Briza Publications author Nico Smit obtained the degrees B.Agric (1980) and B.Sc. Agric-Hons (Grassland Science) (1983) from the University of the Free State. His professional career started in 1986 with his appointment as agricultural scientist in service of the Department of Agriculture in the Limpopo Province.
His research involves bush encroachment, savanna dynamics, rangeland management and the game ranching industry. During this period he obtained the degrees M.Sc.Agric (Plant Production, Grassland Science) (1988) and Ph.D (Plant Production, Grassland Science) (1994) from the University of Pretoria. Having served as acting head of the Towoomba Agricultural Development Centre, he was appointed as associate professor in the Department of Grassland Science at the University of the Free State in 1996. As a continuance of his involvement in the game ranching industry a very successful post graduate study course in wildlife management was developed.
During January 2002 he was promoted to professor in the Deptartment of Animal, Wildlife and Grassland Sciences and is currently serving as the head of the Grassland Science section of the Department. Nico is a member of various scientific societies, among which the South African Wildlife Management Association and the Grassland Society of Southern Africa where he served as assistant scientific editor as well as president of the society. He also received several awards from the society.
He publishes regularly in scientific journals, is an NRF-evaluated researcher and presents numerous papers at national and international congresses. Nico is also an accomplished photographer and is one of only a few photographers in South Africa that was awarded the highest honours title of Master of the Photographic Society of southern Africa by the PSSA. His interest in nature and trees in particular motivated him to publish two books on the Acacias of southern Africa.
Books by Nico Smit
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