Dan Crossett
Marine Ecologist
Role at Cawthron
Dan is a marine ecologist in Cawthron’s Restoration Ecology Team. He focuses on state of the environment monitoring and bottom-up ecological processes that may enhance recruitment of foundation species. Dan is interested in how multiple stressors impact coastal foundation species, like kelp, and the biodiversity they support. Dan’s research focus includes the effects of natural disturbances, such as earthquakes and severe weather events, and anthropogenic impacts, such as sedimentation, warming seas and overfishing, on coastal ecosystems.
The core goal of Dan’s research is to identify and implement strategies for restorative measures in areas affected by multiple, interacting stressors, such as through kelp-seeding programmes for rocky reef restoration. He also advocates for community outreach, public awareness, and educational initiatives to invoke stewardship among community groups, future scientists, and managers.
Technical skills, experience and interests
- Leader of remote field teams to collect ecological data in coastal systems
- Expertise in identification of taxa in coastal systems
- Implementation and management of large spatial-scale field studies
- Laboratory culturing of marine macroalgae (seaweeds)
- Competent in management of large ecological datasheets
- Proficient in univariate and multivariate statistical analysis
- Scientific diver with 1500+ dives
- Vessel skipper and crew
- Proficient in risk management applications
Qualifications
- PhD, Marine Biology, University of Canterbury and Cawthron Institute, NZ 2023
- Masters, Marine Biology, NOVA Southeastern University, USA 2012
- BSc, Biology, SUNY Oswego, USA 2007
Professional Affiliations
- Member of New Zealand Marine Science Society
- Member of Australasian Society for Phycology and Aquatic Botany