Table mountain news, research and analysis - the conversation

May 3, 2022 Stefaan Conradie, _University of Cape Town_ Fire spreading rapidly is always a risk at the University of Cape Town. April 22, 2021 Brian Van Wilgen, _Stellenbosch University_ and

Nicola van Wilgen-Bredenkamp, _Stellenbosch University_ The fynbos vegetation that historically clothed the slopes of Table Mountain is highly inflammable. This has been worsened by the

spread of alien trees that burn more intensely than the fynbos. April 20, 2021 Alanna Rebelo, _Stellenbosch University_ and Karen Joan Esler, _Stellenbosch University_ Fire hazards are

influenced by three factors: weather, an ignition source and fuel loads. The first two are unpredictable. But fuel loads can be managed. April 19, 2021 Shannon Morreira, _University of Cape

Town_ Losing archives has significant implications in a country like South Africa with a fraught and contested history because voices from the past, which may carry alternative histories,

are lost. December 2, 2020 Ross Shackleton, _Stellenbosch University_ and Louisa Wood Researchers have come up with a new framework that assigns an invasive species threat score to World

Heritage Sites. This will improve how these species monitored and managed. May 11, 2020 Jean-Maurice Cadet, _Université de la Réunion_; Caradee Yael Wright, _South African Medical Research

Council_, and Hassan Bencherif, _Université de la Réunion_ Too much ultraviolet radiation is dangerous for human health. Excessive exposure can cause skin ageing and sunburn and can induce

melanoma, cataracts, ocular melanoma, and immunodeficiency. October 11, 2019 Alanna Rebelo, _Stellenbosch University_; David Carlyle Le Maitre, _Council for Scientific and Industrial

Research_; Mark New, _University of Cape Town_; Peter Johnston, _University of Cape Town_; Petra Brigitte Holden, _University of Cape Town_; Tiro Nkemelang, _University of Cape Town_, and

Tony Rebelo, _South African National Biodiversity Institute_ The danger of fires in the Cape region this season is partly dependent on how the Fynbos has been managed over the past few

decades. May 29, 2019 Laurel Serieys, _University of Cape Town_ and Jacqueline Bishop, _University of Cape Town_ Household rat poison is endangering caracals, and other wildlife species in

Cape Town, that prey on poisoned rodents. If not managed, this can negatively alter the region’s ecosystem. November 19, 2017 Joey Hulbert, _University of Pretoria_ and Francois Roets,

_Stellenbosch University_ Humans - the very “carriers” who can spread dangerous microbes unthinkingly from their equipment and shoes - can instead become the first line of defence against a

possible microscopic invasion. December 11, 2016 John Measey, _Stellenbosch University_ A robust technique using the wonders of digital media has helped researchers understand how threatened

species like frogs are faring on our globally changing planet. October 2, 2016 Karen Joan Esler, _Stellenbosch University_ Restoring habitats have numerous benefits, they can also benefit

humanity. But it is for people to be convinced that they can actually do good.