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 223

Programme Title:

Growth and mortality of podocarps in mixed Podocarp-Tawa forest

Programme Leader:

Mark Smale

Institution:

Landcare Research CRI

Programme Goal: To expand existing knowledge of podocarp growth and mortality in podocarp-tawa forests in North Island hill country forests, in order to improve the knowledge base from which to assess Sustainable Forest Management Plans.

MAF needs to expand its existing knowledge of podocarp growth and mortality in hill country forests in the North Island, forests that differ substantially from those of the Volcanic Plateau and from the terrace forests of South Westland where there has already been significant ecological and silvicultural research.

Objective 1

Objective Title:

Remeasurement of podocarp growth and mortality

Research Leader:

Mr M. C. Smale

Description:

Remeasurement of tagged trees in hill country podocarp-tawa forest to provide information on growth rates and mortality rates of podocarps and other merchantable canopy tree species, along with site variables that are known to influence growth.

Methodology:

Remeasure a sub-sample of the total area by measuring individual trees along a set of systematically or randomly located transects. Given the absence of tree mapping information, and the likelihood that some trees that have lost their tags are the fastest growing (leading to a biased sample), plot-based sampling to measure basal area or volume increment on an areal basis seems impracticable. Therefore, we propose sampling the identifiable individual trees nearest to a set of systematically or randomly located transects or points. Such an approach would provide a statistically valid sample of the total area, and allow additional detailed measurements to be made on typical variables that may influence growth and mortality. Each tree would be checked as dead or alive, then measured for DBH (according to original timber cruising rules). Two increment cores would be taken from opposite sides of each tree (along the contour) to a depth that includes 43 annual rings (equivalent to 1960) for actual recent growth determination.

Around each tree, factors that might affect growth would be sampled, including competition from adjacent trees, topography, aspect, exposure, and soil fertility. A new tag would be fixed at breast height, and the co-ordinates of each tree noted for future reference. The origin, or starting point of each sample, would also be marked and coordinates recorded by GPS.

Objective 2

Objective Title:

Analysis of podocarp growth and mortality

Research Leader:

Mark C. Smale

Description:

Analysis and brief report of tree data from hill country podocarp-tawa forest to provide information on growth rates and mortality rates of podocarps and other merchantable canopy tree species.

Methodology:

Analysis and preparation of a report on growth rates (and some factors affecting them) and mortality rates of podocarps and other merchantable canopy tree species in hill country podocarp/tawa forest.

Tree growth over both the 43-year period (and potentially shorter, using the tree cores) will be modelled as a function of site characteristics, tree characteristics (e.g. age, dbh), and competitive environment. Our previous work has shown that not all competition indices are equally predictive of growth; a competition index that accounts for the size of the target tree relative to its neighbours has been shown to be most predictive in a range of New Zealand forest types (Wiser et al. 2001). Because the factors that influence the growth of an individual tree are typically not independent from those influencing nearby trees, statistical growth modelling approaches need to account for this lack of independence. To overcome this, we will use mixed models that account for the non-independence of adjacent trees. Tree mortality rates will be compared among tree species and analysed in terms of tree size, spatial location and neighbours.

A comparison will be undertaken of diameter increment determined by core analysis and measured dbh (T2-T1), for those trees that have intact tags and those whose original tag numbers can be deduced. For these trees, volume increment will be estimated using diameter growth and original cruised height.

7.2 FRM 224

Programme Title:

Understanding regeneration and growth of silver beech in Southland forests

Programme Leader:

Jan Derks

Institution:

TACCRA Consultancy

Programme Goal: To determine a post-harvest period over which natural silver beech regeneration can be expected to establish at sufficient density and grow at sufficient rate to result in restoration of forest of similar type and structure to that existing prior to harvest.

Rationale: Rationale for research is to check applicability of the currently recommended 5-year silver beech regeneration monitoring period and to determine a rate of silver beech regeneration and an establishment period that the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) should apply in administering the provisions of Part IIIA of the Forests Act 1949 that require a forest owner to conduct supplementary planting where there has been a failure of natural regeneration at any harvested site. This necessitates decisions as to what density of natural silver beech regeneration is sufficient to restore forest cover and what may be a satisfactory time to wait before determining there has been a failure of natural regeneration and therefore to require a forest owner to undertake supplementary planting at a site.

Investigation of two other components of forest regeneration dynamics is an integral part of the research:

· To obtain an estimate of the extent of regeneration infilling and the span of youngest to oldest regeneration for trees that comprise the current standing crop merchantable harvest (as this may not necessarily be comprised entirely of the first-established post-harvest regeneration at a site) for second growth silver beech on large-area clear cuts.

· To obtain an estimate of average/predominant age of the current silver beech second growth standing crop and effects of micro-site and inter-specific and intra-specific competition on individual silver beech tree diameter and height growth rates.

Objective 1

Objective Title:

Regeneration Establishment Period Estimation

Research Leader:

J. Derks

Description:

To estimate the period taken for silver beech regeneration, now grown to trees comprising an existing standing crop second growth forest of harvestable size and quality, to establish after a known clearcutting year. This will be a determinant of a reasonable period to be allowed to elapse before deeming natural regeneration to have failed (in similar forest type) in administration of Part IIIA of the Forests Act 1949 by MAF. A regeneration period (no. of years since harvest) will be derived and, from ages of individual trees, an average age of the standing crop i.e., the time taken from harvest to possible harvest. This will be applicable to evaluation of regeneration establishment success in small area (< 0.5 ha) coupes as it will be derived from an area or areas previously clear-cut in large compartments that would be expected to have regenerated (at least in central areas furthest removed from a seed source) at a slower rate than would occur in small coupes.

Objective 2

Objective Title:

Micro-site and Competition Effect Assessment

Research Leader:

J. Derks

Description:

To evaluate possible effects of micro-site characteristics on regeneration establishment and growth rate of standing crop silver beech trees i.e., investigate tree density variations (regeneration establishment and survival variations) related to micro-topography and other physical site conditions e.g. drainage, and what consequences micro-site characteristics and/or stem densities have on tree growth. If relationships are found, then this information could be applied to regeneration monitoring and supplementary planting in coupes (where necessary). Plantings could be concentrated on the range of sites with attributes most likely to result in highest tree survival and growth rates.

7.3 FRM 225

Programme Title:

Review of ecosystem management models

Programme Leader:

Rob Allen

Institution:

Landcare Research CRI

Programme Goal: Review international literature on concepts of forest ecosystem management and determine how these could be used to amend the definition of sustainable forest management in the Forest Act.

Rationale: The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) is responsible for implementing sustainability requirements under the Forests Act. While Part IIIA of the Act requires that management of private indigenous forests for timber production must "maintain...a full range of products and amenities while retaining the forest's natural values", it is common for plans and permits to focus on timber yield sustainability rather than forest ecosystem sustainability. The recent Parliamentary Select Committee review of sustainable indigenous forestry (House of Representatives 2002) promoted a greater emphasis on `ecological principles'. The implementation of ecosystem management would satisfy this recommendation. "Ecosystem management" is a new approach that recognises the complex nature of entire ecosystems, rather than single species or elements (Christensen et al. 1996). It often results in management plans that are adaptive, which can respond to the cumulative effects of previous actions (Grumbine 1994). In this respect it has similarities with forest function planning in German forests. Ecosystem management is also being implemented by the U.S. Forest Service to satisfy growing social concerns regarding the impacts of forest management.

An ecosystem management based model has yet to be applied in a general way to New Zealand's indigenous forests that are managed for timber production. As a first step to the development of such an approach, a review of the concepts and quantitative models behind forest ecosystem management is required. Such a review would provide criteria against which sustainable forest management could be evaluated in New Zealand. Quantitative models could forecast the consequences of management for forest composition, structure and functioning (e.g. Coates et al. submitted). This proposal describes a review of forest ecosystem management that will result in recommendations for research and implementation, initially as guidelines and standards.

Objective 1

Objective Title:

Literature review and recommendations

Research Leader:

Rob Allen

Description:

Aims:

  1. To review and summarise the international literature on the principles of forest ecosystem management and on quantitative models that aim to satisfy those principles;
  2. to suggest research directions for the development of theoretical concepts and quantitative models in New Zealand; (iii) to suggest guidelines that allow plans and permits to incorporate this new management paradigm.

The outcome will be delivered as a written report.

Methodology:

Review format: The report will have three sections:

  1. review of concepts and models;
  2. research required to develop such models for New Zealand;
  3. guidelines for implementing forest ecosystem management in New Zealand.

(i) Review of concepts and models (Sarah Richardson)

The theoretical concepts of ecosystem management will be reviewed and summarised. Landcare Research has access to a number of databases that will allow extensive searches of international literature (e.g. CAB abstracts, Ovid current contents). Additional sources will include contact with collaborators working on quantitative management models and Internet-based searches. Forestry departments in countries known to have applied ecosystem management will be targeted (e.g. the United States).

Definitions of ecosystem management vary considerably and this review will draw together the literature and identify common components. These components will be used to develop criteria against which sustainable forest management could be evaluated. Ecosystem management will be contrasted with current management approaches in New Zealand to clarify the changes that are likely to arise should the new approach be adopted. Existing models for New Zealand forest types that embrace some components of ecosystem management (e.g. James & Norton 2002) will be examined relative to the criteria identified.

Quantitative models that forecast the consequences of management will be reviewed and summarised using comparative criteria such as: (i) model origin and forest type where it has been applied; (ii) output (e.g. yield, composition, structure); (iii) limitations of each model; and (iv) parameters required (current composition, light response curves, nutrient responses, seed bank, seedling bank, dispersal). The development of these models and their relationships to one another will be briefly outlined.

(ii) Research required to develop a model for New Zealand (Rob Allen)

Research will be necessary to develop existing concepts and quantitative models in New Zealand. In order to make recommendations for future research (potentially funded by FRST), we will examine case studies from the literature where ecosystem management has been applied to forestry systems. For example, Coates et al. (submitted) have recently developed the model SORTIE-BC for application to forest management in British Columbia. In this example, the effects of disturbance on forest composition were used to develop a model that could forecast the wide range of effects of various silvicultural practices. Recommendations for research will cover both social expectations of indigenous forestry and a framework for gathering parameters from New Zealand forest ecosystems necessary in order to develop a generalised model.

(iii) Guidelines for implementing an ecosystem management model in New Zealand (Rob Allen)

Quantitative models have yet to be applied to large areas and are currently only within the operational domain of researchers. We will translate concepts and quantitative models into guidelines that could be readily incorporated into future revisions of the MAF "Standards and guidelines for sustainable management of indigenous forests".

7.4 FRM 226

Programme Title:

Voluntary codes of practice

Programme Leader:

Lynette Wharfe

Institution:

Agribusiness

Programme Goal: The goal of the programme is to identify critical success factors for the uptake and effective implementation of Codes of Practice by the agriculture, horticulture and forestry industries. The results will be used to assist in the development and implementation of Codes of Practice in the future as well as to clarify potential applications for Codes of Practice.

Currently a number of Codes of Practice have been developed for use in the agriculture, horticulture and forestry industries to achieve a range of objectives and are considered to be an appropriate mechanism to address a range of issues facing industries. An understanding of key drivers and success factors of current programmes will inform and assist the development and review of Codes of Practice in the future. The proposed research will also clarify the areas in which Codes of Practice are effective and appropriate as well identifying any limitations to this type of approach. This information will assist MAF Policy to better understand the value and potential applications of Codes of Practice. This insight will be of value for determining its future advocacy for this type of voluntary industry management tool.

The AgriBusiness Group are currently undertaking research work for the SAMSN project which is investigating the uptake and implementation of sustainable management systems within the agriculture and horticulture sectors. Codes of Practice are one mechanism that has been used by industry as part of QA and EMS type programmes. The SAMSN project has required interaction across the sectors and establishing a level of understanding of many of the programmes that are currently being used.

Objective 1

Objective Title:

Literature Review and Stocktake of Codes of Practice

Research Leader:

Lynette Wharfe

Description:

The literature review and stock take will involve two tasks:

a) A review of literature on the effectiveness and adoption of Codes of Practice. The review will identify relevant recent research on behavioural models and factors influencing adoption uptake, particularly of voluntary mechanisms such as Codes of Practice.
It will also identify analytical models and methodologies that have been used for evaluating and assessing Codes of Practice.
The literature review will be provided in report format identifying key themes from the literature surveyed.

b) A brief overview of known Codes of Practice currently in use in New Zealand, including key drivers for their establishment. The summary will be provided in a table format.

Methodology:

The background literature review and stock take will be undertaken as follows:

  1. The purpose of the literature review is provide a foundation for the assessment of the critical factors for success and uptake of voluntary programmes, such as Codes of Practice. It will critically review and summarise information about the principles underlying adoption behaviour and also identify factors that have assisted the uptake and effectiveness of Codes of Practice. This will include identifying research that has been undertaken on the issue, what the finding were and any relationships with theoretical models that were identified. Analytical and evaluation models used to determine the effectiveness of programmes will also be identified. Key factors influencing adoption identified in the literature review will be used to provide a basis for develop the framework and questions in Objective 2 and analysis in Objective 3.

    The literature review will be undertaken collaboratively, encompassing the expertise of Terry Parminter of AgResearch and Michelle Rush, of Michelle Rush Consulting Ltd.
  2. To assist with Objective 2 a brief overview and summary of known Codes of Practices currently in use will be undertaken, including key drivers for the establishment of the Code. The Codes of Practice will be assessed against a list of criteria including programme structure, drivers and methods of implementation. This will provide a framework against which to determine the Codes of Practice to be reviewed as part of Objective 2.

    If new Codes of Practice under development are identified during the research they will be included in the overview.

At the conclusion of Objective 1 a meeting will be held with MAF to present findings to date and discuss and agree on the Codes of Practice to be selected for in depth case study reviews as part of Objective 2.

Objective 2

Objective Title:

Case Study reviews

Research Leader:

Jon Manhire

Description:

The Objective will include a mix of analysis, interviews and focus groups. The results will be collated into a report format as a basis for Objective 3. The objective is to seek information at both an institutional and user level.

Methodology:

Part of the output from Objective 1 will clarify the fields for determining the analysis of the relative performance of Codes of Practice. This will be used to design and manage the following detailed reviews of a suggested 10 Codes of Practice.

a) Obtain copies of the Codes of Practice and identify key components.

b) Interview key informants on the programme to identify key drivers and outcomes sought through the development of a Code of Practice, and quantify uptake and adoption rates and methods, including any evaluations undertaken on the effectiveness and adoption of the Code of Practice.

c) Undertake 3 focus group meetings with industry users to clarify attitudes and adoption issues for the uptake of Codes of Practice. It is suggested that the focus groups be held in Hawkes Bay, Waikato and Canterbury and include a range of industry participants representing the relevant sectors (ie forestry, horticulture and agriculture).

The design of the focus groups will be informed by the outputs of Objective 1, in that the reasons identified as influencing uptake will be tested with participants. Barriers to uptake will also be scoped.

Objective 3

Objective Title:

Critical success factors

Research Leader:

Lynette Wharfe

Description:

The results of the information gathered as part of Objectives 1 and 2 will be collated, analysed to establish the critical factors for success in programmes and be presented in a report format.

Methodology:

The information gathered as part of Objectives 1 and 2 will be collated and analysed to establish the critical factors for adoption and effectiveness in programmes. This will include both those factors, which increase adoption, and those factors which were negative in terms of limiting the adoption and effectiveness of programmes. Trends and similarities will be identified and the results will be compared with the literature review findings from Objective 1.

This report will be peer reviewed by AgResearch.

7.5 FRM 228

Programme Title:

Biodiversity : Conserving threatened introduced species

Programme Leader:

Eckehard Brockerhoff

Institution:

Forest Research CRI (with two other collaborative providers)

Programme Goal: Review and summarise relevant international agreements and national policy regarding the protection of threatened introduced species. Review current systems for the protection of such species. Identify and compile a list of threatened non-indigenous plants and animals in New Zealand, including genetic resources in the form varieties of cultivated plants, review their status, and propose additional measures, where necessary, that could be undertaken in New Zealand to ensure their future protection. Identify relevant agencies to hold information on threatened introduced species and genetic resources.

Rationale: Exotic species are recognised by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) as having value for sustainable and traditional use, and may be globally threatened. New Zealand's economy is largely based on introduced species, and the Ministry for the Environment defined a biodiversity indicator that focuses on the genetic diversity and distinctiveness of valued introduced species. Apart from the species that are used in agriculture, forestry and other production sectors, there are many more species that are not of direct economic significance. In fact, a remarkably high number of exotic species occur in New Zealand. For example, there are about 2100 adventive vascular plant species, in addition to the approximately 2300 indigenous species, (Wardle, 1991; Taylor, 1997; Wilton and Breitwieser, 2000), and many more exotic species occur in cultivation but not (yet) in the wild. There are also hundreds of exotic birds, mammals, invertebrates, and other animals. Some of these exotic species are threatened in their native range, and populations in New Zealand could be valuable for re-introduction or to maintain species ex-situ in New Zealand, to assist with conservation efforts as outlined in the New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy (in Objective 4.5).

Based on the publicity about a few `high-profile cases' of threatened introduced species, such as the tammar wallaby, Macropus eugenii, it may appear that information on threatened introduced species in New Zealand is readily available. This is actually not the case, and most of the threatened introduced species mentioned below are not well known as such, if at all. It is essential to determine which of our introduced species are in fact threatened. Without this information it would be difficult to assess, for example, whether current systems adequately protect such species. A preliminary assessment of our introduced flora and fauna identified more plant than animal species that meet the criterion of being threatened in their native range, hence the focus on plants, but we will also provide relevant information on animals, primarily vertebrates.

A list of exotic species found in New Zealand will be compared against the world-wide IUCN Red list of Threatened Species (IUCN, 2002) to determine which threatened exotics occur here, supplemented by use of reliable lists that do not yet conform to IUCN criteria. A preliminary survey of the IUCN Red list revealed that at least 100 threatened tree species are likely to be planted in New Zealand. For example, Pinus maximartinezii is listed as endangered, and trees of this species are in a trial in New Zealand. Two endangered, non-native orchids cultivated here are Paphiopedilum armeniacum and Paphiopedilum fairrieanum. A number of oceanic island endemics present in New Zealand as weeds, pastoral components and cultivated amenity plants are known to be threatened; several of New Zealand's introduced bumblebees are under threat in their home ranges and two may be extinct.

Further investigations will be undertaken to determine the viability of populations and the current status of protection of such species in New Zealand. Recommendations can then be made whether any additional measures of protection are required (both nationally and internationally), and what kind of measures is likely to ensure the maintenance of viable populations without endangering indigenous species. Apart from meeting the objectives of the New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy, the project will substantially contribute to CBD programmes including those for Forestry and Agriculture, the Agricultural Pollinators Programme, and the Global Plant Conservation Strategy, as well as related conventions such as CITES.

Information on genetic resources in the form of varieties of cultivated plants will be compiled as a discussion document. This will describe genetic resource policies and conservation measures, including New Zealand's position in the global context. The review will integrate aspects of exotic species under threat, and of exotic genetic resources under threat, and conclude with a consensus position of the areas reviewed. Different methods available will be assessed for gathering, recording, and maintaining genetic resources. For example, a long-term cryopreservation storage facility (a national stand-alone facility) could be used as an insurance mechanism to back-up national collections of flora and fauna for the proportion that is under threat.

Objective 1

Objective Title:

Identifying and conserving threatened introduced species

Research Leader:

Dr Eckehard Brockerhoff

Description:

A list of threatened introduced species and where they occur in New Zealand will be provided as a basis for this work. Any available information on the viability of populations and the status of protection will be reviewed to enable recommendations for ex-situ conservation or re-introduction to the area of origin.

Methodology:

Identification of threatened introduced species:. A survey of the world-wide IUCN Red list of Threatened Species (IUCN, 2002) and, depending on availability in suitable format, other reliable "non-conforming" lists (e.g., for Australia, USA, southern Africa (SABONET), EU "agreed" lists and IUCN Species Survival Commission Specialist Tree Group programme lists) will be compared with lists of exotic species in New Zealand compiled from herbarium records, provenance trial information, arboreta, botanical gardens, Department of Conservation records, zoological gardens, and other sources. Data will include scientific and common names, systematic position, and geographic distribution, both natural range and known occurrence as introduced species. Initially this work will focus on conifers as a pilot study, but information on other plant and animal taxa will also be compiled, albeit with less detail.

Information on populations of threatened introduced species: Location information obtained from herbarium specimens, provenance trials, the Department of Conservation and any other collaborators will be compiled. This information will be used to derive estimates of the viability of populations of threatened exotic plants and animals in New Zealand. In doing this New Zealand threat indicators along with those for IUCN will be used and for selected species PVA analysis. Some of the best information on such species is likely to be that on trees. Prior to 1987, the NZ Forest Service actively developed and maintained genetic resources of many tree species in provenance trials. Forest Research has comprehensive information on these trials. Over the past four years Forest Research has initiated the development of a national genetic resources programme and a review of species. Included in this is a listing of past NZ Forest Service genetic resources and seed stands, which, along with information on additional species, provides an excellent basis for this work. Other good information sources will include agricultural trials of pasture species, introduced pollinators and bio-control agents, and some amenity horticultural species.

Recommendations: Existing systems and policy for the recording, protection and maintenance of threatened introduced species will be reviewed. Those species that are likely to require specific actions to ensure the survival of viable populations will be examined in more detail. To determine the effectiveness of existing systems and policy, we will assess whether the threatened species we identify are adequately recorded and protected, and whether measures are in place that ensure the maintenance of these species. Recommendations for conservation action will be categorised according to the IUCN threat categories `extinct in the wild', `critically endangered', `endangered', or `vulnerable' (from highest to lowest priority). Recommendations will be made as to what measures of protection may be required, without endangering indigenous species. These could include formal protection of such sites, as well as transfer to botanic or zoological gardens, and re-introduction into the area of origin. For Critically Endangered and Extinct in the Wild Species pro forma draft Management Recommendations will be developed as a precursor to integrated Management Plans (a contribution to CBD GPCS targets), noting that many of these species may be subject to existing Management Plans in their country of origin.

Protection of tree provenance trials will be amongst the most valuable actions because such trials usually consist of material that is genetically identical to the native populations from where it originated. By contrast, other populations are likely to be modified through breeding. Furthermore, provenance trials often comprise a large number of trees that can be propagated through collection of seeds, whereas individual trees in botanic gardens are often from single clones. However, since 1987 there have been many changes in forest ownership, including ownership of important genetic resources. With the sale of the state plantations and continued changes in forest ownership, these genetic resources are being progressively logged as the stands mature and are being replaced with radiata pine. This is leading to the loss of these resources that include a number of threatened species. Measures for the protection of these populations are most urgently needed.

Botanic gardens and arboreta provide a second source of valuable information that can be readily accessed as most significant collections are now catalogued. However, probably none have been rigorously screened for conservation status and this would be carried out for sample collections, initially centred on the Canterbury region (e.g., Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Timaru Botanic Garden, John Anderson Arboretum Trust).

Also to be taken into account are alien `weed' species although here the project will have to sample representatively either by region or taxonomic groups or both. The revision of New Zealand's naturalised plant flora in the 1980s provided a very rigorous source of information that is constantly updated, and indicated a significant range of weed species of conservation value such as Lepidium hyssopifolium (Australia - Critically Endangered) and Macronesian species that are virtually extinct in their home range but thrive in New Zealand.

Feasibility: The vast majority of plant taxa listed in the 1997 IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants (IUCN 1997) have not yet been evaluated against the revised Red List Criteria and are therefore not included in the 2002 IUCN Red list. The UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre [WCMC] Threatened Plants Database contains information on over 136,000 plant taxa of conservation importance based on 19,000 data sources but this list is not rigorous and will need to be screened against "non-conforming" lists. The IUCN Species Survival Commission's Plant Programme has recently initiated an exercise to integrate such sources and this New Zealand project can be "plugged into" this IUCN project as a pilot scheme component. The scale of the overall task will require that one focuses initially on particular groups of key species, beginning with taxonomic groups such as conifers for which the best information is available or with the taxonomic groups that are most important economically or culturally, as determined in consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

Objective 2

Objective Title:

Risk options for long term maintenance of genetic resource collections.

Research Leader:

  

Description:

To determine consensus among CRIs, universities, botanic gardens, DoC, and rare animal breed societies for a risk management strategy for the maintenance of existing collections of exotic flora and fauna.

Methodology:

Most of New Zealand's land-based wealth comes from exotic plant and animal species. This wealth depends upon an adequate genetic base for breeding or population buffering to meet future challenges imposed by biotic and edaphic stresses, environmental concerns, industrial requirements and market place factors. Currently, "working collections" of exotic species are maintained by a number of organisations and individuals such as CRIs, botanic gardens and rare breed societies.

This objective seeks to identify areas of risk in the management of genetic resources of New Zealand's domesticated and cultivated species, and make recommendations on how these risks can be effectively managed. Where possible, information gaps will also be noted. Current systems, will be reviewed, in particular, the conservation status, methods of record maintenance and information transfer, amongst the economically important plant collections and an assessment of conservation status of rare and minority animal breeds collectively grouped within the rare breeds society. Alternative techniques, especially for animal genetic material, will be assessed, including networking through the existing ex situ zoological networks for Australasia and internationally, including IUCN's SSC Conservation Breeding Specialist Group and Captive Breeding Specialist Group (both of which David Given is a member). The objective will conclude with a recommended policy on how to manage the risks for long-term conservation of reviewed collections of flora and fauna.

This objective will involve surveying major collections of exotic flora and fauna currently held in New Zealand, and assessing aspirations for the long-term maintenance of individual species' collections and their vulnerability. The survey will build upon earlier work by Margot Forde et al. (1985), who documented the status of most plant genetic resource collections maintained by New Zealand Government Departments at that time. The focus of the proposed survey will be to document, wherever possible, the current status of collections reviewed by that survey, which will give an assessment of the degree of success of conservation over the last 15 years. For example, the total collection may remain intact, but the content of which may be dynamic with some proportion subject to loss. An expansion of the Forde et al. (1985) survey will be conducted to include private and local body botanic collections, as well as animal collections such as those described by the rare animal breeds society (breadth of the survey is indicated in section 4.2 "Collaboration"). Previous experience suggests there is an urgent need to document more fully ex situ collections such as those in botanic gardens and zoological collections where there is often only approximate knowledge of the extent of collections and sometimes little liaison nation-wide. The survey will describe impressions by custodians of their ability to maintain current levels of diversity of collections under their care, and attitudes toward improved or alternative ways to better conserve portions of collections under threat. The table below demonstrates the proposed survey methodology, with data sourced from the proposed objective leader's organisation.

Table 1. Status of exotic germplasm in New Zealand, with a "risk weighting" (high / medium / low) for likelihood of loss of accessions within the next 10-20 years. Species surveyed are those represented in collections subject to systematic conservation.

Species

Maintained By

Representation

Duplication in NZ (all/some/none)

Vulnerability-risk of loss (in part or all)

   

1985

2003

  

Part / all

Hi / medium /low / nil

Arable crops

            

Wheat _

C&FR

3500 wild, cvs, brdg

3500 wild, cvs, brdg

some

part

Low

Barley _

C&FR

1500 cvs, brdg

1500 cvs, brdg

some

all

Low

Oats _

C&FR

400 cvs, brdg

450 cvs, brdg

some

part

Low

Maize _

  

200 cvs, brdg

  

none

all

High

Tobacco _

  

600 cvs, brdg

Transfer Hort Res

      

Hops _

  

330 cvs, brdg

Transfer Hort Res

      

Potato _

C&FR

400 cvs, brdg

450 cvs, brdg

some

part

Med

Tomato _

C&FR

110 wild, cvs

None

none

all

High

Peas _

C&FR

450 wild, cvs

300 cvs

some

part

High

Beans _

C&FR

1000 cvs, brdg

None

none

all

High

Onions _

C&FR

200 cvs, brdg

<50 cvs, brdg

none

all

High

Asparagus _

C&FR

250 wild, cvs, brdg

300 cvs, brdg

some

part

Low

Kumera _

C&FR

10 wild, cvs, brdg

10 wild, cvs

some

part

Med

Forage brassicas _

C&FR

29 cvs

15

some

part

High

Lucerne _

C&FR

2700 cvs, bridg

Transfer AgRes

      

Capsicum

C&FR

500 cvs

Zero

some

all

High

Cabbage

C&FR

  

Zero

none

all

High

Cauliflower

C&FR

  

Zero

none

all

High

Halloy collection N

C&FR

    

some

all

High

Palmer collections §

C&FR

  

Zero

none

all

High

_ Survey, Margot Forde et al. (1985)

N Extensive collection of plant species from Latin America: 1300 accessions

§ Extensive collection of various species of lupin, onion, bean, rare vegetables

Breeding lines and other forms of genetic stocks

7.6 FRM 229

Programme Title:

Pathogen transmission routes - Riparian Management Guidelines.

Programme Leader:

Rob Collins

Institution:

NIWA CRI

Programme Goal: Surface runoff is, potentially, an important delivery mechanism of microbes to waterways. However, little research has been undertaken to quantify this process, and this limits understanding of the effectiveness of potential mitigation measures. It is proposed to continue to undertake experiments using a large-scale rainfall simulator (LRS) to quantify surface runoff delivery of microbes on steep hill-country. Experiments under objective 2 of the Pathogen Transmission Routes Programme (PTRP) quantified delivery under extreme rainfall events. Under objective 5, it is proposed to extend this to more moderate rainfall events, and to determine the effectiveness (if any) of a grass buffer strip in attenuating microbes under the LRS.

Riparian buffer strips are recognized as a key mitigation measure to reduce the delivery of pathogens to water bodies, by surface runoff. Under objective 2 of the PTRP the impact of strip length and flow rate upon microbial entrapment was quantified under a well-drained Hamilton clay loam soil. Under objective 5, it is proposed to extend these studies to a poorly drained soil. In addition, the fate of microbes within plots over time will be determined.

Finally, it is proposed to derive (preliminary) riparian guidelines using both the experimental studies, and information from the literature.

Objective 1

Objective Title:

Riparian Management Guidelines

Research Leader:

Rob Collins

Description:

  1. To quantify the delivery of microbes via surface runoff upon steep hill-country pasture. To determine the effectiveness of riparian buffer strips upon such topography where convergence of surface runoff occurs;
  2. To determine the effectiveness of riparian buffer strips (grass plots) upon a poorly drained soil. To determine the fate of microbes in buffer strips over time; and
  3. Collation of findings from the experimental work, coupled with those from the literature, to derive preliminary guidelines.

Methodology:

  1. Experiments will be undertaken using the LRS. See Objective 2 report (MAF03203) for details of the methodology;
  2. Plot methodology is the same as that described in the Objective 2 report; and
  3. Desk study.

7.7 FRM 230

Programme Title:

Riparian Buffer Zone Effectiveness

Programme Leader:

Rob Collins

Institution:

NIWA CRI

Programme Goal: Review and summarise published research on the efficiency and management of riparian buffer zones (RBZ) with respect to the attenuation of sediment and nutrients and biodiversity enhancement. Identify knowledge gaps and research requirements.

Rationale

RBZ are widely advocated as a key measure with which to mitigate diffuse pollution from agricultural sources. Numerous studies, primarily overseas, have been conducted into RBZ efficiency with respect to sediment and nutrients. Typically, however, the information derived from these has been small-scale, site-specific, and dependent upon localised factors and/or experimental design. Furthermore, attempts to extrapolate site-specific findings to the catchment scale are rare. A review of published research is therefore proposed to identify and summarise the key factors influencing RBZ performance. The effectiveness of a range of levels of RBZ, from simple stock exclusion to multi-tier zones including variation in riparian vegetation will be addressed. This review would include an assessment of the catchment scale factors that influence the effectiveness of RBZ in attenuating catchment loads (e.g., flow/contaminant pathways and instream processing).

Objective 1

Objective Title:

Riparian buffer review

Research Leader:

Rob Collins

Description:

Provide a review of published knowledge on the factors influencing of riparian buffer zone (RBZs) efficiency in attenuating diffuse sources of sediment, nitrogen and phosphorus and enhancing biodiversity.

Methodology:

Published literature on RBZs will be searched and reviewed and a report produced that summarises existing knowledge, information gaps and research needs. The report will be divided into a 10-15-page synopsis and a main report providing sufficient detail to support the material in the synopsis. The synopsis will be written to be readily understandable by a wide range of staff in local, regional and national government agencies and provide them with much improved appreciation of the potential and limitations of RBZ management as a tool for sustainable management of land and water resources.

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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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