Back J. M. Williams
Commissioner for the Environment, Parliamentary Buildings, Wellington, New Zealand
Full Paper (PDF File: 17KB)
Abstract
Developing a sustainable future for agricultural systems in New Zealand
requires an appreciation of our very recent forest origins, the consequent
fragility of the land and biodiversity, and the increasing environmental
management demands being placed on all land users by New Zealand society
and our fussy global consumers. The long-term land use trends are to more
intensive uses, agricultural and peri-urban, and towards systems embracing
more trees, woody species for production and biodiversity purposes. This
is being driven by both ecological and economic imperatives. New Zealand's
land and climate are forest friendly. Ecologically, that is where the vegetation
of much of our land will head unless diverted by man's efforts. To date
the development of our agricultural systems has followed the post WWII
model of simplification with higher inputs of nutrients and energy. NZ
systems in productive terms have relied almost exclusively on introduced
species. Our indigenous species mostly reside in protected areas. This
paper explores the ecological and economic (market) implications of lack
of integration of our native flora into the "engine room" of
our agricultural systems.