Tallulah Rose Glasby fell in love with biology in high school and has since devoted her life to the field of botany and, particularly, biocrusts. Now, at 25 years old, she is a master’s student researching something that we all take for granted: biocrusts.
“Biocrusts are a large group of living organisms that form a layer on the ground or the soil,” says Tallulah Rose Glasby. “They are usually overlooked because everyone steps and [walks] on them but we need them for trees and life in general.”
Tallulah Rose Glasby demonstrating the layers of a moss-dominated biocrust. Glasby is in her second year of MSc Botany studies. PHOTO: Ishmael Mabena
Tallulah, who at first glance might seem like just another student navigating the buzz of Stellenbosch University, is a master’s student in science botany in her second year, and is the only natural scientist-in-training researching biocrusts in South Africa.
“Biocrusts are like little groups of living organisms right on the surface of the soil,” says Tallulah.
While the world does not necessarily consider biocrusts an essential part of everyday life, Tallulah notes the importance of biocrusts in arid ecosystems due to their ability to “produce nutrients for the soil”.
This ensures that the soil remains moisturised, thus increasing the “biodiversity of creatures living in the soil,” she says. “Since biocrusts are increasing nutrients and protecting the soil from erosion, they can be used to help restore agricultural fields that have been depleted of nutrients and abandoned.”
Tallulah Rose Glasby, a Master of Science Botany (Thesis) student at Stellenbosch University, is the only person in South Africa whose research in biology focuses on biocrusts. PHOTO: Ishmael Mabena
Growing up in nature
Tallulah was born on 28 March 2000 and was raised by a single mother “who did everything for us”. Her four siblings – a sister, stepbrother, stepsister and a half-brother – were raised on a smallholding in Joostenburg Vlakte.
“My mom took us camping and hiking every weekend and really fostered a love for nature. She really inspired me to become independent and confident in myself. She was the most encouraging and supportive parent anyone could ask for.”
While Tallulah describes her childhood as freedom and love, she refers to her favourite childhood memory as quality time with two things that she loves wholeheartedly: nature and family.
A lichen-dominated biocrust. This biocrust has plants that grow on it and is crucial for soil health and ecosystem function, Tallulah Rose Glasby, a master’s student in science botany, told SMF News. PHOTO: Ishmael Mabena
“My favourite childhood memory [is] camping in Beaverlac, exploring the natural vegetation and swimming in the rock pools and waterfalls while spending time with family.”
The meaning of her name proves a metaphoric but true character trait: leaping water. Growing up, she fell in love with science due to her mother’s love of the natural world, which she forever holds dear to her heart.
“My favourite thing in the world is being in the quiet peace of a natural landscape and being able to appreciate all the wonders that South African biodiversity can show us.”
Tallulah also credits her school biology teacher who ignited a passion in the subject of biology. She does not look back on studying what she loves.
A lens into Glasby’s research
Due to Tallulah’s approach to researching biocrusts and their impact on agricultural fields, trees and nutrition, three different supervisors help guide her throughout her master studies. Each supervisor contributes to her research in various ways, thus helping her understand her research better.
Tallulah Rose Glasby will submit her thesis in late 2025 and hopes to graduate for her master studies in March 2026. PHOTO: Ishmael Mabena
The intricate nature of biocrusts proves a challenge for Tallulah, especially in wetter seasons.
“Extreme weather conditions have destroyed my study sites which delayed my field and lab work during my first year of my masters. But I just had to pick up the pace and get all the work done, despite the shorter time period to do so,” she says.
While she spends quite an amount of time on the field – in arid areas and occasionally at the top of Coetzenburg mountain – a large part of her research requires her to spend some time in the lab.
“I use both field surveys and laboratory testing to see how biocrusts influence the nutrients of the ecosystems, what organisms these biocrusts house and [support] and the plant-biocrust interactions.”
Moss-dominated, cyanobacteria-dominated and lichen-dominated biocrusts. Biocrusts have the ability to increase nutrients in agricultural fields, according to Tallulah Rose Glasby, an MSc Botany student at Stellenbosch University. PHOTO: Ishmael Mabena
Her discovery of biocrusts’ ability to increase nutrients is especially important since “the Fynbos in South Africa is particularly nutrient poor”, she says.
Tallulah under her sibling’s microscope
Away from the lab coats, microscope, biocrusts and all things nature, Tallulah remains her siblings’ dearest older sister or, as her brother, Christiaan Koorts, describes her: “Flower in bloom.”
Tallulah’s affection for nature, and her caring spirit, shines through to her siblings, which is what makes her their Tallulah.
Tallulah Rose Glasby was born in Durbanville and lived on a smallholding in Joostenburg Vlakte, with her single mother and four siblings. PHOTO Ishmael Mabena
“She cries for basically anything that could be considered a touching moment, including sad dogs and ensembles singing together,” says Daisy Glasby, Tallulah’s younger sister. Daisy describes her older sister as “trustworthy, kind [and] generous”.
“She will have no money but spend it all on her dogs,” Daisy says. “Her guilty pleasure is volunteering at dog shelters and looking at dogs online even though she knows she can’t get another dog.”
Christiaan describes Tallulah as a strong and independent woman who has a lot to give and shares generously.
If she could see herself through his eyes “she’ll see how far she came”, Christiaan says. “She’ll see how people admire her for her bravery, talent and her passion for what she does. She’ll see how grateful we are that she was chosen to be our sister.”