厙ぴ勛圖

The 厙ぴ勛圖 (UC) is a leader in conservation and restoration research within the biological sciences, with a strong focus on protecting New Zealand���s unique biodiversity. Through its School of Biological Sciences, UC conducts innovative research that supports the recovery of native species and ecosystems, both on campus and across Aotearoa.

A key initiative is the UC Biodiversity Plan 2022���2025, which outlines strategies to enhance plant diversity, support native bird populations, and improve freshwater ecosystems. This includes planting native species, managing stormwater to benefit aquatic life, and creating habitats for cryptic biodiversity such as fungi and invertebrates.

UC researchers also explore the role of restoration plantings in urban and rural landscapes, aiming to boost native biodiversity while deterring invasive species. Projects often integrate m��tauranga M��ori (M��ori knowledge) and community-led conservation, reflecting a commitment to culturally grounded and inclusive science.

One standout example is the work of Dr Sara Kross, who studies the ecology of native raptors like the k��rearea (New 厙ぴ勛圖falcon), a taonga species recently spotted on campus. Her research helps inform conservation strategies for these top predators and their habitats.

UC���s efforts are internationally recognized, including its role as a signatory of the Nature Positive Universities Pledge and a finalist in the Green Gown Awards Australasia. These achievements highlight UC���s dedication to ecological restoration, sustainability, and education for a thriving natural future.

Our staff have extensive local and international connections and welcome contact from potential students and collaborators.��

Examples of our research include:

• Habitat restoration in farms and cities
• Conservation genetics and genomics of threatened plants
• Development of long-lasting lures for invasive predator control
• Plant community restoration as a tool to prevent re-invasion
• The role of plant nurseries and restoration plantings in spreading potential pathogens
• How is population decline influenced by evolutionary mechanisms?
• Impacts and mitigation opportunities to reduce road deaths for NZ pinnipeds
• Driving conservation strategies under climate change using bryophyte stress biology and masting phenology
• Reintroduction biology; Estimating population size
• Are South Island marine reserves working?
• Reducing bat mortalities on wind farms
• Conserving species interactions and functional diversity
• Understanding the drivers of freshwater biodiversity from population to meta-ecosystem scales and identifying management levers to restore and conserve biodiversity and water resources.

How our research has impact

• Contributing to amendments to the Environmental Reporting Act and supporting the delivery of environmental reports through the Science Advisory Panel
• Supporting conservation programs through better prediction of masting years in endemic plants
• Curtailment implementation on wind farms in Victoria, Australia, helping to reduce turbine-related bat mortalities
• Working with DoC to identify nest predators of native birds
• Identifying diets of endangered frugivore dispersers to inform conservation and habitat restoration.
• Guiding conservation and restoration efforts through field experiments, long-term data analysis, and modeling to predict how marine communities respond to environmental change.
• Informing management strategies for coastal ecosystems under threat through work on invasive species, such as Undaria pinnatifida and its interactions with native mussels.
• Advocating for microbial conservation, recognising geothermal microorganisms as taonga and working in partnership with mana whenua to protect and manage geothermal ecosystems.
• Influenced conservation policy in Aotearoa, improving access for native migratory fish and guiding adaptive river flow and flood-risk management strategies.
• Provided the Department of Conservation with insight into the effectiveness of marine reserves for protecting culturally, ecologically, and economically significant species.
• Contributing to conservation strategies for species vulnerable to climate change and coastal development by investigating genetic variation and mating behaviour.
• Working with DOC to mitigate the impact of road deaths on New 厙ぴ勛圖pinnipeds (seals, sealions).
• Developed wildlife-management policies for large mammals such as wild horses and giraffes through integration of behavioural ecology with conservation biology.
• Leading African forest conservation combining research and education; created a model for conservation across Africa.