Bioprotection Aotearoa

Early career researcher Megan Tan recently finished collecting data on how fungi interact with native and exotic plants for her Masters project. Megan's work adding to our understanding of fungal diversity and spread is crucial for bioprotection, as it is known that exotic plants accumulate and could potentially spread pathogens to new locations. Take a deep dive into Megan’s research methods. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gzvT3Hab #EcosystemHealth #PouTitirangi #FungalEcology #PlantHealth #EcosystemResilience #CassMountainResearchArea #PlantFungalInteractions #BioprotectionAotearoa

From PhD confirmation to scoping out potential sampling sites in Fiji’s vibrant landscapes by month’s end, Mesu Tora has been dedicated to advancing our understanding of microbial communities and their role in agrobiodiversity resilience. Field research like this takes commitment—working alongside Amanda Black and Alexa Byers, meeting with land managers, and exploring real-world settings to find the perfect sampling sites. #PhDProgress #Fieldwork #Agrobiodiversity #ResearchInAction #BioprotectionAotearoa #FutureLeaders

🌳 The race is on to save our kauri forests from dieback disease, and the key might just lie in unlocking the tiny molecular secrets hidden in our native plants! Postdoctoral fellow Dr Mariana Tarallo is on a mission, diving deep into the microscopic world where plants trigger their natural defences against threats like kauri dieback disease. 🦠✨ This fundamental research could be the game-changer we need to create lasting solutions and protect these iconic forests for generations to come. She’s in it for the long haul, committed to ensuring the survival of our kauri! Full story ➡ https://shorturl.at/uQteP #KauriOra #ProtectOurForests #NativePlants #BioprotectionAotearoa

🌱🦠 Soil microbes: The unseen heroes of soil health! Microbes play a vital role in strengthening soil resilience and resistance, but what happens to these underground communities when soils are disrupted by environmental factors or changes in land use? With field sites in Te Kaha, PhD student Alana Marie Thurston (Lincoln University) is researching how these microbial communities respond to challenges like climate change, land-use conversion, and agricultural intensification—identified as key threats to Aotearoa New Zealand’s soil health by the Ministry for the Environment. This research aims to fill global knowledge gaps on how soil resilience can be bolstered, offering practical insights for sustainable land management practices both locally and globally. 🔍 Read the full article to learn more about Alana’s research and its potential to safeguard our land-based economy. 👉 https://shorturl.at/iWxvO #SoilHealth #SoilMicrobes #MicrobialEcology #SustainableLandUse #SoilResilience #Agriculture #Biodiversity #ClimateChange #EnvironmentalScience #EcosystemHealth #CarbonSequestration #SoilScience

Been a busy couple of years for Leann Vinson (Unversity of Canterbury) as she completes her PhD research uncovering the traits of Phytophthora cinnamomi. The goal, to uncover how it reacts to its environmemt, responds to drought stress, and adapts to its surroundings. Crucial insights on a pathogen that can cause devastating effects on some of our agricultural ecosystems, and the biodiversty that relies on them.

“I’m constantly amazed by how much more there is to learn and there are always more connections with what I already know about our taiao.” - Tere Porter-Rawiri Tere is halfway through her thesis year, and recently reflected on her initial findings into mātauranga Māori and diversity of fungi in wetland forests 🍄 “My ‘insights’ build on our existing understandings, offered in a different light to encourage a richer appreciation of our physical environment and extending this to include the many knowledge systems connected to it.” Check out her insightful connections at: https://zurl.co/E33n

Te wiki o te reo Māori started with a daily quiz, bringing out the competitiveness across the team. Now, the real challenge begins – taking the momentum beyond this awesome week and into the future! #Letsgo Philip Hulme We're honoured to have these opportunities shared with us by Meikura Arahanga, Huata Arahanga and Amanda Black, and here's to many more.   Ake ake ake - A forever language Kia kaha o te reo Māori #TeWikioteReoMāori #LanguageLearning #BioprotectionAotearoa

Understanding Our Impact on the Soil 🌱 We often think of biodiversity above ground as the key to a healthy landscape—but what’s happening beneath our feet? 🧐 Postdoctoral Fellow Alexa Byers (Lincoln University) explores the world of carbon-munching microbes in soil under different land uses and how they might impact carbon storage. Dive deeper into this underground world and read the full story. 📖✨ https://zurl.co/5Dvs #SoilHealth #Biodiversity #CarbonStorage #SustainableAgriculture #EnvironmentalResearch #BioprotectionAotearoa

🌿 Reflecting on a significant event for our environment and ngahere! 🌿 Bioprotection Aotearoa was proud to sponsor the 2024 IUFRO Phytophthora in Forest and Nature Ecosystems conference in Paihia. This gathering brought together a community of experts, including some of our own, to share cutting-edge research from field studies on Phytophthora, to laboratory explorations of its characteristics. It was a proud moment to see our early career researchers take the podium including Leann Vinson from Claudia-Nicole Meisrimler's lab group, and Alana Marie Thurston supported by one of her supervisors Eirian Jones and of course Mariana Tarallo. They played a vital role contributing to the collective discussions of how we can protect forests and natural ecosystems from biological threats. Perhaps the words of Alana Thurston, who received the certificate for Best Student Oral Presentation, said it best in regards to the value of the experience as an ECR: "Being recognised was such an honour, especially with so many of my 'research heroes' in attendance. It was incredible to meet them in person and to share my work alongside theirs." As always, seeing so many passionate people collaborate is a true win for our environment and future generations. Congratulations Nari Williams and the event team for putting on a wonderful conference! 🌱 #Collaboration #PhytophthoraResearch #Ngahere #BioprotectionAotearoa #EarlyCareerResearch #ResearchCommunity

Latest research published from postdoctoral researcher Alexa Byers! Using the potential of long-read sequencing, this study dives into the biosynthetic diversity of the kauri soil microbiome and its connection to tree heath. Congratulations to the team for this exciting publication. Amanda Black Nick Waipara Leo Condron