NIWA Study On Native Forest Likely To Influence Carbon Policy
The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Ltd (Niwa) recently completed a study of native forests and found they could be absorbing more carbon dioxide than previously thought.
The Canterbury Mayoral Forum, which brings together the region's mayors, and Environment Canterbury (ECan) have been working to address climate change, with the forum launching the Canterbury Climate Partnership Plan in December.
While more research is needed, ECan said initial indications were indigenous forests and some grazed pasture areas in the South Island could be effective at absorbing carbon.
''The recent Niwa-led study is an exciting development in the way we look at carbon in the atmosphere and the types of ecosystems that absorb carbon,'' an ECan spokesperson said.
ECan adopted its own climate action plan last year and is reviewing its forest management strategies to address climate risks and and carbon opportunities.
''We have backed native planting and restoration of ecosystems on marginal farmland as it supports climate resilience, biodiversity and water quality goals,'' the ECan spokesperson said.
''We keep up to date with research like this and take it into consideration as our plans and policies are reviewed and updated.
Canterbury Mayoral Forum chairperson Nigel Bowen said the research findings are timely as the forum continues to address climate change.
''We know that we need to work with nature to address the dual climate and biodiversity challenges we face.
''We recognise the importance of our native forests and the multiple benefits that native vegetation provides, including absorbing greenhouse gas emissions and improving indigenous biodiversity.''
But Mr Bowen said while absorbing greenhouse gas emissions will help the help the country meet its international emissions reduction targets, reducing emissions at source remained the priority.
Niwa atmospheric scientist Dr Beata Bukosa said both native and exotic forests played a vital role in absorbing carbon through photosynthesis, but previous studies may have underestimated the amount of carbon taken up by native forests.
Using advanced modelling and Niwa's supercomputer, the researchers examined a decade of atmospheric data, from 2011 to 2020.
''It was thought that some areas and land use types were in a near-balance state with the absorption and release of carbon,'' Dr Bukosa said.
''Earlier estimates of how much carbon was removed by New Zealand land ecosystems ranged from a net 24 to 118 million tonnes a year.
''Our research found that New Zealand's natural environment absorbed around 171 million tonnes of carbon annually.''
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
a day ago
- Scoop
Gabrielle's Intense Rainfall Made Landslides Inevitable
Cyclone Gabrielle was one of the most extreme landslide-triggering events ever recorded globally. It is estimated that more than 800,000 landslides were caused by the extreme weather event, cumulatively covering an area of around 100 square kilometres – about the same size as the city of Napier. A thorough analysis of the Cyclone Gabrielle landslides led by Earth Sciences New Zealand, reveals that the ground was so saturated by the amount of rainfall, it didn't matter how wet ground conditions were beforehand – landslides were going to happen. Study lead author, Earth Sciences New Zealand engineering geologist Chris Massey (formerly GNS Science), explains that a major factor influencing landslide triggering is how much moisture is already in the soil compared to the amount it can absorb before reaching a critical point and failing. "In the case of Cyclone Gabrielle, the intense rainfall over a short period overwhelmed the natural drainage systems, and many of the affected slopes were inevitably pushed past their tipping point regardless of the pre-existing soil moisture conditions," Dr Massey says. Dr Trevor Carey-Smith, climate scientist at Earth Sciences New Zealand (formerly NIWA), was a co-author on the study, contributing rainfall data and analysis. 'The quantity of rainfall in many locations was unprecedented; inland from Esk Valley 500 mm fell in 24 hours – over 50% higher than the previous record. Rainfall is typically one of the more important factors influencing likelihood of landslides, so the huge quantity of water that fell over a short period of time meant we weren't surprised that landslides occurred during the event – however the sheer number triggered was astonishing,' Dr Carey-Smith says. 'We already know from attribution studies that climate change contributed to the intensity of rainfall during Cyclone Gabrielle and that this is likely to increase further in future.' The study, published in Landslides Journal, found that, aside from rainfall, the most significant factors influencing landslide locations were geology type, vegetation type and, of course, the steepness of the slope. Dr Massey says areas covered in scrub and grassland were much more prone to landslides than those with forest. 'In regions like Tairāwhiti-Gisborne and Hawke's Bay the density of small and shallow landslides occurring in areas with scrub and grassland was extremely high – up to 327 landslides per square kilometre. Such landslide densities are typically much higher than those associated with rainstorms overseas,' Dr Massey says. 'Interestingly, indigenous forests offered better protection than exotic forests.' Dr Massey notes that places where vegetation had been lost in recent years (3-5 years preceding Cyclone Gabrielle) were more likely to experience landslides. 'This finding demonstrates a clear link between deforestation and increased landslide triggering. We hope this research can support informed decisions about land use in the future to help mitigate these disruptive events. 'And with climate change increasing the frequency and intensity of cyclones, there has never been a more pressing time to use science to adapt to our changing conditions and support people, industry and government to be more resilient.' Contributing author, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury Senior Lecturer in Disaster Risk and Resilience Dr Tom Robinson, led a group of students who mapped most of the landslide data over a nine-month period for the study. "As far as we are aware, this is the largest number of landslides ever mapped for a single storm, certainly in New Zealand, and provides a valuable source of information for future landslide modelling,' Dr Robinson says. 'This research has given UC students a unique opportunity to be part of core research that will better inform our understanding of landslides during major storms and how the community can adapt to our changing climate conditions." The study was funded by New Zealand's Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's Extreme Weather Strategic Science Investment Fund, and the Sliding Lands Endeavour Programme.
Scoop
a day ago
- Scoop
Gabrielle's Intense Rainfall Made Landslides Inevitable
Press Release – Earth Sciences New Zealand A thorough analysis of the Cyclone Gabrielle landslides led by Earth Sciences New Zealand, reveals that the ground was so saturated by the amount of rainfall, it didnt matter how wet ground conditions were beforehand landslides were going to happen. Cyclone Gabrielle was one of the most extreme landslide-triggering events ever recorded globally. It is estimated that more than 800,000 landslides were caused by the extreme weather event, cumulatively covering an area of around 100 square kilometres – about the same size as the city of Napier. A thorough analysis of the Cyclone Gabrielle landslides led by Earth Sciences New Zealand, reveals that the ground was so saturated by the amount of rainfall, it didn't matter how wet ground conditions were beforehand – landslides were going to happen. Study lead author, Earth Sciences New Zealand engineering geologist Chris Massey (formerly GNS Science), explains that a major factor influencing landslide triggering is how much moisture is already in the soil compared to the amount it can absorb before reaching a critical point and failing. 'In the case of Cyclone Gabrielle, the intense rainfall over a short period overwhelmed the natural drainage systems, and many of the affected slopes were inevitably pushed past their tipping point regardless of the pre-existing soil moisture conditions,' Dr Massey says. Dr Trevor Carey-Smith, climate scientist at Earth Sciences New Zealand (formerly NIWA), was a co-author on the study, contributing rainfall data and analysis. 'The quantity of rainfall in many locations was unprecedented; inland from Esk Valley 500 mm fell in 24 hours – over 50% higher than the previous record. Rainfall is typically one of the more important factors influencing likelihood of landslides, so the huge quantity of water that fell over a short period of time meant we weren't surprised that landslides occurred during the event – however the sheer number triggered was astonishing,' Dr Carey-Smith says. 'We already know from attribution studies that climate change contributed to the intensity of rainfall during Cyclone Gabrielle and that this is likely to increase further in future.' The study, published in Landslides Journal, found that, aside from rainfall, the most significant factors influencing landslide locations were geology type, vegetation type and, of course, the steepness of the slope. Dr Massey says areas covered in scrub and grassland were much more prone to landslides than those with forest. 'In regions like Tairāwhiti-Gisborne and Hawke's Bay the density of small and shallow landslides occurring in areas with scrub and grassland was extremely high – up to 327 landslides per square kilometre. Such landslide densities are typically much higher than those associated with rainstorms overseas,' Dr Massey says. 'Interestingly, indigenous forests offered better protection than exotic forests.' Dr Massey notes that places where vegetation had been lost in recent years (3-5 years preceding Cyclone Gabrielle) were more likely to experience landslides. 'This finding demonstrates a clear link between deforestation and increased landslide triggering. We hope this research can support informed decisions about land use in the future to help mitigate these disruptive events. 'And with climate change increasing the frequency and intensity of cyclones, there has never been a more pressing time to use science to adapt to our changing conditions and support people, industry and government to be more resilient.' Contributing author, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury Senior Lecturer in Disaster Risk and Resilience Dr Tom Robinson, led a group of students who mapped most of the landslide data over a nine-month period for the study. 'As far as we are aware, this is the largest number of landslides ever mapped for a single storm, certainly in New Zealand, and provides a valuable source of information for future landslide modelling,' Dr Robinson says. 'This research has given UC students a unique opportunity to be part of core research that will better inform our understanding of landslides during major storms and how the community can adapt to our changing climate conditions.' The study was funded by New Zealand's Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's Extreme Weather Strategic Science Investment Fund, and the Sliding Lands Endeavour Programme.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Scoop
Cutting-Edge Healthcare Technology To Showcase In Heart Of South Auckland
NZ's medical technology innovation hub, Medtech-iQ Aotearoa holding showcase in heart of South Auckland. New Zealand's medical technology innovation hub, Medtech-iQ Aotearoa will hold an inaugural showcase in the heart of South Auckland this month. MedTech Explorer will be an interactive showcase of MedTech innovations - from life-saving medical devices and AI-powered diagnostics, to wearable health tech and digital solutions shaping the future of healthcare. The event will bring researchers, innovators and experts together with cutting-edge healthcare technology alongside South Auckland communities. Open to the public with free admission, the event will be held at the Fale in Māngere on 28 August. University of Auckland's Strategic Partnership Lead of Auckland Bioengineering Institute Dr Diana Siew, co-leads the national Te Titoki Mataora | Medtech Research Translator programme, the foundation of Medtech-iQ Aotearoa. She also chairs the national stewardship group of Medtech-iQ Aotearoa. Her vision is to develop capability in NZ to create new medical technologies with a focus on health and equity. She aims for the Fale showcase to inspire young Pacific people and entrepreneurs to participate in the sector, highlighting opportunities for high-value jobs, supporting Pacific community health and encouraging the start of their own tech businesses. "It's important to meet the Pacific community in the heart of their neighbourhood. This is a such a wonderful opportunity to introduce Pacific youth to the wonders of the latest technology meeting the urgent demands of the health sector. 'This event offers the community a unique look up-close, to not only learn the latest techniques and equipment available, but also to showcase to our young people possible career pathways about making a real difference to the lives of whānau and friends in their communities." Moana Connect, a Pacific-led organisation based in Mangere, South Auckland is one of several partners delivering the inaugural showcase. Dr Amio Matenga-Ikihele a general manager at Moana Connect, co-leads the Pacific module within Te Titoki Mataora | Medtech Research. She's also an Honorary Lecturer in Pacific Health with the University's Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences. "We're excited to welcome our Pacific communities to this inaugural MedTech showcase. This event is about connection - bringing together Pacific communities, health providers, clinicians and innovators to experience first-hand the innovations shaping medical technology. 'We're also delighted students from local high schools will be attending, as it's a chance to inspire them with potential career pathways in medical technology and to highlight the many possibilities this field offers.' Soteria Ieremia is also a co-lead Pacific for Te Titoki Mataora | Medtech Research, and a sponsor and collaborator with her roles in Pacific-i and Pūtahi Manawa. She says the event was a powerful initiative for the community and the showcase will leave a lasting impression on Pacific youth. "This is a great opportunity to meet the Pacific community where they are and introduce our Pacific youth to the many possibilities of where technology meets health. 'Our Pacific people are natural innovators, their ability to navigate the Moana with technology over the past millennia is evidence of this."
