Oliver's internship after his OTS semester in South Africa involves a study of clonality in African savanna shrubs. Specifically he is looking at how clonality plays a role in the long term persistence of these populations. The topic is of special concern in the context of the problem of bush encroachment. We want to see how the extent of clonality changes between landscapes with different disturbance regimes (fire and elephants). Project is being conducted in collaboration with Dr. Laurence Kruger, OTS South Africa Program Director and Dr. Kelsey L. Glennon at the University of the Witwatersrand.