
Qualifications
Research Interests
I lead research on the maintenance of biodiversity and ecosystem functioning at the University of Canterbury. My main objective is to contribute knowledge that will help restore degraded indigenous ecosystems. Specifically, I focus on the adaptation of exotic weeds and their interaction with native Aotearoa flora and fauna and on ecological processes related to the restoration and conservation of Afromontane forests
I have made a major contribution to West African montane forest ecology through the Founding of and leading the Nigerian Montane Forest Project (NMFP) https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/afromontane/ .This research centre on the edge of a species -rich forest, surrounded by a fragile montane ecosystem serves as a base for a wide range of ecological investigations, ranging from ecosystem service provision to forest restoration. The NMFP is a significant conservation science hub in Nigeria and links in Nigerian forest conservation to an international network of forest research.
My interest in evolution within weedy species has led to considerable collaborations across NZ CRIs and internationally. My research group has answered questions around breeding systems and invasiveness, local rapid adaptation in weedy species and interactions between invasive species and native pollinators.
I am passionate about education and facilitating emerging leaders in their science careers- I have a special interest in increasing science capacity in Africa.
Recent Publications
- Chapman JD. and Chapman HM. (2001) The forests of Taraba and Adamawa States, Nigeria. An ecological account and Plant Species Checklist. Christchurch: New Zealand. 221.
- Abiem I., Kenfack D. and Chapman HM. (2023) Assessing the impact of abiotic and biotic factors on seedling survival in an African montane forest. Frontiers in Forests and Global Change 6 http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/ffgc.2023.1108257.
- Chapman H. and Abiem I. (2022) Factors limiting plant recruitment in a Tropical Afromontane Forest. Biotropica http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/btp.13179.
- Hacket-Pain A., Foest JJ., Pearse IS., LaMontagne JM., Koenig WD., Vacchiano G., Bogdziewicz M., Caignard T., Celebias P. and van Dormolen J. (2022) MASTREE+: Time-series of plant reproductive effort from six continents. Global Change Biology 28(9): 3066-3082. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/gcb.16130.
- Islam R., Howlett BG., Chapman H., Haque MA. and Ahmad M. (2022) The value of insect pollination to yield of oilseed rape (Brassica rapa) in Bangladesh. Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology 25(1) http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aspen.2021.11.005.
Director of the Nigerian Montane Forest Project.
Lab website: HazelChapman.com