Vegetation and Habitat Assessment Internship at Lajuma

The Lajuma Research Centre is home to more than 2,500 plant species and 600 tree species. They cover a variety of habitats including woody grasslands, mountain bushveld, mistbelt forest, and riverine forest, and their related floral diversity. Vegetation communities and structures are dynamic and need to be constantly studied. An array of vegetation studies can be undertaken in this unique landscape.

Internship Overview

Depending on the project, interns will be actively identifying species, delineating environments or sampling vegetation communities, further expanding knowledge on this crucial aspect of ecology.

Activities may include:

• Ground truthing vegetation communities to update vegetation maps

• Alien and invasive species removal/mapping

• Focal data collection on species utilisation of key vegetation, eg Ficus sp.

• Assisting with data management and reporting.

Fieldwork Requirements

All fieldwork is carried out on foot, often over uneven terrain and in variable weather. Students should be comfortable living remotely, hiking, and have a basic level of fitness.

Eligibility

• Open to students, recent graduates, or individuals interested in field sampling and conservation

• GIS proficiency is beneficial

Duration

A minimum stay of 8 weeks is recommended.

Conservation Fee

A conservation fee is required, which directly supports conservation and research efforts and includes:

• Shared accommodation

• Pick-up and drop-off from/to Louis Trichardt

• Fortnightly town trips for supplies