Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter
Send news

News tags

mental health  physical activity  earthquake  vacancies  families  public health  children  funding  poverty  health determinants  social  Community development  planning  employment  healthy cities  volunteers  newsletter  youth  volunteering  nutrition  employment opportunity  housing  alcohol and drugs  maori  community engagement  rebuilding  wellbeing  disabilities  Lectures  counselling  Training  earthquake recovery  sustainability  event  community gardens  Community  seminar  Awards  stress  Community Groups  mens health  research  arts  smokefree  culture  men  exercise  migrants  community event  education  environment  resilience  human rights  health  medical  business  sport  conferences  survey  mental wellbeing  Courses  obesity  elderly  support group  environmental health  healthy food  health promotion  violence  pacific health  resources  rebuild  women  race relations  meeting  gardens  workshop  services  leadership  forum  water  disabled  repair  transport  prevention  pacific  dance  fundraising  asian health  sexual health  inequality  cancer  support  disasters  development  mindfulness  dementia  presentation  collaboration  health in all policies  data analysis  recovery  smoking  law  drugs and alcohol  technology  safety  cycling  Sleep  policy  parenting  media  hearing  walking  land  neighbours  social justice  qualification  resilient cities  information  community connection  consultation  oral health  bullying  depression  youth empowerment  young people  activities  non-profit  charity  harm  NURSES  addiction  disease  Communication  alcohol  symposium  submission  anxiety  accessibility  Relationships  eating  economics  Advocacy  eLearning  falls  parking  energy  efficiency  heating  insulation  advice  Eating Disorders  abuse  waste  Matariki  webinar  diabetes  workplace  Film  Climate Change  solutions  urban  management  economy  plan  restoration  Report  Vulnerability  welfare  parks  learning  awareness  emergencies  legislation  injury prevention  reading  Meeting Room  conservation  language  refugees  recreation  built environment  data  venue  urban design  Food  older people  finances  suicide  heritage  gender  recycling  breastfeeding  public  identity  Nursing  submissions  Rainbow  biodiversity  campaign  promotion  Gut Health  diversity  therapy  older adults  sexuality  computing  pollution  School Holidays  Arts Therapy  providers  gambling  Maori health  Cervical cancer  screening  trauma  autism  Governance  treaty of waitangi  care  mentoring  pets  relaxation  Professional Development  pornography  exhibition  history  discrimination  vaping  equity  lockdown  grief  rural  hygiene  participation  tourism  summer  intervention  warning  podcast  science  petition  swimming  roadworks  traffic  wildlife  beaches  pools  immunisation  vaccination  brain  preparation  open day  market  evaluation  noise  music  property  testing  crafts  CALD  cultural diversity  camping  creativity  child health  tamariki  climate action  Pasifika  refugee  migrant  community events  road safety  library  Hornby  skills  placemaking  regenerative communities  journey  reflection  regional council  councillors  water management  emergency management  retirement  stress management  Christmas  family  festival  alcohol harm  waterways  planting  health protection  legionnaire's disease  hepatitis  heatwaves  river beds  water safety  fishing  gardening  workshops  stormwater  biosecurity  volunteer  plant and animal pest management  politics  faith  crime  drugs  pregnancy  native birds  Waimakariri  water quality  schools  early childhood  health professionals  heart disease  kura  school  ethical issues  rangatahi  Linwood  running  donations  whanau  financial pressures  online  health professional  flooding  conflict  peace  winter  agriculture 

Modelling shows pest plant habitat likely to increase

Wednesday, August 14, 2024   Posted in: Signatory Notice Board By: Administrator With tags: Climate Change, biodiversity, land, rural, biosecurity

Environment Canterbury media release: 13th August 2024

Pest plants such as nassella tussock could become more widespread in future years, as Canterbury becomes warmer and drier.

While many of New Zealand’s invasive plant species are already in Canterbury, longer growing seasons and seeding periods, fewer frost days, and a more suitable habitat means they could eventually feature more heavily on our landscape.

Landowners should think about actions they can take now to help protect their assets down the track.

Weather changes increases pest habitat 

During drought, the pasture opens up – creating more bare patches and enabling weeds to germinate seed come autumn. These pests then establish on those bare areas, outcompeting desirable pasture.

Some emerging species (both plants and animals) that have not been much of an issue in previous decades, including so-called ‘sleeper weeds’, may become a problem. We may see an increase in woodier species, like gorse and broom with seeds that live for longer or remain dormant in the soil, and other prolific seeders such as exotic grasses or herbaceous species.

In addition, pests currently contained in one local area might spread as conditions become favourable. For example, the ability for velvet leaf seed to germinate in soil currently stops somewhere around Mid to South Canterbury, but the line will likely move south.

Modelling looks at future climate

Scientific mapping we’ve commissioned - incorporating research from Dr Graeme Bourdȏt’s team at AgResearch - shows that far more land 60 years from now will be climatically suitable for both:

This modelling suggests that climatically suitable habitat for Chilean needle grass could increase by 60 per cent nationally by 2080 – with the bulk of that rise in Mid-Canterbury and South Canterbury.

Simply put, there’ll be more opportunity for these pests to invade land.

The extent of that invasion will largely depend on human activity. How the land is managed will heavily influence a weed’s ability to take hold in that environment.

This type of modelling is important as it allows farmers and biosecurity officers to know where to focus preventive measures, such as putting surveillance programmes in place.

Find out more about AgResearch's report on the potential spread of Chilean needle grass.

Preventing pest plants on rural properties

Sensible grazing management

Pest plants like nassella tussock and Chilean needle grass favour overgrazed, dry pastures. If land is overgrazed and then hit by drought, the seeds of these species, and of many other weeds, have a much greater chance of establishing new plants that facilitate local spread. Sensible grazing management helps keep weed pests at bay.

Minimise seed dispersal

Wider spread depends on the dispersal of seeds and other propagules and can occur in many ways. For example, seeds can be carried on machinery, on animals, in river gravel aggregate, with crop seeds, in flood water, and by people.   

Preventative farm biosecurity practices include:

  • Cleaning all vehicles before entry and after exit and cleaning clothing, boots, machinery, and other equipment after each use (chemicals may be required).
  • Checking stock or hay before bringing it onto your property, including knowing where it came from and what the likelihood of pest-spread is.
  • Educating contractors on good farm biosecurity practices.

Contact Environment Canterbury for pest advice

The team will put you in touch with someone who can provide advice and/or work with you to take measures to stop the pest(s) spreading further on your own property or onto others.