Andy’s contribution will be significant given his unique experience in research
into seed dispersal by non-frugivorous birds, both by internal (endozoochory) and external
(epizoochory) transport. Andy has over 30 years’ experience studying waterbirds, including over 20
years researching into their role as vectors of dispersal for plants, invertebrates and other
organisms. He has led or coauthored over 60 primary research papers in this topic, as well as the
several review papers. He has supervised 5 completed PhD theses on propagule dispersal by
waterbirds, with another four in progress. In the past five years, he has broadened his interest to
cover seed dispersal by other non-frugivorous birds such as corvids, and the parallels between seed
dispersal by these birds, and by non-frugivorous mammals such as ungulates. He has helped compile
extensive databases on seed dispersal by non-frugivores, and is seeking novel ways to predict
dispersal processes via animal and plant traits. He is particularly interested in the role of migratory
birds in plant dispersal under global change (including climate change, biological invasions, and
weed dispersal).