Overview

Environmental Science program is offered at Rhodes University.

Key facts

We are interested in human-environment interactions and in the governance and sustainable management of complex social-ecological systems. We recognise that we are living in a globalising and rapidly changing world characterised by numerous interconnected environmental and social challenges. We undertake research on the ecological and socio-economic dimensions of these challenges, with the goal of contributing towards more resilient, equitable and sustainable pathways into the future. The nexus between human well-being, livelihoods, vulnerability, ecosystem services and change is central in all our work.  Key areas of research include:

• Livelihoods, vulnerability and biodiversity
• Ecosystem services and societal benefits
• Non-timber forest products use, trade and management
• Landscape change and land degradation
• Co-management and governance of protected areas
• Community based natural resource management
• Social learning for change
• Urbanisation, urban greening and forestry
• Invasive plants – uses, impacts and management
• Food security, especially in relation to ecosystem services provision and wild foods