Alwyn Williams

PhD student

Principal supervisor
David A. Norton

Associate supervisors
Nick Ledgard (SCION, Christchurch)
Hayley Ridgway (Lincoln University)

Contact details
Email: awi23@student.canterbury.ac.nz

Thesis title
The Ecology, Conservation and Restoration of Bog Pine (Halocarpus bidwillii) and Mountain Totara (Podocarpus hallii) Communities in Eastern South Island, New Zealand

Project description
Prior to human activity, namely burning, the eastern ranges of New Zealand’s South Island were once dominated by various forest types and shrublands.  Many of these communities now only exist as isolated fragments within a highly modified environment.  My PhD thesis will investigate the community, population and regeneration ecology of remnant bog pine and mountain totara communities in eastern South Island to develop a firm ecological basis for their conservation and restoration.  My research also aims to quantify the effects of competition with invasive exotic vegetation and the potential for mycorrhizae to improve the success of restoration operations.

Education
2005-2006: MSc (Forest Protection and Conservation), Imperial College London, UK
2002-2005: BSc (Biology), Imperial College London, UK