02/09/2026
Proud month for the MAPSS team with four scientific publications in the last few weeks. A reminder that our work isn't just applying geospatial technology to conservation problems; it's helping shape the science those solutions are built on.
Kafue Ecosystem fire regimes (Springer Nature, Fire Ecology) — 12 years of satellite data show fires return every 1.3–1.5 years with far more (but smaller) fires in community-managed areas than in the Kafue NP itself, informing fire management targets. Lead by Van Wilgen (School for Climate Studies, Stellenbosch University).
30 years of elephant trends in South Africa (Society for Conservation Biology (SCB) Community, Conservation Science and Practice) — the first standardised national dataset: elephant numbers grew from ~8,900 to ~39,400 since 1991, a genuine success story, though a few high-density populations may now need targeted management. Led by Tim Kuiper (Nelson Mandela University).
80 years of giraffe research reviewed (De Gruyter Brill, Mammalia) — 817 studies show heavy bias toward two of four giraffe species and three countries, with physiology, genetics, and demography badly under-studied. Led by Courtney Marneweck (Giraffe Conservation Foundation).
Climate and deforestation, in birds (Nature, Nature Ecology & Evolution) — a 2,200-species global study shows a bird's vulnerability to forest loss depends on how close it lives to its thermal limit — birds in hot regions decline, birds in cool regions can even benefit. Led by Natasha Granville (Imperial College London).
Grateful to the co-authors and partners on all four!
Pieter Olivier, Andrew Purdon, Michael Mole, Mia Momberg, Hayden Wilson (The Nature Conservancy), Matthew Child (Rewild Capital.), Dr Jeanetta Selier (SA Biodiversity SANBI), Res Altwegg (Centre for Statistics in Ecology, the Environment and Conservation (SEEC), University of Cape Town).
