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Professor Phil Seddon

Phil Seddon 2020 imageEmail philip.seddon@otago.ac.nz
Tel +64 3 479 7029

Teaching


Research Interests

Assoc. Prof. Phil Seddon with a Fox on his head

  • Restoration of threatened species
  • Ecology of mammalian pest species
  • Seabird, specifically penguin, ecology
  • Assessment of the impacts of nature-based tourism
  • Reintroduction Biology, including Assisted Colonisation and other Conservation Introductions
  • De-extinction: implications for conservation

Projects

  • Strategic planning for wildlife reintroductions in collaboration with the IUCN Conservation Translocation Specialist Group. See here for a Policy Statement on Assisted Colonization
  • De-extinction: the pros and cons of creating versions (functional proxies) of extinct species for conservation benefit; download the IUCN Guiding Principles on De-extinction
  • Application of remote sensing, GIS and GPS technology to quantify spatial ecology at all scales
  • Spatial ecology of mammalian pests in NZ alpine regions, as part of the Te Manuhuna Aoaraki Project, in collaboration with Yolanda van Heezik
  • Conservation Management of native species (current/recent collaborative and student projects include work on takahe, with Glen Greaves and Andrew Digby (DOC), black stilt (kaki), with Richard Maloney and Simone Clelland (DOC), yellow-eyed penguins, Fiordland penguins (tawaki) with Thomas Mattern (NZ Penguin Initiative), and Adelie penguins, with Matt Scofield (Maths & Stats) and Dean Anderson (Manaaki Whenua)
  • Assessment, mitigation and management of human/tourism influences on seabirds.

Other Roles

Current and Recent Postgraduate Students

Black-fronted Tern, threatened by introduced predators

  • Jamie McAulay (MSc): Diet of stoats in the New Zealand alpine zone
  • Melanie Young (PhD): Foraging ecology of Yellow-eyed Penguins
  • James Hunter (PhD): Modeling post-release performance of reintroduced Takahe
  • Rachel Hickcox (PhD): Macro-ecology of yellow-eyed penguins
  • Saif Khan (PhD): Remote sensing applications in braided rivers
  • Nick Foster (PhD): Altitudinal distribution of mammalian pest species
  • Taylor Hamlin (PhD): Spatial ecology of Adelie penguins
  • Asher Soryl (PhD): Animal welfare biology
  • Charlotte Patterson (MSc): Predicting reinvasion pathways for urban possums
  • Scott Forrest (MSc): Spatial ecology of urban kaka
  • Myrene Otis (MSc): Foraging ecology of tawaki/Fiordland penguins
  • Thor Elley (MSc): Foraging ecology of yellow-eyed penguins on Rakiura
  • Peter Doyle (MSc): Spatial ecology of Norway rats
  • Hayley Lister (MSc): Resource selection by Norway rats in dryland ecosystems
  • Abby Clarke (MSc): Efficacy of probiotics for yellow-eyed penguins
  • Lena McNaughton (MSc): Invertebrate diversity across and urban gradient

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Publications

van Heezik, Y., Barratt, B. I. P., Burns, B. R., Clarkson, B. D., Cutting, B. T., Ewans, R., Freeman, C., … Seddon, P. J. (2023). A rapid assessment technique for evaluating biodiversity to support accreditation of residential properties. Landscape & Urban Planning, 232, 104682. doi: 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2023.104682

Bourke, S. D., Brown, L., Seddon, P. J., & van Heezik, Y. (2023). Determinants of hatching and recruitment success for captively reared kakī (Himantopus novaezelandiae). New Zealand Journal of Ecology, 47(1), 3508. doi: 10.20417/nzjecol.47.3508

Hickcox, R. P., Mattern, T., Rodríguez-Recio, M., Young, M. J., van Heezik, Y., & Seddon, P. J. (2022). Staying close to home: Marine habitat selection by foraging yellow-eyed penguins using spatial distribution models. Frontiers in Marine Science, 9, 967741. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2022.967741

Young, M. J., Seddon, P. J., Pütz, K., Agnew, P., Mattern, T., Hickcox, R. P., Robertson, B. C., & van Heezik, Y. (2022). Conservation implications for post-fledging dispersal of yellow-eyed penguins/hoiho. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 695, 173-188. doi: 10.3354/meps14124

Foster, N. J., Maloney, R. F., Seddon, P. J., Rodriguez Recio, M., & van Heezik, Y. (2022). High-elevation landforms limit the movement of invasive small mammal species. Landscape Ecology. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1007/s10980-022-01496-8

Armstrong, D. P., Hayward, M. W., Moro, D., & Seddon, P. J. (Eds.). (2015). Advances in reintroduction biology of Australian and New Zealand fauna. Clayton, Australia: CSIRO, 320p.

Edited Book - Research

Ewen, J. G., Armstrong, D. P., Parker, K. A., & Seddon, P. J. (Eds.). (2012). Reintroduction biology: Integrating science and management. Chichester, UK: Wiley-Blackwell, 499p. doi: 10.1002/9781444355833

Edited Book - Research

Soorae, P., & Seddon, P. J. (Eds.). (2000). Re-introduction news: Special bird issue. No 19. IUCN/SSC Re-introduction Specialist Group, 55p.

Edited Book - Research

Soorae, P. S., & Seddon, P. J. (Eds.). (1998). International directory of re-introduction projects. Kenya: IUCN/SSC Re-introduction Specialist Group & NCWCD, 97p.

Edited Book - Research

Armstrong, D. P., Seddon, P. J., & Moehrenschlager, A. (2018). Reintroduction. In B. Fath (Ed.), Reference module in earth systems and environmental sciences. Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-409548-9.10589-5

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., & Armstrong, D. P. (2016). Reintroduction and other conservation translocations: History and future developments. In D. S. Jachowski, J. J. Millspaugh, P. L. Angermeier & R. H. Slotow (Eds.), Reintroduction of fish and wildlife populations. (pp. 7-28). Oakland, CA: University of California Press.

Chapter in Book - Research

Armstrong, D. P., Moro, D., Hayward, M. W., & Seddon, P. J. (2015). Introduction: The development of reintroduction biology in New Zealand and Australia. In D. P. Armstrong, M. W. Hayward, D. Moro & P. J. Seddon (Eds.), Advances in reintroduction biology of Australian and New Zealand fauna. (pp. 1-6). Clayton, Australia: CSIRO.

Chapter in Book - Research

Moro, D., Hayward, M. W., Seddon, P. J., & Armstrong, D. P. (2015). Reintroduction biology of Australian and New Zealand fauna: Progress, emerging themes and future directions. In D. P. Armstrong, M. W. Hayward, D. Moro & P. J. Seddon (Eds.), Advances in reintroduction biology of Australian and New Zealand fauna. (pp. 285-290). Clayton, Australia: CSIRO.

Chapter in Book - Research

Seddon, P. J., Moro, D., Mitchell, N. J., Chauvenet, A. L. M., & Mawson, P. R. (2015). Proactive conservation or planned invasion? Past, current and future use of assisted colonisation. In D. P. Armstrong, M. W. Hayward, D. Moro & P. J. Seddon (Eds.), Advances in reintroduction biology of Australian and New Zealand fauna. (pp. 105-126). Clayton, Australia: CSIRO.

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

Osborne, P. E., & Seddon, P. J. (2012). Selecting suitable habitats for reintroductions: Variation, change and the role of species distribution modelling. In J. G. Ewen, D. P. Armstrong, K. A. Parker & P. J. Seddon (Eds.), Reintroduction biology: Integrating science and management. (pp. 73-104). Chichester, UK: Wiley-Blackwell. doi: 10.1002/9781444355833.ch3

Chapter in Book - Research

Seddon, P. J., Strauss, W. M., & Innes, J. (2012). Animal translocations: What are they and why do we do them? In J. G. Ewen, D. P. Armstrong, K. A. Parker & P. J. Seddon (Eds.), Reintroduction biology: Integrating science and management. (pp. 1-32). Chichester, UK: Wiley-Blackwell. doi: 10.1002/9781444355833.ch1

Chapter in Book - Research

Ellenberg, U., & Seddon, P. J. (2010). Effective management decision-making depends on rigorous research. In A. Krause & E. Weir (Eds.), Ecotourism: Management, development and impact. (pp. 257-260). New York: Nova Science.

Chapter in Book - Research

Seddon, P. J., & Ellenberg, U. (2008). Effects of human disturbance on penguins: The need for site- and species-specific visitor management guidelines. In J. Higham & M. Lück (Eds.), Marine wildlife and tourism management: Insights from the natural and social sciences. (pp. 163-181). Wallingford, UK: CABI.

Chapter in Book - Research

Seddon, P. J., & Launay, F. (2008). Arab falconry: Changes, challenges and conservation opportunities of an ancient art. In B. Lovelock (Ed.), Tourism and the consumption of wildlife: Hunting, shooting and sport fishing. (pp. 196-210). Abingdon, UK: Routledge.

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

Fisher, M., Ghazanfar, S. A., Chaudhary, S. A., Seddon, P. J., Robertson, E. F., Omar, S., … Boer, B. (1998). Diversity and Conservation. In S. A. Ghazanfar & M. Fisher (Eds.), Vegetation of Arabia. (pp. Ch. 12). The Netherlands: Kluwer Academic.

Chapter in Book - Research

Ewen, J. G., Armstrong, D. P., Parker, K. A., & Seddon, P. J. (2012). Preface. In J. G. Ewen, D. P. Armstrong, K. A. Parker & P. J. Seddon (Eds.), Reintroduction biology: Integrating science and management. (pp. xxiii-xxv). Chichester, UK: Wiley-Blackwell. doi: 10.1002/9781444355833.fmatter

Chapter in Book - Other

Seddon, P. J., Armstrong, D. P., Parker, K. A., & Ewen, J. G. (2012). Summary. In J. G. Ewen, D. P. Armstrong, K. A. Parker & P. J. Seddon (Eds.), Reintroduction biology: Integrating science and management. (pp. 476-481). Chichester, UK: Wiley-Blackwell. doi: 10.1002/9781444355833.ch14

Chapter in Book - Other

Bourke, S. D., Brown, L., Seddon, P. J., & van Heezik, Y. (2023). Determinants of hatching and recruitment success for captively reared kakī (Himantopus novaezelandiae). New Zealand Journal of Ecology, 47(1), 3508. doi: 10.20417/nzjecol.47.3508

Journal - Research Article

van Heezik, Y., Barratt, B. I. P., Burns, B. R., Clarkson, B. D., Cutting, B. T., Ewans, R., Freeman, C., … Seddon, P. J. (2023). A rapid assessment technique for evaluating biodiversity to support accreditation of residential properties. Landscape & Urban Planning, 232, 104682. doi: 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2023.104682

Journal - Research Article

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

Journal - Research Article

Forrest, S. W., Recio, M. R., & Seddon, P. J. (2022). Moving wildlife tracking forward under forested conditions with the SWIFT GPS algorithm [Methodology]. Animal Biotelemetry, 10, 19. doi: 10.1186/s40317-022-00289-9

Journal - Research Article

Foster, N. J., Maloney, R. F., Seddon, P. J., Rodriguez Recio, M., & van Heezik, Y. (2022). High-elevation landforms limit the movement of invasive small mammal species. Landscape Ecology. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1007/s10980-022-01496-8

Journal - Research Article

Green, C.-P., Ratcliffe, N., Mattern, T., Thompson, D., Lea, M.-A., Wotherspoon, S., … Ellenberg, U., … Seddon, P. J., … Hindell, M. A. (2022). The role of allochrony in influencing interspecific differences in foraging distribution during the non-breeding season between two congeneric crested penguin species. PLoS ONE, 17(2), e0262901. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262901

Journal - Research Article

Hickcox, R. P., Mattern, T., Rodríguez-Recio, M., Young, M. J., van Heezik, Y., & Seddon, P. J. (2022). Staying close to home: Marine habitat selection by foraging yellow-eyed penguins using spatial distribution models. Frontiers in Marine Science, 9, 967741. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2022.967741

Journal - Research Article

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

Journal - Research Article

Young, M. J., Seddon, P. J., Pütz, K., Agnew, P., Mattern, T., Hickcox, R. P., Robertson, B. C., & van Heezik, Y. (2022). Conservation implications for post-fledging dispersal of yellow-eyed penguins/hoiho. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 695, 173-188. doi: 10.3354/meps14124

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, 3, e452. doi: 10.1111/csp2.452

Journal - Research Article

Böhm, C., Bowden, C. G. R., Seddon, P. J., Hatipoğlu, T., Oubro, W., Bekkay, M. E., … Unsöld, M. (2021). The northern bald ibis Geronticus eremita: History, current status and future perspectives. Oryx, 55(6), 934-946. doi: 10.1017/S0030605320000198

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

Hunter-Ayad, J., Jarvie, S., Greaves, G., Digby, A., Ohlemüller, R., Recio, M. R., & Seddon, P. J. (2021). Novel conditions in conservation translocations: A conservative-extrapolative strategic framework. Frontiers in Conservation Science, 2, 691714. doi: 10.3389/fcosc.2021.691714

Journal - Research Article

Jarvie, S., Worthy, T. H., Saltré, F., Scofield, R. P., Seddon, P. J., & Cree, A. (2021). Using Holocene fossils to model the future: Distribution of climate suitability for tuatara, the last rhynchocephalian. Journal of Biogeography, 48, 1489-1502. doi: 10.1111/jbi.14092

Journal - Research Article

Khan, M. S. I., Ohlemüller, R., Maloney, R. F., & Seddon, P. J. (2021). Monitoring dynamic braided river habitats: Applicability and efficacy of aerial photogrammetry from manned aircraft versus unmanned aerial systems. Drones, 5(2), 39. doi: 10.3390/drones5020039

Journal - Research Article

McAulay, J., Monks, J. M., Wilson, D. J., & Seddon, P. J. (2021). Individual specialists within a generalist niche: Variable diet of stoats and implications for conservation. New Zealand Journal of Ecology, 45(2), 3443. doi: 10.20420/nzjecol.45.29

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

Soryl, A. A., Moore, A. J., Seddon, P. J., & King, M. R. (2021). The case for welfare biology. Journal of Agricultural & Environmental Ethics, 34(2), 7. doi: 10.1007/s10806-021-09855-2

Journal - Research Article

White, J., Mattern, T., Ellenberg, U., Garcia-Borboroglu, P., Houston, D. M., Seddon, P. J., & Mays, H. L. (2021). Field sexing techniques for Fiordland crested penguins (tawaki; Eudyptes pachyrhynchus). Notornis, 68(3), 188-193. Retrieved from http://notornis.osnz.org.nz/node/4558

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

McAulay, J., Seddon, P. J., Wilson, D. J., & Monks, J. M. (2020). Stable isotope analysis reveals variable diets of stoats (Mustela erminea) in the alpine zone of New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Ecology, 44(2), 3409. doi: 10.20417/nzjecol.44.16

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

Boersma, P. D., García Borboroglu, P., Gownaris, N. J., Bost, C. A., Chiaradia, A., Ellis, S., … Seddon, P. J., … Weinecke, B. (2019). Applying science to pressing conservation needs for penguins. Conservation Biology, 34(1), 103-112. doi: 10.1111/cobi.13378

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

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

Ropert-Coudert, Y., Chiaradia, A., Ainley, D., Barbosa, A., Boersma, P. D., Brasso, R., … Hickcox, R., … Seddon, P. J., … Thrathan, P. N. (2019). Happy feet in a hostile world? The future of penguins depends on proactive management of current and expected threats. Frontiers in Marine Science, 6, 248. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2019.00248

Journal - Research Article

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