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.
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:​
  • Breeding ecology: Provide new insights into the reproductive strategies, nesting success, and habitat preferences of the Christmas Island Thrush, helping to clarify key factors that influence the species’ population dynamics.
  • Foraging ecology:​ Shed light on the species’ diet, foraging behaviour, and ecological role within the island ecosystem.
  • Acoustic ecology: Improve our understanding of how the Christmas Island Thrush uses vocalisations in different ecological contexts, and how vocal behaviour may reflect breeding status, territoriality, disturbance, or local population density.
  • Threats from invasive species: Quantify the impacts of ants, rats, and cats on the thrush’s behaviour, distribution, and reproductive success of the thrush, providing clearer guidance for threat mitigation
  • Conservation tools and management implications: The project will explore practical monitoring approaches, including the use of acoustic recorders and camera traps, to support long-term population monitoring and threat detection.
​​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