Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research
Driving innovation in New Zealand's management of terrestrial biodiversity and land resources.
Wildlife CSI
Landcare Research scientists have perfected the use of DNA to identify the perpetrators of serious crime – including murder – in the animal kingdom.
They now have the ability to use a range of DNA field tests to establish what species was responsible for the killing. These include using feather fragments, eggshell remains, snagged hairs and even saliva remnants on a carcass of a dead animal. And, in some cases, the scientists can identify exactly which individual animal undertook the crime.
More: Discovery, Issue 18 »
Media releases
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Embracing nature in a redeveloped Christchurch
Our 'Transitions' exhibition garden at the Ellerslie Show showcases some possibilities - including pocket parks, living walls, green roofs and natural water treatment. It shows how we can intergrate people, nature and functionality, and restore some of the plants and wildlife that have been lost. Follow Landcare Research
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Christchurch's residents have expressed a strong desire for a greener central city. 
Science in Focus - Informatics
We are a newly formed team within Landcare Research bringing together individuals with cross–disciplinary skills that frequently combine knowledge of Informatics together with more traditional science disciplines.
Our work covers a spectrum of activities:
- New tools, systems, services and standards for delivering information to external end–users, and our own research community
- Collaborative research with other teams within Landcare Research, and other groups both nationally and internationally
- Design, development, support and maintenance of ‘backbone’ science information systems
- Consultancy and advisory services for information management and biometrics
The Informatics Team currently has 28 staff and a number of contractors. We have specific expertise in the areas of Remote Sensing, GIS, Database application development, Biodiversity Informatics and Biometrics.
Informatics may be defined as the study of the application of computer science, computational, statistical and visualisation techniques for improving acquisition, storage, management, access, utilisation and dissemination of information.
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