Research overview
Our research on weed biocontrol provides natural solutions for invasive weed management. Controlling weeds is a challenging and expensive task. Widespread weeds can be found in inaccessible locations and alongside native and economically important plants. Herbicides are expensive to apply, often kill desirable plants, can contaminate the environment, and need to be reapplied regularly to effectively suppress weeds populations.
Biocontrol offers a cost-effective, environmentally low-risk and sustainable solution to weed control. Carefully selected biocontrol agents only target their host weed species. They don’t harm desirable plants, and don’t pollute the environment. Once established, these natural enemies can spread wherever the weed occurs and can maintain weed populations at a level where they do not cause significant economic and environmental damage—all without human input. When possible, biocontrol is an ideal solution.
The weed biocontrol group runs projects and programmes of work at home in New Zealand and with communities in the Pacific with the goal of finding host-specific biocontrol agents for selected target weeds. Key funders and stakeholders in our research include the National Biocontrol Collective; the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)’s Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures; New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).
Weed biocontrol in the Pacific
Invasive alien plants are among the most important groups of invasive species affecting both the socio-economic well-being of Pacific people and the islands’ unique ecosystems. Invasive species make ecosystems and communities more vulnerable to natural disasters and the impacts of climate change.
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