Person Bond; William John (1948-2025); ecologist Bond William John ecologist 1948-2025 South African Male Johannesburg, South Africa 14 July 1948 19480714 South Africa 04 December 2025 20251204 Funeral: Christian Community Church, Timour Hall Road, Plumstead, South Africa (12 December 2025)

Ecologist Plant science Environmental biology Ecosystems Evolution Biogeography Ecology Education: University of Exeter, B.Sc. (Hons.) 1970; University of Cape Town: Rondebosch, Western Cape, ZA, M.Sc.1981; UCLA Life Sciences: Los Angeles, CA, US, Ph.D 1987 Career: Natural resource survey, Mozambique (Loxton, Hunting and Assoc) (1971-1974); Lake ecology, Cabora Bassa, Mozambique (Loxton, Hunting and Assoc) (1974-1976); undertook Ecological research, Cape mountain catchments, Forestry Department (1976-1982); Graduate studies, UCLA California Chaparral (1982-1986); Ecological research, Cape mountain catchments, Forestry Department (1986-1987); Lecturer Botany Department, University of Cape Town (1988-1993); Professor, Botany Department, UCT (1993-2013); Chief Scientist, SAEON, National Research Foundation (2014-2018); Emeritus Professor, Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town (2013-2025). Memberships: Royal Society of South Africa Fellow of the University of Cape Town Erskine Fellow, University of Canterbury, New Zealand Foreign Associate, National Academy of Sciences, USA (2013) Awards/Medals: Silver medal, South African Association of Botanists Research Fellow, Land & Water Australia (2006) Visiting Fellow, University of Tasmania, (2012) National Research Foundation of South Africa, A1 rating 4 cycles (latest 2014) Gold medal, South African Association of Botanists, 2016 Spouse: Winifred Bond Children: Three. World authority on the ecology, biogeography, and evolution of open (non-forested) ecosystems. He helped show the ancient origins of these systems contradicting the notion that they are the result of deforestation. Explored both physical and biotic controls on the distribution of these systems using a variety of tools, from remote sensing and global vegetation models, to field studies and glasshouse experiments. He revolutionized the basic conceptual framework of global biogeography by showing how animals and fire interact with climate to shape the distribution and structure of terrestrial ecosystems. His work had policy implications challenging global plans to afforest large areas of open ecosystems for carbon capture. Fellow 21/04/2021 72 Sources: The Royal Society Fellows Directory, Professor William Bond FRS, [URL: https://royalsociety.org/people/william-bond-35009/; last accessed: 17/12/2025] University of Cape Town, Biological Sciences, Emeritus Professor William Bond [URL: https://science.uct.ac.za/department-biological-sciences/staff-academic-staff/emeritus-professor-william-bond; last accessed: 17/12/2025] ORCID William Bond, [URL: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3441-2084; last accessed: 17/12/2025] University of Cape Town News, Emeritus Professor William Bond (1948–2025), 9 December 2025, [URL: https://www.news.uct.ac.za/article/-2025-12-09-emeritus-professor-william-bond; last accessed: 17/12/2025] International Standard Archival Authority Record for Corporate Bodies, Persons and Families - ISAAR(CPF) 2nd edition - ICA 2004 ISBN 2-9521932-2-3 National Council on Archives, Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997 The past Fellows entries are under continuous revision. If you have queries or additional information to contribute, please contact Library@royalsociety.org. Content in external sources is not controlled by the Royal Society and historical sources may include content that is now unacceptable. Reviewed on 17/12/2025 as part of the Name Authority Project update. NA10364 03/06/2021 RS_NET\VirginiaM 17/03/2026 RS_NET\VirginiaM Yes http://viaf.org/viaf/279051097 21e350cd-dace-4618-a8e5-62fd3e501b60