Issue 23, November 2014

In this issue

Ecosystem Services in New Zealand cover.

Editorial

The first national assessment of ecosystems services in New Zealand was recently released (Ecosystem Services in New Zealand – Conditions and Trends, 2013. Manaaki Whenua Press).

Figure 1. Rain gardens at Karanga Plaza, Auckland City intercept, retain and cleanse runoff from adjacent paved surfaces before discharge to the harbour. The rain gardens are functional landscaping using local plan.

Optimising ecosystem services of (urban) soils

Where soils are used to mitigate effluent or stormwater they must provide key ecosystems services of water detention, water retention, and contaminant removal.

Using an ecosystem services approach to assess the cost of soil erosion

Soil degradation from farmland is a significant issue across New Zealand. This study investigates an ecosystem services (ES) approach to estimate the long-term environmental cost of shallow mass movement erosion, and to evaluate the wider environmental and social benefits of soil conservation practices.

Figure 1. Extracting and analysing DNA from samples collected for soil quality assessment can provide information on the variation, abundance and diversity of microbial genes that provide vital ecosystem services.

Mapping soil health from microbial genes

Soil scientists from regionals councils (Northland RC, Auckland Council, Waikato RC, Hawke’s Bay RC, Greater Wellington RC, Tasman District Council, Marlborough District Council, Environment Canterbury and Environment Southland), the University of Auckland (Dr Gavin Lear) and Landcare Research (Dr Bryan Stevenson) have joined together to take soil quality monitoring to a higher level.

Soil microbes – bacteria, archaea, and fungi

Soils harbour enormous microbial diversity, comprising bacteria, archaea, and fungi. The total fresh weight mass of organisms in grassland soils can exceed 45 tonnes per hectare, equalling or exceeding above-ground biomass.

Figure 1. Main ridge of study site, Mount Cardrona. Image - BJA.

Impact of climate change on the diversity and functioning of soil microbial communities

Microorganisms comprise the majority of soil biomass and diversity and provide vital ecosystem services such as the breakdown of soil organic matter and cycling of available nitrogen. However, despite the importance of microbial communities for soil health and fertility, we know remarkably little about their response to changing climatic conditions.

On-farm riparian zones and ecosystem services valuation

In response to the growing concerns about surface water quality, the voluntary approach to fencing riparian zones on dairy farms is now becoming a mandatory requirement from regional authorities in some dairying regions, and a condition of supply by milk companies. This has intensified the debate on the value of riparian zones, and the degree to which they are actively managed.

Figure 1. Measuring visual water clarity at a river site in the NRWQN. The technician is using an underwater periscope (black item in his left hand) fitted with a 45 degree mirror to view horizontally under the water surface. Visual clarity is the distance (measured by tape measure) at which the visual target (black disc on the left of the image) disappears. The black disc is fixed to a steel pole driven into the river gravel. Image - Graham Timpany.

An overview of water quality in relation to land use in New Zealand

Much information on the water quality of New Zealand rivers at national scale has come from monitoring at the 77 sites of the National Rivers Water Quality Network (NRWQN) operated by NIWA for 25 years.

Downscaling ecosystem services to catchment scale

A case study in the Ruamahanga catchment.

Orchard ecosystem services: bounty from the fruit bowl

The ecological infrastructures that underpin the production of New Zealand’s fruit comprise valuable natural-capital assets. From these stocks flow ecosystem services that are valuable to the whole community.

Figure 1. Land use classification for Summer 2011/12, Mid-Canterbury. Shades of green are pastoral types, yellow/orange/red shades are single-season crops, and blue indicates winter forage paddocks already planted in November–December. Rivers, towns, etc., are masked out (white).

Monitoring agricultural land use with time–series satellite images

New remote sensing technology has been developed at Landcare Research to map paddock boundaries and identify the agricultural land uses within them. Satellite images are used, so a large area (approximately 60 x 60 km) is covered in a single map.

Climate change impacts on ecosystem services

Research is showing that climate change has and will continue to alter provision, timing, and location of ecosystem functions across landscapes. These changes will impact on the benefits people get from nature, in both positive and negative ways.

Mountain biking in the Whakarewarewa forest in Rotorua. Image - Rotorua Mountain Bike Club Facebook page.

New Zealand’s planted forests provide important services to society

New Zealand’s 1.72 million hectares of planted forests constitute a productive ecosystem mainly recognised for the provision of wood and fibre. The New Zealand planted forest ecosystem is also increasingly recognised for its contribution to the country’s economic prosperity, environmental conservation and human well-being.

Mānuka and organic waste – uncovering a potential partnership

The ever-increasing need for environmentally sound waste disposal has put pressure on society to investigate the recycling of organic wastes such as biosolids.

Nature services: a new green tool box

A new decision support tool for selecting plants for restoration and landscaping in New Zealand is now up and running.

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