Shelley McMurtrie

Position: Aquatic Scientist
Qualification: MSc (1st class honours)

Expertise
Urban stream ecology
Aquatic invertebrate ecology
Stream restoration

With a first class honours MSc and nine years industry experience, Shelley has spent time working for NIWA and the Christchurch City Council before establishing her own research consultancy with partner Erron. Recognising the valuable role high-end research should play in the management of our natural systems, Shelley is driven to enhance our freshwater and estuary ecosystems for the benefit of our communities.

Having navigated the challenges of growing EOS Ecology from a start-up business to a respected research consultancy, Shelley is enjoying being in a job where her research work has an applied outcome. “I get to work on projects where there is a ‘feel good’ vibe with a great outcome for both the community and ecology of the environment.”

Interesting Titbit
When not in the big outdoors, Shelley can be found relaxing with more artistic pursuits such as taking photographs, sewing up an outfit, or bone carving.

Publications
McMurtrie, S. 2009. Roadside sumps – a hidden yet optimal habitat for mosquito larvae. The New Zealand Hydrological and Freshwater Sciences Societies joint conference. Forum North, Whangarei, November 2009. Presentation.

McMurtrie, S. 2008. Protection of a freshwater crayfish haven undergoing urbanisation.  NZWWA Stormwater conference. Royal Lakeside Novotel, Rotorua. New Zealand Water and Waste Association (NZWWA) 18 pp.

Meurk, C.D. & McMurtrie, S. 2006. Socio-ecological lesson from 15 years of waterway restoration in New Zealand.  NZWWA Stormwater conference. Royal Lakeside Novotel, Rotorua. New Zealand Water and Waste Association (NZWWA) 15 pp.

McMurtrie, S.A. & Suren, A.M. 2005. Habitat potential of aquatic systems in the built environment: A Christchurch perspective. Meaning and Design of Nature for the Urban Built Environment conference. Lincoln University, Lincoln, August 2005.

Suren, S.M. & McMurtrie, S. 2005. Assessing the effectiveness of enhancement activities in urban streams II: Responses of invertebrate communities. River Research and Applications 21: 439–453.

Suren, A.M., Riss, T., Biggs, B.J.F., McMurtrie, S. & Barker, R. 2005. Assessing the effectiveness of enhancement activities in urban streams I: Habitat Responses. River Research and Applications 21: 381–401.

Suren, A.S., McMurtrie, S.A. & Obrien, L. 2004.  River restoration. In: Harding, J. & Mosley (eds.). Freshwaters of New Zealand. New Zealand Limnological Society, Christchurch.

McMurtrie, S.A. & Walter, J.W. (eds). 2003. Waterways, Wetlands and Drainage Guide - Part B: Design. Christchurch City Council, Christchurch.