Limnology Research Fellow; PhD (McGill University, 1993)
In the 25 years that I’ve been in Aotearoa/New Zealand, I have been lucky to have studied over 80 lakes and estuaries in New Zealand, from Northland to Campbell Island (as well as melt ponds in Antarctica). This experience has shown me that lakes and estuaries are under threat from a number of environmental pressures and my research and work with governments and community groups usually focuses on the effects of human-induced pressures on lake and estuarine ecological health and ecosystem services. However, I also work with government and community groups to apply this knowledge to the restoration of degraded lakes and estuaries. I have published studies on the effects of climate change, land use intensification, invasive species and agricultural chemicals on lake ecological health. This work has involved the use of stable and radiogenic isotopes, trace element analysis, molecular and classical taxonomic methods and palaeolimnological reconstructions of sediment archives. Scientific understanding is strengthened by the use of multiple lines of evidence. So, I often use different scientific approaches such as experimentation, surveys, the use of statistical and deterministic models, and meta-analyses based on previously published data.
Māori cultural perspectives on the environment differ markedly from European ones and I enjoy working with Tangata Whenua to help manage and restore ecosystems. I have been fortunate enough to work with Whakaora Te Waihora (Ngai Tahu), Te Ao Mārama (Ngai Tahu) and the Whakaki Lake Trust (Ngati Kahungunu) to help develop lake management plans, set nutrient loading limits, and to understand how coastal ecosystems of great cultural value can be protected and restored. This sharing of knowledge with Māori has shown me that Māori perspectives on the environment complement European perspectives and enrich New Zealand’s evolving discourse on environmental development and protection.
An important part of doing science is communicating it to a wide variety of interested parties. So I take the communication of science with non-scientists seriously. I’ve shared my science knowledge with non-scientists by writing reports for community groups and producing evidence for government hearings. I have developed videos showing my research findings and I have also developed a number of infographics to help communicate scientific information to non-scientists. This is an area that I want to continue to develop by exploring new directions for the dissemination of scientific information.
I have obtained most of my research funding by working in applied limnology, funded by FRST (Public Good Science), MBIE, MfE, DoC, and at least 5 regional councils. As well as writing academic papers, I have provided advice (technical reports) and evidence (Regional Council and Environment Court hearings) on lake ecological condition and responses to anthropogenic stressors.
None of the research I’ve done could have been carried out without the help of many valued graduate students and collaborators. I try to be a life-long learner and I also enjoy teaching students about what I’ve learned along my watery journey.
Google scholar link:
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=Yk7l_XsAAAAJ&hl=de
Curriculum Vitae: