Phil’s research has used ecological science and indigenous and local knowledge to interpret changes in demographic trends and abundance of wildlife populations (e.g. terrestrial and marine birds). The key focus of his research has been on climatic and anthropogenic (e.g. harvest) drivers of population change, and the development of models to forecast population trends. He has expertise in interpreting ecosystem structure and function within scientific and indigenous worldviews, in particular the ways that different cultures ‘sense’ the environment.

Garth is a senior environmental scientist based in Palmerston North and has worked for Landcare Research since 1992. His career spans over 28 years in resource management, land resource assessment, national environmental databases, GIS applications, and indigenous research.