Dr Mandla Magoro
Research Interests:
Freshwater ecology, estuarine ecology and small-scale fisheries
Position: Instrument Scientist, Freshwater Ecology: South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity
Dr Mandla Magoro joined NRF-SAIAB as an Instrument Scientist in 2023. His main research work is on mapping the current distribution of invasive alien Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in rivers and dams in the Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal provinces. Furthermore, he is part of the Foundational Biodiversity Information Programme (FBIP) funded Waterberg Biodiversity Project and the REFRESH project, which focus on reinvigorating data and filling knowledge gaps for freshwater species of South Africa to inform species and ecosystem conservation. Dr Magoro is also a lead researcher on a WRC funded project focusing on establishing the potential for small-scale inland fisheries in the Limpopo Province, which aims to inform the implementation plan of the National Freshwater (Inland) Wild Capture Fisheries Policy
Dr Magoro’s PhD research focused on the characterisation and ecology of micro-estuaries and micro-outlets in the Eastern Cape Province, with particular emphasis on their role as nursery areas for marine estuary-associated biota. Other previous research projects include an investigation into the impact of introduced largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides on indigenous fish and invertebrate species using stable isotopes, fatty acids analyses and acoustic telemetry.
Education
Degree | Institution and location | Graduated |
BSc. Biodiversity and Conservation | University of Venda, Thohoyandou | 2010 |
BSc. (Hons) Conservation Biology | University of Venda, Thohoyandou | 2011 |
MSc. Zoology | Rhodes University, Grahamstown | 2014 |
PhD. Aquatic Ecology | Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth | 2018 |