Dean of Postgraduate Research
Vice-Chancellor’s Office
Extension: 7285
Email:
lucy.johnston@canterbury.ac.nz
Summer Research Scholarship Scheme
2015-2016
Project Application Form
Please complete and submit the application form as a WORD document and send to
summerscholarships@canterbury.ac.nz
The Project
Title of Project (max 30 words):
Vegetation response to a wildfire in the Flock Hill Basin
Project Leader(s):
David Norton and Laura Young
Host Department/Organization:
School of Forestry
Other persons involved in this topic/activity:
(List other significant members involved along with their affiliation to the research project.)
Name
Affiliation to project
Veronica Clifford
Scion Research collaborator
Nick Ledgard
Scion Research (retired) collaborator
Brief outline of project
Describe the proposed research project – maximum of 400 words (box will expand as you type).
Note that this information will be published on the web in order to attract student applicants and therefore be
mindful of any Intellectual Property issues
A large wildfire swept across a significant area of wilding conifer forest and native forest and shrubland on
Flock Hill Station in January 2015. While natural fires of this size (ca. 400 ha) are relatively uncommon, it is
predicted that future fire frequency may increase as a result of climate change. Wildfires, as well as
threatening both economic and social infrastructure (e.g. farming, production forestry, housing etc), also can
have significant impacts on natural values such as native vegetation. In some situations, fire could be
considered beneficial in that it can eliminate areas where woody weeds have become well-established,
particularly wilding conifers. The Flock Hill wildfire burned at varying intensities and through a range of
vegetation types thus creating an ideal location to better understand the ways that native and exotic
vegetation responds to wild fires. In particular the research is investigating the response of a key woody
weed (Pinus contorta) to fire, both in terms of the ability of the fire to eliminate this species compared to its
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potential to re-establish after the fire.
The objective of this summer scholarship project is to collect information on the response of both native and
exotic vegetation, including Pinus contorta, to this wildfire. Specifically, this project will assess the resprouting abilities of the pre-fire woody vegetation and assess the establishment and growth of species into
burnt sites across a range of pre-burn vegetation types (wilding conifer forest, beech forest, native
shrubland). The fieldwork will involve an extensive field survey where data will be collected on the post-fire
vegetation response, as well as on the nature of the different sites sampled. The fieldwork will be undertaken
in collaboration with a masters student who is also investigating the impact of this fire on various aspects of
the vegetation, as well as Scion researchers who are mapping the spatial extent of the fire and various burn
severities.
If the project involves work away from the University campus (e.g., at fieldwork sites) please detail all locations.
The fieldwork for this project will take place at Flock Hill Station and most of the summer scholarship work
will take place in the field. Accommodation will be available at the Cass Field Station.
If the student be required to work outside of normal university hours (8am-5pm) please provide details
The fieldwork is, at times, strongly influenced by weather. As a consequence, on a few days fieldwork will not
be possible and this is sometimes compensated for by longer days than the normal university hours
undertaking the fieldwork.
Benefits student will gain from involvement in the project
Describe the research experience and skills that the student will acquire through involvement in this research project –
maximum of 100 words.
The summer student will gain experience in the fieldwork component of ecological research. This will include
experience in working in a remote location where they will gain outdoor skills such as planning the traverse of
mountainous terrain, navigation and logistics. The fieldwork will allow the student to develop skills in
vegetation survey, identification of indigenous and exotic flora, as well as data acquisition and processing.
Specific student requirements
Please provide details of all requirements you have for the student to work on this project – for example, if specific
courses/experience are necessary.
The student must be physically fit and prepared to work in a mountain environment. Knowledge of
indigenous and exotic plant species is highly desirable.
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