Professor Yolanda van Heezik, Our People, Department of Zoology, University of Otago, New Zealand

Email yolanda.vanheezik@otago.ac.nz

Phone +64 3 479 4107

staff-photo-of-Yolanda

Teaching
Research Interests
Current Projects
Current/Recent Postgraduate Students
Publications

Teaching

Research Interests

Urban biodiversity
Impacts of cats and other predators on urban wildlife
Viability/distributions of urban wildlife populations
Human dimensions of urban biodiversity
Breeding ecology of seabirds

Current Projects

Households amongst biodiversity

Children's connection with nature in urban areas
Vegetative and invertebrate diversity in private gardens
Householder knowledge and attitudes towards biodiversity in their own gardens
Hunting behaviour of domestic cats
Resource use by native and exotic birds in urban forest fragments
Fine-scale classification of biodiversity values of urban spaces
Movements and habitat use of urban possums using GPS technology
Tourism impacts on little penguins
Life-time reproductive success in yellow-eyed penguins
Diet of little penguins using stable isotopes
Resource selection by Peripatus across the urban landscape

Current and Recent Postgraduate Students

Avian community in suburbia

Emily Gray, "Seasonal resource use by native and exotic birds in mixed native/exotic urban forest fragments"
Cayley Coughlin, "Instrumentation effects and the use of tri-axial accelerometers to detect hunting behaviour in domestic cats".
Kate Hand, "Children's independent use of space in their neighbourhoods: do children access bio-diverse areas in proportion to their availability?"
Sara Larcombe, "Impacts of visitor disturbance on breeding little penguin".
Sam Haultain, "Maximising the conservation potential of the captive Otago skink (Oligosoma otagense) population".
Amy Adams, "Spatial ecology and genetic population structure of the common brushtail possum within a NZ urban environment"
Ed Waite, "Specimen trees as ecological keystone structures in the urban landscape".
Dan Barrett, "Multiple-scale resource selection of an undescribed urban invertebrate (Onychophora: Peripatopsidae) in Dunedin, New Zealand".
Aviva Stein, "Lifetime reproductive success in yellow-eyed penguins: influence of life-history parameters and investigator disturbance"
Scott Flemming, "Little penguin diet composition at three colonies: can stable isotope analysis be used to detect dietary trends?"
Kat Manno, "Physical environmental influences on breeding performance of the fairy prion"..
Mel Young, "Marine-based stochasticity and the impact upon Yellow-eyed penguins on mainland New Zealand; does it drive annual regional productivity?"

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Publications

Samus, A., Freeman, C., Van Heezik, Y., Krumme, K., & Dickinson, K. J. M. (2022). How do urban green spaces increase well-being? The role of perceived wildness and nature connectedness. Journal of Environmental Psychology. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvp.2022.101850

Erastova, D. A., Galbraith, J. A., Cain, K. E., van Heezik, Y., Hume, E. A., & Stanley, M. C. (2022). Effects of urban sugar water feeding on bird body condition and avian diseases. Avian Biology Research. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1177/17581559221110107

Elley, T., Mattern, T., Ellenberg, U., Young, M. J., Hickcox, R. P., van Heezik, Y., & Seddon, P. J. (2022). Consistent site-specific foraging behaviours of yellow-eyed penguins/hoiho breeding on Stewart Island, New Zealand. Biology, 11, 844. doi: 10.3390/biology11060844

Samus, A., Freeman, C., Dickinson, K. J. M., & van Heezik, Y. (2022). Relationships between nature connectedness, biodiversity of private gardens, and mental well-being during the Covid-19 lockdown. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 127519. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.ufug.2022.127519

Thacker, T., Seddon, P. J., van Heezik, Y., & McCormack, G. (2022). A myna problem: Alien species no obstacle to recovery for the Mangaia kingfisher. Oryx, 56(1), 44-49. doi: 10.1017/S0030605320000071

Freeman, C., & van Heezik, Y. (2018). Children, nature and cities: Rethinking the connections. Abingdon, UK: Routledge, 318p.

Authored Book - Research

Freeman, C., & van Heezik, Y. (2018). Nature in children's environments: A mixed methods study. In M. Tolich & C. Davidson (Eds.), Social science research in New Zealand: An introduction. (pp. 339-352). Auckland, New Zealand: Auckland University Press.

Chapter in Book - Research

van Heezik, Y., & Seddon, P. J. (2017). Counting birds in urban areas: A review of methods for the estimation of abundance. In E. Murgui & M. Hedblom (Eds.), Ecology and conservation of birds in urban environments. (pp. 185-207). Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-43314-1_10

Chapter in Book - Research

Seddon, P. J., & van Heezik, Y. (2013). Reintroductions to “ratchet up” public perceptions of biodiversity: Reversing the extinction of experience through animal restorations. In M. Bekoff (Ed.), Ignoring nature no more: The case for compassionate conservation. (pp. 137-151). University of Chicago Press.

Chapter in Book - Research

Seddon, P. J., Ellenberg, U., & van Heezik, Y. (2013). Yellow-eyed penguin (Megadyptes antipodes). In P. Garcia Borboroglu & P. D. Boersma (Eds.), Penguins: Natural history and conservation. (pp. 91-110). Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press.

Chapter in Book - Research

Seddon, P. J., Judas, J., Maloney, R. F., Combreau, O., & van Heezik, Y. (2000). The re-introduction of houbara bustards in the Kingsom of Saudi Arabia. In P. Soorae & P. J. Seddon (Eds.), Re-introduction news: Special bird issue. No 19. (pp. 22-24). IUCN/SSC Re-introduction Specialist Group.

Chapter in Book - Research

Seddon, P. J., & van Heezik, Y. (1999). Counting Houbara bustards in northern Saudi Arabia: An assessment of methods. In Counting Houbara bustards. (pp. 18-24). Abu Dhabi: IUCN/SSC/Birdlife Working Group on the Houbara Bustard.

Chapter in Book - Research

Journal - Research Article

Alden, B., van Heezik, Y., Seddon, P. J., Reid, J., & Young, M. J. (2021). Fat chance? Endangered penguin rehabilitation has mixed conservation outcomes. Conservation Science & Practice. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/csp2.452

Journal - Research Article

Erastova, D., Galbraith, J. A., Cain, K. E., van Heezik, Y., Filion, A., & Stanley, M. C. (2021). Sugar water feeding practices are associated with bird species composition in urban backyards. Journal of Urban Ecology, 7(1). doi: 10.1093/jue/juab018

Journal - Research Article

Falloon, A., Freeman, C., & van Heezik, Y. (2021). Awareness, attitudes and the environmental engagement of young adults in New Zealand. New Zealand Geographer, 77, 230-241. doi: 10.1111/nzg.12309

Journal - Research Article

Foster, N. J., Maloney, R. F., Recio, M. R., Seddon, P. J., & van Heezik, Y. (2021). European hedgehogs rear young and enter hibernation in New Zealand's alpine zones. New Zealand Journal of Ecology, 3448. Advance online publication. doi: 10.20417/nzjecol.45.52

Journal - Research Article

Foster, N. J., Maloney, R. F., Seddon, P. J., Recio, M. R., Khan, M. S. I., & van Heezik, Y. (2021). Altitudinal distribution of the entire invasive small mammal guild in the eastern dryland zone of New Zealand's Southern Alps. Biological Invasions, 23, 1837-1857. doi: 10.1007/s10530-021-02474-y

Journal - Research Article

Freeman, C., Buttery, Y., & van Heezik, Y. (2021). Complexity and flexibility: Interviews with three-generation families in their homes. Qualitative Research, 21(4), 531-549. doi: 10.1177/1468794120936125

Journal - Research Article

Freeman, C., Buttery, Y., & van Heezik, Y. (2021). Nature exposure and use of open spaces in three generation families: Implications for planning. Journal of Environmental Planning & Management. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/09640568.2021.1891870

Journal - Research Article

Freeman, C., Buttery, Y., Waters, D. L., & Van Heezik, Y. (2021). Older adults’ domestic green environments: The preference for flowers. Landscape Research. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/01426397.2021.1921132

Journal - Research Article

Patterson, C. R., Seddon, P. J., Wilson, D. J., & van Heezik, Y. (2021). Habitat-specific densities of urban brushtail possums. New Zealand Journal of Ecology, 45(2), 3450. doi: 10.20418/nzjecol.45.27

Journal - Research Article

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 & Urban Planning, 213, 104135. doi: 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2021.104135

Journal - Research Article

Aichele, A., Seddon, P., & van Heezik, Y. (2020). Intake of sugar water by kākā in Orokonui Eco-sanctuary. New Zealand Journal of Ecology, 45(1), 3431. doi: 10.20417/nzjecol.45.52

Journal - Research Article

Bell, G., Young, M. J., Seddon, P. J., & van Heezik, Y. (2020). Effects of unregulated visitor access on chick fledging mass and survival in yellow-eyed penguins. Wildlife Research, 47, 468-475. doi: 10.1071/WR19245

Journal - Research Article

van Heezik, Y., Freeman, C., Buttery, Y., & Waters, D. L. (2020). Factors affecting the extent and quality of nature engagement of older adults living in a range of home types. Environment & Behavior, 52(8), 799-829. doi: 10.1177/0013916518821148

Journal - Research Article

van Heezik, Y., Freeman, C., Davidson, K., & Lewis, B. (2020). Uptake and engagement of activities to promote native species in private gardens. Environmental Management, 66, 42-55. doi: 10.1007/s00267-020-01294-5

Journal - Research Article

van Heezik, Y., Ray, S. M., Jamieson, I. G., Allen, O., & Schadewinkel, R. (2020). Impacts of aerial 1080 predator control on nest success and adult survival of South Island robins. New Zealand Journal of Ecology, 44(2), 3407. doi: 10.20417/nzjecol.44.14

Journal - Research Article

Young, M. J., Dutoit, L., Robertson, F., van Heezik, Y., Seddon, P. J., & Robertson, B. C. (2020). Species in the faeces: DNA metabarcoding as a method to determine the diet of the endangered yellow-eyed penguin. Wildlife Research, 47(6), 509-522. doi: 10.1071/wr19246

Journal - Research Article

Bryan, S. A., Vink, C. J., Barratt, B. I. P., Seddon, P. J., & van Heezik, Y. (2019). Investigation of two new putative pheromone components of the invasive Australian redback spider, Latrodectus hasseltii, with potential applications for control. New Zealand Journal of Zoology, 46(3), 189-200. doi: 10.1080/03014223.2018.1536067

Journal - Research Article

Freeman, C., Waters, D. L., Buttery, Y., & van Heezik, Y. (2019). The impacts of ageing on connection to nature: The varied responses of older adults. Health & Place, 56, 24-33. doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2019.01.010

Journal - Research Article

Linklater, W. L., Farnworth, M. J., van Heezik, Y., Stafford, K. J., & MacDonald, E. A. (2019). Prioritizing cat-owner behaviors for a campaign to reduce wildlife depredation. Conservation Science & Practice, 1(5), e29. doi: 10.1111/csp2.29

Journal - Research Article

Muralidhar, A., Moore, F. L., Easton, L. J., Jamieson, I. G., Seddon, P. J., & van Heezik, Y. (2019). Know your enemy? Conservation management causes loss of antipredator behaviour to novel predators in New Zealand robins. Animal Behaviour, 149, 135-142. doi: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2019.01.014

Journal - Research Article

Shanahan, D. F., Astell-Burt, T., Barber, E. A., Brymer, E., Cox, D. T. C., Dean, J., … van Heezik, Y., … Gaston, K. J. (2019). Nature–based interventions for improving health and wellbeing: The purpose, the people and the outcomes. Sports, 7(6), 141. doi: 10.3390/sports7060141

Journal - Research Article

Woolley, C. K., Hartley, S., Hitchmough, R. A., Innes, J. G., van Heezik, Y., Wilson, D. J., & Nelson, N. J. (2019). Reviewing the past, present and potential lizard faunas of New Zealand cities. Landscape & Urban Planning, 192, 103647. doi: 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2019.103647

Journal - Research Article

Freeman, C., Stein, A., Hand, K., & van Heezik, Y. (2018). City children’s nature knowledge and contact: It is not just about biodiversity provision. Environment & Behavior, 50(10), 1145-1171. doi: 10.1177/0013916517732108

Journal - Research Article

Freeman, C., van Heezik, Y., Dickinson, K., Buttery, Y., Barratt, B., & Waters, D. (2018). Cities: Open space planning for the benefit of both people and native species: Understanding urban biodiversity and highlighting their relevance for planning and planners. Planning Quarterly, 211, 10-17.

Journal - Research Article

Hand, K. L., Freeman, C., Seddon, P. J., Recio, M. R., Stein, A., & van Heezik, Y. (2018). Restricted home ranges reduce children’s opportunities to connect to nature: Demographic, environmental and parental influences. Landscape & Urban Planning, 172, 69-77. doi: 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2017.12.004

Journal - Research Article

Mattern, T., McPherson, M. D., Ellenberg, U., van Heezik, Y., & Seddon, P. J. (2018). High definition video loggers provide new insights into behaviour, physiology, and the oceanic habitat of a marine predator, the yellow-eyed penguin. PeerJ, 6, e5459. doi: 10.7717/peerj.5459

Journal - Research Article

Hand, K. L., Freeman, C., Seddon, P. J., Recio, M. R., Stein, A., & van Heezik, Y. (2017). The importance of urban gardens in supporting children's biophilia. PNAS, 114(2), 274-279. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1609588114

Journal - Research Article

Mattern, T., Meyer, S., Ellenberg, U., Houston, D. M., Darby, J. T., Young, M., van Heezik, Y., & Seddon, P. J. (2017). Quantifying climate change impacts emphasises the importance of managing regional threats in the endangered Yellow-eyed penguin. PeerJ, 5, e3727. doi: 10.7717/peerj.3272

Journal - Research Article

Spencer, J., van Heezik, Y., Seddon, P. J., & Barratt, B. I. P. (2017). Synergy between two invasive species, redback spiders and rabbits, threaten the endangered Cromwell chafer beetle. Biological Invasions, 19(5), 1379-1387. doi: 10.1007/s10530-016-1352-6

Journal - Research Article

Stein, A. M., Young, M. J., Darby, J. T., Seddon, P. J., & van Heezik, Y. (2017). Evidence for high inter-generational individual quality in yellow-eyed penguins. PeerJ, 5, e2935. doi: 10.7717/peerj.2935

Journal - Research Article

Stein, A., Young, M. J., Seddon, P. J., Darby, J. T., & van Heezik, Y. (2017). Investigator disturbance does not reduce annual breeding success or lifetime reproductive success in a vulnerable long-lived species, the yellow-eyed penguin. Biological Conservation, 207, 80-89. doi: 10.1016/j.biocon.2017.01.013

Journal - Research Article

Taylor, H. R., Dussex, N., & van Heezik, Y. (2017). Bridging the conservation genetics gap by identifying barriers to implementation for conservation practitioners. Global Ecology & Conservation, 10, 231-242. doi: 10.1016/j.gecco.2017.04.001

Journal - Research Article

Barrett, D., Recio, M. R., Barratt, B. I. P., Seddon, P. J., & van Heezik, Y. (2016). Resource selection by an ancient taxon (Onychophora) in a modern urban landscape: A multi-scale analysis approach to assist in the conservation of an animal phylum. Landscape & Urban Planning, 148, 27-36. doi: 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2015.11.008

Journal - Research Article

Freeman, C., van Heezik, Y., Stein, A., & Hand, K. (2016). Technological inroads into understanding city children's natural life-worlds. Children's Geographies, 14(2), 158-174. doi: 10.1080/14733285.2015.1126552

Journal - Research Article

Goldsworthy, B., Young, M. J., Seddon, P. J., & van Heezik, Y. (2016). Stomach flushing does not affect apparent adult survival, chick hatching, or fledging success in yellow-eyed penguins (Megadyptes antipodes). Biological Conservation, 196, 115-123. doi: 10.1016/j.biocon.2016.02.009

Journal - Research Article

Gray, E. R., & van Heezik, Y. (2016). Exotic trees can sustain native birds in urban woodlands. Urban Ecosystems, 19(1), 315-329. doi: 10.1007/s11252-015-0493-1

Journal - Research Article

Hall, C. M., Adams, N. A., Bradley, J. S., Bryant, K. A., Davis, A. A., Dickman, C. R., … van Heezik, Y., … Calver, M. C. (2016). Community attitudes and practices of urban residents regarding predation by pet cats on wildlife: An international comparison. PLoS ONE, 11(4), e0151962. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0151962

Journal - Research Article

Hand, K. L., Freeman, C., Seddon, P. J., Stein, A., & van Heezik, Y. (2016). A novel method for fine-scale biodiversity assessment and prediction across diverse urban landscapes reveals social deprivation-related inequalities in private, not public spaces. Landscape & Urban Planning, 151, 33-44. doi: 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2016.03.002

Journal - Research Article

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