Professor Naicheng Wu, a Full Research Professor at Ningbo University, China, and Director of Physical Geography, discussed how human activities have altered watershed flow regimes and degraded habitats. These changes have precipitated a rapid decline in biodiversity, undermined ecosystem functionality, reduced stability and resilience, and ultimately jeopardised human well-being and the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Professor Wu highlighted that aquatic biodiversity in rivers is declining at a significantly faster rate than that of terrestrial and marine ecosystems. He emphasised the importance of studying watershed hydrological processes and river biodiversity, which has become a critical scientific challenge for sustainable development.
"Therefore, it is of great significance to study the hydrological processes of watersheds and river biodiversity, which has become a key scientific issue facing the sustainable development of mankind," he said.
Using an interdisciplinary approach, Professor Wu’s presentation explored how catchment hydrological variables influence riverine algal communities. His research examines the impacts and underlying mechanisms affecting riverine algal composition and biodiversity under changing flow regimes.
During his visit, Prof Wu explored several South African river systems, including the Crocodile River, Luvuvhu River, and rivers in Kruger National Park (Sabie, Sand, and Olifants), to gain a deeper understanding of local ecosystems. This fieldwork is expected to pave the way for future collaborations in aquatic ecology between South Africa and China.
Kruger field research visits along the Sabie River, Professor Naicheng Wu with Dr Dumisani Khosa (KNP Scientific Services), Dr Tatenda Dalu and Dr Pule Mpopetsi (UMP).
About Professor Naicheng Wu
Professor Naicheng Wu is a Full Research Professor at Ningbo University, China, and the Director of Physical Geography. He earned his PhD in 2012 from Kiel University, Germany, and completed his habilitation/tenure in January 2019 at the same institution. He has held postdoctoral research fellowships in Denmark and the United States.
In 2016, he received the prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship, and in 2019, he was awarded the Humboldt Research Fellowship for Experienced Researchers. His research focuses on ecohydrology, including using integrated ecohydrology models to investigate the effects of human activities such as dam construction and land-use changes on aquatic ecosystems.
As a Principal Investigator, Professor Wu has managed numerous national and international grants since 2019 and has published 140 peer-reviewed papers in leading ISI-rated journals, including the Journal of Ecology, Water Research, and Journal of Biogeography. He has supervised 20 PhD and MSc students.
Professor Wu is co-supervising a UMP PhD student, Ms Nombuso Themba.
Story and pictures supplied.