Tiffany's research interests focus on savanna ecology and management. She is particularly interested in climate change effects in savannas, restoration ecology, invasive species and woody plant encroachment. Her PhD research investigated the mechanisms that drive woody plant encroachment and the biogeochemical consequences of encroachment on soil organic carbon across a precipitation gradient in South Africa.

Some recent publications include:

Mureva A, Ward D, Pillay T, Chivenge P, & Cramer M (2018). Soil organic carbon increases in semi-arid regions while it decreases in humid regions due to woody-plant encroachment of grasslands in South Africa. Scientific Reports. 19;8(1):15506

Pillay T & Ward D (2013). Competitive effect and response of savanna tree seedlings: Comparison of survival, growth and associated functional traits. Journal of Vegetation Science 25: 226–234

Pillay T & Ward D (2012). Spatial pattern analysis and competition between Acacia karroo trees in humid savannas. Plant Ecology 213: 1609-1619. 

Last Modified: Fri, 20 Oct 2023 09:19:27 SAST