I am currently researching long-tailed bat ecology in a plantation forest for my PhD thesis, under the supervision of Stuart Parsons. I previously worked for Landcare Research NZ Ltd, a Crown Research Institute, as a technician for eight years. During this time I developed interests in predator-prey interactions; the impact of predator control; and how native species cope with altered landscapes specifically plantations, urban, and agricultural landscapes, and how management can be improved to support these species. I also have a love for wild places, including the subantarctic region.

PhD Research: Ecology of long-tailed bats in Kinleith Plantation Forest: implications for management.

New Zealand’s long-tailed bat (Chalinolobus tuberculatus) is a small, endemic, insectivorous bat that is generally associated with native forests. It is threatened and vulnerable to extinction and all populations that have been studied sufficiently to determine survival rates are in decline, and are likely to become extinct within 50 years without specific management. In 1976 the first long-tailed bat roost in a plantation was reported from Kinleith Forest when the tree was felled. To date, knowledge of long-tailed bat roosts in plantation forest has relied heavily on anecdotal reports. Forest certification schemes expect participating forestry companies to implement scientifically-based management of biodiversity, however this was not possible in the past with such limited knowledge. This study is the first in New Zealand to use radio-telemetry to investigate bat ecology in plantation forest, including roost selection and use, home range characteristics, and investigates impacts of harvest operations. This research has the aim of advising forest managers ways in which they can reduce risks to bats using this better understanding of their ecology.

This work is supported by an Enterprise scholarship funded mainly by the Tertiary Education Commission and Hancock Forest Management; with contributions from Carter Holt Harvey Forests; Blakely Pacific; Pan Pacific; PF Olsen Ltd; and Kaingaroa Timberlands. This research is also supported by funding from Environment Waikato; Bat Conservation International; JS Watson Trust; EB Firth Charitable Trust; and the Valder Award. CHH Kinleith Pulp and Paper; ADT Security; and Forest Protech provided logistical support.

Published articles available on lab publications page

• Borkin, K. M.; Parsons, S. 2009. Long-tailed bats’ use of a Pinus radiata stand in Kinleith Forest: implications for monitoring. New Zealand Journal of Forestry 53 (4):38 - 43
• Borkin, K. M.; Ludlow, E.B. 2009. Notes on New Zealand mammals 9: Long-tailed bat (Chalinolobus tuberculatus) chased by morepork (Ninox novaeseelandiae). New Zealand Journal of Zoology 36:11 - 12
• Borkin, K.M.; Goodman, A.J.; Mayhew, K.; Smith, E. 2007. South Island robin (Petroica australis australis) abundance and leaf-litter invertebrates in plantation and native forest. Notornis 54 (2): 65 – 70

Academic qualifications

• 1999 Postgraduate Diploma in Wildlife Management, with distinction, University of Otago
• 1998 Bachelor of Science (Ecology and Zoology), Massey University

Awards

• 2006 – Current Bright Futures Scheme Enterprise Scholar 2009 New Zealand Ecological Society Assistance Award to attend INTECOL10
• 2008 Mavis Davidson Bequest Recipient, New Zealand Institute of Forestry for attendance of New Zealand Ecology Society conference
• 2008 E. B. Firth Charitable Trust Grant Recipient
• 2007 Environmental Initiative Fund recipient, Environment Waikato
• 2007 E. B. Firth Charitable Trust Grant Recipient
• 2006 Verne and Marion Read Scholar, Bat Conservation International
• 2006 J. S. Watson Trust Grant Recipient
• 2005 Environmental Initiative Fund recipient, Environment Waikato
• 2004 Enderby Trust Scholarship: for travel to the Subantarctic region
• 2003 Queen Elizabeth II Technicians Study Award: Study topic: Distance Sampling, Scotland – study of wood ant populations in Scots Pine plantation and natural pine forests.

Professional memberships

• New Zealand Institute of Forestry;
• New Zealand Ecology Society;
• Ornithological Society of New Zealand;
• Australasian Bat Society;
• Association of Women in Science (National Executive 2008-2009).

Recent Presentations

• 2009 Association of Women in Science: Reducing risks to bats by better understanding their biology.
• 2009 INTECOL10: New Zealand long-tailed bats use plantation forests differently from indigenous forests: implications for management.
• 2008 New Zealand Ecological Society: Long-tailed bats in Kinleith Forest: an exotic plantation: what are they doing there?
• 2009 Association of Women in Science: After dinner speaker (conference dinner): Travelling the Subantarctic.

Selected Contract Reports

• Spurr, E.B.; Coleman, J.D.; Borkin, K. M. June 2004. Assessment of the Effectiveness of Primary Bird Repellents for reducing bird damage in maturing radish seed crops. Landcare Research Contract Report LC0304/125
• Byrom, A.E.; Spurr, E. B.; Airey, A. E.; Borkin, K. M.; O’Connor, C. E.; Forrester, G. J. October 2003. Prey odours as lures for stoats. Landcare Research Contract Report LC0304/024
• Coleman, J.D.; Borkin, K.; Reed, C. August 2003. Project No: R-10573 Overcoming possum control problems in the Hokonui Hills. Landcare Research Contract Report LC0203/107
• Airey, A.; Borkin, K.; Morgan, D. June 2003. Efficacy and palatability of Mortein® Rat Kill (which has been in storage for one year) against laboratory strains of norway rats and house mice over a three-day period. Landcare Research Contract Report LC0203/127
• Spurr, E.B.; Coleman, J.D.; Borkin, K. M.; Drew, K.D.; June 2003. Assessment of Mesurol as a bird repellent for seed crop protection. Landcare Research Contract Report LC0203/141

Popular articles

• Borkin, K. M. 2008. Going bats… Association of Women in Science Newsletter
• Borkin, K. M. 2005. Travelling the subantarctic with an Enderby Trust scholarship. Association of Women in Science Newsletter 1: 1.
• Borkin, K. M. 2005. Travelling the subantarctic. Southern Bird 21: 9
• Borkin, K. M. 2005. Bio-Blitz Christchurch 2005. Association of Women in Science Newsletter 2: 16.
• Borkin, K. M. 2004. Counting ants and hares in Scotland: studying distance sampling techniques with a Queen Elizabeth II Technicians’ Study Award. Association of Women in Science Newsletter 1: 8.
• Borkin, K. M. 1998. Southern bluefin tuna Thunnus maccoyi. The Star Weekender.