Roger Hnatiuk
Encyclopedia
Roger James Hnatiuk is a Canadian-Australian botanist specialising in biogeography
and plant ecology
.
from the University of Alberta
, and went on to graduate with an MSc in plant ecology from the same institution. He was awarded a PhD in biogeography from the Australian National University
. Following his studies he worked on plant ecology in Western Australia
. Hnatiuk was Assistant Director of the Australian Biological Resources Study
, were he led the Flora of Australia
Program and the Australian Biogeographic Information System Program. During this time he produced the Census of Australian Vascular Plants.
From 1989 to 1992 he was Director of the Australian National Botanic Gardens.
He went on to work as a research scientist at the Bureau of Rural Sciences
, where his research was forestry and the sustainable use of natural resources.
He is a bonsai
enthusiast; and he initiated the exhibition of Australian native plants as bonsai that are displayed at the Australian National Botanic Gardens
annually.
He was the inaugural Chairman (2006 -) of the Bonsai Management Committee of the new National Bonsai and Penjing Collection of Australia, sponsored by the Government of the Australian Capital Territory, Canberra.
Further details can be found at the web reference below.
Biogeography
Biogeography is the study of the distribution of species , organisms, and ecosystems in space and through geological time. Organisms and biological communities vary in a highly regular fashion along geographic gradients of latitude, elevation, isolation and habitat area...
and plant ecology
Ecology
Ecology is the scientific study of the relations that living organisms have with respect to each other and their natural environment. Variables of interest to ecologists include the composition, distribution, amount , number, and changing states of organisms within and among ecosystems...
.
Background
Hnatiuk was awarded 1st class honours in botanyBotany
Botany, plant science, or plant biology is a branch of biology that involves the scientific study of plant life. Traditionally, botany also included the study of fungi, algae and viruses...
from the University of Alberta
University of Alberta
The University of Alberta is a public research university located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1908 by Alexander Cameron Rutherford, the first premier of Alberta and Henry Marshall Tory, its first president, it is widely recognized as one of the best universities in Canada...
, and went on to graduate with an MSc in plant ecology from the same institution. He was awarded a PhD in biogeography from the Australian National University
Australian National University
The Australian National University is a teaching and research university located in the Australian capital, Canberra.As of 2009, the ANU employs 3,945 administrative staff who teach approximately 10,000 undergraduates, and 7,500 postgraduate students...
. Following his studies he worked on plant ecology in Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
. Hnatiuk was Assistant Director of the Australian Biological Resources Study
Australian Biological Resources Study
Australian Biological Resources Study is a project undertaken by Parks Australia Division of Australia's Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts ....
, were he led the Flora of Australia
Flora of Australia (series)
The Flora of Australia is a 59 volume series describing the vascular plants, bryophytes and lichens present in Australia and its external territories...
Program and the Australian Biogeographic Information System Program. During this time he produced the Census of Australian Vascular Plants.
From 1989 to 1992 he was Director of the Australian National Botanic Gardens.
He went on to work as a research scientist at the Bureau of Rural Sciences
Bureau of Rural Sciences
The Bureau of Rural Sciences is a scientific agency within the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.The BRS provides scientific advice to government in support of more profitable, competitive and sustainable use of Australia's Natural Resources. The BRS is an important...
, where his research was forestry and the sustainable use of natural resources.
He is a bonsai
Bonsai
is a Japanese art form using miniature trees grown in containers. Similar practices exist in other cultures, including the Chinese tradition of penjing from which the art originated, and the miniature living landscapes of Vietnamese hòn non bộ...
enthusiast; and he initiated the exhibition of Australian native plants as bonsai that are displayed at the Australian National Botanic Gardens
Australian National Botanic Gardens
The Australian National Botanic Gardens are located in Canberra and are administered by the Australian Government's Department of the Environment and Heritage....
annually.
He was the inaugural Chairman (2006 -) of the Bonsai Management Committee of the new National Bonsai and Penjing Collection of Australia, sponsored by the Government of the Australian Capital Territory, Canberra.
Further details can be found at the web reference below.