Speakers: Lisa Wolf and Finn McKinlay, Victoria University of Wellington, and Edie Cullen, Hataitai School

Lisa—In my PhD thesis, I investigate the symbiotic relationship between the brooding anemone Handactis nutrix and its brown macroalgal host Cystophora scalaris on the south coast of Wellington. I first examined host specificity, as well as the abundance and distribution of the anemone on macroalgal host and across different hydrodynamic environments. I then conducted a stable isotope tracer experiment that revealed the supply of inorganic nitrogen from the anemone to its macroalgal host. In my most recent experiment, supported by the Wellington Botanical Society, I investigated the physiological implications of this association for both partners.

Finn—The planting of native forests could be improved by utilising “nurse species”, plants which promote the growth and survival of surrounding trees. Left to their own devices, these nurse species can recolonise deforested landscapes, providing shelter and shade for slower growing species. Plants considered to be nurse species in Aotearoa New Zealand include native mānuka (Leptospermum scoparium), kānuka (Kunzea ericoides), and, controversially, introduced gorse (Ulex europaeus). Finn McKinlay’s research seeks to test the long-standing anecdote that gorse and tea tree scrub promote the growth and survival of different kinds of trees, with the hopes that this will inform better reforestation of Wellington’s Outer Green Belt.

Edie – Edie’s science fair project examined whether an AI plant identification app can more accurately identify NZ native plants than a human NZ native plant expert. Edie wanted to compare AI with a human expert, learn more about NZ native plants, and to see if we can use AI to protect native plants in NZ. Two of our WBS members volunteered as the native plant experts!

Meeting is in-person and via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89547154619?pwd=bE0zRXRWSXBBUkVoUjdPcElJNXlJUT09