BY Nkosazana Ngwadla
Dr. Tatenda Mapeto is an esteemed educator, scientist, and subject expert with a profound understanding of global forest processes in connection to sustainable forest management and planning. Teaching university courses in forest planning and forest resource accounting, Dr. Mapeto specializes in tree production systems within the context of Sub-Saharan Africa.
Dr. Mapeto’s research areas encompass the investigation of land use impacts on catchment hydrology, as well as the quantitative and evaluative aspects of biophysical, social, and economic resources within tree systems. With a wealth of experience in tree growth and yield modeling, as well as forest stand enumeration procedures, Dr. Mapeto possesses comprehensive knowledge in these fields.
Moreover, Dr. Mapeto is well-versed in employing various technologies to quantify and qualify processes in the hydrologic cycle, such as transpiration, evapotranspiration, and groundwater recharge. Her proficiency extends to the application of process-based models to inform sustainable water resource management.
Adapting to modern teaching methodologies, Dr. Mapeto has designed and delivered forest courses tailored for blended and online learning approaches. Her expertise extends beyond academia, as she has collaborated with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and honed her lobbying skills as an advocate for children and youth, working under the United Nations’ auspices.
Dr. Mapeto is known for her exceptional science communication skills, effectively communicating complex scientific concepts through various channels, both in the scientific community and popular media. This versatile individual is passionate, task-oriented, and innovative, consistently seeking opportunities to address new challenges and contribute to projects that foster sustainable development.
Specializing in several key areas, including forest growth and yield regulation, forest stand enumeration, and valuation, as well as forest hydrology research focusing on land use-catchment impacts, Dr. Mapeto also excels in workshop facilitation, youth engagement, teaching, and qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis, particularly with a specialization in software such as R, STATISTICA, and ATLAS.
Additionally, her experience includes the mentorship and development of graduate students in related fields.
Image: LinkedIn
