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Ecosystem services

Classification
Dimension Value
  • Discipline
  • Business Sciences
    • Other
  • Project Working Hours
  • Not Specified
  • Research Study Hybrid Value Creation
  • Not Specified
  • Funding Institutions
  • Not Specified
  • Other Funding Institutions
  • PGSF
Contact Person/s: Prof. Stephen Wratten

Ecosystem services ()

This research contributes to the future achievements of valuing and enhancing ecosystem services (ES) in New Zealand by 1) analysing and modelling the value to New Zealand of ES for arable, pastoral and horticultural sectors and 2) enhancing ES and natural capital to improve biological control of pests and diseases. The programme is already delivering an exceptional array of international-standard outputs and tangible, region-wide outcomes. These advancements are being made through highly-effective working relationships with stakeholders and collaborators and by effective alignment with this project of five PhD programmes (total value $430,000), funded by Technology New Zealand (TIF), Lincoln University and a William Machin Scholarship. Also strongly supporting the programme is a post-doctoral scientist in the LINX0303 research group, funded ($80,000) by the Swedish government. The programme has also levered a prestigious AGMARDT PhD Scholarship (Mr Peter Tait). The success of this programme has also “levered” funding from the European Union (~$30,000); Wratten is the only non-EU member of the successful consortium. The project is RUBICODE: Shaping biodiversity strategies for terrestrial and freshwater systems. Coordination Action. Sub-priority 6.3 – Global change and ecosystems.Within New Zealand agricultural sectors a major initiative involving large-scale enhancement of Functional Agricultural Biodiversity (FAB) is taking place in the Waipara Valley, north of Christchurch. Here, the “Greening Waipara” programme has assumed international significance with 25 major wine companies involved in this region-wide enhancement of ecosystem services. The Waipara Winegrowers Association is co-funding the work in a major way by funding a marketing manager to support the “greening” programme. Other significant funding from the wine growers includes at least $40,000, covering purchase of plants and labour. The Waipara Promotions Association has bid successfully for a further $5,000 to support the scheme. To date, more than 5,000 native plants have been planted in the valley’s vineyards facilitated by our sub-contractor Landcare Research. These plantings include the vineyards themselves, the local school and railway station and on the edge of State Highway 1. Signage has been made for all those sites. Under the guidance of the Programme Leader, Hawkes Bay grape growers have also begun to enhance biodiversity in their vineyards and have obtained funding for this from Hawkes Bay Regional Council and Skelton Ivory. In Canterbury, Research from LINX0303 has been and will continue to be employed by ECan thus providing a strong pathway to market for the outputs from this FRST-funded research. Media coverage of the Waipara ecosystem services work has been at a high level including TV One News, The Press, Christchurch, New Zealand Grapegrower magazine etc and it has been featured by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment. A suite of web sites has been created.Maori collaborators have been actively involved in the Waipara research, by advising on plant species selection and the design and manufacture of interpretative signage. These Maori-designed signs, explaining the mahinga kai and rongoa Maori values of these plants are located at the local school, railway station and many of the participating vineyards.


This project was described byAdmin Istrator (28. June 2011 - 9:50)
This project was last edited by Admin Istrator (28. June 2011 - 9:50)

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