Research Volunteering

Arid rangelands worldwide are adversely affected by high levels of human intervention and high climatic variability. In Southern African savannas, unsustainable and intensified lifestock management during the last decades often led to desertification with subsequent losses in ecosystem function and services. 
 

We are investigating representative components of functional change in vegetation and the alteration in faunal community composition as a result of grazing, fire and rain. In order to understand underlying mechanisms of observed differences, we use a fully factorial ecological experiment via the establishment of herbivore exclusion sites and use insect species to study faunal species compostional changes.

Volunteers gain a deep insight into large scale ecological experimental set-ups and scientific method, as well as aquire local  species identifcation techniques.  We provide a certificate for proof of participation, which will greatly improve your CV and boost your experience in science.

1 September - 25 November:

• Volunteering: Experimental Ecology
• places 8 left*
• 1250.- EUR for first month
• 1350 - EUR for 6 weeks
• 1400.- EUR for 8 weeks
• 1600.- EUR for 2 months