ScienceNZ: Environment

New carbon footprinting project underway

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 21:12:15 GMT

An ambitious new project to establish a standardised approach to measuring Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions for one of the country’s leading export industries is about to begin.

New Zealand ´game´ takes centre stage

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 23:38:53 GMT

Landcare Research scientists are to take a ´game´ developed in New Zealand and based on future planning scenarios, to the world.

Moa research takes big step forward

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 23:34:07 GMT

Landcare Research scientists Dr Jamie Wood and Dr Janet Wilmshurst along with Professor Alan Cooper and Mr Trevor Worthy at the University of Adelaide aim to learn more of the diets of moa and other large extinct birds and the effect their snacking had on our ecology

Software solution to help farmers meet Kyoto

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 21:20:26 GMT

A smart software solution developed by MAF, AgResearch and FertResearch will enable farmers across the country to accurately estimate their greenhouse gas emissions and help New Zealand comply with its obligations under the Kyoto Protocol.

A gnawing question answered?

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 08:59:40 GMT

Radiocarbon dating of Pacific rat (kiore) bones and rat–gnawed native seeds have provided compelling new evidence into the timing of New Zealand´s colonisation.

Doom for Algal Bloom?

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 02:14:02 GMT

An innovative solution to a billion-dollar problem has been successfully trialled by Scion. A modified form of zeolite, a natural volcanic mineral, looks set to be a new tool in the campaign to mitigate the effects of nutrient run-off in New Zealand's lakes and waterways.

No Environmental Impact from Genetically Modified Research Trees

Thu, 01 May 2008 22:59:41 GMT

Results from New Zealand's most comprehensive, independent scientific field trial of genetically modified trees support the argument that GM trees are low-risk and can be safely introduced into the environment, with no negative effects on other organisms.

Demand for organic certification growing

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 01:22:50 GMT

The organic certification of AgResearch’s Textile Processing Plant has opened the door to the rapidly expanding and highly competitive world of commercial certified organic products.

TransTasman scientists study livestock methane

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 06:34:30 GMT

AgResearch and Australian scientists will jointly investigate ways of reducing the impact of livestock methane emissions by finding out more about the digestive processes in the rumen of livestock.

Rain puts dampener on Scion's experimental burns

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 04:14:05 GMT

Whilst most of New Zealand has been praying for rain this summer, Scion's fire researchers have had more than their fair share of it. Experimental burns taking place on Mount Torlesse in Canterbury have been plagued by bad weather, but despite this, useful information has been collected to help in the fight against wildfires.

Scion sheds light on insect control

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 03:27:53 GMT

Most people turn off the lights to keep creepy critters away. But Scion is turning them on. The Crown Research Institute is trialling yellow lighting systems as a means of repelling insects, research which could reduce the need for methyl bromide treatments at wood processing sites.

NZ system eyed for use on ice

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 09:03:09 GMT

Antarctic Treaty nations will decide in June whether to adopt a framework developed by Landcare Research scientists for classifying physical environments over the entire frozen continent.

NZ dairy farms losing advantage over EU

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 01:31:12 GMT

New Zealand dairy farms are slipping in terms of energy efficiency and greenhouse gas efficiency, and urgently need to focus on improved farm practices and intensification options to reverse the trend.

German experience leads To EnviroMark record

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 03:09:55 GMT

Wellington–based CatzDesign has become the fastest organisation to achieve Enviro–Mark NZ® Diamond certification, as part of a genuine commitment towards greater environmental sustainability.

Solving the P problem

Fri, 21 Dec 2007 02:10:45 GMT

NIWA scientists are part of team which is finding ways to reduce the phosphorus problem in lakes.

Win-win as odour control enables biogas capture

Fri, 21 Dec 2007 02:02:01 GMT

A NIWA-designed pond cover for a piggery not only stops the pong but also captures methane.

Gas-gobbler from hell could help save world

Thu, 22 Nov 2007 23:16:05 GMT

GNS Scientist Matthew Stott has discovered a tiny methane-eating bug from the depths of hell that is being championed as a potential means of cutting methane emissions.

New Zealand Glaciers Shrinking

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 04:52:29 GMT

New Zealand’s glaciers are shrinking and twelve of the largest glaciers in the Southern Alps are unlikely to return to their earlier lengths without extraordinary cooling of the climate.

Study shows wood pellet burners improve air quality in Rotorua

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 02:55:59 GMT

With nightly winter fires nearly over for 2007, Rotorua home owners are being urged to consider switching to clean burning wood pellet burners before next winter. A study carried out by Crown Research Institute Scion has shown that using pellets, rather than wood, could significantly cut emissions of PM10 and help improve air quality in the city.

DNA tracks pests on most-wanted list

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 22:14:06 GMT

Landcare Research scientists in Auckland have developed DNA techniques to help identify which wildlife killers have been dining out on other species.