Tim Curran

Associate Professor Tim Curran specializes in plant ecology within the Department of Pest-Management and Conservation at Lincoln University, New Zealand. His research focuses on plant responses to extreme disturbances through functional trait analysis, particularly pioneering work on plant flammability using innovative 'plant BBQ' methodologies. Current research addresses fire ecology, climate impacts, and restoration strategies across diverse ecosystems from alpine zones to tropical forests.

Research interests span plant flammability mechanisms, drought-fire interactions, phylogenetic conservation of traits, and practical fire mitigation including green firebreak development. His work bridges fundamental ecology with applied solutions for wildfire management, contributing significantly to UN Sustainable Development Goals 13 (Climate Action), 15 (Life on Land), and 11 (Sustainable Cities).

Recent publication trends reveal three dominant research streams: (1) Quantifying shoot/leaf flammability relationships across 66+ publications, (2) Investigating disturbance responses to cyclones, droughts and fires, and (3) Developing scalable methodologies for agricultural and wildland fire risk assessment. His 2022-2025 work shows increasing international collaboration and policy relevance, with high-impact studies in New Phytologist and Science.

• Professional Leadership: President of New Zealand Ecological Society (2019-present)
• Service Roles: Vice President (2017-2019), Councillor (2015-2017)

Active in graduate supervision with completed projects on farm flammability measurement, drought-flammability physiology, and phylogenetic flammability patterns. Current teaching includes Field Ecology Methods (ECOL 293) and Research Methods for Ecology (ECOL 608). His 'plant BBQ' laboratory serves as the central experimental facility for flammability research, supporting both fundamental studies and practical fire management applications.