OTS on the Move: Science, Students, and Strategy at 2025 Conferences
Section by Elizabeth Braker. OTS CEO.
June was a busy time for OTS Academic staff, with three scientific congresses in the books. Dr. Laurence Kruger (OTS Director of South Africa Programmes) presented at the 50th Annual Conference of the South African Association of Botanists, held at Wits Rural Facility of the University of the Witwatersrand, June 30-July 4. Kruger’s presentation, titled “The future of savanna trees: Understanding the influence of elephants, fire and land use change on large tree demography”, discussed results of long-term studies with colleagues from University of Florida and Wits University. As a way to examine decline in large trees in Kruger National Park, the authors compared demographic resilience of two dominant tree species, knobthorn (Senegalia nigrescens) and marula (Sclerocarya birrea) in the open landscapes of the Kruger National Park, elephant-free sites in Eswatini National Park, and sites across a land use change gradient. Biotic and abiotic factors have differential effects on demography of these species, a finding that suggests that managing the decline of large trees is a complex problem for conservation scientists.
OTS was represented at the 61st annual meeting of our sister society, the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation, in Oaxaca, Mexico, by Dr. Sofia Rodriguez (OTS Academic Director, Costa Rica), Pablo Muñoz (Education Coordinator), and Orlando Vargas (Head of Scientific Operations). The OTS team sponsored a workshop on “Project management for impactful field courses”, participated in a round table on “Bridging the Gap: Connecting Academia, Policy, and Practice in Conservation and Ecological Restoration”, presented a poster on integrating a research and management program at La Selva with educational activities, and facilitated a mixer for friends of OTS.
Three members of the OTS South Africa aquatic team travelled to Pietermaritzburg in to share their latest research at the annual South African Society of Aquatic Scientists (SASAqS) June 2025 conference. Under the theme Aquatic Science and Practice, the meeting brought together researchers and practitioners working at the interface of ecology, conservation, and water management. The team’s work spans diverse aspects of freshwater science — from hidden biodiversity in fish, to the resilience of macroinvertebrates in temporary rivers, and the conservation potential of artificial dams.
Siphelele Mbangata, MSc student at the University of the Witwatersrand, presented her work on seasonal patterns in macroinvertebrate communities in Kruger National Park. Using data from ephemeral, intermittent and perennial streams, her study showed that temporary waterbodies — often overlooked in conservation — play a key role in supporting biodiversity. Her findings suggest that these seasonal systems act as important habitats and recovery zones, with macroinvertebrate communities relying on nearby perennial streams to bounce back after dry periods. Much of the fieldwork behind this project was conducted in collaboration with undergraduate students on the African Ecology and Conservation (AEC) semester programme, highlighting the programme’s unique hands-on contribution to real-world research.
Esihle Ndeleni, an MSc student at Rhodes University, explored the genetics of the southern barred minnow (Opsaridium peringueyi). By analysing DNA sequences from populations across unconnected river systems, her research revealed evidence of hidden genetic diversity — suggesting that what we currently call one species may, in fact, be several distinct lineages. This has important implications for conservation, especially as this species is declining across much of its range.
Dr Josephine Pegg, thesis supervisor for Siphelele and Esihle, and OTS’s resident fish lover, presented a study asking whether some of Kruger’s artificial dams — originally built for game — could now serve a surprising conservation role. The project found that several earthen, offline dams still support threatened fish species decades after their introduction. In an era of increasing drought and water scarcity, these isolated, rain-fed waterbodies may offer a lifeline for native fish, acting as unexpected refuges or “fish arks.” Like Siphelele’s work, this project also benefited from field contributions by AEC students, underscoring the value of integrating undergraduate training into applied conservation science.
Together, these presentations highlighted the importance of bridging research and practice in freshwater conservation — a theme that resonated across the conference. As aquatic ecosystems face mounting pressures from climate change, habitat alteration, and biodiversity loss, collaborative and inclusive research like this is vital to understanding how we can protect both water and the life it supports.
Look for OTS at the Annual Conference of the Ecological Society of America in Baltimore, MD in August 2025. OTS will sponsor an OTS-ESA Meetup. Alumni, faculty, visiting researchers, and friends of OTS will gather for collegiality, networking, and to hear (very briefly!) how OTS envisions a bold future, even in the face of current headwinds. How will we continue to provide the perfect environment for higher education in tropical ecosystems at excellent sites, host and support ecological research, and make the leap to extend our impact to support resilience and restoration of tropical ecosystems beyond our field stations? Come enjoy one another, an adult beverage, and snacks! When: Monday, August 11, 6:30 pm. Where: Blackwall Hitch Restaurant, 700 E Pratt St. Cost: $25 (Light Hors D’oeuvres, Event Space, Cash bar). Please register for our OTS gathering at this link.