Our Topics

Ecosystems

Taking a holistic look at environmental research.

Report

Scaling Climate Finance: Biodiversity Instruments

This Concept Paper identifies unrealised opportunities for increasing investment into projects and activities that preserve, support and expand Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique biological heritage. Redirecting…
View Report
Media

Kauri fightback: the scientists determined to control kauri dieback

Progress is being made in the fight against kauri dieback. Anthony Doesburg meets researchers at the University determined to help save the mighty native conifer.…
View Media
Media

Biodiversity brought to Fonterra farms

A new project supported by Fonterra’s Living Water Partnership with the Department of Conservation will help on-farm advisors grow their understanding of biodiversity, with a…
View Media
Publication

An overview of introduced predator management in inhabited landscapes.

We describe the rise of community predator control and large landscape projects aspiring for a ‘Predator Free New Zealand’, and how such an aspiration must…
View Publication
Publication

Ethical responsibilities in invasion biology

There is a classic problem in ethics of reconciling the moral standing of collectives (e.g. populations, species and ecosystems) with the moral standing of individuals. We…
View Publication
Publication

New Zealand shouldn’t ignore feral cats

A publication in Nature (Owens 2017) attracted our attention recently. The article refers to the ambitious, arduous, and encouraging plan to remove invasive mammalian predators from…
View Publication
Publication

Past, present and two potential futures for managing New Zealand’s mammalian pests

In 2003, a review of how introduced mammals were managed as pests in New Zealand was published. Since then trends for the control of these mammals…
View Publication
Publication

Landholder participation in regional-scale control of invasive predators: an adaptable landscape model

We developed a spatially explicit model to estimate the effects of varying levels of landholder participation in landscape-scale programs to control invasive predators. We demonstrate…
View Publication
Publication

Confronting the risks of large-scale invasive species control

Large-scale invasive species control initiatives are motivated by laudable desires for native species recovery and economic benefits, but they are not without risk. Management interventions…
View Publication
Publication

The ecology and management of mammal invasions in forests

Here we (1) review the ecological characteristics of mammal invasions in forests; (2) characterize the range of ecological impacts on forest communities and the economic…
View Publication
Publication

Eradicating mammals on New Zealand island reserves: what is left to do? 

In 2016, the New Zealand Government announced a policy to rid the country of key introduced predators (possums (Trichosurus vulpecula), ship rats (Rattus rattus), Norway rats…
View Publication
Publication

Assessing patterns in introduction pathways of alien species by linking major invasion databases

We analyse the data for major patterns in the introduction pathways, highlighting that the specific research question and context determines whether the combined or an…
View Publication

Related News

News
29 November 2020

Working towards a positive future for both farming and conservation

Read more
News
30 November 2021

Vladislav Kholostiakov, plant whisperer

Read more
News
25 February 2021

Updates from SO1: Eco-index

Read more
News
29 November 2022

The science of cascades: understanding impact propagation to enhance conservation efforts

Read more
News
29 November 2021

The ripple effect of great research

Read more
News
29 April 2021

The persistence of degraded freshwater communities

Read more
News
29 September 2022

The New Zealand Merino Company signs on to partner with Eco-index

Read more
News
Opinion Pieces
11 October 2019

The freshwater mussel housing crisis: eviction by invasive weeds?

Read more
Opinion Pieces
8 January 2020

The climate crisis is also a biodiversity crisis

Read more
News
27 August 2020

Teamwork makes the dream work – even in science

Read more
News
28 February 2023

Tāpui Aotearoa: building resilient partnerships for resilient populations

Read more
News
28 January 2021

Surveillance that works for all

Read more

Enjoying our content?

Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter

Scroll to Top