Areas of interest: biogeography, forest ecology and restoration, population genetics, political ecology
Faculty Advisor: Susan Beatty
Thesis
2013 - Demography and Genetic Diversity of the Endemic Tree Fern Cibotium chamissoi on O’ahu Island, Hawai’i: A Multi-Method Analysis of Population Dynamics, with Implications For Conservation
Research Interests
I am interested in tropical forest dynamics and restoration ecology at multiple scales, with an emphasis on applied conservation research. My dissertation focuses on the population dynamics of the endemic Hawaiian tree fern, Cibotium chamissoi, over five years and across several native to disturbed forest sites on Oahu island in Hawai'i. My methods of analysis include growth rate, mortality, and recruitment measurements, population genetics as assessed with microsatellites in a spatial context, a pilot experimental forest restoration trial, and semi-structured interviews with people involved in the commercial and private trade of tree ferns in Hawaii. I have worked as a natural resource technician for Army Natural Resources before completing my M.A. in Geography at University of Hawai'i at Manoa, and I have conducted exotic species eradication, predator control, rare plant monitoring and propagation, and other endangered species management activities. Although I have been conducting mostly physical geography research, I am also interested in human geography, especially political ecology, and the ways in which people interact with, interpret, re-define, and control the natural environment.
Selected Publications
Arcand, N. N. and T. A. Ranker. (2008). Conservation Biology. T. A. Ranker and C. H. Haufler (Eds), Biology and Evolution of Ferns and Lycophytes. Cambridge University Press: pp. 257-283.
Arcand, N., Kagawa, A.K., Sack, L. and Giambelluca, T.W. (2008). Scaling of frond form in Hawaiian tree fern Cibotium glaucum: compliance with global trends, and application for field estimation. Biotropica, 40 : 686-691.