Professor Jacqueline Beggs is an ecologist at the University of Auckland, specialising in the interactions between plants, animals, and their environments. Her research spans forest, urban, and agricultural systems, with a focus on the impacts of invasive species and the restoration of ecosystems. Notably, her long-term study on kākā survival in Nelson revealed the significant threats posed by predators like stoats and rats. Professor Beggs has also investigated the ecological effects of invasive wasps, the role of decomposer insects in ecosystem recovery, and the impacts of introduced species such as the wool carder bee and millipedes. As Director of the Centre for Biodiversity and Biosecurity, she continues to lead efforts in understanding and preserving New Zealand’s unique biodiversity.
