Halofight - Nasreen Peer
Dr Nasreen Peer: Aquatic Ecologist; Lecturer at Stellenbosch University; Co-founder of Argonaut Science; Mail and Guardian 200 Young South Africans; #mangrovescience #ecology #crabs #molluscs #socioecology #communityconservation #trophicweb
Her Research: Nasreen’s group studies the diversity of aquatic life in mangroves and estuaries (where a river meets the sea) of South Africa and Mozambique. The diversity of life, the range of the different types of plants and animals, is key to how strong and resilient an ecosystem is. She wants to understand how diverse these ecosystems are and figure out what are the key factors that affect them, particularly given how rapidly the environment is changing because of climate change. She uses a number of different techniques - biodiversity surveys (counting plants and animals), stable isotope analysis, eDNA sample collection and underwater videos.
Nasreen is very passionate about including local communities in her research. “An important component of my research is collaboration with local communities and this means that our research includes indigenous knowledge alongside scientific data. Including communities in our projects disrupts the traditional ecological approach in South Africa, a country known for division and exclusion. We are able to use our scientific tools and knowledge not just for our own curiosity but also to answer questions that community members pose. They are often the custodians of natural spaces, after all. Ultimately, the hope is to foster the type of research that allows aquatic ecology to become a more inclusive and integrated field of science.”
Learn more through this Beautiful News story on Facebook or get into detail on her science https://youtu.be/_W3zAqP8np0
Her SuperScientist name: Halophytes are salt (halo) tolerant organisms. They have all sorts of cool ways of managing to live in a super salty environment. For example, some plants exude the salt on the surface of their leaves while some trees have a branch where the salt is pumped into it until it dies. Nasreen loves a good halophyte and is fighting the good fight to study these environments and change how ecology research is conducted.
Her Heroes: “Everyone you meet has something valuable to teach you. I don't have any heroes but there are countless people who have influenced and inspired me over the years.”
That science spark: “I grew up at the beach, swimming and exploring life in the rock pools. I have always been fascinated in how life adapts to challenging conditions and how so many creatures can occupy the same space, all with their own role to play. My research is now aligned to this...I research how different components of coastal ecosystems relate to each other. I think a huge turning point in my research was learning that coastal communities are an essential part of coastal ecology. Logically and ethically people can't be excluded from an ecological field. This has fundamentally changed the direction of my work as well as the way we conduct our research as a team.”
Her Top Tips:
1) Question everything! Critical thinking and discussion are crucial skills for a scientist in any field...only by questioning and arguing (sometimes even against yourself) do you hone this skill.
2) Fill your life with lots of other things, ESPECIALLY whilst studying. Your degree should never consume you in an unhealthy way, it should always be balanced so that it remains a passion. Also, knowledge and wisdom come more from real life than a classroom.
Nasreen ranked the following as most important for her? 1. Curiosity 2. Hard work 3. Creativity 4. Communication
What else do you need besides those? Critical thinking, of course! As well as ethics and objectivity.
Her Superpowers: Stable isotope analysis - I can tell what role species play in an ecosystem using a bit of their muscle tissue.
Taxonomy - Using image analysis I can find and describe new species of aquatic invertebrates
Her scientific strengths: Collaboration and improvisation in field work (things often don’t go as you plan them)
More about Nasreen: “Marine biology was not an encouraged option in my fairly conservative community. I was lucky to have encouraging parents and an obstinate character. I also spent a lot of time researching this career option and I made sure to keep an open mind (young me NEVER thought that crabs would be my specialty). All these decisions helped keep me on track and persevere successfully despite the doubts from outside. I think this is a common issue in many different communities.
I also love exploring the sea in many different ways! Doing (especially freediving), surfing, hiking, swimming, discussions with ocean users from all backgrounds.”
Connect: Instagram @naszoea