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):
Understanding and enhancing mistletoe biodiversity around urban Christchurch
Project Leader(s):
Professor Dave Kelly
Host Department/Organization:
School of Biological Sciences
Other persons involved in this topic/activity:
(List other significant members involved along with their affiliation to the research project.)
Name
Affiliation to project
Kristina Macdonald
John Clemens
CCC Conservation & Sustainable Development
CCC Conservation & Sustainable Development
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
This project aims to map the distribution of native mistletoes around Christchurch (including
Lyttelton Harbour) and explore factors limiting their distributions. This information will be useful
for guiding ecological restoration work, by showing where these uncommon native plants can be
reintroduced, with benefits for biodiversity protection and human interest. Recent work overseas
(Watson & Herring 2012 Proc Roy Soc London B) shows that mistletoes improve leaf litter, soil
invertebrates and bird communities, as well as being interesting in themselves.
The two lowland native Loranthaceous mistletoes, Ileostylis micranthus and Tupeia antarctica, both
occur sporadically near Christchurch, with Ileostylis more common. Both occur on a wide range of
host plants, including native Coprosma shrubs and introduced tree lucerne, but many areas have
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apparently suitable hosts but lack mistletoes. This could be because of subtle variation in the
suitability of the physical environment (eg variations in drought proneness) or chance lack of
colonization. This project will map the presence of these two mistletoe species around Christchurch
and Lyttelton Harbour, to identify places on City Council reserves where the mistletoes could be
usefully reintroduced. We will draw on an MSc study done in Biological Sciences in 2001 by
Manfred von Tippleskirsch, who aimed to test whether physical factors limited the range of
Ileostylis by sowing its seed into a series of locations, some where the mistletoe did already occur
and some where it did not. Now, 15 years later, we can examine those experimental sites to
determine whether the added seed overcame dispersal barriers and have established new local
populations of the mistletoe.
The project will be carried out with the support of the Friends of the Christchurch Botanic Gardens
(the Christchurch Botanic Garden is potential reintroduction site) and with City Council parks staff.
Council staff carry out many ecological restoration plantings in regional parks on the coast and
Banks Peninsula. They want to increase the range of indigenous plants being used by including
uncommon and charismatic species, such as the mistletoes and other uncommon species. They want
to plant these in a newly-enriched city parks network including sports parks, neighbourhood parks
and the Botanic Gardens where members of the public will daily be able to see and appreciate them.
Increasing plant diversity should also attract more native birds and insects, further adding to public
appreciation of the value of conservation.
If the project involves work away from the University campus (e.g., at fieldwork sites) please detail all locations.
Christchurch City parks and reserves, and roadside sites, in urban Christchurch and around Lyttelton
Harbour
If the student be required to work outside of normal university hours (8am-5pm) please provide details
No work outside normal working hours anticipated
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 student will gain experience with experimental design and carrying out research. They will work as part
of a research team, assisting with the planning the experiments, carrying out measurements and analysing
data with staff from UC and the City Council to conserve indigenous biodiversity. They will also develop
their presentation skills in giving a talk to the Friends of the Botanic Gardens.
Previous summers’ projects have been successfully written up for publication in peer reviewed journals. We
plan to do the same again, giving the student experience with the publication process.
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.
Unrestricted drivers’ licence. Able to work independently in field safely. Has, or able to develop, good plant
identification skills.
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