Academic and Professional Background

• Background:

  BForSc; PhD

• Personal Resume:

  Dr Richard Duncan's research uses existing data, and observational and experimental studies in the field, coupled with statistical modelling, to address questions in two main areas:

  Invasion Ecology
  Focusing on weed invasions, this research aims to understand the processes by which some species are introduced, establish and become widespread invaders in new locations. This involves theoretical work on the processes of transport, establishment and spread, compilation and analysis of historical introduction data, and field surveys and experiments to understand the invasion process.

  Forest Ecology
  This research aims to understand the processes that structure forest systems with particular emphasis on:
  - the impacts of introduced pests, including deer and possums, on the structure and dynamics of tree populations
  - the role of natural disturbances, such as earthquakes
  - the impact of climate change on forest systems
  
  Other achievements:
  Editorial Board, New Zealand Journal of Ecology
  Member of the International Association of Vegetation Science and the New Zealand Ecological Society