Landcare Research - Manaaki Whenua

Landcare-Research -Manaaki Whenua

Innovation case studies

Biodiversity monitoring (Tomas Easdale).
Cost-effective biodiversity monitoring

We developed a co-ordinated and consistent ‘big picture’ biodiversity monitoring framework that measures multiple components at the same sampling points, maximising interpretative power while minimising the cost to individual agencies of sourcing and merging data sources.

Biodiversity in a pastoral landscape (Richard Gordon).
Transparent framework for setting biodiversity targets

A transparent approach to setting biodiversity management targets and risk assessment framework was developed by integrating extensive existing national datasets for birds and woody vegetation cover.

Northern offshore islands can be hotspots for endemic species (David Wardle).
'Hotspots' of endemism (biodiversity found only in NZ)

Herbarium records and the Biodiverse programme for quantifying areas and types of endemism, we identified key areas that should be important priorities for conservation planning and management, and environmental reporting.

Wetland delineation workshop led by Bev Clarkson (blue parka) (David Palmer).
How to tell our wetlands from our drylands

To provide greater clarity and consistency for determining boundaries of wetlands (e.g. for resource management purposes), we developed a delineation system for New Zealand, based on a similar system used in the USA for regulatory purposes.

Sam Carrick setting up a large scale lysimeter in stony soil (Caroline King).
Contaminant leaching through stony soils

Over the last decade land use on stony soils has intensified but there was relatively little data on vulnerability to contaminant leaching and hence the safe limits for effluent application.

Scott Fraser assessing soils (David Palmer).
S-map data use expanding rapidly

S-map is a comprehensive information system about soils of New Zealand. Over the last three years, the number of unique visitors to S-Map Online has increased by 52% p.a.; visits by 77% p.a.; and 100,000 soil fact sheets have been downloaded.

International flags, McMurdo Base, Antarctica (Richard Gordon).
Antarctic Environments Portal launched

We developed the open-access Antarctic Environments Portal, where high quality, apolitical, policy ready research summaries address issues for governance attention or further investigation.

Gabriel Moinet setting up equipment at the study site (John Hunt).
Irrigated dairying can increase soil carbon

Research results suggest farm management decisions (e.g. irrigation and grazing) can be tuned to enhance dry matter production, water use efficiency and soil carbon all at the same time.

Rats attacking a bird’s nest (rodent numbers erupt following a mast year) (Ngā Manu Images).
'Mega-masts' and the management of invasive mammals

Masting is triggered by relative summer temperatures over successive years, which enables us to use national climate data to predict where and when a mast will occur and the intensity and extent of the mast.

Sexual state of grape powdery mildew (Jerry Cooper).
Grape powdery mildew now has sex

Our preliminary genetic characterisation of the fungus in New Zealand indicates there are three genetically distinct populations, with one population consistently linked to difficult-to-control outbreaks of the disease.