Dr Fannie Masina

Dr Fannie Masina’s current research focuses on freshwater ecology and aquatic biodiversity, with particular interest in understanding how environmental change and multiple environmental stressors affect freshwater organisms. His research is expanding into aquatic ecophysiology, focusing on how freshwater fishes physiologically and behaviourally respond to environmental stressors. This research examines responses such as oxygen consumption, metabolic performance, swimming activity, feeding behaviour, and overall body condition to assess how environmental changes affect fish performance, energy use, and their ability to survive and persist in changing aquatic ecosystems.

Dr Masina’s previous research focused on aquatic invasive alien species in protected areas in South Africa, investigating their distribution, ecological effects, and management. This work included assessments of freshwater fish and macroinvertebrates as well as water quality. Through his research, he is interested in understanding freshwater biodiversity patterns, ecological responses to environmental pressures, and biodiversity information gaps in under-sampled freshwater systems. His broader research aims to contribute to the conservation and effective management of freshwater ecosystems in South Africa.