Dr Berndt Janse Van Rensburg
Dr

Berndt Janse Van Rensburg

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Phone: 
+61 7 336 58382

Background

My research interests span a broad range of topics, including biogeographic and macroecological studies, spatial ecology, invasion biology and the integration of these fields. I therefore have a general interest to understand the mechanisms, both biological and anthropogenic, that account for changes in environmental variables and that translate into altered patterns in the distribution of biodiversity. Understanding such patterns at different spatial scales while considering different taxonomic groups is in my opinion an important component of efficient conservation planning. I also have a major interest in topics related to conservation focusing on the identification of bioindicator species that may reflect some measure of the character of the habitat within which they are found. As coordinator of the Masters of Conservation Biology course, I will be responsible for the development and running of the course. I hold an Extra-ordinary Professor position with the University of Pretoria (Dept. Zoology & Entomology).

Availability

Dr Berndt Janse Van Rensburg is:
Available for supervision

Fields of research

Biological Sciences

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Pretoria

Research interests

  • Terrestrial ecology

    My research interests span a broad range of topics, including biogeographic and macroecological studies, spatial ecology, invasion biology and the integration of these fields. I therefore have a general interest to understand the mechanisms, both biological and anthropogenic, that account for changes in environmental variables and that translate into altered patterns in the distribution of biodiversity. Understanding such patterns at different spatial scales while considering different taxonomic groups is in my opinion an important component of efficient conservation planning. I also have a major interest in topics related to conservation focusing on the identification of bioindicator species that may reflect some measure of the character of the habitat within which they are found. As coordinator of the Masters of Conservation Biology course, I will be responsible for the development and running of the course. I hold an Extra-ordinary Professor position with the University of Pretoria (Dept. Zoology & Entomology).

Search Professor Berndt Janse Van Rensburg’s works on UQ eSpace

87 works between 1999 and 2024
All (87) Journal Article (81) Book Chapter (2) Conference Publication (4)

61 - 80 of 87 works

2009

Journal Article

Ensemble models predict Important Bird Areas in southern Africa will become less effective for conserving endemic birds under climate change

Coetzee, Bernard W. T., Robertson, Mark P., Erasmus, Barend F. N., van Rensburg, Berndt J. and Thuiller, Wilfried (2009). Ensemble models predict Important Bird Areas in southern Africa will become less effective for conserving endemic birds under climate change. Global Ecology and Biogeography, 18 (6), 701-710. doi: 10.1111/j.1466-8238.2009.00485.x

Ensemble models predict Important Bird Areas in southern Africa will become less effective for conserving endemic birds under climate change

2009

Journal Article

Biotic homogenization and alien bird species along an urban gradient in South Africa

van Rensburg, Berndt J., Peacock, Derick S. and Robertson, Mark P. (2009). Biotic homogenization and alien bird species along an urban gradient in South Africa. Landscape and Urban Planning, 92 (3-4), 233-241. doi: 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2009.05.002

Biotic homogenization and alien bird species along an urban gradient in South Africa

2009

Journal Article

Spatial congruence between ecotones and range-restricted species: implications for conservation biogeography at the sub-continental scale

van Rensburg, Berndt J., Levin, Noam and Kark, Salit (2009). Spatial congruence between ecotones and range-restricted species: implications for conservation biogeography at the sub-continental scale. Diversity and Distributions, 15 (3), 379-389. doi: 10.1111/j.1472-4642.2008.00545.x

Spatial congruence between ecotones and range-restricted species: implications for conservation biogeography at the sub-continental scale

2008

Journal Article

Factors associated with suni distribution in Tembe Elephant Park, South Africa: implications for management and conservation of a small antelope

Belton, Lydia E., Dalerum, Fredrik and Van Rensburg, Berndt J. (2008). Factors associated with suni distribution in Tembe Elephant Park, South Africa: implications for management and conservation of a small antelope. African Journal of Ecology, 46 (4), 631-636. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2028.2008.00945.x

Factors associated with suni distribution in Tembe Elephant Park, South Africa: implications for management and conservation of a small antelope

2008

Journal Article

Human activity facilitates altitudinal expansion of exotic plants along a road in montane grassland, South Africa

Kalwij, Jesse M., Robertson, Mark P. and van Rensburg, Berndt J. (2008). Human activity facilitates altitudinal expansion of exotic plants along a road in montane grassland, South Africa. Applied Vegetation Science, 11 (4), 491-498. doi: 10.3170/2008-7-18555

Human activity facilitates altitudinal expansion of exotic plants along a road in montane grassland, South Africa

2008

Journal Article

Micro-scale heterogeneity of spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) in the Soutpansberg, South Africa: a comparative survey and inventory in representative habitats

Foord, S. H., Mafadza, M. M., Dippenaar-Schoeman, A. S. and Van Rensburg, B. J. (2008). Micro-scale heterogeneity of spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) in the Soutpansberg, South Africa: a comparative survey and inventory in representative habitats. African Zoology, 43 (2), 156-174. doi: 10.3377/1562-7020-43.2.156

Micro-scale heterogeneity of spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) in the Soutpansberg, South Africa: a comparative survey and inventory in representative habitats

2008

Journal Article

The maintenance of a positive spatial correlation between South African bird species richness and human population density

Hugo, Sanet and van Rensburg, Berndt J. (2008). The maintenance of a positive spatial correlation between South African bird species richness and human population density. Global Ecology and Biogeography, 17 (5), 611-621. doi: 10.1111/j.1466-8238.2008.00391.x

The maintenance of a positive spatial correlation between South African bird species richness and human population density

2008

Journal Article

Environmental factors, regional body size distributions and spatial variation in body size of local avian assemblages

Greve, Michelle, Gaston, Kevin J., van Rensburg, Berndt J. and Chown, Steven L. (2008). Environmental factors, regional body size distributions and spatial variation in body size of local avian assemblages. Global Ecology and Biogeography, 17 (4), 514-523. doi: 10.1111/j.1466-8238.2008.00388.x

Environmental factors, regional body size distributions and spatial variation in body size of local avian assemblages

2008

Journal Article

The relative importance of environment, human activity and space in explaining species richness of South African bird orders

Wilson, John W., van Rensburg, Berndt J., Ferguson, J. Willem H. and Keith, Mark (2008). The relative importance of environment, human activity and space in explaining species richness of South African bird orders. Journal of Biogeography, 35 (2), 342-352. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2699.2007.01792.x

The relative importance of environment, human activity and space in explaining species richness of South African bird orders

2008

Journal Article

Variation in the identification of fusarium spp. in maize samples due to enumerator and growth medium

van Rensburg, B. Janse, Flett, B. C., Mc Laren, N. W. and Mc Donald, A. H. (2008). Variation in the identification of fusarium spp. in maize samples due to enumerator and growth medium. South African Journal of Plant and Soil, 25 (2), 105-110. doi: 10.1080/02571862.2008.10639903

Variation in the identification of fusarium spp. in maize samples due to enumerator and growth medium

2007

Journal Article

The distribution and spread of the invasive alien common myna, Acridotheres tristis L. (Aves: Sturnidae), in southern Africa

Peacock, Derick S., van Rensburg, Berndt J. and Robertson, Mark P. (2007). The distribution and spread of the invasive alien common myna, Acridotheres tristis L. (Aves: Sturnidae), in southern Africa. South African Journal of Science, 103 (11-12), 465-473.

The distribution and spread of the invasive alien common myna, Acridotheres tristis L. (Aves: Sturnidae), in southern Africa

2007

Journal Article

Invasion of grasslands by silver wattle, Acacia dealbata (Mimosaceae), alters beetle (Coleoptera) assemblage structure

Coetzee, B. W. T., van Rensburg, B. J. and Robertson, M. P. (2007). Invasion of grasslands by silver wattle, Acacia dealbata (Mimosaceae), alters beetle (Coleoptera) assemblage structure. African Entomology, 15 (2), 328-339. doi: 10.4001/1021-3589-15.2.328

Invasion of grasslands by silver wattle, Acacia dealbata (Mimosaceae), alters beetle (Coleoptera) assemblage structure

2007

Journal Article

Effects of habitat fragmentation on bird communities of sand forests in southern Mozambique

Wilson, John W., van Aarde, Rudi J. and van Rensburg, Berndt J. (2007). Effects of habitat fragmentation on bird communities of sand forests in southern Mozambique. Ostrich, 78 (1), 37-42. doi: 10.2989/OSTRICH.2007.78.1.6.50

Effects of habitat fragmentation on bird communities of sand forests in southern Mozambique

2006

Journal Article

People, species richness and human population growth

Evans, Karl L., van Rensburg, Berndt J., Gaston, Kevin J. and Chown, Steven L. (2006). People, species richness and human population growth. Global Ecology and Biogeography, 15 (6), 625-636. doi: 10.1111/j.1466-822x.2006.00253.x

People, species richness and human population growth

2006

Journal Article

The value of community-based conservation in a heterogeneous landscape: an avian case study from sand forest in Maputaland, South Africa

van Eeden, D. G., van Rensburg, B. J., De Wijn, M. and Bothma, J. du P. (2006). The value of community-based conservation in a heterogeneous landscape: an avian case study from sand forest in Maputaland, South Africa. South African Journal of Wildlife Research, 36 (2), 153-157.

The value of community-based conservation in a heterogeneous landscape: an avian case study from sand forest in Maputaland, South Africa

2006

Journal Article

Elephant- and human-induced changes to dung beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) assemblages in the Maputaland Centre of Endemism

Botes, Antoinette, McGeoch, Melodie A. and van Rensburg, Berndt J. (2006). Elephant- and human-induced changes to dung beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) assemblages in the Maputaland Centre of Endemism. Biological Conservation, 130 (4), 573-583. doi: 10.1016/j.biocon.2006.01.020

Elephant- and human-induced changes to dung beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) assemblages in the Maputaland Centre of Endemism

2006

Journal Article

Ecotones: marginal or central areas of transition?

Kark, Salit and van Rensburg, Berndt J. (2006). Ecotones: marginal or central areas of transition?. Israel Journal of Ecology and Evolution, 52 (1), 29-53. doi: 10.1560/IJEE.52.1.29

Ecotones: marginal or central areas of transition?

2005

Journal Article

Species richness of alien plants in South Africa: environmental correlates and the relationship with indigenous plant species richness

Richardson, David M., Rouget, Mathieu, Ralston, Samantha J., Cowling, Richard M., Van Rensburg, Berndt J. and Thuiller, Wilfried (2005). Species richness of alien plants in South Africa: environmental correlates and the relationship with indigenous plant species richness. Ecoscience, 12 (3), 391-402. doi: 10.2980/i1195-6860-12-3-391.1

Species richness of alien plants in South Africa: environmental correlates and the relationship with indigenous plant species richness

2004

Journal Article

Conservation during times of change: correlations between birds, climate and people in South Africa

van Rensburg, BJ, Erasmus, BFN, van Jaarsveld, AS, Gaston, KJ and Chown, SL (2004). Conservation during times of change: correlations between birds, climate and people in South Africa. South African Journal of Science, 100 (5-6), 266-272.

Conservation during times of change: correlations between birds, climate and people in South Africa

2004

Journal Article

Spatial congruence of ecological transition at the regional scale in South Africa

van Rensburg, BJ, Koleff, P, Gaston, KJ and Chown, SL (2004). Spatial congruence of ecological transition at the regional scale in South Africa. Journal of Biogeography, 31 (5), 843-854. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2699.2003.00996.x

Spatial congruence of ecological transition at the regional scale in South Africa

Current funding

  • 2022 - 2025
    Assessing wetland restoration effectiveness for frogs using acoustic monitoring
    The Moreton Bay Foundation Members Projects
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2024
    Acoustic observatory: A network to monitor biodiversity across Australia (ARC LIEF project administered by Queensland University of Technology)
    Queensland University of Technology
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2018 - 2019
    Smart Cities and Suburbs Grant SCS59465 - Engaging the community to preserve frogs through acoustic technology
    Smart Cities and Suburbs Program
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2017
    A river runs through: bird communities of riparian corridors in exotic plantations
    Birds Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2021
    Minimising the impact of urban development on multi species metapopulations
    Stockland Development Pty Limited
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2017
    Minimising the impact of urban development on multi species metapopulations
    Australian Wetland Consulting Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2016
    The role of behavioural interactions in shaping invasion dynamics: A global synthesis using the common myna as a model system
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant

Availability

Dr Berndt Janse Van Rensburg is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Assessing the effectiveness of acoustic indices for monitoring changes in forest ecosystems

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Richard Fuller

Completed supervision

Enquiries

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