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Key research themes
1. How are Cape Gannet populations changing and what factors contribute to their conservation status?
Research in this area focuses on quantifying population trends of the Cape Gannet Morus capensis, understanding spatial redistributions, and identifying primary threats impacting their survival and reproduction within the Benguela upwelling ecosystem. This is crucial for informing IUCN Red List assessments and effective conservation strategies.
Key finding: Using Bayesian state-space models on long-term aerial photographic data and nest density measurements, the study updated population estimates across six extant colonies from 1956 to 2018. Results indicated an ongoing... Read more
Key finding: Applying the 'JARA' Bayesian assessment tool incorporating updated breeding area and nest density data, the paper reinforced the classification of Cape Gannet as Vulnerable, emphasizing accelerated decline rates in the latest... Read more
Key finding: Quantitative analysis showed that selective culling of predatory Cape Fur Seals reduced predation probability on Cape Gannet fledglings within breeding seasons, but inter-season control efficacy was less clear. Predation... Read more
2. How does prey availability and foraging behavior during critical life stages affect endangered seabird species in the Benguela upwelling ecosystem?
This research theme investigates the foraging ecology of seabirds such as African Penguins and Cape Gannets, focusing on pre- and post-moult periods which are energetically critical. Understanding spatial overlap with fisheries, prey availability, and behavioral adaptations provides insights into demographic bottlenecks and informs spatial management strategies to mitigate resource competition and improve conservation outcomes.
Key finding: GPS tracking across multiple years identified distinct pre- and post-moult foraging areas for African Penguins from major colonies, with notable spatial shifts and overlap with purse-seine fisheries targeting their key prey... Read more
Key finding: Aside from predation management, this study linked variability in Cape Gannet fledgling predation by Cape Fur Seals to fluctuations in forage fish biomass, demonstrating that fish stocks mediate indirect predation pressure on... Read more
Key finding: The study identified that recruitment limitations, likely caused by reduced availability of preferred forage fish species like sardine and anchovy, rather than adult survival, constrain population growth. This emphasizes that... Read more
3. How is the CAPE-OPEN standard implemented and enhanced through software engineering approaches to improve process simulation and component interoperability?
This theme addresses advancements in the development, implementation, and integration of CAPE-OPEN standards within process simulation environments. Investigations focus on improving software design frameworks (e.g., .NET-based implementations), enabling modular, efficient, and interoperable components compliant with CAPE-OPEN interfaces, facilitating the incorporation of custom unit operations and predictive models in simulation tools.
Key finding: The paper presents a design and implementation of a .NET framework layer that interfaces with CAPE-OPEN COM standards, enabling process engineers to develop unit operation models efficiently without direct handling of... Read more
Key finding: An empirical thermodynamic model for predicting asphaltene precipitation in crude oils was implemented in C# as a CAPE-OPEN compliant unit operation module ('asphaltine'). This module integrates into process simulators that... Read more
Key finding: Through a steady-state simulation performed in a CAPE-OPEN environment, the study validated the use of p-xylene as an effective solvent for extractive distillation of ethanol-benzene azeotropes. This case study illustrates... Read more