From 1958 to 1959, he was a plant ecologist for the Otago Catchment Board. Since 1960, he has been at the University of Otago; first as a lecturer, then reader, then associate professor, and (since 1975) professor. From 1960 to 1964, he was a research fellow for the Miss E. L. Hellaby Indigenous Grasslands Research Trust. During 1966, he was visiting professor at Duke University.[1] He retired from Otago University in 1998 and has since been Emeritus Professor.[3]
Mark was a member of the Otago Catchment Board from 1974 to 1986. From 1981 to 1990, he was a member of the NZ National Parks and Reserves Authority. From 1984 to 1986, he held membership of the Land Settlement Board. He was a foundation member of the Native Forest Action Council. He was a member of the Otago Conservation Board and the group's chairperson for some time. He is a life member of Forest and Bird and was the group's president for some time.[1][3]
Mark, Alan F.; Galloway, David J. (2012). Above the Treeline: A Nature Guide to Alpine New Zealand. Nelson: Craig Potton Publishing. ISBN9781877517761.
Mark, Alan F. (2015). Standing My Ground: A voice for nature conservation. Dunedin: Otago University Press. ISBN9781927322048.
Family
In 1957, Mark married Patricia Kaye Davie. They were to have two daughters and two sons.[1]