Activities
CBB Sequencing Grants
We invite applications for CBB Sequencing grants for the ecological application of next generation amplicon sequencing methods, specifically metabarcoding of vertebrate, invertebrate, plant, fungal and microbial community targets. Each sequencing grant supports collaboration with Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research sequencing facility and includes 1x Illumina Miseq V3 300×2 bp run, sequencing library preparation (if required) and quality control and a consultation service on the project (if required). Applicants must be a member of CBB (students please apply via your supervisor). Applications close 5pm Friday 17 May 2024 or when funding is exhausted. Click here CBB_sequencing_grants for further information, including application process.
Sustain: What can be done about invasive species?
A podcast on biosecurity – find out more
2020 webinar series
The Centre for Biodiversity and Biosecurity hosted a series of three webinars to highlight recent research in biodiversity and biosecurity.
The webinars were:
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- Conservation connectivity: from backyards and farms to landscapes
- Out of sight, out of mind: exploring microbial diversity and function
- Better biosecurity by the numbers
Watch the recordings below.
Conservation connectivity: from backyards and farms to landscapes
Date: Tuesday 16 June 2020 at 2pm
Speaker: Associate Professor Margaret Stanley – Te Kura Mātauranga Koiora/School of Biological Sciences, Te Whare Wānanga o Tāmaki Makaurau/University of Auckland, New Zealand
Twitter: @mc_stanley1
Description: Conservation in Aotearoa-New Zealand is heading toward landscape-scale conservation. By working at the landscape scale, we are aiming for ecological connectivity and functioning at a scale that makes sense for organisms and ecosystems. However, landscape scale conservation presents challenges across all scales: it encompasses a variety of habitat types and a variety of people. In this webinar, Margaret discusses both the positive and negative aspects of connectivity in farms and cities, and asks whether place-based conservation hinders landscape scale conservation.
Out of sight, out of mind: exploring microbial diversity and function
Date: 23 June 2020 at 2pm
Speaker: Dr Manpreet K Dhami, Research Scientist, Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research
Twitter: @manpreetkdhami
Description: From carbon cycling to animal health, microbes mediate essential functions for life and the stability of systems worldwide. While scientists are racing to characterise microbial communities, a lack of understanding of microbial function has impeding progress. Using examples from plant, soil and animal microbiomes, Manpreet discusses how perturbation experiments that alter microbial communities and can reveal the function of these invisible powerhouses.
Better biosecurity by the numbers
Date: Tuesday 1 July 2020 at 2pm
Speaker: Professor Andrew Robinson – Director, CEBRA and Professor of Biosecurity, School/s of BioSciences and Mathematics & Statistics University of Melbourne, Australia
Description: Biosecurity focuses on protecting countries and regions against invasive pests, which are recognized by IUCN-World Conservation Union as the second most important cause of species extinction worldwide – and the main cause on islands.
CEBRA is the Centre of Excellence for Biosecurity Risk Analysis, jointly funded by the Australian and New Zealand governments to provide advice and develop tools for biosecurity risk analysis. Our research focuses on developing and implementing tools to assist in the management of biosecurity risk at national and international levels.
Andrew describes showcase projects, successes and failures, and lessons learned.