Islands harbour a disproportionate amount of endangered vertebrate species. In our lab, we conduct research aimed at reducing the extinction risk of birds, mammals and reptiles in islands around the world.
We use classical approaches to monitor small populations as well as cutting edge technologies. For instance, we use passive audio recorders and camera traps to survey Kiwi on Stewart Island, and minuscule GPS tags to unravel the family dynamics in Floreana Mockingbirds on the remote islets of Champion and Gardner in the Galapagos (see the Current Projects section).
Bridging the gap between science and management is an ethos embedded into each and every one of our projects. Our research has made important contributions to understanding the biology and improving the conservation of iconic island species: Amy Waldmann (graduated 2016) quantified the dietary diversity of the critically endangered Tasman parakeet; Eli Christian (graduated 2017) estimated for the first time the population size of the Floreana racer, one of the world’s rarest snakes; Michael Skirrow (graduated 2019) established the best method to survey the Tasman parakeet on Norfolk Island, and settled the matter after 40 years of speculation; Kirtana Kumar (graduated 2019) laid the basis to plan and execute the world’s largest reintroduction of land iguanas: 2139 individual iguanas were safely transported to Santiago Island this year.
We use classical approaches to monitor small populations as well as cutting edge technologies. For instance, we use passive audio recorders and camera traps to survey Kiwi on Stewart Island, and minuscule GPS tags to unravel the family dynamics in Floreana Mockingbirds on the remote islets of Champion and Gardner in the Galapagos (see the Current Projects section).
Bridging the gap between science and management is an ethos embedded into each and every one of our projects. Our research has made important contributions to understanding the biology and improving the conservation of iconic island species: Amy Waldmann (graduated 2016) quantified the dietary diversity of the critically endangered Tasman parakeet; Eli Christian (graduated 2017) estimated for the first time the population size of the Floreana racer, one of the world’s rarest snakes; Michael Skirrow (graduated 2019) established the best method to survey the Tasman parakeet on Norfolk Island, and settled the matter after 40 years of speculation; Kirtana Kumar (graduated 2019) laid the basis to plan and execute the world’s largest reintroduction of land iguanas: 2139 individual iguanas were safely transported to Santiago Island this year.
We are proud to work alongside government organisations and NGO's as well as an expanding network of conservation biologists. Our partners include: Island Conservation, Norfolk Island National Park, Directorate of the Galapagos National Park, CNMI Division of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Conservation (NZ).
Members of the Norfolk Island National Park on Phillip Island, South Pacific.
OUR WORK IS SUPPORTED BY THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS
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LUIS ORTIZ-CATEDRAL
Lab Leader
I am a lecturer in Environmental Science / Ecology at Massey University in Auckland, New Zealand. My research encompasses approaches to document, measure and protect island biodiversity. I use island species of snakes, iguanas and parrots as models to understand changes in population sizes and their relationships to extinction risk.
Island Vertebrates Lab
School of Natural and Computational Sciences / Massey University
Building 56, Oteha Rohe / Auckland Campus
Private Bag 102-904 North Shore Mail Centre
Auckland / Aotearoa
Lab Leader
I am a lecturer in Environmental Science / Ecology at Massey University in Auckland, New Zealand. My research encompasses approaches to document, measure and protect island biodiversity. I use island species of snakes, iguanas and parrots as models to understand changes in population sizes and their relationships to extinction risk.
Island Vertebrates Lab
School of Natural and Computational Sciences / Massey University
Building 56, Oteha Rohe / Auckland Campus
Private Bag 102-904 North Shore Mail Centre
Auckland / Aotearoa
CURRENT LAB MEMBERS
Our current lab members are helping save some of the rarest species on the planet. Click below to learn more about their projects.
Our current lab members are helping save some of the rarest species on the planet. Click below to learn more about their projects.
ENZO RODRIGUEZ-REYES
PhD Student
HARRISON SOLLISMSc Student
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EMMA FEENSTRA
PhD Candidate
GEorgia BRettMSc Student
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Samantha KwanMSc Student
Colin hengMSc Student
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Patricia pinzonMSc Student
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PREVIOUS MEMBERS
- Successfully completed BSc & MSc Projects -
Our former members are currently working as consultants, university demonstrators or furthering their careers via scientific internships in New Zealand and overseas. Click below to read about their previous research projects.
- Successfully completed BSc & MSc Projects -
Our former members are currently working as consultants, university demonstrators or furthering their careers via scientific internships in New Zealand and overseas. Click below to read about their previous research projects.
Serena SimmondsMSc Graduate
MICHAEL SKIRROW
MSc Graduate
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KIRTANA KUMARMSc Graduate
ELI CHRISTIAN
MSc Graduate
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Charles Wittmer NaranjoBSc Graduate
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AMY WALDMANN
MSc Graduate
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