T. Meyer CV 2020
THORALF MEYER, PH.D. Lecturer, Department of Geography and the Environment 305 E. 23rd St., Dept Code: A3100 Office: SAC 4.160, Spatial Sciences Lab The University of Texas at Austin -- Austin, Texas 78712 meyer @ austin.utexas.edu
EDUCATION
Ph.D. in Environmental Science, Department of Environmental Sciences, 2014 University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA Advisors: Paolo D'Odorico and Herman H. Shugart. Committee members: Gregory S. Okin (UCLA), Howard E. Epstein, and Teresa B. Culver
Dipl. Ing. (FH), Land Use Planning and Nature Conservation, 1999 Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Bernberg, Germany Advisor: Lars Ramberg (University of Botswana) and Klaus Richter
Federally Approved Environmental Technician, Fachschule fuer Technik 1994 und Wirtschaft (Technical College), Weissenfels, Germany
PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS
Senior Lecturer, Department of Geography and the Environment, 2020 - present The University of Texas at Austin
Lecturer, Department of Geography and the Environment, 2011 - present The University of Texas at Austin
Research Associate, Bureau of Economic Geology, 2012 - 2013 The University of Texas at Austin
Adjunct Lecturer, Anhalt University of Applied Sciences 2003 - 2010
Founder, Owner, and Managing Director, Services for GeoInformation 2005 - present (SGI), Environmental Consultancy and Mapping / Survey Company
GIS & Remote Sensing Lab Manager and Analyst, Harry Oppenheimer 2000 - 2005
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T. Meyer CV 2020
Okavango Research Center, University of Botswana
SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS
Journal articles (peer-reviewed) Meyer, T., Holloway, P., Christiansen, T. B., Miller, J. A., D’Odorico, P., & Okin, G. S. (2019). An Assessment of Multiple Drivers Determining Woody Species Composition and Structure: A Case Study from the Kalahari, Botswana. Land, 8(8), 122. Mishra, N. B., Crews, K. A., Neeti, N., Meyer, T., & Young, K. R. (2015). MODIS derived vegetation greenness trends in African savanna: deconstructing and localizing the role of changing moisture availability, fire regime and anthropogenic impact. Remote Sensing of Environment, 169, 192- 204. Meyer, T., & Okin, G. S. (2015). Evaluation of spectral unmixing techniques using MODIS in a structurally complex savanna environment for retrieval of green vegetation, nonphotosynthetic vegetation, and soil fractional cover. Remote Sensing of Environment, 161, 122-130. Mishra, N., Crews, K., Miller, J., & Meyer, T. (2015). Mapping vegetation morphology types in southern Africa savanna using MODIS time-series metrics: a case study of central Kalahari, Botswana. Land, 4(1), 197-215. Paine, J. G., Andrews, J. R., Saylam, K., Tremblay, T. A., Averett, A. R., Caudle, T. L., Meyer, T. & Young, M. H. (2013). Airborne lidar on the Alaskan North Slope: Wetlands mapping, lake volumes, and permafrost features. The Leading Edge, 32(7), 798-805. Meyer, T., D'Odorico, P., Okin, G. S., Shugart, H. H., Caylor, K. K., O'Donnell, F. C., Bhattachan, A. & Dintwe, K. (2014). An analysis of structure: biomass structure relationships for characteristic species of the western Kalahari, Botswana. African journal of ecology, 52(1), 20-29. Ramberg, L., Hancock, P., Lindholm, M., Meyer, T., Ringrose, S., Sliva, J., Van As, J. & Vander Post, C. (2006). Species diversity of the Okavango delta, Botswana. Aquatic sciences, 68(3), 310-337. Gobagoba, L., Meyer, T., Ringrose, S., Kampunzu, A. B., & Coetzee, S. (2005). Calcrete mapping and palaeo-environments in the Qangwa Area, Northwest Botswana. Botswana Notes & Records, 37(1), 264-279.
Book chapters (peer-reviewed) Meyer, T. & Crews Meyer, K.A. (2017), Integrating Multiplatform Remote Sensing and In Situ Datasets for Socio-Ecologically Sustainable Conservation Corridors: The Western Kalahari Conservation Corridor (WKCC) Project, Reference Module in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences, Elsevier, 220-235
Meyer, T., Cassidy, L., Ringrose, S., Vanderpost, C., Kgathi, D.L., Ngwenya, B.N., Bendsen, H., Matheson, W., & Kemosidile, T. (2011). An Assessment Of Plant Based Natural Resources in The Okavango Region, Botswana Using Satellite Imagery (Chapter 6), pp. 99-130. In Eds. D.L. Kgathi, B. N. Ngwenya and M.B. K. Darkoh Rural Livelihoods, Risk and Political Economy of Access to Natural Resources in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. Nova Press. 375pp.
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T. Meyer CV 2020
International Research Reports Meyer, T., Crews, K., Mpofu, C., Phale, K.P., & Kelewendo, M. (2019), A Summary of the 2017 Central Kalahari Game Reserve Wildfire, Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, Government of Botswana. 132pp. Meyer, T. (2014). Multi-scale quantification of woody biomass in heterogeneous landscapes: Leveraging traditional field sampling, spectral unmixing, and allometric modeling in Kalahari savanna ecosystems. Dissertation, University of Virginia. 148 pp. Meyer, T., Crews, K.A., Ross, K., Bourquin, S., Gibson, D. & Craig, C. (2010). Consultancy to Identify Important Habitats for Key Wildlife in the Western Kgalagadi Conservation Corridor (WKCC). Conservation International: Johannesburg, South Africa and Washington, DC. 268 pp. Crews, K.A. & Meyer, T. (2010). Makgadikgadi Remote Sensing Project (Vegetation Mapping from Satellite Data and Field Reconnaissance). Centre for Applied Research for Botswana at the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, 10 pp. Hancock, P., Mpofu, Z., Tyler, S.J. & Meyer, T. (2006). A Baseline Survey of the Slaty Egret in the Okavango Delta Ramsar Site, Botswana, Okavango Delta Management Plan (ODMP). Meyer, T. & Bendsen, H. (2003). The Dynamics of the Land Use Systems in Ngamiland; Changing Livelihood Options and Strategies, in Environmental Monitoring of Tropical and Subtropical wetlands. Eds. Bernard, T., Mosepele, K. & Ramberg, L. (Ed.). Okavango Report Series No. I; Maun, Botswana; HOORC pp. 278 -307. Meyer, T. (1998). Ecological Mappings in the Research Area of the Harry Oppenheimer Okavango Research Centre, Okavango Delta, Botswana. Masters Thesis, Anhalt University of Applied Sciences. 163 pp.
Published Maps Meyer, T. (2002). Land Use Map Ngamiland as integrated part of Access to resources: Livelihood options and strategies in the Okavango Delta, D. Kgathi, W. Werner, H. Bendsen, 3rd WATERnet/WARFSA Symposium, Integrating Water Supply & Water Demand for Sustainable Use of Water Resources, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Meyer, T. (2002). Map of Tsodilo Hills, Environmental Monitoring of Tropical Wetlands and Subtropical Wetlands, Maun, Botswana. Meyer, T. (2002). Preliminary Road Map of the Moremi Game Reserve circa 2002. Environmental Monitoring of Tropical Wetlands and Subtropical Wetlands, , Maun, Botswana Meyer, T. (2002). Land Use Map Ngamiland, Environmental Monitoring of Tropical Wetlands and Subtropical Wetlands, Maun, Botswana.
Newspaper Entries Meyer, K. & Meyer, T. (2012). Longhorns in Botswana. The Zambezi Traveller (Kasane, Botswana). 500 words.
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T. Meyer CV 2020
Meyer, K. & Meyer, T. (2012). Return of the Flood. The Zambezi Traveller (Kasane, Botswana). 500 words. Meyer, K. & Meyer, T. (2011). Fluid Lives: Cycles of the Boteti. The Zambezi Traveller (Kasane, Botswana). 500 words. Meyer, T. & Meyer, K. (2011). A Potential Wildlife Corridor Linking KTP and CKGR. The Zambezi Traveller (Kasane, Botswana). 500 words. Meyer, T. & Meyer, K. (2011). Botswana’s Megatransect. The Zambezi Traveller (Kasane, Botswana). 500 words.
Works In Progress International Research Reports Meyer, T. & Crews, K. (In Preparation). Three years of burn experiments in the Kalahari: What we know and what we don’t know.
Journal articles (peer-reviewed) Marden, A., Crews, K.A., Meyer T., (In Preparation), Twenty Years of fire history of the Kalahari, targeted journal, Remote Sensing of the Environment
Conlon, E. & Meyer T., (In Preparation), An update on allometric models for the prediction of above ground woody biomass for the greater Kalahari region, targeted journal, African Journal of Ecology
PRESENTATIONS
Invited talks “Burning down the house: What we (don’t) know after three years of burning down Thakadu Game Farm.” Research Talk Series, Public Outreach Program Kwando Safaris and The University of Botswana. Maun, Botswana. July, 2019 “Savanna Ecology and Fires in Botswana” Campus Environmental Center, University of Texas. Austin, TX. October, 2018. “Climate Change Effects in Texas.” Campus Environmental Center, University of Texas. Austin, TX. February, 2018. “Fingerprinting objects from space.” Research Talk Series, Public Outreach Program Kwando Safaris and The University of Botswana. Maun, Botswana. July, 2018. “How much does a tree weight and why do we care.” Research Talk Series, Public Outreach Program Kwando Safaris and The University of Botswana. Maun, Botswana. July, 2017.
Conference presentations
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Marden, A., Crews, K.A., Meyer, T. & Christiansen, T. “Multi-scale spatiotemporal assessment of fire/vegetation dynamics in a savanna system.” Remote Sensing and Vegetation, American Association of Geographers. Washington DC. April, 2019.
Ochoa, F., Crews, K. & Meyer, T. “Modelling and calibrating evapotranspiration through spectral indices in savanna ecosystems.” Remote Sensing and Vegetation, American Association of Geographers. Washington DC. April, 2019.
Marden, A., Crews, K.A. & Meyer, T. “Multi-Scale Analysis of Spatiotemporal Fire/Vegetation Dynamics in a Savanna System with Geographically Weighted Regression, Moran’s I, and In Situ Vegetation Measurements.” Southwest Division of American Geographers. Baton Rouge, LA. October, 2018.
Christiansen, T., Meyer, T., Crews, K. A. “Impact of prescribed burns on vegetation structure, distribution, and composition in Botswana savanna systems.” Southwest Division of American Geographers. Baton Rouge, LA. October, 2018.
Marden, A., Meyer, T. & Christiansen, T. “Drivers, impacts, and feedbacks of woody/grass dynamics and grazing quality in the central Kalahari.” Remote Sensing and Vegetation, American Association of Geographers. New Orleans, LA. April, 2018.
Meyer, T. and Crews, K.A. “Leveraging traditional field sampling, spectral unmixing, and allometric modeling in multi-scale quantification of woody biomass in Kalahari savanna ecosystems.” 37th International Symposium on Remote Sensing of the Environment. Pretoria, South Africa. May, 2017.
Christiansen, T., Crews, K.A. & Meyer, T. “Structural disturbance classes: Explicitly linking field- and satellite-derived measurements for improved disturbance detection and quantification.” Remote Sensing and Vegetation, American Association of Geographers. Los Angeles, CA. April, 2013. Crews, K.A. & Meyer, T. “Fire Disturbance in Northwestern Botswana: Cross-comparison of MODIS fire products, Landsat ETM, and Population Density.” International Geosciences and Remote Sensing Symposium. Cape Town, South Africa. July, 2009. Crews, K.A., Meyer, T. & Neuenschwander, A. L. “Lessons Learned in Change Detection: Principles, Patterns, & Processes” 1st Kalahari Workshop, Maun, Botswana. March, 2008. Ringrose, S., Huntsman-Mapila, P., Kemosidile, T., Jellema, A., Wolski, P., Murray-Hudson, M., Vanderpost, C., Mosepele, K., Bonyongo, C., Masamba, W. & Meyer, T. “Water and Ecosystem Resources in Regional Development – WP 3: Ecosystem dependence of water flow and quality in the Okavango Delta.” Harry Oppenheimer Okavango Research Centre, University of Botswana. Maun, Botswana. July, 2004. Gobagoba, L., Meyer, T. & Ringrose, S. “Calcrete mapping and palaeo-environments in the Qanqwa area, Ngamiland.” First Botswana Environmental and Natural Resources Observation Network (BENRON) Scientific Conference. Gaborone, Botswana. July, 2004. Meyer, T., Ringrose, S., Kgathi, D., Ngwenya, B. & Bendsen, H. “Remote sensing techniques for natural resources mapping in the Okavango Delta.” First BENRON Scientific Conference, Gaborone, Botswana. July, 2004.
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Meyer, T. & Bendsen, H. “Mapping the Dynamics of the Land Use Systems in Ngamiland; Changing Livelihood Options and Strategies.” Third Department of Survey and Mapping Conference. Ghanzi, Botswana. April, 2003. Bendsen, H. & Meyer, T. “The Dynamics of the Land Use Systems in Ngamiland; Changing Livelihood Options and Strategies” Conference of Environmental Monitoring of Tropical Wetlands and Subtropical Wetlands. Maun, Botswana. December, 2002. Lehmensiek, M., Murray Hudson, M. &Meyer, T. “Using Environmental Accounting to Evaluate Tourism Operations in the Okavango Delta - An Emergy Synthesis” Conference of Environmental Monitoring of Tropical Wetlands and Subtropical Wetlands. Maun, Botswana. December, 2002. Ringrose, S., Jellema, A., Wolski, P., Timmermans, W., Meyer, T. & Kabikwa, E. “Mapping ecological change along the Okavango Delta, implications for water loss?” NASA SAFARI Y2K 2000 Synthesis Meeting. Charlottesville, Virginia. October, 2002.
ADVISING
Dissertation Committees Alexander Marden, Geography, 2016 – present. (Member). Robert A. Bean, Ph.D. in Geography, 2019. (Member).
Master’s Thesis Committees Francisco Ochoa, Geography, 2018 – present. (2nd. Adviser).
Undergraduate Research Project/Thesis supervision Madeleine Bradley, Environmental Sciences, 2019 - present. Madeleine Gillespie, Environmental Sciences, 2019 - present. Jane Cloninger, Environmental Sciences, 2019 - present. Wesley Williams, Geography, 2019 - present. Joshua Couture, Environmental Sciences, 2019 - present. Mattiyahu Baron, Geography, 2019. Elizabeth Sockwell, Environmental Science/Geography, 2019. Emma Walsh, Environmental Science/Geography, 2019. Benjamin Smith, Geography, 2018. Alec Finewood, Environmental Science/Geography, 2018. Elizabeth Conlon, Environmental Science/Geography, 2018.
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Christa Rhea, Environmental Science/Geography, 2017. Brigitte Johannessen, Environmental Science/Geography, 2017. Emma Walker, Geography, 2017. Drew Gartman, Environmental Science/Geography, 2017. Morgan Faulkner, Environmental Science/Geography, 2016. Francisco Ochoa, Geography, 2015. Samantha Maher, International Relations and Global Studies Honors, 2015. Emily Mixon, Plan II, 2015. Courtney Dunphy, Environmental Science/Geography, 2012. Matthew Hubbard, Environmental Science/Geography, 2012. Daniel LeVine, Environmental Science/Geography, 2012.
AWARDS Peer Lead Undergraduate Studying (PLUS) Award, Senger Learning Center, annually (2015 – present).
ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
Departmental Service
Undergraduate Advising Committee Member, Department of Geography and the Environment, The University of Texas at Austin. (2015 –present). Environmental Science Track Advisor, Department of Geography and the Environment, The University of Texas at Austin. (2015 – 2019).
University Service CoLA Undergraduate Scholarship for Exchange Programs selection committee, (2019 – present). Assessment Committee – Evaluation of Natural Science and Technology Curriculum performance, (2018). Departmental Representative to the School of Undergraduate Studies, Core Curriculum, (2017). College of Liberal Arts Parent Weekend. (2013 – 2019).
Professional Service
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Recent and ongoing international representation and scientific consulting Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Botswana. Development of Fire monitoring, damage assessment strategies and responses to wildfires in Botswana. (2017 – present). Maun Anti-Poaching Centre, Botswana. GIS / GPS / Remote Sensing support and scientific supervision. (2009 – present). Kalahari Transect (UVA, UCLA, and Princeton University), South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia. Research support including field campaigns and scientific consultation. Funded by the National Science Foundation. (2004 – present). Socio-ecological systems in the Okavango Basin System, Northwestern Botswana. Research support including field campaigns and scientific consultation. Funded by the National Science Foundation (PI Crews, Co-I Young, Co-I King) and NASA SAFARI Y2K (PI-Crawford and co-I Ringrose). (2004 – present). Birdlife Botswana, Northern Botswana. GIS support. (2000 – 2012). Mapping Elephant-Human Conflict, Botswana. Remote sensing support. Funded by Conservation International. (2005). Aerial assessment (counts and processing) of the Nile Crocodile (University of Stellenbosch, South Africa), Northwestern Botswana. (2004 – 2005). Tsetse Fly Monitoring Program, Botswana. GIS support. (2003). Rhino Re-introduction project (Department of Wildlife and National Parks and Okavango Wilderness Safaris). GIS and remote sensing support. (2002 – 2003). Carbon Flux Tower Savanna Assessment (Max-Planck Institute and Harry Oppenheimer Okavango Research Centre), Okavango Delta, Botswana. Technical support and maintenance of two flux towers. (2001 – 2002).
Peer reviews and invited panelist work Remote Sensing of Environment, 1- 2 manuscripts per year, 2013 - present National Science Foundation, 1-2 proposals per year, 2014 - present Invited Panelist, Teaching GIS in Africa, American Association of Geographers Meeting (AAG), Boston, (2017).
Invited Lectures / Labs (does not include UT guest lectures) Over 90 days unpaid / volunteer lecture and hands-on training including the following:
GIS/GPS and Remote Sensing training all conducted in Botswana: Maun Police / Anti-Poaching Project, (2012 – present). Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Anti-Poaching Unit, (2014 – present). Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Research Unit, (2014 – present) Rhino Re-introduction Program, Okavango Wilderness Safaris and Ministry of Environment Wildlife and Tourism, (2005 – present).
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T. Meyer CV 2020
Rhinos Without Borders, (2005 – present). Birdlife Botswana, (2005 – present). Ministry of Environment Wildlife and Tourism, DARUDEC Initiative, (2006). Department of Rangeland and Forestry, (ad hoc).
Other services To date, over 70 letters of recommendation written for UT students for professional and graduate school placement, 2012 - present
Professional Affiliations American Association of Geographers (AAG), 2016 - present
COORPORATE ACTIVITIES
Over 60 project reports all available to the public and complying with Botswana environmental laws and regulations, each ranging from 150 - 500 pp, conducted between 2010 - present
Selected professional reports Concession Management NG/49, Phuduhudu Trust, Ngamiland, Botswana Feasibility Study for the Proposed Maun Eco Tourism Park, NWDC & SAREP, Ngamiland, Botswana Vegetation map production Moremi Game Reserve, Chobe National Park, Nxai Pan N.P., Makgadikgadi N.P., DWNP DARUDEC project, European Community, Maun, Botswana Definition, data management and map production for the definition of Important Bird Areas in Botswana, Birdlife Botswana Biodiversity Assessment within Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park, Department of Environmental Affairs Maun, Botswana and University of Stellenbosch, South Africa Environmental Impact Assessment: Waste to Energy Plant, Clean Energy Botswana (Pty.) Ltd., Pilane Landfill, Gaborone Environmental Impact Assessment: Oil Recycling Plant, Majestic River (Pty.) Ltd., Maun Environmental Impact Assessment: Rock & Stone Mine, Hellenics (Pty.) Ltd. Gaborone Environmental Impact Assessment: Xugana Airstrip, Chobe Holding (Pty.) Ltd. NG/21, Ngamiland Environmental Impact Assessments and Environmental Management Plans for various Tourism and Industrial Projects throughout Botswana (over 20 projects)
Professional Presentations
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Over 25 stakeholder meetings publicly announced and conducted to meet legal requirements of Environmental Impact Assessments including the following: Rakops Community, Central District Botswana Maun Tribal Authority (Kgotla Meeting), Ngamiland District Kasane Community (Kgotla Meeting), Chobe District
Over 125 meetings with ranking officials of Botswana government departments, International NGOs, and International Initiatives including the following: Department of Wildlife and National Parks Department of Tourism Ministry of Environment Wildlife and Tourism, DARUDEC Initiative Southern African Environmental Program Initiative (SAREP) Department of Wildlife and National Parks Department of Survey and Mapping Department of Rangeland and Forestry Department of Meteorology Okavango Research Centre University of Botswana Department of Environmental Science, University of Botswana Conservation International South Africa Branch
Languages spoken German – mother tongue English – fluent Russian – beginner Afrikaans – read only
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