The Greening Waipara project stems from initiatives by Lincoln University, local wine growers, the Hurunui District Council, and Landcare Research. Lincoln University is running a public-good research programme funded by FRST called Biodiversity, ecosystem services and sustainable agriculture; LINX 0303. This programme is calculating the value of nature’s services in the arable, pastoral, and horticultural sectors, and enhancing it by using what is sometimes called “ecological engineering”. The former approach is telling us such things as what a worm is worth – i.e. the value of earthworms in Canterbury arable agriculture, while the engineering approach is increasing the contribution of nature’s services, and their associated dollar value. The Greening Waipara project has always been supported and underpinned by research. Most of the vineyard companies and other operators in the district have now joined the project

Meurk, C. D.

Sam, Shona A.

Wratten, Stephen D.

Lincoln University Research Archive

Greening Waipara By Colin D Meurk, Steve Wratten and Shona Sam It is no secret that New Zealand's developed landscapes have lost most of their indigenous biodiversity-plants, habitats, and wildlife. Biodiversity is a defining element in a district's sense of place and there seems to be a growing sense of this in the Waipara wine-growing area of North Canterbury. This is a land of rich, sometimes bony, soils and dry summers, but it includes micro climates that avoid the worst of the drought and frost. As in much of eastern Canterbury, the deeper or moist soils were originally clothed in tall totara, matai, lacebark, kowhai, lancewood and broadleaf forest. The lighter soils would have supported kanuka-kowhai woodland. Matagouri, small-leaved divaricating shrubs and native grasses would have clung to rocky ridges, steep scarps and young terraces. Moa and a myriad of other endemic birds, reptiles, bats, and large insects scratched around in these rich wooded ecosystems, oblivious to the intense predation, browsing, and competition going on in other (continental) parts of the globe. Inevitably, this garden of eden was discovered. Fire, land mammals, and the most competitive plants from around the world have been progressively introduced over the last millennium. Extinctions in the fauna and massive changes to the prevailing vegetation have taken place over this time. Land use has been transformed from hunting and gathering by the Tangata Whenua, as well as their cultivation of kumara and other crops, to extensive and intensive sheep grazing and mixed farming and then to forestry or horticulture-including viticulture. Out of this rich environmental and human history, there seems to have been an almost spontaneous enthusiasm from the Waipara district as a whole to do something special, not only in terms of quality of their produce but to recognise the history of the land and to use this as a symbol of their regional identity and commitment to "clean, green New Zealand". That is what it is all about: not just resting on the country's rather faded pastel-green laurels, but to walk the talk. And we are seeing that in W aipara in spadefuls. This initiative has to some extent been foreshadowed by discussion and policy documents that followed the somewhat bald statements regarding New Zealand's natural environment in the NZ Biodiversity Strategy. Subsequent documents included Biowhat?, and Weaving Resilience. These recognised the general desire to protect our species and heritage, but for the strategy to be successful, landowners across the country would need to be empowered with information and incentives to assist in this vital task. This was especially so in the lowland districts-what might be called the cultural landscape-where 150 years of development has enhanced the productive capacity of the land, but eliminated or displaced much of the original character. Consequently there is a groundswell, expressed most recently in the Waipara Valley, to do something and repair the damage or restore some of the heritage to its rightful and prominent place. Furthermore, there is a commercial opportunity to project a clean, green image for Waipara to satisfy the demand for quality and sustainability from an increasingly discerning market-quality in the bottle and in the vineyard. Successful actions come about through partnerships and the sharing of knowledge and skills. The Greening Waipara project stems from initiatives by Lincoln University, local wine growers, the Hurunui District Council, and Landcare Research. Lincoln University is running a public-good research programme funded by FRST called Biodiversity, ecosystem services and sustainable agriculture; LINX 0303. This programme is calculating the value of nature's services in the arable, pastoral, and horticultural sectors, and enhancing it by using what is sometimes called "ecological engineering". The former approach is telling us such things as what a worm is worth-i.e. the value of earthworms in Canterbury arable agriculture, while the engineering approach is increasing the contribution of nature's services, and their associated dollar value. The Greening Waipara project has always been supported and underpinned by research. Most of the vineyard companies and other operators in the district have now joined the project. IndigenaJune 2006 Page 27 This is a Win-Win situation where research on ecosystem services provides added value through biocontrol and other environmentally-friendly practices, including reduced reliance on herbicides and pesticides, crea tion of swales and wetlands with native species to filter contaminated stormwater and vineyard effluent, all done via the restoration of habitat using species once common. These practices enhance the natural character and resilience of the dis trict. Shelter belts, entranceways, stream and pond edges, vineyard borders, and even the vine rows themselves are all receiving an ecological make-over. A key part of the resea rch is based on the work of a recent L incoln U niversity PhD student, D on Vattala, whose resea rch at Lincoln in collaboration with AgResearch and P GG W rightson showed that particular sugar ratios in plant nectar ca n pred ict its suitability for the "good" insects-those which become better preda tors and parasitoids of pests when they have a "feed" of necta r or pollen or both. Nectar is used by the insects to prolong life and the pollen provides protein for more eggs . It has already been demonstrated that some introduced herbs such as buckwheat and phacelia provide the right type of hig h energy nectar fo r such beneficial insects. The search is now on to see if any native plants ca n also provide these services. New Zealand jasmine (kaihua, Par:sonsia Izeteroplz)'lla) is showing some promise and could become a companion vine to the g rapes. Similarly, some of the Leptinella species (button daisies) have a strong honey scent that may be advertising something specia l. Vve have seen that a N ew Zealand aniseed is often smothered by insects in the spring . Some of these plants have Maori taonga (treasured) status and support Maori cultural practices such a mahinga kai (food gathering) and rongoa maori (using plants for their medicinal values). This gives an extra added value to the programme and restoration efforts. Many plants will have stacked biodiversity values in that they may aid in the biocontrol of pests, add aestlletic values to the area , provide food fo r locally rare endemic birds, reptiles and insects, produce mahinga kai or ro ngoa kai that have the potential to be marketed commercially, increase the level of uniqueness of the region for marketing purposes and many others. Our research team includes Maori scientists. Runanga associated with the \ iVaipara region are also helping us with the work. \Vithin our research and extension team we have a range of expertise and expen ence, including knowledge of the historic ecological patterns and plant growth potential or consb'aints across the region. Landowners of the district have been working the land for decades, sometimes generations. All have their own knowledge and experience essential to making any land-management plan work on the g round and they are now seeking specific ecologica l help fo r this new enterprise. Our approach has been to engage individually with more than 20 property owners in the district who have already pledged support to the Greening vVaipara project. We discuss with them thei I' own vision for different microsites within their properties, and then share our ecological knowledge to help them achieve their goals. Through this exchange, collective understanding increases and partnerships are forged whi·:h strengthen the project. T he critical aspect of the exchange is that it is carried out where most far mers prefer to be-in the field, on site. W e are getting to know State H ighway One very well (\Ve'd prefer a good train service!) and we don't mind getting down and d irty to engage willi growers. V·l e dig a hole in the ground to see what the oil looks and feels like; we disc uss the dryness and frostiness of the site-Buckwheat in flower down the vineyard rows at Canterbury House Winery. Indigena June 2006 Page 28 something that only the residents' experience can tell us about. This ensures that some reality tempers desk-bound theory. W e find out what individual companies and vineyards want to achieve in landscaping and biodiversity, what area is available, how they want it to look, and what are the constraints (e.g. views, silvereyes, etc) and time frame. \i\ e are also targeting local schools, the general public, and even the \ i\Taipara railway station. As the number of visitors attracted to the region g rows, many vineyards are planning biodiversity trails near their wineries or restaurants. It will be a good place to stroll after one-too-many lunchtime tipples . There are even plans for petanque areas near the neglected native plants in \i\Taipara's valleys, creeks and river terraces. M any of these could have functional biodiversity value but have not been investigated for their F AB value (functional agricultural biodiversity) . W e have some being nurtured in warm greenhouses at Lincoln to induce flowering for nectar analysis. There are always some challenges and potential resistance to these ideas. That's human. Some wine g rowers are fearful of fea thered marauders, especially silvereyes, being attracted by more fruit-bearing native trees. It appears that most native birds prefer native fruits and vice versa . But the recently self-introduced silvereye is an exception. It loves to fl y down a row of g rapes, pecking holes and ....... ~:.w..._--' lapping up the oozing juice. In the short term, netting must remain the answer. Of course, everyone wants to know how much it will cost. Then they can start matching the needed plants to available financial and labour resources. Our first advice to anyone co nte mplatin g a winery plantings. The vVaipara School plantings wi ll have interpretative signage and there will be a strong indigenous presence at the railway station, where many of the region's visitors will get a first taste of \ i\T aipara's new and distinctive biodiversity character. Those arriving by road, or racing along State Hig hway One, will not be ignored. Roadside sig nage has been approved by Transit N.ew Z ealand and the \i\Taipara Promotions Association has Hoverlly feeding from the nectar of a buckwheat flower restoration project is "D on't bite off more than you can chew" . 10 matter how joined the party by raising funding for these. The project was even featured on television news. Knowledge of the soil type is crucial. I s it deep, shallow, limey, stoney, well-drained or on a sunny or shady slope? Only when we have this information can we be confident about what indigenous species can g row on these sites immediately or later in the succession. We have a list of about 300 plant species for the district, but only a few more than 100 are suitable or realistic in the context of these vineyards or are available from nurseries. Others may be used for later planting, 'v"hen there is some cover and shelter. The widespread use of native plants for utility, landscaping, and amenity is still in its infancy, and many of the hundreds of species that could be used in cultivated or semi-natural settings are still to be brought into mass production. The interest and demand is, however, increasing dramatically in cities and the countryside, so it will only be a matter of time before supply catches up with demand. \i\Te have conducted recent plant forays to seek out shoot and fruits of of ten-experi enced one is, a new site always presents new challenges, so it is important to test the idea in small plantings, rather than risk a blockbuster that goes bust and demoralises everyo ne concerned. And no two seasons will be the same. Staging an ambitious project over one or more yea rs is the obvious way to overcome an immediate shortfall in plant supply. Some hardy species can be planted in autumn, while others will need to be planted during the spring window between the las t frosts and the onset of summer drought. Patience is a virtue. After a couple of years of carefully planned, executed, and cared for planting, the rewards will come. If this advice is not heeded, there is a danger of becoming overwhelmed with the maintenance of weeds and pest control and losing much of the initial investment in plants, as well as tlle enthusiasm. Better to plant a few plants well that can be nurtured through to canopy closure and a real functioning plant community, than to plant many, most of which succumb to g rass competition, or rabbit or hare damage. Once the aspirations, tempered with practical Indigena Jun 2006 Page 29 Planting of Canterbury House in September, 2005 (above), and the same area in May 2006 (right ). Divaricating shrubs, kanuka, golden akeake, cabbage trees, kohuhu and kowhai are prominent . realism, have been agreed to, we provide advice on the suitable native species, numbers, and layout according to existing soil variation and shelter, by a species list, sketch map, and perspec tive drawing . An example of the species lists are those generated for Ecological Regions and soil types in the NZ Ecological Restoration N etwork (www.bmh.org.11.z/ pta11,terguide). E nter Canterbury Plains Region then the species list for P allic Soils (the old Yellow Grey Earths) . W e then must order the plants from a nursery in the area that knows the native plants and provides locally sourced stock. Site preparation in plenty of time, and the necessary labour, mulch, animal repellent and an iron-clad commitment to subsequent maintenance for the next t\;yO years all need to be arranged. The free ECan booklet Establishing Sizelter in Canterbury with Nature Consel"vation in M ind provides useful information and hints to ensure a successful planting of indigenous species in each area. '.TV e are also writing a W aipara-specific booklet, including sections on Waipara's vegetation history and lots of detail on the "how to" aspects of restoration ecology. Desig n is also important, and in some respects we are using the principles applied by the fa mous English landscape gardener Capability Brown. During the late 18th century he and his disciples constructed an idealised English countryside by using trees, shrubs, lawns, rural elements (invisibly controlled livestock) and serpentine lakes to create the impression of natural patterns and controlled wilderness- an idyllic pastoral scene framed within a natural aesthetic. No vineyard is an island . It has a wider context within the district, the catchment, the region and the country. Processes such as biological control of pest insects operate at more than just a few metres. L arger-scale dynamics are at work . I nsects may travel from one vineyard to another, birds may travel many kilometres, and tree seeds may be transported by those birds or by the wind . Some of these birds and plants may be desirable, while others will need to be controlled . Once the individual property, road verge and riverside plantings have been established, there will be more to learn about these wider landscape processes. H ow long will it take for the majority of transported seed to become mature native plants? 'AThere will we see these establishing? Can we facilitate this dispersal and establishment? H ow long will it take for native insects, birds and lizards to discover the new landscape full of their favourite food ? These questions will be answered as part of an ongoing research programme and through the careful observations made by the property owners and workers. It will form the basis for new stories to be told about our natural history which will enrich our understanding of natural processes and the experience of tasting the bounty, one of the products of all this effort at the end of a hard day's planting-the vinous liquid. As Sheridan said, "A man may surely be allowed to take a glass of wine by his own fireside" . '.TVhat Sheridan did not say is that the man may also want to know whether the wine has been sustainably produced . Colin Meurk is wit h Landcare Research, Lincoln. Steve Wrattan and Shona Sam are at the Bioprotection and Ecology Division, Lincoln University. Colin Meurk may be contacted by email at m eurkc@l andcareresearch.co.nz. Indigena June 2006 Page 30 

Greening Waipara

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