- 7. Facilitating Resource Management
- Reassessment of the stock unit system
- The role of productive land-use in biodiversity conservation
- Evaluation of whether yield tables are needed for small-scale forest owners, including farm forestry
- Welfare impacts of vertebrate poisons:
- Quantify contamination of groundwater (as part of the project: - “Pathogen Transmission Routes”)
- Developing silvicultural guidelines for the sustainable management of indigenous forests on private land
- Low impact silviculture (2002/03)
- Developing management guidelines for pinhole borer in beech forests:
7. Facilitating Resource Management
This category provides information that will assist in developing and implementing policies on biophysical factors that influence sustainable agricultural practices namely food safety, environmental effects due to agriculture and horticulture, and animal welfare issues driven by domestic concerns. A key driver for all three issues has been the urbanisation of the population that has isolated the majority of New Zealanders from contact with agriculture and forestry. Negative aspects of land-based production are open to exploitation by the media. Increasingly, the public is demanding assurances from farmers and processors about the manner in which food and fibre is produced. “Quality products from a quality environment” encapsulates these concerns.
7.1 FRM 220
Programme Title: |
Reassessment of the stock unit system |
Programme Leader: |
Professor Keith Woodford |
Institution: |
Lincoln University |
Programme Goal: To assess the appropriateness of, and the need to modify, the existing stock unit system, taking into account changes in animal performance and livestock systems since the stock unit system was introduced, and the diverse needs of stakeholders/users.
Rationale: The stock unit system is based on the work of Professor Coop, first published in 1962. Since then the system has been expanded to take account of deer, and there have been minor modifications by some users (such as the Economic Service). However, the basic assumptions of the system remain unchanged; in particular, the use of a base standard of 550 kg dry matter as one ‘stock unit’, which is linked to the feed requirements of a 50kg ewe producing one lamb. Productivity gains (from both management and genetically superior livestock), together with the use by farmers of a broader range of pastoral systems than previously, have led to concern that the stock unit system, as currently defined, has intrinsic biases and shortcomings. However, the widespread use of the stock unit system by policy analysts, farm consultants, farm management educators, extension organisations and the real estate industry, means that any change needs to be carefully considered. Benefits of modification need to be assessed in terms of system accuracy, user needs, and discontinuities associated with system change.
Objective 1
Objective Title: |
Documentation of feed consumption levels |
Research Leader: |
Dr Alastair Nicol |
Description:
The aim is to establish the seasonal and annual feed consumption levels for the various species (sheep, cattle, deer and goats), age classes, and productivity levels found within the major New Zealand pastoral systems, and to compare this with the existing stock unit values. The outcome will be a critical analysis of the difference between accepted stock unit values and those appropriate to current farming systems.
Methodology:
This objective will be met by reviewing the available literature on energy requirements for maintenance, growth, pregnancy and lactation associated with various levels of production, and encompassing the major livestock systems found within New Zealand. The major source of information will be the peer reviewed literature. However, other information (‘grey data’) relating to issues such as farming environment and breeds may also be considered where there is confidence as to the reliability of that data. Feed requirements for the various species, productivity levels, and farming systems, will be calculated using computer spreadsheet models and presented as megajoules of ME, kilograms dry matter, and stock units (as currently defined), on a seasonal and annual basis.
Objective 2
Objective Title: |
Documentation of stakeholder needs and uses |
Research Leader: |
Professor Keith Woodford |
Description:
The aim is to determine the major users of the stock unit system, the types of use that are made of the stock unit system, the accuracy requirements of the various users, and the presence of any conflicts in information needs (system requirements) between the major users.
Methodology:
This objective will be met by industry consultation with relevant groups and organisations, including:
New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture
-
The Economic Service
-
AgResearch
-
Landcorp
-
Lincoln and Massey Universities
-
NZ Institute of Primary Industry Management
-
New Zealand Institute of Valuers
-
NZ Real Estate Institute
-
Banks
-
Extension agencies (e.g. WoolPro, Monitor farms etc)
Consultation will be through in-depth interviews of individuals and groups. This part of the research will be undertaken within the qualitative research genre and with the goal of elucidating the diversity of use, and the associated system requirements for the various uses.
The outcome will be an understanding of current uses of the stock unit system, the concerns of stakeholders, and desired attributes of the stock unit system as perceived by stakeholders.
Objective 3
Objective Title: |
Documentation of ‘drift’ that has occurred in the system |
Research Leader: |
Professor Keith Woodford |
Description:
The aim is to identify the ‘drift’ in the system that has occurred through increased size of animals and increased productivity.
Methodology:
This objective will be achieved by reviewing available secondary data sources that will provide insights into the extent of changes in productivity. Data sources will include MAF slaughter weights for the various species (sheep, cattle, deer and goats), supplemented by Economic Service data and grey data from a range of sources. This information will need to be linked to the data on maintenance and growth requirements (see Objective 1).
Objective 4
Objective Title: |
To develop modification options |
Research Leader: |
Professor Keith Woodford |
Description:
The aim is to identify a range of options for modifying the stock unit system and to provide a critique in relation to each of these options.
Methodology:
The methodology will involve synthesising alternative systems to the current stock unit system using the data produced in Objective 1, and critiquing these alternatives against the information needs identified within Objective 2. Biases and shortcomings associated with retention of the existing system will be explored, together with discontinuity issues associated with changing the system.
The outcome will be recommendations on the status of the stock unit system.
7.2 FRM 221
Programme Title: |
The role of productive land-use in biodiversity conservation |
Programme Leader: |
Professor Steve Wratten |
Institution: |
Lincoln University |
Programme Goal and Rationale: The programme goals are (a) to quantify native and non-native invertebrate, plant and bird biodiversity on Canterbury and East Cape cropping land and field margin/shelterbelt habitats, and to assess the contribution of this biodiversity to ecosystem function. (b) to model the aggregate contribution of production lands, including paddock margins and bush remnants, under a range of alternative future management strategies. This proposed work will support New Zealand’s Biodiversity Strategy and the aims of the Convention on Biological Diversity by providing methods and positive steps which the Government can take to landowners to enhance biodiversity.
This research builds on Lincoln University’s environmental and agricultural expertise and current research on biodiversity in the rural and peri-urban environment. In New Zealand over 50% of land area is in agricultural or forestry production.which forms the defining landscape matrix especially in lowlands. Indigenous biodiversity is not restricted to formally protected areas, so a major contribution to New Zealand biodiversity conservation is effective conservation on production lands. Moreover, the proposed Global Plant Conservation Strategy within the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) includes a target of 30% of production lands being managed according to nature conservation principles by 2010.
The operational research will be centred on the Canterbury and East Cape regions.
The two research objectives accord with the approaches proposed for the CBD Global Strategy, which is equally relevant to animal biodiversity. Outputs are directed towards development of policy that will help the Ministry to discharge obligations primarily to the New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy (NZBS) and the proposed Ministerial Statement, and secondarily the Convention on Biological Diversity.
A recent review for MFE of indigenous biodiversity management in New Zealand production landscapes (Blaschke, P.M. Biodiversity-friendly farming and forestry: the biodiversity component of sustainable land management. Report to Ministry for the Environment, March 2002.) described a considerable range of sometimes innovative “biodiversity-friendly farming and forestry” practices being carried out, principally under the auspices of regional councils and community-based “care” groups. However, these activities are ad hoc, rarely specifically address indigenous biodiversity goals, and are very variable in effectiveness. Without better direction they are unlikely to significantly contribute to New Zealand’s CBD commitments and NZBS objectives in production landscapes. An exception is the MfE-funded project at Lincoln University concerning biodiversity plans for cropping farms. The current proposal will build significantly on the Blaschke (2002) review, and provide a very substantial underpinning for future policy and operational initiatives.
Objective 1
Objective Title: |
Identifying agricultural biodiversity and assessing its functional role |
Research Leader: |
Professor Steve Wratten |
Description:
This objective is concerned with the identification and conservation of biological diversity directly involved in agricultural production. This approach captures a wide range of benefits – see Box 1. The objective will focus on the Canterbury and East Cape regions. It will concern cropped land, pasture, margin habitats and non-cropped remnant sites.
Box 1 –( Thanks to Mark Storey of Agriculture New Zealand for help with the box feature).
|
The Value of Biodiversity
Commercial production benefits Direct
Other economic benefits
|
Objective 2
Objective Title: |
Production land as the landscape matrix for biodiversity |
Research Leader: |
Assoc. Prof. David Given |
Description:
This objective will evaluate the actual and potential influence of production lands (as the dominant matrix across much of New Zealand) on the conservation and welfare of New Zealand biodiversity. In a landscape ecology sense, the matrix is that part of the landscape that on account of size, geometry or process control, determines the viability, function and integrity of all other parts of the landscape. An important part of the function of biodiversity in managed lands is the contribution from, and interaction, between various parts of the landscape. Matrix characteristics therefore include all key features of the production landscape – open managed lands, fence lines, edges, shelterbelts, along with energy, resource and biotic flows through that land and the pattern of aggregation of patches and corridors. The objective will seek to model the aggregate contribution of production lands, including remnants and corridors, under a range of landscape design scenarios and alternative future strategies from which can be derived protocols for planning and management.
7.3 FRM 222
Programme Title: |
Evaluation of whether yield tables are needed for small-scale forest owners, including farm forestry |
Programme Leader: |
Bill Liley |
Institution: |
Jaakko Poyry |
Programme Goal and Rationale: The purpose of the investigation is to first determine whether differing timber volumes and quality are being realized form corporate forests and privately owned, smaller estates. Second, if this is found to be the case, the aim is to recommend how yield data for privately owned forests can be collected.
The National Exotic Forest Description (NEFD) process includes the preparation of a set of yield tables. These are linked with the nationwide stocked area estimates for the purposes of woodflow modelling. The yield tables represent an amalgamation of information provided by corporate resources foresters in 1995. As part of its periodic programme of work, the NEFD Steering Committee considers the need for any updating of yield tables, and in particular where the focus of any such work should lie. The July 2001 ‘Review of the NEFD” recommended – Page 3, item (xii), that:
All yield tables be revised prior to the next wood supply forecast, but subsequent to a pilot study to determine whether different yield tables are required for the non-corporate resource.
In regions where the corporate estate is clearly dominant in terms of the total stocked area and the maturity of plantings, then the influence of yield from the non-corporate forest owners will be small, at least for the next fifteen years. In this situation the yield tables provided by corporate foresters should be an adequate reflection of the near to mid-term production from the non-corporate estate may be of greater significance.
Some recent evidence suggests that there are discernible differences in yields from the non-corporate estates. In certain wood supply regions this could materially effect the volume and quality of harvest, and impact on development opportunities and infrastructural requirements.
The focus of this study is to examine quantitative data on yields from the Non-corporate forests and determine whether these differ to the current NEFD yield tables.
As at 1 April 2000 private entities owned 47% of New Zealand’s net stocked planted production forest area. In comparison, registered public companies owned 45% of the forest resource. Given the size of the private resource, any significant differences in yield attributes would compromise the accuracy of the MAF forecasts of log quality and quantity.
Objective 1
Objective Title: |
Collection of Data for Analysis |
Research Leader: |
David Skilton |
Description Data is to be collected from various sources to enable analysis
Step One
The key focus for this objective is assembling realised yield volume data from small forests to be compared with the current NEFD tables. Such data may be obtained from the woodlot divisions of the large corporate forest owners, and directly from both corporate and non-corporate forest growers with whom Jaakko Pyry Consulting has established relationships. In addition to industry contracts, Jaakko Pöyry Consulting has an extensive ‘in-house’ resource that can be drawn on to assist in the project.
Jaakko Pyry Consulting will approach the Forest Research Institute for access to the national Permanent Sample Plot (PSP) database to seek data on PSP’s in privately owned forests for analysis.
In order to keep the study manageable it will be restricted to about three Wood Supply Regions. These will be Regions where the private resource is most significant in terms of the proportion of stocked area currently at a minimum age of fifteen years or more. It is likely that Northland, the southern North Island, and Otago/Southland will be the selected Wood Supply Regions. Conveniently, this may also highlight any differences between corporate and non-corporate growers that relate to geography or dominance in a region by any single corporate forest owner or processor.
This study will be restricted to radiata pine.
Step two
As time permits the consultant will examine the major reasons for any differences in yield between large corporate and smaller private forest growers. This could involve running surveys to capture industry wide perceptions of volume and quality variability between the corporate and non-corporate forests.
Objective 2
Objective Title: |
Analysis of Data |
Research Leader: |
Simon Papps |
Description
Data collected from forest owners and other sources will be analysed.
Analysis of Yield Data
Data on realised yield volumes from non-corporate forests will analysed on a region-by region basis using objective statistical analysis to determine whether yields from the non-corporate forests are significantly different from the current NEFD yield tables. Data from PSPs in privately owned forests will also be analysed.
Analysis will compare total stem/recoverable volume as well as volume by log types.
In instances where Jaakko Pyry Consulting can obtain data from small forests that lie nearby the larger corporate forests detailed comparative analysis will be undertaken to compare yields.
If the analysis of actual yield data is either unsuccessful or inconclusive the following analysis will then be undertaken. Both quantitative data and qualitative data from surveys will be analysed to produce Adjustment Factors. These factors will be applied to the existing NEFD yield tables in translating them into yield representations, of the non-corporate grower for each of the selected regions. The data will be separated into different management regimes (intensive and minimum tending) incorporating three categories of log types (pruned, unpruned and pulp) and will be formatted, as per the NEFD yield tables, to enable comparison between current (corporate), and non-corporate yield tables. Where there is intensive production thinning occurring in small forests, these will be identified and analysed separately.
Survey of Industry Groups
Surveys will be analysed on a region-by region basis. Additionally, industry groups will remain separated in order to compare perceptions across groups of variations in yield volumes and quality between forest owners and to isolate possible causes for any differences.
Objective 3
Objective Title: |
Future collection of private forest owners yield data |
Research Leader: |
Steve Croskery |
Description
Description of systems and processes to collect future yield data from small forest owners. Data would be incorporated into timber and wood supply forecast models.
A recommendation will be made as to the necessity for a separate set of yield tables to be incorporated as part of the NEFD for the purposes of national forest description, and wood supply modelling. The action proposed will depend on the results of the work outlined above, and in particular the significance of differences in likely yield between corporate and non-corporate growers.
Jaakko Pyry Consulting believes the most cost-effective means of broadening the yield table base of the NEFD will be to provide a set of the corporate yield tables to a range of commentators/contributors in each region. They would be asked to provide comments and adjustments to these, as they consider appropriate to the non-corporate estate. Such commentators may include known mangers and consultants to non-corporate forest growers, who often take an interest in and have knowledge of non-corporate forest management, non-corporate growers, inventory contractors and buyers or sales agents of wood at the forest level. The results of Objective 2 would be provided by way of example.
Production of Wood supply Region sets of non-corporate yield tables would then be a synthesis of such responses, incorporating this wider body of knowledge. In many respects, this then becomes a similar approach to the definition of yield representations for the corporate estate, i.e. an amalgam of knowledge, but in this case giving contributors/respondents a start yield table to ‘work’ from. With the identification of the appropriate set of commentators for each Wood Supply Region, this process ought to be quite manageable as part of the periodic review and update of the NEFD yield table set.
7.4 FRM 225
Programme Title: |
Welfare impacts of vertebrate poisons: |
Programme Leader: |
Dr Cheryl O'Connor |
Institution: |
Landcare Research |
Programme Goal: To assess the relative humaneness of vertebrate pest control agents
Rationale:
If we are to eradicate Tb and protect our native fauna and flora, poisons and traps remain essential requirements for vertebrate pest control in New Zealand. We have an ethical duty, however, to minimise the suffering animals experience during control operations. Public awareness about animal welfare, including pest control issues, is growing nationally and internationally. This is an additional stimulus for us to use the most humane control methods currently available and continue to develop more-humane methods. The development of draft NAWAC guidelines (based on the ISO standard) has provided an objective process for assessing traps using pathological (e.g. physical injury) and physiological (e.g. brain stem reflex) measures. In the first year of this programme we developed a protocol that described the essential behavioural, physiological, and pathological measures required to assess the welfare impact of vertebrate poisons. Following an acceptance of this as a guideline, assessment of the relative humaneness of all the vertebrate poisons used in New Zealand is now required.
Objective 1
Objective Title: |
Relative-humaneness assessment of possum poisons |
Research Leader: |
Dr Cheryl O’Connor |
Description:
To meet our goal of developing and using more-humane vertebrate poisons, we need to assess the relative humaneness of poisons using a standardised method. The guidelines we developed in Objective 1 (2001/02) described the essential behavioural, physiological and pathological measures required to assess the welfare impact of vertebrate poisons. The guideline also recommended that the relative humaneness of pesticides should be assessed by comparing the type, severity and duration of welfare compromise caused by the main effects of each poison. This proposal therefore aims to assess the relative humaneness of the possum poisons currently used in New Zealand.
7.5 FRM 226
Programme Title: |
Quantify contamination of groundwater (as part of the project: - “Pathogen Transmission Routes”) |
Programme Leader: |
Murray Close |
Institution: |
ESR |
Programme Goal and Rationale: This research programme is an integrated part of a much larger consortium – based programme (of 13 research projects) which aims to quantify the relative significance of key pathogen transmission routes from animals to water bodies. These projects together are also aimed at identifying effective mitigation measures, and developing management guidelines which help reduce faecal contamination of water bodies.
Objective 1
Objective Title: |
Groundwater - I |
Research Leader: |
Murray Close |
Description:
To quantify pathogen contamination of groundwater in a border-strip irrigation farming system.
Methodology:
The Waikakahi is a dairying catchment in South Canterbury characterized by border strip irrigation. NZ DRI is currently funding a large study in the catchment to assess surface water quality (NIWA), and farm management practices (AgResearch). Environment Canterbury (ECAN) is providing farmer liaison. There is currently no detailed groundwater monitoring undertaken within the DRI study, but a preliminary study by ECAN has found that the presence of indicator bacteria in shallow wells is common. We proposed to quantify subsurface contamination by monitoring 6 wells at monthly intervals during the irrigation season, and once during the winter. The wells would be selected based on the depth of well screen, adequate well-head protection, and the absence of other contamination sources (eg. septic tanks). Well samples would be analysed for E. coli, total coliforms, and Campylobacter. E. coli and total coliforms will be analysed quantitatively using Colilert. Campylobacter will be quantitatively analysed using an MPN/PCR format for C. jejuni and C. coli, these are the 2 major pathogenic species. Additionally, farm management (AgResearch) and climatic data will be collected.
7.6 FRM 227
Programme Title: |
Developing silvicultural guidelines for the sustainable management of indigenous forests on private land |
Programme Leader: |
Dr Rob Allen |
Institution: |
Landcare Research |
The objectives of this project have been to study the structure, composition and growth of forest stands to:
- model growth of trees/stands and determine indicators of growth;
- extend the project to existing databases to broaden the coverage of forest type and site;
- prepare a guideline for forest managers.
Assessing landscapes to develop silvicultural systems, consistent with the principles of ecosystem management, which allow high-value timber production from indigenous species under the Forests Act and so support rural communities and development.
Silvicultural systems are needed that work in harmony with natural variation in structure, species composition, growth, and site conditions (Benecke 1996; James & Norton 2002). This requires techniques for assessing landscapes from an ecological perspective and using these to design effective silvicultural systems that minimise environmental impacts. For example, we need to know more about patterns of tree growth on individual properties and how this should determine silvicultural systems. Individual tree growth can be markedly higher on fertile and moist sites than on nearby ridge crests, so within any property a range of harvest intervals and silvicultural systems (e.g., group selection, shelterwood, small coupes) may be appropriate. Optimal planning requires that stand- (or site-) specific management prescriptions be incorporated into a property-level plan. This proposal is to extend our work on ecological site classification as a basis for developing sustainable indigenous forest management.
Ecological site classification studies have so far been undertaken in podocarp/tawa forest, black beech forest and silver beech forest (e.g., Wiser et al. 2001). A major forest type that has not been studied is red/silver beech forest. There is an increasing area of red/silver beech forest covered under approved plans, particularly in the Tasman, West Coast and Hawke’s Bay districts – approximately 10 000 ha out of a total of about 40 000 ha currently under draft and approved sustainable forest management plans. As a consequence the Indigenous Forestry Unit (MAF) requires that ecological site classification work be extended to red/silver beech forest as the single most important forest type, in terms of area and productivity, for approvals under the Forests Act. This research also adds information vital for policy (Government advisors and Ministers), stakeholders (who require guidelines), and as input to international reporting requirements (e.g., Montreal Process criteria 2 and 6).
Objective 1
Objective Title: |
Ecological site classification of a red/silver beech forest |
Research Leader: |
Dr Rob Allen |
Description:
To demonstrate how multifaceted ecological information can be collected on individual properties and used by forest owners to develop silvicultural systems that take account of variation in structure, composition and growth of existing forest stands. This will be achieved through:
- Field sampling of forest composition, structure and size-specific growth for a red/silver beech forest
- Determining variation in forest composition, structure and size-specific growth in relation to site conditions and stand development
- Developing a GIS for the forest that includes a digital terrain model and mapped edaphic variation (e.g., soils, terrain stability)
The classification developed for a red/silver beech forest will be contrasted with results from previous MAF-funded work on ecological site classification.
7.7 FRM 228
Programme Title: |
Low impact silviculture (2002/03) |
Programme Leader: |
Dr Susan Wiser |
Institution: |
Landcare Research |
Goal: To monitor the effects of silvicultural manipulations utilising small (<0.2 ha) coupe, group-selection harvesting and single-tree harvesting in existing trials, so that MAF can refine prescriptions for management set out in Part IIIA of the Forests Act.
The objectives of this project have been to monitor the impacts of harvesting beech in groups and small coupes and to:
· quantify the status of forest structure, growth and regeneration;
· determine health, Platypus damage, mortality and growth of coupe edge trees; and
· quantify the changes in biodiversity and invasive weeds.
Rationale: About 1.5 million ha of indigenous forest land is privately owned; much of this has productive potential. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) has responsibility for the sustainability compliance of forest management plans and permits under the Forests Act 1993, Part IIIA. Appropriate operational research is crucial for MAF’s credibility in implementing sustainable indigenous forestry on privately owned land. MAF has established trials in South Island beech forest to assess the consequences of low-impact silvicultural systems on:
- tree structure, growth and regeneration
- forest health and Platypus damage
- changes in biodiversity and invasive weeds.
These trials document, and will in the fullness of time provide assurance (or contrary advice) as to, the effectiveness of silvicultural prescriptions in Part IIIA of the Act as a means of managing beech forests in New Zealand on a sustainable basis. The justification for these trials, undertaken at Station Creek (Maruia Valley), Glenhope, and Granville Forest (Reefton), was that such silvicultural systems were virtually untried. A key issue to resolve in planning for sustainable forest management is whether compensatory growth and mortality occur in residual trees following harvesting. Resolving this issue will be the focus of this research. The specific outputs identified in this proposal provide a tangible result in the current year and are immediately relevant to MAF’s implementation of the Forests Act.
Objective 1
Objective Title: |
Growth and stability of residual trees after harvesting |
Research Leader: |
Dr Susan Wiser |
Description:
Developing ecologically sustainable silvicultural systems that maintain forest structure, composition and health in native forests requires use of a range of types of low-impact silvicultural and harvesting systems. In beech forests, trials have been established using small coupes (<0.2 ha) and small-group (fewer than 10 trees) harvesting. Evaluating such systems is required including:
- Remeasuring existing small-coupe trials at Granville Forest;
- Analysing edge-tree growth and mortality data from the three trial sites
- Presenting edge-tree growth and mortality results in a report to MAF that is suitable for publication in a journal; and
- Popularising the material for dissemination to forest practitioners.
7.8 FRM 229
Programme Title: |
Developing management guidelines for pinhole borer in beech forests: |
Programme Leader: |
Eckehard Brockerhoff |
Institution: |
Forest Research |
Programme Goal and Rationale:
To provide to MAF conclusive management guidelines for minimising the incidence and effects of pinhole borer following harvesting, to underpin policy advice on Part IIIa of the Forests Act.
The sustainable management of New Zealand’s beech forests requires attention to the native pinhole borer beetles, Platypus spp. Harvesting or natural forest disturbance can lead to outbreaks of these beetles, which may result in widespread mortality of healthy beech trees (Milligan 1979). To avoid such outbreaks, management prescriptions recommend the cutting of harvesting slash into 1-m pieces and the treatment of stumps with urea. This is thought to accelerate drying or decomposition processes, which would reduce the survival of pinhole borer brood. However, the effectiveness of slash and stump treatments has not previously been assessed under the now practised sustainable forest management with low-impact harvesting. Furthermore, little information was available on the potential impact of pinhole borer in these conditions.
Results so far indicate that slash treatments have little or no effect on the development of pinhole borer populations, but there is still a large number of active tunnels of Platypus gracilis and the emergence of beetles is expected to continue during the next year. Thus there is still a possibility that such slash treatments could be valuable in the longer term. One more year of research will enable the completion of the assessment of slash treatment effects on the first generation of pinhole borer. Furthermore, the continuation of the edge and control tree monitoring will provide information on the impact of pinhole borer stand at the stand level, which has not previously been available.
It is therefore being proposed to continue this study to increase our understanding of these important issues in the sustainable management of beech forests, especially forests under private ownership where harvesting occurs, and to provide more conclusive management guidelines. A broad approach is being taken, including the assessment of edge and control trees, and forest growth, to determine site-specific pinhole borer impact and management recommendations. It is further proposed to continue the assessment of the compartment-wide mortality as a result of harvesting, for one further year.
The pinhole borer research is closely linked with the Landcare studies by sharing the same or adjoining forest sites with ongoing common vegetation monitoring.
Objective 1
Objective Title: |
Pinhole borer ecology, impact and management |
Research Leader: |
Dr Eckehard Brockerhoff |
Description:
Research will be conducted to extend our understanding of the ecology and management of pinhole borer, the primary forest health issue in the sustainable management of New Zealand beech. More conclusive management guidelines will be developed to enhance the sustainable management of privately owned beech forests and to support policy development.
Methodology:
A trial established in 1998 at Station Creek in conjunction with sustainable selection harvesting operations will be assessed to develop management guidelines for pinhole borer. The development of pinhole borer extends over 2 to 4 years, and beetle emergence was ongoing in autumn 2002. Because of this, an assessment in the coming season will be essential to ensure the success of this research. The methodology is as follows:
- The incidence of pinhole borer attack in treated and untreated slash and stumps will be monitored in eight experimental plots by assessing the number of active tunnels.
- Tagged coupe edge trees, regeneration and control trees will be assessed for their health and the incidence of pinhole borer.
- Emergence traps installed over individual ‘active’ holes on treated and untreated slash sections and stumps will be monitored approximately monthly to obtain quantitative data on the effects of treatments on the reproductive success of individual beetles.
- The compartment-wide impact will be determined by extrapolating mortality data for gap edge trees and trees in control plots.
- More conclusive management recommendations and guidelines will then be developed, and incorporated in a Final Report to be prepared.
Contact for Enquiries
Farm Monitoring Programme Manager
Monitoring and Evaluation
MAF Policy
PO Box 2526
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 4 894 0623
Fax: +64 4 894 0741
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