Biodiversity
Fern
Outcome: Improved measurement, management and protection of New Zealand´s terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity, including in the conservation estate
Rationale
The integrity of our iconic natural places, and the biodiversity they support, is central to our identity, lifestyle and the economy. Intergenerational responsibility for the management of indigenous ecosystems, expressed through kaitiakitanga, is also central to Māori aspirations.
The effective management of biodiversity must be undertaken in the context of more complete knowledge of its composition and of changes in its state through time and in different ecosystems. This will allow the most threatened components of biodiversity to be identified and addressed through targeted research and effective management, and will highlight the most immediate opportunities to improve delivery efficiency and policy effectiveness.
Demonstrating improvements in biodiversity status at local, regional and national scales will enable us to protect our New Zealand lifestyle, facilitate appropriate development, and meet international obligations to care for our unique plants, fungi and animals.
Impacts
- Trends in national and regional biodiversity on public and private land are understood and based on best available descriptions for species and comprehensive indices of ecological integrity.
- The most threatened ecosystems, habitats and species can be managed to reduce the risk of decline in native biodiversity.
Core Expertise
- Biosystematics and nationally significant biological collections
- Terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems
- Environmental assessments, management and monitoring
- Invasive species management, control and eradication
- Bio–informatics and integrative modelling
- Environmental resource economics
- Policy advice and evaluation