Author

I am a plant ecologist curious about plants and their often cryptic world. I completed my undergraduate degree and Master's research (mangrove ecology) at the University of Auckland, before undertaking a PhD at the University of Colorado (Fulbright Scholarship). My PhD research was on the population dynamics of the monkey puzzle tree, a relative of kauri, in its natural stands in South America. On return to New Zealand, I worked for Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research in Hamilton before joining the University of Auckland in 2008. My expertise covers biodiversity, conservation, and ecological restoration in natural and managed (rural, urban) ecosystems. My research seeks to uncover the secret world of plants, particularly the ecology of the many native plants in New Zealand that are still so poorly known. I have been particularly fascinated by large trees (kauri, kahikatea, northern rata) and smaller ferns and epiphytes. At a more general level, I seek an understanding of vegetation change over time, and the effects of disturbances on vegetation dynamics. Such knowledge will be critical as we seek to manage ecosystems in this time of unprecedented environmental change. I work with a variety of research partners and enjoy working with postgraduate students on diverse topics.