Pekapeka, how we shape their world and they shape ours

Pekapeka are the only native land mammals in Aotearoa New Zealand, yet they are relatively unknown by the general public, perhaps because they are small, rare, nocturnal, and cryptic. This means that bats have sometimes been overlooked in the past, but this is changing.  We hope to highlight in this symposium recent research that focuses on the relationships we hold with pekapeka, how we are shaping their world, making it more or less palatable for them, and areas for future research.

Organiser: Kerry Borkin, Department of Conservation

Tākiri te ata – Mātauranga Māori and Ecology

Mātauranga Māori plays a key role in the protection and care of nature here in Aotearoa. It serves as a basis for Māori communities to understand their surrounding environments and develop strategies and processes to protect and care for these important spaces and the living species within them. Growing challenges for the protection and care of nature as well as opportunities for Māori to express and maintain relationships to their ancestral lands, waters and territories continues to progress in Aotearoa. There is ample opportunity to showcase the value of Mātauranga Māori and ecological science in addressing such challenges, protecting nature, whilst also supporting Māori to enact their kaitiakitanga roles of te taiao. This symposium will showcase the value of bridging both Mātauranga Māori and Ecology in addressing pressing environmental issues here in Aotearoa. 

Organisers: Erana Walker, The University of Waikato and Priscilla Wehi, The University of Otago

How Invasions Misshape Our World

Biological invasions represent one of the greatest environmental and economic threats to Aotearoa New Zealand. Invasive species are more than simply misplaced individuals – in many cases they fundamentally alter the environments in which they’re introduced, permanently affecting the functioning of ecosystems and susceptibility to further invasions. These effects can range from changing soil types and introducing mutualistic fungi or bacteria, altering important ecosystem functions (e.g., nutrient removal), creating or destroying habitats (ecosystem engineering), and altering species’ behaviours to facilitate future invasions. Even our own methods to eradicate invasives can inadvertently lead to highly degraded ecosystems which are more prone to successive invasions.

This symposium aims to highlight how invasive species affect the world beyond simply outcompeting competitors. Here we will discuss how and why environments become misshapen, and how this can lead to even worse re- or successive invasions in the future. We encourage talks from a range of systems including terrestrial, freshwater, and marine environments.

Organisers: Thomas Carlin, Scion and Leigh Tait, NIWA

Sponsored by:

Ecology in a Post-Truth World

Over the last decade mis-, dis- and mal-information have skyrocketed to unprecedented levels. While some sciences are affected more by conspiracy theories than others, all public facing sciences fall victim to bullying, harassment, and public opposition from a few (but loud) opponents. Ecology is one such discipline that struggles to engage small factions of the general public in scientifically valid solutions. Climate change immediately comes to mind as an example of a huge global ecological issue that is hampered by denialism and troubling political debates. However, Aotearoa New Zealand faces a number of its own concerns such as 1) Ban-1080, 2) Kauri Forest Closure Protests, 3) Marine Exclusion Zones / Fishing Bans, and 4) 15-minute cities and “climate lockdowns”. Disputes can range from rational debate to irrational conspiracy theories, but regardless require us to focus on the facts, and develop effective science communication techniques.This symposium aims to highlight examples of ecological science denialism (or serious debate) in Aotearoa, and crucially gives preference to talks that highlight case studies demonstrating effective solutions or examples of successfully engaging with difficult-to-please stakeholders.

Organiser: Thomas Carlin, Scion

Ecological Impacts of Tropical Cyclones

Climate change is altering the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, with Aotearoa New Zealand projected to experience stronger and more frequent tropical cyclones in the future. The ecological consequences of these events can be extensive and long-lasting, yet we still lack fundamental knowledge of the ecosystems, species, and conservation infrastructure that are most at risk, and how management actions influence post-disturbance recovery.

This symposium brings together recent research on tropical cyclone ecology, with a special focus on the ecological impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle, which hit Aotearoa New Zealand with devastating force in February 2023. Talks will cover a diversity of topics, including the history of cyclones in Aotearoa New Zealand, their interactions with other global change pressures, spatial analysis of Cyclone Gabrielle damage across ecosystems, and its impacts on braided rivers, wetlands, freshwater and coastal ecosystems, threatened species, and conservation infrastructure.

Organiser: Warwick Allen, Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research

Environmental change in belowground ecosystems

Soils harbour diverse microbial and invertebrate communities that support crucial ecosystem functions like organic matter decomposition, soil structure maintenance, and biogeochemical cycling, therefore contributing to vital ecosystem services such as food production, water regulation, waste management, and carbon sequestration. The effects of anthropogenic environmental stressors on soil communities however, are still poorly understood, particularly in Aotearoa New Zealand ecosystems. This symposium aims to shed light on the impacts of environmental drivers and disturbance events on soil microbial and faunal communities. By highlighting recent advances in soil ecology within and beyond New Zealand, this symposium will present insights into how belowground impacts of environmental stressors such as environmental warming, fire, biological invasions, pathogen outbreaks, and habitat fragmentation can influence soil biodiversity and community structure, feedbacks between soil biota and native plant species, and  consequences of environmental changes for soil ecosystem functions. Additionally, we will explore how soil communities respond to restoration interventions, illuminating potential pathways for ecosystem recovery and resilience enhancement. Together, the research advances presented in this symposium will emphasize the interconnectedness of soil ecosystems and their importance for understanding and managing terrestrial ecosystems in the face of global environmental change. Join us to gain insights into the intricate relationships between environmental change, soil biota, and ecosystem functioning, with implications for sustainable land management and restoration efforts in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Organiser: Estela Folch Chaos, University of Waikato

Indigenous forest restoration and protection, lessons from Aotearoa New Zealand’s long conservation movement to address emerging threats

Organisers: Stuart Fraser, Michael Bartlett, Katerina Pihera-Ridge (Scion)

Harnessing ecological sciences to improve primary industry sustainability, productivity and resilience

Organisers: Yvette Dickinson and Stuart Fraser, Scion

Measuring and Managing Carbon in New Zealand’s Ecosystems

Organisers: Renee Johansen, Department of Conservation and Micah Scholer, Te Uru Rākau  - New Zealand Forest Service

Sponsored by:

Plant Ecology in a Changing Climate

Climate change is a global threat, with accelerating shifts in temperature, rainfall, major disturbances, and sea level rise. With high rates of endemic species, New Zealand, like other island systems, is at high risk of biodiversity losses as climate change contributes to other on-going threats such as habitat loss, invasive species, and pollution. As the foundation of terrestrial communities, the resilience and stability of plant populations is critical for conservation of New Zealand’s biodiversity under future climate change. In this symposium, we showcase new research investigating New Zealand plant ecology in a changing climate. We invite further speakers to represent gender balance, highlight Māori perspectives, and include early career scientists. Through these talks, current and future research directions will be highlighted for this emerging and critical research area, contributing to the conservation of New Zealand’s flora.

Organisers: Cate Macinnis-Ng, University of Auckland and Kasey Barton, University of Hawai'i

Ecology in an urban environment

As populations expand and cities grow, the importance of our urban environments only increases for preserving biodiversity, combating climate change, and making cities liveable. Currently over 90% of New Zealand’s population lives in urban areas. Urban ecosystems are the ones that people most frequently interact with, and in some cases may be the only exposure they have to ecology. The way we shape urban environments presents novel challenges and opportunities for life to overcome as species adapt to new stressors, nutrient loads, and communities. Successful urban designs help life find solitude in parks, reserves, and wetlands, but urban development has also led to unsavoury areas where weeds, pests, or diseases thrive. The close proximity of urban ecosystems to human populations also allows for unparalleled access to citizen science endeavours, and allows ecologists to better engage with local communities. 

This symposium aims to highlight the grime and the glory of life in our urban landscapes. Topics will include the challenges of preserving fragile habitats, and the way some plants and animals adapt to this highly disturbed environment. We encourage talks from all walks of ecology, environmental science, and social research that consider urban or peri-urban systems, both aquatic and terrestrial.

Organiser: Daniel Richards, Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research and Thomas Carlin, Scion

Sponsored by: