Biological invasions
Biological invasions has been, and continues to be, a serious issue for New Zealand´s economy and our ability to protect our iconic species and the integrity of natural ecosystems processes. We know that numerous animal pests, > 2000 introduced plants (exceeding the number of native species) and > 2000 invasive invertebrate species have established here (with more arriving each year). Many other small exotic insects may go undetected, as can fungi and pathogens.
We do not always understand the full impact of these invaders (for example, on soil and nutrient processes) in the environment, or what the combined impacts are when multiple pests interact with each other and native species.
Our research covers documenting and assessing biosecurity and economic risk from invasive species, understanding the characteristics and process on invasions, biosafety issues, and developing effective strategies and technologies to manage or control the invasives.
Research
-
Biocontrol and Ecology of Weeds
Reducing the environmental, economic and social impacts of invasive plants by undertaking research to understand how best to manage them, including a strong focus on developing biological control programmes. -
Biological control of possums
Research is being conducted to develop biological control of possum fertility, which will provide possum management agencies with a wider range of control options. -
Determining change in distribution and impact of weeds
The current approach to measuring the impact of invasive species is Impact = Abundance x Distribution x Effect. Measuring distribution and abundance is relatively straightforward, but effects are more difficult to quantify or understand. -
Ecology of multiple interacting mammal pests
Protection of native wildlife is limited by incomplete knowledge of interactions among suites of mammal pests; our research aims to develop an understanding of key interactions among multiple pests threatening flora and fauna, and provide a system that supports the application of this knowledge to conservation management. -
Environmental Biosafety
Looking at environmental risks, in particluar gene flow and weed invasion potential from domestic crops, focusing on novel traits introduced through genetic modification. -
Exotic fungi naturalised in native ecosystems
Fungal invaders – the impact of exotic fungi in native ecosystems -
Invasion Ecology
Understanding what controls the invasibility of natural ecosystems as well as the ecosystem–level impacts of exotic species as a basis for management -
Invasive invertebrates
Looking at risks to natural ecosystems posed by invasive ant species established in New Zealand, developing strategies to control wasps and ants, and other invaders that might breach our borders. -
Plant pathology
Identitification and distribution of the fungi causing diseases of New Zealand’s plants.