Past Events

Climate Change: Impacts on Plants and Ecosystems in the Arctic

Ulf Molau is a Professor in the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences at the University of Gothenburg. He is also a member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and one of the researchers behind the IPCC's latest report. His research documents the effects of the rapid changes happening in the Arctic and the alpine parts of Northern Swedish Lapland on the plants and fragile ecosystems, and the global implications of this. The key driver is the ongoing warming, causing a vanishing "cryosphere" detected as permafrost thawing and reduced snow cover duration, with cascading effects on hydrology and ecosystem services. Much of this is recently published in the Arctic Resilience Report, an assessment ordered by the Arctic Council (the report can be downloaded here). We are extremely lucky to have an international speaker of such high calibre to kick-start our 2014 presentations. At the Zoology Benham Building, 346 Great King Street, behind the Zoology car park by the Captain Cook Hotel. Use the main entrance of the Benham Building to get in and go to the Benham Seminar Room, Rm. 215, 2nd floor. Please be prompt as we have to hold the door open.

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Field trip to Kakanui Peak

Kakanui Peak at 1528 m is one of the highest points in the Kakanui Range which runs in a north-westerly direction inland from Palmerston. We will travel to the top of the Pigroot and climb up to the summit of the peak (approximately an 800 m climb). Vegetation is mainly snow tussock grassland but there will possibly be a few surprises as the area has not been extensively botanised in recent years. For an overview of this area, including the geology and wildlife please see this PDF. Foul weather back up date Sunday 8^th December. Meet 8.30 am Botany Department car park, Great King Street.

End-of-year dinner

At Harvest Court Café, details to be confirmed at a later stage.

Variation in pollinators' view of flowers and plants

A talk by Dr John Conran, Associate Head, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Adelaide. Humans often assume that what we see is seen by others. This is not true and needs to be taken into account when thinking about plant pollination by insects and birds. Because of the variation of perceived light waves and ultra violet light, different species have different views of the world. For example a bees view of green foliage would be a 'real bad acid trip' for humans. Dr Conran will discuss the implications of this variation in relation to pollination in the NZ flora. At the Zoology Benham Building, 346 Great King Street, behind the Zoology car park by the Captain Cook Hotel. Use the main entrance of the Benham Building to get in and go to the Benham Seminar Room, Rm. 215, 2nd floor. Please be prompt as we have to hold the door open.

Weekend trip to Long Point

A weekend trip to this stunning Coastal peninsula in southern Catlins managed by the Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust who have great plans to restore seabird communities there. As well as the stunning coastal scenery, penguins, seals and sealions, there are interesting plant communities including coastal turfs with rare plants, coastal shrublands and forest remnants. For more information visit the website. Please note it's quite exposed so come prepared for cold and windy conditions, but hope for better. Details on where we will be staying on the Saturday evening to be posted. We will leave Dunedin 9 am Saturday 2^nd November and return by 4–5 pm Sunday 3^rd. If you would like to come, please contact Robyn Bridges.

Talks by Botany Department Colloquium speakers

Talks from Botany Department Colloquium winners showcasing some of the latest research by our most capable young botanists. A stimulating and varied evening is in store so please come and support the speakers. At the Zoology Benham Building, 346 Great King Street, behind the Zoology car park by the Captain Cook Hotel. Use the main entrance of the Benham Building to get in and go to the Benham Seminar Room, Rm. 215, 2nd floor. Please be prompt as we have to hold the door open.

Next generation sequencing applications for Botantists—Why, how and how much?

A Department of Botany seminar. Dr Rebecca Laurie, NZGL (New Zealand Genomics Ltd). Union St Lecture Theatre, Cnr Union St West & Great King St

Visit to the Johnson's Garden and Styles Creek Bush, Broad Bay

A visit to the garden of Peter and Pru Johnson. Peter says, "This will be springtime, or at least one of its interesting months. My 2005 record of flowering times, done fortnightly, indicates that in early October we have had 180 different things in flower. Don't expect them all to be natives!" Bring cameras (of course). The second part of the trip is to Styles Creek Bush, which is 5 minutes walk up the hill. This is a QE II National Trust covenant on the property of Frank and Annie Pepers, 2.4 ha, fenced in 1987 and demonstrating what can be done with planting enrichment and weed control. The bush has a network of tracks, some a tad muddy underfoot, so wear your boots. Helen Clarke and I will be happy to explain what has been learned over the years. We may even offer prizes for anyone who spots a still-mature Bomarea, old man's beard, or passionfruit! The address is 5 Matariki Street, Broad Bay. Start time is 10 am (at Peter's place), or meet at 9.30 am at the Botany Department.

Theories and tests in community ecology

A Department of Botany seminar. Professor Bastow Wilson. Union St Lecture Theatre, Cnr Union St West & Great King St

POSTPONED: Seeing past the whiteout: new research on flower traits and pollinator behaviour in the New Zealand alpine

NOTE: This seminar has been postponed till a later date. A talk by Dr Janice Lord, Department of Botany. In the Union St. Lecture Theater (UNIST), cnr Great King St and Union St (West), Dunedin

Changes in eastern South Island indigenous grasslands: ancient, recent, small-scale and large

A Department of Botany seminar. Dr Susan Walker, Landcare Research. Union St Lecture Theatre, Cnr Union St West & Great King St

Botany Dept 4th year research student seminars

A Department of Botany seminar. David Cook, Nick Secker, Department of Botany. Union St Lecture Theatre, Cnr Union St West & Great King St

Field trip to Trotters Gorge, Palmerston

This is part of a large conservation area accessed from Palmerston about 80 km north of Dunedin off Horse Range Road. This is a beautiful spot with impressive rock formations carved out of sandstone and conglomerate by several small streams that merge with Trotters Creek. The car park has yielded an interesting mix of exotics and is in turn surrounded by regenerating native bush and at its westerly end two tracks lead off into quite different vegetation types. The right leads across a shallow ford and follows a vehicle track (not for public use) up the valley of Trotters Creek. The vegetation begins with regenerating bush before opening out into a mix of open native and exotic areas and cliffs. The track is easy with a few shallow fords. The other track follows a tributary of Trotters Creek through a narrow gorge before climbing steadily to the top of the hills to give a good view of the surrounding areas. The descent begins with a brief, steep section leading more gently down to the first track whence you can continue up the track or just return to the cars. The vegetation is largely native. Interesting plants to be found are Teucridium parviflorum, Pimelea pseudolyallii, the locally endemic Celmisia hookeri, Notogrammitis ciliata and an unnamed Corybas orchid. Come suitably attired for walking and, if it's been raining, the uphill track may be slippery in places and the creek may be running high in the fords. Expect to return to Dunedin about 3:00 p.m. or whenever suits you. Bring a lunch. Foul weather back up date Sunday 8^th.

Geoff Baylis Lecture: Plant systematics research and its relevance to understanding the origins and evolution of the New Zealand flora

12^th Annual Geoff Baylis Lecture presented by Dr Peter Heenan, Landcare Research, Lincoln.

The science of Plant Systematics is concerned with naming and classifying plants. Its aim is to produce stable and reliable classifications and to provide knowledge of species' relationships. At times, modern taxonomic research has produced much confusion and some disquiet amongst lay people about seemingly arbitrary changes in plant names.

Dr Peter Heenan is one of this countrys foremost plant taxonomists and has, in recent times and amongst other projects, worked on the flora of the Chatham Islands and the predominantly New Zealand genus Pachycladon, a small group of mainly alpine plants belonging to the Brassica family.

In this lecture Dr Heenan will provide an overview of his recent and current taxonomic research. The scope of this research uses modern and traditional techniques to clarify and define species relationships and as a consequence gives valuable insights into the origin and evolution of the indigenous New Zealand flora.

The Geoff Baylis Lecture is held annually by the Botanical Society of Otago, in conjunction with the Department of Botany. It is named in honour of Dr Geoff Baylis, the first Professor of Botany at the University of Otago. In Castle 1 Lecture Theatre, University of Otago. Drinks and nibbles starting from 5:15 pm in the Castle Concourse.

Botany Dept 4th year research student seminars

A Department of Botany seminar. Nusyana Cham Pi, Chris Jenks, Cecilia Wang, Department of Botany. Union St Lecture Theatre, Cnr Union St West & Great King St