Zachary Arnold
- PhD Student, Lab of Animal Ecology, Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, University of Western Sydney
- Topic: The ecology and conservation of the Christmas Island Thrush, Turdus erythropleurus
- Research umbrella: Ecology and conservation of Christmas Island fauna
- Supervisors: Prof Justin Welbergen (HIE), Dr Anastasia Dalziell (HIE), Victoria (Flossy) Sperring (HIE), Dr Nicholas Macgregor (Parks Australia).
- Contact: Zachary Arnold
Bio
I am an ecologist with a broad background in avian conservation, field-based research, and education. My interests lie in understanding the ecological roles and vulnerabilities of wildlife, particularly in the face of introduced species and shifting habitat dynamics.
I completed a Bachelor of Science in Biology and one in Ecology at the University of Georgia (UGA) in 2020, before continuing onto my Master of Science in Conservation Ecology and Sustainable Development. During my time at UGA, I conducted a continent-wide analysis of bird diversity at landfills and worked alongside a diverse group of stakeholders to produce a list of recommendations on the creation of bird-friendly grasslands on landfill properties.
Before starting my PhD, I spent time banding birds in Belize, teaching ecology at both the university and high school levels, and guiding wildlife photographers. I also spent a season conducting research on the impacts of wildlife viewing on brown bears and strengthened my science communication skills working on a wildlife documentary in the Amazon.
I completed a Bachelor of Science in Biology and one in Ecology at the University of Georgia (UGA) in 2020, before continuing onto my Master of Science in Conservation Ecology and Sustainable Development. During my time at UGA, I conducted a continent-wide analysis of bird diversity at landfills and worked alongside a diverse group of stakeholders to produce a list of recommendations on the creation of bird-friendly grasslands on landfill properties.
Before starting my PhD, I spent time banding birds in Belize, teaching ecology at both the university and high school levels, and guiding wildlife photographers. I also spent a season conducting research on the impacts of wildlife viewing on brown bears and strengthened my science communication skills working on a wildlife documentary in the Amazon.
Research
My PhD research focuses on the ecology and conservation of the Christmas Island Thrush (Turdus erythropleurus), a newly split species endemic to Christmas Island. This project will provide foundational ecological knowledge of the species. My goal is to generate data that directly supports evidence-based management and long-term conservation of this imperiled island endemic.
This project addresses critical knowledge gaps by investigating five key areas:
This project addresses critical knowledge gaps by investigating five key areas:
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By delivering detailed ecological data on a little-studied species and directly addressing active conservation concerns, this research will inform management plans and contribute more broadly to the conservation of island biodiversity in the region.
Publications
- Arnold ZJ, Wenger SJ, Hall RJ (2021) Not just trash birds: Quantifying avian diversity at landfills using community science data. PLoS ONE 16(9): e0255391. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0255391