DELTA ECOLOGY
Comprehensive | Coordinated | Collaborative
Delta Ecology is a multi-disciplinary consultancy with team experience across the African continent. Delta follows a collaborative approach to consulting that maximises quality while reducing redundancy and cost.
For each project, we assemble a tailored team of subject matter experts drawn from Delta and its partner organisations. A coordinated approach to fieldwork and reporting ensures a uniform understanding of the project brief and the broader ecosystem across specialist disciplines.
Collaboration between subject matter experts ensures that suites of specialist reports align seamlessly in terms of ecological descriptions, impact ratings, and recommendations. Uniform application of stringent quality standards ensures that reporting is accurate and concise yet comprehensive.
CONSULTING SERVICES
Delta Ecology offers a largely comprehensive range of services including all of the most commonly needed facets of the ecology field. All services are provided by Delta's team of highly experienced, SACNASP registered subject matter experts. Delta has also built a network of niche academics and specialists and through their broader network can provide any ecology service required.
AQUATIC ECOLOGY
> Screening studies to determine development constraintsÂ
> Watercourse delineations and assessments for Environmental and Water Use Authorisations
> Ecological monitoring including water quality, macroinvertebrates (SASS5), fish (FRAI), vegetation (VEGRAI)
> Wetland offsets
> Rehabilitation and management plans
> Construction, installation and monitoring of wetland piezometers
> Fish kill/algae bloom investigations, response planning and monitoring
TERRESTRIAL FAUNA ECOLOGY
> Screenings and specialist assessments
> Monitoring
> Herpetofauna
> Mammals
> Avifauna
> Invertebrates
BOTANY
> Screening studies to determine development constraints
> Botanical impact assessments
> Rehabilitation and management planning (including fire management)
> Biodiversity offsets
ESTUARIES AND COASTS
> Coastal and estuarine impact assessmentÂ
> Sea-level rise modelling
> Coastal erosion
> Dune field assessments
> Estuarine and coastal management planning
CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT PLANNING
> Protected area management planning
> Offset management planning
> Human/animal conflict management
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WATER USE AUTHORISATIONS
> Water Use License Applications (WULAs)
> General Authorisation Registrations (GAs)
> Amendment applicaitons
TEAM DELTA
The Delta team consists of highly experienced senior subject matter experts, assisted by ecologists and junior ecologists, with overall coordination by the managing director. Delta contracts personnel exclusively via an associate model, and all team members are free to consult independently should they wish. We are continually on the lookout for key skills that can be added to our repertoire so please don't hesitate to contact us if you think you would be a valuable addition to the team.
JOSHUA GERICKE
Managing Director & Aquatic/Coastal/Marine Ecology Lead
Joshua is a SACNASP registered ecologist with over 13 years of experience. His key focus areas are aquatic, estuarine ecology, coastal processes, oceanography and conservation management. Local government experience early in his career has given his consulting work a very practical, real-world edge. His experience includes work in most South African provinces, and in much of the SADC region.
MARIUS BURGER
Senior Associate: Faunal Ecology
Marius is a SACNASP registered herpetologist with over 30 years of experience who specializes in conducting herpetofaunal and mamalian surveys and environmental impact assessments in African countries. He collaborates with other mainstream herpetologists to publish on taxonomic and biogeographic findings that originate from such surveys and projects. He also a contributor for IUCN conservation assessments of African amphibians and reptiles.
MARK BERRY
Senior Associate: Botanical
Mark is a SACNASP registered ecologist with over 25 years of experience primarily in the field of botanical science, but with additional experience in conservation management, as an environmental control officer and as an environmental assessment practitioner. The Western Cape of South Africa has been his focus area, but he has also worked in the Northern Cape, the Eastern Cape, the Free State and Kwazulu-Natal.
JONATHAN COLEVILLE
Senior Associate: Invertebrates and Avifauna
Jonathan is a SACNASP registered faunal specialist with specialist knowledge of insects, birds and amphibians. He has over 15 years of post PhD experience, has published 38 scientific articles has undertaken over 40 terrestrial animal species surveys and assessments as part of the EIA process.
CALLAN COHEN
Senior Associate: Avifauna
Callan has been a research associate of the Percy Fitzpatrick Institute since 1998 and completed his PhD on phylogenetics, taxonomy and biogeography of African arid zone terrestrial birds. He has published 34 academic articles. He has worked across Africa with highlights being finding Congo Peafowl after 17 days on foot, Warsangli Linnets in the Daalloo mountains of Somalia, and rediscovering Namuli Apalis in Mozambique, not seen since it was described in 1932.
NATASHA VAN DE HAAR
Senior Associate: Aquatic Ecology and Water Use Authorisations
Natasha is a registered Professional Natural Scientist (Pr.Sci.Nat) with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP). She also holds a Masters Degree in Science (M.Sc.). Her career kicked off as a field ecologist in 2009, focusing on wetland ecology and functioning. During the course of her career she obtained extensive experience in conducting wetland related surveys in the residential and infrastructure development industries as well as development of several alternative energy facilities. Knowledge gained allowed her to assist with the application for Water Use License and General Authorisations throughout South Africa.
MELISSA PETFORD
Associate: Faunal Ecology
Melissa is an ecologist with a passion for conservation of biodiversity, ecosystems and herpetology. She has experience in conducting faunal surveys throughout South Africa and producing peer-reviewed publications. Melissa is currently a postdoctoral fellow affiliated with the University of the Witwatersrand and the South African National Biodiversity Institute. She is also the secretary of the Herpetology Association of Africa and an associate editor for African Zoology.
RYAN VAN HUYSTEEN
Associate: Faunal Ecology
Ryan is a biodiversity fanatic who specialises in herpetofauna. With a background in the humanities (BA Journalism and BA Honours Philosophy) and having worked as a field guide, Ryan brings a unique perspective to his work. Ryan has surveyed reptiles throughout South Africa and also has experience in East Africa and West Africa. He is currently working towards a Master’s degree though the University of the Western Cape.
OLIVIA BRUNINGS
Junior Associate: Aquatic Ecology
Olivia has a 4-year BSc degree in Conservation Ecology (cum laude) from the University of Stellenbosch. During her studies and various internship experiences, she has gained valuable and informed insight into the functioning of natural and socio-ecological systems. Her key professional interests include the conservation and management of aquatic resources and associated ecosystems.
OUR PARTNERS
KHULA ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING
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