Charlie Shackleton

Prof Charlie Shackleton holds the SARChI Research Chair in Interdisciplinary Science in Land and Natural Resource Use for Sustainable Livelihoods at Rhodes University's Environmental Science department. His work bridges plant ecology, social sciences, and resource valuation to address poverty through natural resource management. With over 280 peer-reviewed papers, 11 books, and 63 supervised Master’s students, he focuses on urban forestry, invasive species, and rural-urban ecological dynamics. Recent studies include urban greenspace redesign, invasive Acacia impacts, and climate-risk adaptation for urban forests. His research emphasizes Global South contexts, emphasizing interdisciplinary solutions for sustainable livelihoods.

Research Interests

• Urban Ecology and Green Infrastructure
• Socio-Ecological Systems and Resilience
• Invasive Species Management
• Non-Timber Forest Products
• Climate Change Adaptation

Publications Highlights

Recent work explores urban foraging practices in Lagos, peri-urban transitions in the Global South, and carbon sequestration in Zimbabwean urban spaces. His collaborative studies include ecosystem service assessments in South African grasslands and climate risk modeling for urban trees.

Grants & Collaborations

• Lead researcher on SARChI-funded interdisciplinary projects
• Active in transdisciplinary networks like the Southern African Program on Ecosystem Change and Society
• Co-author with global experts on urban agriculture sustainability and invasive species policy

Labs & Teams

Hosts interdisciplinary teams studying urban-rural linkages, with fieldwork in South African small towns and peri-urban zones.