UP scientists contribute to a key global study on the effects of grazing in deserts

Posted on December 05, 2022

Two University of Pretoria scientists have contributed to the first-ever global field assessment of the ecological impacts of grazing in drylands.

Making light work: UP chemists pave the way towards an ultra-sensitive analytical instrument that can detect water pollutants

Posted on June 27, 2022

A UP-led team is using the momentum of light to trap particles. This optical trap has been used with collaborators to demonstrate a hidden property in light that remains unchanged even when it passes through turbulence.

UP researchers call for the urgent protection of bat-inhabited caves

Posted on April 17, 2022

University of Pretoria researchers Dr Mariëtte Pretorius and Professor Wanda Markotter have published a study which shows that land around important bat-inhabited caves are changing and that natural habitats are being destroyed.

WWF and UP team up to keep watch on southern right whales

Posted on March 01, 2022

UP’s Mammal Research Institute Whale Unit and WWF South Africa are teaming up to support research on southern right whales in response to warming oceans and changes to ocean processes which are affecting the number of whales visiting SA's shores.

South African bats are losing their trees, UP research shows

Posted on December 18, 2021

Research at UP is looking at how tree harvesting is causing the destruction of natural habitat, bringing wild animals like bats into closer contact with humans than ever before and leading to increased risk of new zoonotic diseases.

University of Pretoria expert to co-lead eucalyptus tree genome project

Posted on November 15, 2021

Prof Zander Myburg of UP’s Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute is part of an international team that will embark on a large-scale genome sequencing of 2 000 eucalyptus trees.

West Africa should prepare for strong earthquakes, UP scientists warn

Posted on October 27, 2021

Research by UP’s Natural Hazard Centre has helped settle an old debate about the seismicity of West Africa, with the results showing that the region should expect strong earthquakes from time to time.