Case studies

Life cycle assessments pay dividends

Landcare Research’s Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) research has pointed the way for increased market security and multi–million–dollar annual savings for New Zealand’s primary industries. Zespri calculates that carbon footprinting could save the kiwifruit industry $17 million a year through new production efficiencies (NBR 2008). The pipfruit industry has also identified considerable cost–saving opportunities in developing LCA, both on–orchard and at processing level, with many options requiring little capital investment (Orchardist May 2009).

Saving biodiversity and money: why biocontrol is so effective

In New Zealand one of the most successful biocontrol programmes undertaken to date has been against ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris, previously Senecio jacobaea). Biocontrol uses the natural enemies of weeds to tame them to the point where no other control is needed. The ragwort flea beetle (Longitarsus jacobaeae) has reduced ragwort to low levels in many parts of New Zealand. More recently efforts have been made to release a plume moth (Platyptilia isodactila) in the remaining ragwort strangleholds where the flea beetle is not able to be effective, and it looks likely to be successful. Since the early 1990s, for a total cost of just under $1.5 million, the ragwort biocontrol programme has saved New Zealand dairy farms between $9 and $12 million every year (1).

Wetland Restoration: adding value to land and water

New Zealand has lost more than 90% of its original wetlands since European settlement, one of the most extensive and rapid rates of loss for any country in the world. New Zealand’s wetlands are home to unique biota many of which are under threat of extinction as wetland areas decline. Wetlands also provide large benefits to mankind by maintaining water quality and supply, regulating carbon and nutrient budgets, and protecting shorelines. However, our remaining wetlands and their values continue to degrade through fragmentation, decreasing water supply, nutrient enrichment and weed invasion.

Land Environments of New Zealand – improved methods and tools for ecosystem conservation and management

Goal 3 of the New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy aims to halt the decline of indigenous biodiversity by (a) maintaining and restoring a full range of habitats and ecosystems and (b) maintaining and restoring viable populations of all indigenous species and subspecies across their natural range and maintaining their genetic diversity. Meeting that goal requires knowledge about the extent and status of species, habitats and ecosystems across a range of scales, including how well the full range of ecosystems is represented within the national conservation network.

Modelling hill country erosion

Annual costs associated with hill country erosion are estimated by MAF to be $100–150m per annum. Costs result from loss of soil and nutrients, lost animal–production, and damage to pasture, waterways and infrastructure. The Ministry spends $2.5m per annum to build regional council capacity to address erosion.

More effective and lower cost biodiversity management: the Threatened Environment Classification

Protection of biodiversity is a statutory requirement under the Resource Management Act. It is also the focus of The New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy, which reflects New Zealand’s commitment to meet the goals of the global Convention on Biological Diversity.

Aerial 1080 poisoning for possum control

Dramatic reductions in the amount of 1080 used for possum control have come about through Landcare Research work in the last 15 years, as outlined in this 2007 case study for the Crown Company Monitoring Advisory Unit (CCMAU).

carboNZero certification – ‘greening’ our trading future

Landcare Research’s scientifically robust carboNZero programme is helping environmentally focused New Zealand organisations achieve a market edge, as this 2008 case study for the Crown Company Monitoring Advisory Unit (CCMAU) explains.

Land links to water–based business

The Landcare  Research–led Integrated Catchment Management Programme at Motueka is helping to  create a better understanding of how activities in area affect one another, as  this 2008 case study  for the Crown Company Monitoring Advisory Unit (CCMAU) explains.

National Vegetation Survey Databank (NVS – ‘NIVS’)

How do we know how much carbon was stored in our forests back in 1990 for our Kyoto Protocol calculations? How much timber could be sustainably logged from an indigenous forest?

The NVS databank, an invaluable record of New Zealand’s vegetation extending back over 50 years, helped provide answers to these questions and continues to inform decision making about our natural environment, as this 2007 case study for the Crown Company Monitoring Advisory Unit (CCMAU) explains.

Optical satellite imagery for regional monitoring

Innovative remote sensing work by Landcare Research scientists is providing a wealth of information for land management in New Zealand, as this 2007 case study for the Crown Company Monitoring Advisory Unit (CCMAU) explains.

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the terrestrial biosphere

Landcare Research is at the forefront of efforts to understand the impacts of, and achieve reductions in, greenhouse gas emissions, as this 2007 case study for the Crown Company Monitoring Advisory Unit (CCMAU) explains.

Securing a future for kiwi and kōkako

Kiwi numbers in the wild are halving every decade, with 95% of chicks being killed by predators before reaching adulthood. However in ‘managed areas’ on New Zealand’s mainland kiwi populations have been stabilised or are increasing.

Work by Landcare Research scientists has been instrumental in the turnaround for kiwi and the equally threatened kokako as this 2008 case study for the Crown Company Monitoring Advisory Unit (CCMAU) explains.