UC experts mentoring for Biology scholarship students

On September 19, 2012 the GCSN video conference bridge hosted University of Canterbury postgraduate students Elizabeth Graham and Kim Roberts (Freshwater Ecology Research Group) giving a presentation about their research in freshwater ecology and ecosystem restoration to the biology scholarship mentoring group coordinated by Miriam Denney. Students from Cashmere High School and Marian College attended.

Elizabeth explained how nutrient pollution affects the interactions between stream organisms, while Kim discussed the reasoning behind various restoration and rehabilitation strategies and the importance of ecosystem connectedness for effective colonisation.

They pointed out to the students that their research also has practical applications: “by researching the effectiveness of restoration we can help District Councils and other managers know where and how to spend their money to have the greatest positive impact.”

Elizabeth and Kim supported these scholarship students in their exam preparation by covering the following topics:
- Human impacts on aquatic ecosystems
- Ecological distribution
- Food webs
- Aquatic Invertebrates
- Ecological niches
- Restoration techniques and limitations
- Colonisation 

Supporting presentation