Trapnell Lecture: Interpreting the world’s open ecosystems: An African ecologist’s perspective
Abstract: The open, non-forested ecosystems of the world have long been neglected relative to closed forests. Yet there are vast areas of the world covered by grasslands, savannas, shrublands and woodlands in climates that can support closed forests. Why are they not forests? Africa is the grassiest continent. Does the ecology of Africa’s open, sunny ecosystems hold the key to understanding other regions of the world which could be forest but aren’t? This talk explores new perspectives on the world’s open ecosystems, informed by African ecology. They suggest an urgent need for revision of popular perceptions and policies in the face of growing pressure to mitigate climate change by manipulating nature.

Save the date – Booking url: TBC
Date: 8 November 2022, 17:00 (Tuesday, 5th week, Michaelmas 2022)
Venue: Dyson Perrins Building, off South Parks Road OX1 3QY
Venue Details: Main Lecture Theatre
Speaker: William Bond (Emeritus Professor, Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa)
Organising department: School of Geography and the Environment
Organiser contact email address: nicola.stevens@ouce.ox.ac.uk
Booking required?: Required
Booking url: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/trapnell-lecture-prof-william-bond-tickets-425698023247
Cost: Free
Audience: Public
Editors: Chris White, Donna Palfreman