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Weed Information |
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| Biodiversity | Weed control | Physical control | Chemical control | Biological control | How long to control? | Successful biocontrol | 'Useful' weeds | Finding biocontrol agents | Biocontrol agents in NZ | After control |
Weeds & Biodiversity
Bio = life
Diversity = different things, variety
Biodiversity = the number and variety of all life: the different plants, animals and micro-organisms, the genes they contain and the ecosystems they form.
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Why is biodiversity important?
- Ecosystem functions - biodiversity is important because it essential to the ecosystem functions (or processes) that make life possible. Healthy ecosystems are important for healthy air, healthy water, climate, soil quality, nutrient cycling and waste disposal (without a diversity of insects and bacteria to decompose waste we would be knee deep in dead plants and animals! !).
- Ethics - each generation must act as responsible caretakers of our biodiversity and resources for future generations.
- Culture - biodiversity is important to the values of all New Zealanders, Pakeha and Maori. Many New Zealanders value native plants and animals, that give us a sense of cultural identity, spiritual enrichment, and recreation (e.g., tramping and picnics).
- Economic - New Zealand plants and animals attract tourists and have the potential to provide food, medicines, energy and sustainable building materials.
Introduced animals and plants are the biggest threat to NZ's biodiversity!!!
Biodiversity Weed control Physical
control Chemical control Biological
control How long to control? Successful
biocontrol 'Useful' weeds Finding
biocontrol agents Biocontrol agents in NZ After
control 