Abraham Jacobus (Abri) de Buys

2410 Loyola drive, Davis, California, 95618, USA

Email: [email protected]; Cell: +2782 469 2858

EDUCATION

Baccalaureus Technologiae is an honors level of study that requires qualification based on marks received during National Diploma

Baccalaureus Technologiae: Nature Conservation 2004 Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape Town, South Africa.

Relevant Coursework (number of semesters): . Research Methodology (2: basic statistics, proposal writing) . Plant Studies (4: fire ecology, disturbance ecology, state and transition models) . Resource Management (4: GIS, Modeling) . Marine and Coastal Management (2: marine ecology & management) . Conservation Management (2: game reserve management) . Principles of Management (2: business management, business plans)

National diploma: Nature Conservation 2002 Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Saasveld Campus, George, South Africa.

Relevant Coursework (number of semesters): . Plant Studies (4: plant physiology) . Animal Studies (4: animal physiology, genetics) . Conservation Ecology (6: forest, fresh water & marine ecology) . Conservation Development (1: sustainable use & development, organisations) . Conservation Communication (2: presentations, writing, media, barriers) . Conservation Administration (labor laws, personnel management) . Resource Management (4: fire ecology & management, alien plants, erosion) . Soil Science (2) . Computer Usage (1) RESEARCH INTERESTS

Savanna ecology, riparian ecology, herbivore interactions with water, spatial modeling, rare biota, science and management linkages.

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Junior Specialist Department of Plant Sciences, University of California: Davis, USA 2007-2008

Admin assistant De Buys Financial Services, 2005-2006 Stellenbosch, South Africa

Research technician South African National Parks 2004-2005 Kruger National Park, South Africa.

Research technician River Savanna Boundaries Program 2001-2003 Kruger National Park, South Africa.

Field logistics coordinator Northern Plains Program 2001-2003 Kruger National Park, South Africa.

Field Guide South African National Parks 1999-2001 Kruger National Park, South Africa

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Research Products  Manuscripts  De Buys, A.J., Grant, C.C., Gaylard, A. 2001. Comparing the effects foraging strategies of a specialist grazer (Roan Antelope) to that of generalist grazers on grassland, in prep.

 Reports  De Buys, A.J. 2005. Veld condition assessment in the Capricorn enclosure, Internal report, Skukuza, Kruger National Park  De Buys, A.J. 2005. Veld condition assessment in the Hlangwini enclosure, Internal report, Skukuza, Kruger National Park  Gaylard, A., De Buys A.J. and Alard, G.F. 2004. River Savanna Boundaries Program research projects report 01/04, Internal report, Shingwedzi, Kruger National Park  Grant, C.C. and De Buys, A.J. 2004. Northern Plains Program annual report, Scientific Services, Skukuza, Kruger National Park  Grant, C.C. and De Buys, A.J. 2003. Northern Plains Program annual report, Scientific Services, Skukuza, Kruger National Park  Grant, C.C and De Buys, A.J. 2002. Progress report for the Northern Plains Program – April 2002, Conservation Services, Skukuza, Kruger National Park

 Presentations  De Buys, A.J. 2003. Comparing the effects of forage strategies of bulk grazers and selective grazers on heterogeneity of the grass layer, Kruger Park Networking Meeting, Skukuza.

Collaborative research  Landscapes  Assisted in river cross-section surveys from boat  Assisted in ground truth surveys for landscape riparian classification  Mapped water pools in ephemeral rivers using LIDAR and spatial digital video footage.

 Plants  Conducted riparian vegetation surveys using laser mapping  Performed vegetation condition assessments and biodiversity surveys  Collected pre-dawn samples for tree water isotope analysis  Gathered tree phenology data  Participated in burn-plot experiments  Investigated tree seedling recruitment  Conducted plant water stress survey  Gathered and analysed tree growth data using dendrobands  Developed plant research protocols and designed sampling strategies  Compiled area species lists for Shingwedzi area, northern Kruger National Park  Design, preparation and installation of through-fall collectors  Performed riparian vegetation classification using LIDAR imagery and aerial video footage  Surveyed riparian vegetation for elephant feeding damage.  Collected leaf tissue samples for nutrient analysis

 Animals  Tracked roan antelope, elephants, bats using radio telemetry equipment  Surveyed Roan antelope population composition and studied grazing behaviour  Conducted coprological parasite egg counts using a microscope  Surveyed fresh water fish movement  Mapped frog species distribution and recorded frog calls  Contributed to bovine tuberculosis research  Participated in aerial animal census  Participated in game capture (elephant, buffalo, roan antelope, lion)  Mapped animal trails and activity using LIDAR imagery and aerial video footage  Conducted ground truth survey of trail maps with differential GPS  Soils and Meteorological  Installed and maintained tensiometers and lysimeters for soil water investigation  Collected meteorological data and maintained a weather station

 Laboratory  Captured and conducted basic analysis on extensive datasets electronically  Grinding and weighing of plant and soil samples using Wiley mills, ball mills and micro balances.  Prepared samples for nutrient analysis using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (cleaning, drying, weighing, grinding, packaging of leaf and soil samples)  Assisted with preparation and extraction of through-fall collector resin columns  Assisted with preparation and digestion using Microwave digester

Training Activities

 International exchange with PI’s, graduate students, undergraduate students and other research assistants  Mentored Organization of Tropical Studies students with development of research questions and implementation of sampling  Conducted orientation fieldtrips for visiting scientists  Disseminated laboratory safety information as lab safety representative

Logistical Responsibilities

 Arranged logistics for visiting scientists’ fieldtrips  Supervised maintenance and development of research facilities  Maintained and inventoried vehicles, rifles and research equipment  Supervised Game Guards  Ordered stock and research equipment for field laboratory  Arranged international fieldwork campaigns (transport, flights, accommodation, field & personnel logistics)  Maintenance of laboratory safety documents and training records according to UC Davis standards  Conducted laboratory safety inspections according to UC Davis standards  Ordered office and laboratory supplies and equipment SKILLS

Computer Skills

 Microsoft Office applications  ArcGIS 9.x,  ArcView 3.x  GeoExplorer 3  GPS Pathfinder Office 2.80  Mapsource  Cybertracker  JMP

Field Skills

 Field Guides’ Association of South Africa accredited field guide  Compass navigation and wilderness first aid  Navigation with a Global Positioning System  Use of a large caliber rifle and advanced rifle training  Extensive experience living and working in an African game reserve (working, camping and bicycle patrols among dangerous animals)  Off-road 4X4 driving with manual transmission  Extensive knowledge of plants (identification, collection for herbarium, pressing)  Bird, frog and mammal identification and extensive knowledge of calls, behavior and tracks

Field and Lab Equipment Skills

 Laser rangefinder and electronic compass  Tensiometers  Lysimeters  Dendrobands  Radio tracking/telemetry equipment  Thermo-hygrograph  pH- meter  Electrical conductivity meter  Electronic surveying equipment (theodolite)  Two-way radio  Pressure bomb  Spatial digital video recorder  Grinding mills (Wiley and ball mills)  Micro balances  Microwave digester  Water purification/nanopure system  Drying oven  Dessicator  Passive aerosol samplers

Languages

 Afrikaans (home language)  English (speak, write and read fluently)  Xitsonga (basic) REFERENCES

Dr. Mary Cadenasso Assistant Professor Department of Plant Sciences University of California, Davis Office: 530 754 6151 (1314 PES) E-mail: [email protected]

Angela Gaylard Regional Ecologist: Frontier parks Scientific Services South African National Parks Knysna Regional Office Main Street Knysna South Africa Office: +27 44 3025611 Fax: +27 44 3025627 E-mail: [email protected]

Dr. Rina Grant Program manager Plant- Herbivore interactions & Northern plains program Skukuza Kruger National Park South Africa Cell: +27 829256299 Office: +27 13 7354415 E-mail: [email protected] Alternative email: [email protected]