Friend or foe? Potential for native biodiversity in West Coast farming

Abstract

The wet, warm West Coast climate favours tree production and pastures. Much of the land remains in indigenous forest under the control of Government agencies. In the more accessible parts of this land, and in land held under private ownership, we explore the feasibility of "farming" two examples of native biodiversity. Sphagnum moss production varies with location and differences in meso- and micro-climate. A climate model was used to predict where future sustainable sphagnum development may occur; i.e. within farming systems in the areas with the fastest growth rates. At its simplest and cheapest, this may involve flooding unimproved land and managing the moss. Another alternative could involve integration of moss production in the wet "hollow" of "hump and hollow" pasture systems. The West Coast retains several unique populations of kiwis and other indigenous birds. We advocate the future role of private enterprise (i.e. landholders) in protecting kiwi and, in the longer-term, the local communities profiting from ecotourism centred on them. Keywords: climate modelling, eco-tourism, kiwi, sphagnum moss