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Prof. Shimane Makhabu

Staff

Prof. Shimane Makhabu

Associate Professor

Faculty of Sciences
Department of Biological Sciences (BS)

P/Bag 0027 GABORONE
+267 3650151 cell:+267 71804261
smakhabu@buan.ac.bw

Degrees

  • PhD in Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology.  Area of Specialization: Ecology
  • Master of Science in Land and Water Management (Range Management option), Silsoe College, Cranfield University, UK. Area of Specialization: Range Management
  • Bachelor of Science, University of Botswana.  Combined Major: Biology and Environmental Science

Thesis

  • PhD thesis topic: Interactions between woody plants, elephants and other browsers in the Chobe Riverfront, Botswana. PhD Thesis, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.  https://ntnuopen.ntnu.no/ntnu-xmlui/handle/11250/244593
  • MSc thesis topic: Assessment of elephant impact upon the mopane woodland of Moremi Wildlife Reserve, Botswana. MSc Thesis, Silsoe College, Cranfield University, Bedford, UK.

 

Professional Societies

  • Member of Kalahari Conservation Society.

 

  • Biodiversity (Evolution, taxonomy, animal diversity and ecology components)
  • Cell biology (Cell structure and functions components)
  • Biological Systematics
  • Economic Botany

 

  • Mapping of vegetation of Kgatleng, Kweneng and Central Districts
  • Use and conservation of medicinal and food indigenous plants
  • Use of goats to control bush encroachment
  • Effect of Makgadikgadi vegetation on beef cattle production
  • Interaction of elephants and other herbivores on vegetation of Chobe Riverfront
  • Determination of home ranges of wildebeest in Central Kalagadi Game Reserve and surrounding Wildlife management areas, by the use of conventional and satellite collars
  • Effect of use of artificial watering points by wild animals on vegetation in Central Kalahari Game Reserve

Consultancy Engagement

  • 2017 to 2018: Involved as an Ecologist in a consultancy titled “Rangeland and livestock vulnerability assessment to climate change in Botswana”. This was a consultancy for Department of Meteorological Services and it was funded by UNDP. This was part of Botswana’s Third communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). I did it being part of KOBMA HOLDINGS (PTY) LTD
  • March 2019 to date: Involved as Conservation Ecologist in a consultancy for the development of management plans for Kasane and Chobe Forest Reserves. Consultancy done for Forest Conservation Botswana.

 

  • To date: “Identification and trials of suitable grass species for restoration of overgrazed Western Sandveld Ranches in Central District, Botswana”. Funded by Forest Conservation Botswana(FCB)

 

Google Scholar

Makhado, R., Potgieter, M., Luus-Powell, W., Cooper, S., Oppong, C., Kopij, G., Mutisi, C. & Makhabu., S. (2016). Tragelaphus strepsiceros browse during the dry season in the mopani veld of Limpopo Province, South Africa. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa, Vol. 71, No. 1, 17–21

Kgosikoma, O. O., Mogotsi, K, & Makhabu, S. W. (2012). Cattle productivity and nutritional limitation in the semi-arid Makgadikgadi region of Botswana. Journal of Agriculture and Biodiversity Research 1 (7): 116-121.

Monametsi, N.F., Makhabu, S.W. & Mogotsi, K. (2012). The effects of cattle-goat mixed grazing on steer performance and rangeland condition in semi-arid north eastern Botswana. Bots. J. Agric. Appl. Sci. 8 (2): 67-74.

Makhabu, S.W. & Marotsi, B. (2012). Changes in herbaceous species composition in the absence of disturbance in a Cenchrus biflorus Roxb. Invaded area in central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana. International Journal of Ecology 2012:

Makhabu, S. W. (2011). Advantages and disadvantages of various bush encroachment control methods: A Review. Uniswa Journal of Agriculture 15 (1), 117-124

Motlhanka, D.M. & Makhabu, S.W. (2011). Medicinal and edible wild fruit plants of Botswana as emerging new crop opportunities. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research 5(10): 1836-1842.

Makhabu, S.W. & Kgosikoma, O. (2010). Grass species composition and quality in Makgadikgadi pans, an underperforming cattle region in Botswana. Bots. J. Agric. Appl. Sci. 6 (3): 137-144.

Makhabu, S.W., & Skarpe, C. (2006). Rebrowsing by elephants three years after simulated browsing on five woody plant species in northern Botswana. South African Journal of Wildlife Research 36: 99-102.

Makhabu, S.W., Skarpe, C., Hytteborn, H., & Mpofu, Z.D. (2006).The plant vigour hypothesis revisited – how is browsing by ungulates and elephant related to woody species growth rate? Plant Ecology 184: 163-172.

Skarpe, C., Aarrestad, P.A., Andreassen, H.P., Dhillion, S., Dimakatso, T., du Toit, J.T., Halley, D.J., Hytteborn, H., Makhabu, S., Mari, M., Marokane, W., Masunga, G., Modise, D., Moe, S.R., Mojaphoko, R., Mosugelo, D., Motsumi, S., Neo-Mahupeleng, G., Ramotadima, M., Rutina, L., Sechele, L., Sejoe, T.B., Stokke, S., Swenson, J.E., Taolo, C., Vandewalle, M., & Wegge, P. (2004). The return of the giants; Ecological effects of an increasing elephant population. Ambio 33: 276-282.

Makhabu, S.W. (2005). Resource partitioning within a browsing guild in a key habitat, the Chobe Riverfront, Botswana. Journal of Tropical Ecology 21: 641-649.

Makhabu, S.W., Marotsi, B & Perkins, J. (2002). Vegetation gradients around artificial water points in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve of Botswana. African Journal of Ecology 40: 103-109.

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