Publications
Browse publications from our international team of experts
Research Reports
Download from our Research Report series summarising results from our urban restoration research.
Urban Plantings
Urban Lizards
Urban Greenspace
Cross-Sector Partnerships
Urban Mammals
(Coming Soon)
Māori Values
Summary Booklet
Current Research Programme
Journal articles
A click on the title should take you to the abstract or article. If you are unable to obtain full access to any of the following articles, please send us an email to request a copy (peoplecitiesnature@gmail.com). In date order.
Brame JE, Liddicoat C, Abbott CA, Cando-Dumancela C, Fickling NW, Robinson JM, Breed MF. (2024) Urban sports fields support higher levels of soil butyrate and butyrate-producing bacteria than urban nature parks. Ecology and Evolution.
Brame JE, Liddicoat C, Abbott CA, Edwards RA, Robinson JM, Gauthier NE, Breed MF. (2024) The macroecology of butyrate-producing bacteria via metagenomic assessment of butyrate production capacity. Ecology and Evolution.
Fickling NW, Abbott CA, Brame JE, Cando-Dumancela C, Liddicoat C, Robinson JM, Breed MF. (2024) Light–dark cycles may influence in situ soil bacterial networks and diurnally-sensitive taxa. Ecology and Evolution.
Hodgson RJ, Liddicoat C, Cando-Dumancela C, Fickling NW, Peddle SD, Ramesh S, Breed MF. (2024) Increasing aridity strengthens the core bacterial rhizosphere associations in the pan-palaeotropical C4 grass, Themeda triandra. Applied Soil Biology.
Liddicoat C, Edwards RA, Roach M, Robinson JM, Wallace KJ, Barnes AD, Brame J, Heintz-Buschart A, Cavagnaro TR, Dinsdale EA, Doane MP, Eisenhauer N, Mitchell G, Rai B, Ramesh SA, Breed MF. (2024) Bioenergetic mapping of ‘healthy microbiomes’ via compound processing potential imprinted in gut and soil metagenomes. Science of the Total Environment.
Robinson JM, Annells A, Cando-Dumancela C, Breed MF. (2024) Sonic restoration: acoustic stimulation enhances plant growth-promoting fungi activity. Biology Letters.
Robinson JM, Annells A, Cavagnaro TR, Liddicoat C, Rogers H, Taylor A, Breed MF. (2024) Monitoring soil fauna with ecoacoustics. Proceedings of the Royal Society. B. Biological Sciences.
Robinson JM, Liddicoat C, Sun X, Ramesh S, Hawken S, Lee K, Brame J, Fickling NW, Kuhn E, Hayward C, Deshmukh S, Robinson K, Cando-Dumancela C, Breed MF. (2024) The climate change–pollution–aerobiome nexus: A ‘systems thinking’ mini-review. Microbial Technology.
Romera PJ, Wallace KJ, McCarthy JK, Rai B, Mitchell G, Eisenhauer N, Lusk CH, Barnes AD. (2024) Ecological succession shapes size–density scaling relationships of trees and soil invertebrates. Functional Ecology.
Varshney K, MacKinnon M, Zari MP, Shanahan D, Woolley C, Freeman C, Heezik YV. (2024) Biodiverse residential development: A review of New Zealand policies and strategies for urban biodiversity. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening.
Walker E, Jowett T, Whaanga H, Wehi PM. (2024) Cultural stewardship in urban spaces: Reviving Indigenous knowledge for the restoration of nature. People and Nature.
van Heezik, Y., Barratt, B. I. P., Burns, B. R., Clarkson, B. D., Cutting, B. T., Ewans, R., ... & Seddon, P. J. (2023). A rapid assessment technique for evaluating biodiversity to support accreditation of residential properties. Landscape and Urban Planning, 232, 104682.
Robinson JM, Hodgson R, Krauss SL, Liddicoat C, Malik AA, Martin BC, Mohr JJ, Moreno-Mateos D, Muñoz-Rojas M, Peddle SD, Breed MF. (2023) Opportunities and challenges for microbiomics in ecosystem restoration. Trends in Ecology and Evolution.
Robinson JM, Wissel EF, Breed MF. (2023) Policy implications of the microbiota–gut–brain axis. Trends in Microbiology.
Rogers HC, Clarkson BD. (2023) Epiphyte-host relationships of remnant and recombinant urban ecosystems in Hamilton, New Zealand: the importance of Dicksonia squarrosa (G.Forst.) Sw, whekī. New Zealand Journal of Botany.
Miller KF, Wilson DJ, Hartley S, Innes JG, Fitzgerald NB, Miller P, van Heezik Y. (2022) Invasive urban mammalian predators: Distribution and multi-scale habitat selection. Biology
Pedersen Zari M, Mackinnon M, Varshney K, Bakshi N. (2022) Regenerative living cities and the urban climate–biodiversity–wellbeing nexus. Nature Climate Change.
Rogers HC, Clarkson BD. (2022) Restoration strategies for three Dacrycarpus dacrydioides (A.Rich.) de Laub, Kahikatea remnants in Hamilton City, New Zealand.
Theses
Copestake S (2024) Observation of fantail (Rhipidura fuliginosa) nesting success in response to Predator Free Wellington. MSc, Victoria University of Wellington
Du Preez RK. (20xx) The Reconnected: Medium-density housing designed to conserve and regenerate native biodiversity in Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand. MArch, Auckland University of Technology.
Jenkins K. (2024) BiodiverCity: the integration of biodiversity with medium-density housing. MLArch, Victoria University of Wellington. https://doi.org/10.26686/wgtn.25941514
Keaney M (2024) Ecological Connectivity in the Densifying City - Strategies for Enhancement. MPlan, University of Otago.
Kessels E (2024) Detection techniques and habitat suitability for New Zealand lizards during urban development. MSc, Victoria University of Wellington.
McGee K. (20xx) Assessing the combined effects of predator control and habitat enhancement on endemic lizard persistence in a New Zealand urban landscape. MSc, Victoria University of Wellington.
Rammell S (2024) An integrated analysis of the utility of Citizen Science for understanding trends in species distribution and abundance: The Great Kererū Count as a case study. MSc, Victoria University of Wellington.
Romera [P]J (2024) How energetic constraints shape plant and soil invertebrate communities. MSc, University of Waikato.
Copeland S. (2023) Socio-Ecological ‘in-between’ spaces in medium density residential developments in Aotearoa. MPlan, University of Otago.
Kuparinen E. (2023) Biodiversity in suburbia: exploring strategies for retrofitting biodiversity in residential space across Aotearoa New Zealand. MPlan, University of Otago.
Brigham RE. (2023) Planning for a biophilic city: The case of the Wellington Region. MPlan, University of Otago.
Te Tana M. (2023) Housing vs Biodiversity: Can medium density housing help enhance Aotearoa New Zealand’s urban biodiversity? MPlan. University of Otago, Dunedin.
Rogers H. (2022) Prioritising ecological restoration sites and strategies in Hamilton City, New Zealand. MSc, University of Waikato.
Dean S. (2021) Evaluating mitigation translocations for better biodiversity outcomes. MSc, Victoria University of Wellington.
Technical Reports
Nepia RE (2022) Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park 2022 ground truthing. Environmental Research Institute Report ERI-167 for Hamilton City Council, University of Waikato, Hamilton.
Previous Research Programme
Journal articles
A click on the title should take you to the abstract or article. If you are unable to obtain full access to any of the following articles, please send us an email to request a copy (peoplecitiesnature@gmail.com). In date order.
Eliot Noe E, Stolte O. (2023) Dwelling in the city: A qualitative exploration of the human-nature relationship in three types of urban greenspace. Landscape and Urban Planning.
Woolley CK, Hartley S, Innes JG, Shanahan DF, van Heezik Y, Wilson DJ, Nelson NJ. (2023) Conservation of skinks in New Zealand cities. Urban Ecosystems.
Elliot Noe E, Innes J, Barnes AD, Joshi C, Clarkson BD. (2022) Habitat provision is a major driver of native bird communities in restored urban forests. Journal of Animal Ecology.
Miller KF, Wilson DJ, Hartley S, Innes JG, Fitzgerald NB, Miller P, van Heezik Y. (2022) Invasive Urban Mammalian Predators: Distribution and Multi-Scale Habitat Selection. Biology.
Orlando LF, DePinto AJ, Wallace KJ. (2022) Ecohealth Villages: A Framework for an Ecosystem Approach to Health in Human Settlements. Sustainability.
Wallace KJ, Clarkson BD, Farnworth B. (2022) Restoration trajectories and ecological thresholds during planted urban forest successional development. Forests.
Woolley CK, Knox C, Watson M. (2022) Evaluating the risk of predation for lizards constrained in live traps. New Zealand Journal of Zoology.
Bradbury K, Wallace KJ, Cross AT, Flies EJ, Witehira C, Keesing A, Dudley T, Breed MF, Howling G, Weinstein P, Aronson J. (2021) Four Islands EcoHealth Network: An Australasian initiative building synergies between the restoration of ecosystems and human health. Restoration Ecology.
Busbridge S, Clarkson BD, Wallace KJ. (2021) A tenuous link: information transfer between urban ecological research and restoration practice. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening.
Elliot Noe EE, Clarkson BD, Stolte OEE. (2021) The" desire to have it all": multiple priorities for urban gardens reduces space for native nature. Ecology and Society.
Falloon A, Freeman C, van Heezik Y. (2021) Awareness, attitudes and the environmental engagement of young adults in New Zealand. New Zealand Geographer.
Salmon RA, Rammell S, Emeny MT, Hartley S. (2021) Citizens, scientists, and enablers: A tripartite model for citizen science projects. Diversity.
van Heezik, Y, Freeman, C, Falloon, A, Buttery, Y, Heyzer A. (2021) Relationships between childhood experience of nature and green/blue space use, landscape preferences, connection with nature and pro-environmental behavior. Landscape and Urban Planning.
Woolley CK, Hartley S, Nelson NJ, Shanahan DF. (2021) Public willingness to engage in backyard conservation in New Zealand: Exploring motivations and barriers for participation. People and Nature.
Breed MF, Cross AT, Wallace K, Bradby K, Flies E, Goodwin N, Jones M, Orlando L, Skelly C, Weinstein P, Aronson J. (2020) Ecosystem Restoration: A Public Health Intervention. EcoHealth.
Wallace KJ. (2020) Could nature really be the best medicine? The Spinoff, June 30.
Freeman C, Buttery Y, van Heezik Y. (2020) Complexity and flexibility: Interviews with three-generation families in their homes. Qualitative Research.
van Heezik Y, Freeman C, Davidson K, Lewis B. (2020) Uptake and engagement of activities to promote native species in private gardens. Environmental Management.
Clarkson BD, Kirby CL, Wallace K. (2019) Ecological restoration in urban environments in New Zealand – UPDATE of EMR feature. Ecological Management & Restoration.
Walker ET, Wehi PM, Nelson NJ, Beggs JR, Whaanga H. (2019) Kaitiakitanga, place and the urban restoration agenda. New Zealand Journal of Ecology.
Wallace KJ, Clarkson BD. (2019) Urban forest restoration ecology: a review from Hamilton, New Zealand. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand.
Woolley CK, Hartley S, Hitchmough RA, Innes JG, van Heezik Y, Wilson DJ, Nelson NJ. (2019) Reviewing the past, present and potential lizard faunas of New Zealand cities. Landscape and Urban Planning.
Woolley CK, Hartley S. (2019) Activity of free-roaming domestic cats in an urban reserve and public perception of pet-related threats to wildlife in New Zealand. Urban Ecosystems.
Wallace KJ, Laughlin DC, Clarkson BD, Schipper LA. (2018) Forest canopy restoration has indirect effects on litter decomposition and no effect on denitrification. Ecosphere.
Wallace KJ, Laughlin DC, Clarkson BD. (2017) Exotic weeds and fluctuating microclimate can constrain native plant regeneration in urban forest restoration. Ecological Applications.
Clarkson BD, Kirby CL. (2016) Ecological restoration in urban environments in New Zealand. Ecological Management & Restoration.
Books
Freeman, C. & van Heezik, Y. 2018. Children, Nature and Cities: Rethinking the Connections. Routledge, 318 pages.
Policy Reports
Clarkson, B.D., Kirby, C.L. & Wallace, K.J. 2018. Restoration targets for biodiversity depleted environments in New Zealand. Report prepared for the Biodiversity Collaborative Group.
Theses
Busbridge S. (2020) Urban Forest Restoration Ecology: Factors influencing native tree regeneration and practitioner decision-making processes. MSc Thesis, University of Waikato, Hamilton.
Casasanto L. (2020) How cross-sector partnerships are scaled up for urban ecological impacts: Strategising biodiversity and tackling grand challenges to create synergies for the planet, people and profit. PhD thesis, University of Waikato, Hamilton.
Falloon A. (2020) Towards Greater Diversity in Biodiversity Conservation Action. MP thesis, University of Otago, Dunedin.
Florence-Bennet B. (2020) Assessing bird predation on New Zealand’s lizard fauna using lizard-mimicking replicas. MSc thesis, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington.
Hall M. (2020) Enrichment planting of late-successional plant species within restored urban forests. PhD thesis, University of Waikato, Hamilton.
Herbert S. (2020) Is habitat enhancement a viable strategy for conserving New Zealand's endemic lizards? PhD thesis, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington.
Miller K. (2020) ‘Bring me a shrubbery’: Assessing the habitat preference of mammalian predators in the urban green spaces of New Zealand cities. MSc thesis, University of Otago, Dunedin.
Mitchell G. (2022) The effects of urban forest restoration and environmental heterogeneity on microbial diversity and ecosystem functioning. MSc Thesis, University of Waikato, Hamilton.
Woolley C. (2020) Conservation of endemic lizards in New Zealand cities. PhD thesis, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington.
Anton V. (2019) Understanding distributions of invasive mammals in urban environments using remote cameras and citizen science. PhD thesis, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington.
Balls C. (2019) Understanding the distribution of introduced mammalian predators in an urban environment using monitoring tools and community trapping. MSc thesis, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington.
Davy M. (2019) Foraging on café sugar packets by the house sparrow (Passer domesticus): Learning mechanisms, distribution, and human perception. MSc thesis, University of Waikato, Hamilton.
de Silva K. (2019) Temporal Development and Regeneration Dynamics of Restored Urban Forests. PhD thesis, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington.
Lennon O. (2019) Mitigation translocation for conservation of New Zealand skinks. PhD thesis, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington.
Wallace KJ. (2017) Urban restoration ecology: Investigating environmental change, ecological function, and enrichment planting. PhD thesis, University of Waikato, Hamilton.
Technical Reports
Farnworth, B., K. J. Wallace, M. M. Hall, B. D. Clarkson. 2021 Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park 2021 Long-term Monitoring: Report on Ecological Restoration Progress. ERI Report 149. Client report prepared for Tui 2000 and the Hamilton City Council. Environmental Research Institute, School of Science, The University of Waikato, Hamilton. 54 pp.
Farnworth, B., K. J. Wallace, & T. Cornes. 2021. Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park Long-term Monitoring Report of Ecological Restoration Progress. ERI Report 141. Client report prepared for Tui 2000 and the Hamilton City Council. Environmental Research Institute, School of Science, The University of Waikato, Hamilton. 38 pp.
Elliot Noe E.., K. J. Wallace., T. Cornes and C. L. Kirby. 2020. A three-part report: Overview of the Kukutaaruhe Gully Restoration Initiative (36 pp.), Operational Forest Restoration Plan for Kukutaaruhe Gully (38 pp) and Ecological Restoration Plan Template. ERI Report 136. Client report prepared for the Kukutaaruhe Education Trust. Environmental Research Institute, School of Science, The University of Waikato, Hamilton.