We tend to think of the Himalaya as a place where we humans have little impact. As the earth’s tallest mountain range much of the area is unsuited to human occupation. Even visitation is restricted by severe climate and steep terrain. Pacific Eco-Logic directors recently returned from spending three months exploring parts of western and central Himalaya (in addition …
Even 2⁰C warming could be very dangerous
A recent peer reviewed scientific paper (with 19 highly qualified authors)[1] shows that even the international target of a maximum of 2⁰C average global warming above preindustrial levels could be very dangerous. The authors state that “Continued high fossil fuel emissions this century are predicted to yield: Cooling of the Southern Ocean, especially in the Western Hemisphere; Slowing of the …
Threatened species in New Zealand – why does our perception not match reality?
In 2012 the Department of Conservation listed 2723 New Zealand species as threatened or at-risk. New Zealand has one of the highest rates of threatened or at-risk species in the world. Amongst vascular plants we now have fewer native than naturalised (alien species living and spreading in the wild) species. This does not match New Zealand’s internationally promoted message of …
More Myrtle rust found in Kerikeri- intensive surveillance continues
Last week (start of May 2017) the alien fungus myrtle rust was found on five young pohutukawa in a Kerikeri nursery that specialises in propagating native plants. The nursery owner promptly reported the find which was confirmed soon after. An intensive biosecurity response then began. On the following Tuesday a second sighting was confirmed on a private property near the source of …
Restoring Pipiroa Wetland and its Watershed
Image: Pipiroa Wetland and Watershed, February 2017 (Dean Wright Photography) Near the southwest corner of the Russell Peninsula in the Bay of Islands is Pipiroa Bay. Your topographic or Google-Earth map shows a narrow sandspit containing a mangrove estuary backed by saltmarsh and a freshwater wetland mosaic with drainage from two largely bush-clad valleys to the east. This drone-shot shows …