{"id":138493,"date":"2021-04-05T15:23:49","date_gmt":"2021-04-06T01:23:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=138493"},"modified":"2021-04-29T13:02:03","modified_gmt":"2021-04-29T23:02:03","slug":"tropical-conservation-biology-professor-national-recognition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2021\/04\/05\/tropical-conservation-biology-professor-national-recognition\/","title":{"rendered":"Professor\u2019s fight to protect Hawai\u02bbi\u2019s forests earns national recognition"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
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From left: Becky Ostertag, researcher, and Taite Winthers-Barcelona, invasive species field associate at the Big Island Invasive Species Committee, planting ʻulu<\/span> (breadfruit tree) in research plot.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A University of Hawaiʻi<\/span> at Hilo<\/a> biology professor has been elected a 2021 fellow of the nation\u2019s largest organization of professional ecologists. Rebecca Ostertag<\/strong>, who has taught at 糖心Vlog官方<\/abbr> Hilo since 2001, will earn the lifelong recognition from the Ecological Society of America<\/a> (ESA<\/abbr>). She has been integral in devising plans and conducting research to preserve the lowland wet forests of Hawaiʻi<\/span>.<\/p>\n

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Rebecca Ostertag<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The ESA<\/abbr> noted it elected Ostertag for her “outstanding intellectual leadership in the areas of tropical forest ecology and conservation and a deep commitment to mentoring and enhancing diversity in the next generation of ecologists.”<\/p>\n

Ostertag is the associate chair of the 糖心Vlog官方<\/abbr> Hilo tropical conservation biology and environmental science<\/a> program. She also teaches courses related to the environment, including ecology and conservation, biostatistics and field methods. Her area of specialization is in tropical forest ecology, examining questions relating to biological invasions, nutrient cycling, forest dynamics, climate and restoration. Ostertag\u2019s research carries a strong field component and involves integration of natural history, community structure and ecosystem dynamics.<\/p>\n

“Dr. Ostertag exemplifies the role of teacher-scholar, engaging and mentoring students in ecology through coursework, mentorship and grant-funded opportunities while conducting a breadth of disciplinary research,” said Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Kris Roney<\/strong>. “Her election by the ESA<\/abbr> is testament to the reach of her leadership in all of these areas. She is an absolutely phenomenal colleague and professor, and this honor is well earned.”<\/p>\n

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Kanawao (Hydrangea arguta<\/em>), a native plant species<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n