Regional Research Update Issue 3
Welcome to the third Regional Research Update, where again we have a range of interesting topics relevant to regional councils and their partners.
2019 has been fast paced so far here at Manaaki Whenua – and we know it has been the same for many of you.
This newsletter is designed to share some of our scientific work with you, covering:
- Smarter targeting of soil erosion control
- An update to the Land Cover Database
- Remote sensing to predict beech masting events
- New Zealand’s Honey Landscape
- Our involvement in the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystems Services (IPBES)
- The latest Survey of Rural Decision-Makers (SRDM)
- The latest research into soil carbon
- TrapSim – an online trapping tool for land managers.
I am delighted to introduce Graham Sevicke-Jones who recently joined Manaaki Whenua in the role of General Manager, Science & Knowledge Translation. Graham brings extensive experience in applying science to real-world challenges faced by communities, businesses and government agencies targeting the sustainable use and development of our natural assets in New Zealand. He has worked in the regional sector for many years and his insight will be valuable in our work with you in the future.
Read on for more!
Peter Millard
GM Science
In this issue
Smarter targeting of soil erosion control
Smarter targeting of erosion control focuses on the need for regional councils and land managers to have higher-resolution data on catchment erosion and sediment delivery to streams
All the “vegetation” you can eat! The Land Cover Database is being updated
Work is underway to deliver the updated land cover database (LCDB 5) in early 2020. You can help us ensure that the new version is error-free and uses the best available data for your region.
Remote sensing to predict beech masting events
This year a new remote sensing method has been developed at Manaaki Whenua to identify when beech trees flower.
New Zealand’s Honey Landscape
Much research has been done on honey – but not so much on the natural resources that support honey production. Manaaki Whenua has two projects that help landowners and land managers to better understand beehive carrying capacity as New Zealand’s honeybee population continues to soar.
One Million Extinctions – who’s counting?
The plight of global biodiversity made headline news around the world – and in New Zealand – when the United Nations Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystems Services (IPBES) met in Paris in April 2019. Anne-Gaelle Ausseil from Manaaki Whenua was in the official New Zealand delegation and reflects here on nature’s week in the international spotlight.
Survey of Rural Decision-Makers (SRDM)
Farmers all around the country are opening their e-mail to find an invitation to participate in the 2019 Survey of Rural Decision Makers. The survey asks farmers about their farming practices, land use and management, and future planning. The survey is proving to be a valuable resource for policy-makers, industry bodies, and researchers.
Soil carbon – opportunity or ticking time bomb?
New Zealand soils typically have high carbon content due to natural factors such as soil types and climate combined with the perennial pasture farm systems that dominate our landscape. Understanding the stocks and flows of carbon in our soils is complex, but critical to understanding our potential greenhouse gas emissions; and taking the right mitigation and adaptation actions.
TrapSim: an online tool to help managers decide on a trapping regime
When faced with the task of managing predators at a landscape scale, there are a number of decisions land manager(s) must make.