Cate Ryan
2025: Dr Cate Ryan of Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makau Rau – Auckland University of Technology will assess the condition of coastal dunes in Aotearoa New Zealand and enable protection of these at-risk ecosystems
In their New Zealand Mana Tūāpapa Future Leader Fellowship, Dr Cate Ryan will analyse high-resolution satellite imagery to identify changes in the condition of dunes over time. Dunes are an iconic part of our coastline, holding significant ecological, economic, and cultural importance. However, invasions of pest species and human activity including coastal land development have led to rapid declines in the extent and function of dune ecosystems in Aotearoa New Zealand and around the world.
Dr Ryan’s project, co-led by mana whenua, will determine the factors which allow some dune systems to persist over time and to recover after disturbance, while others collapse. Ultimately, this research will inform global efforts to monitor and restore dune ecosystems.
Measuring dune vegetation. Supplied.