department of Zoology, University Venda, WP 3).
  
• Recktenwald, Claus: Combining drought characterisation and ecophysiological modelling (APSIM) to support man-agement and ideotyping of maize for improved drought tolerance in Limpopo province (SA), Göttingen (Tropical Plant Production and Agricultural Systems Modelling, University of Göttingen, WP 7).

Bachelor Theses