Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand abstracts

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Status of New Zealand biodiversity research and resources: how much do we know?

Stephan R. P. Halloy*

A survey of present genetic resources and associated research and funding was conducted in May 1992 at the request of the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology (MRST) and the Commonwealth Science Council (CSC). Abundant information was supplied by scientific institutions, government departments, botanic gardens, horticultural societies and private individuals but much of it is disconnected and difficult to compare. There are large genetic resources in New Zealand, but a shortage of information and communication about them. There are an estimated 50,000 species of native animals, plants, fungi and protists in New Zealand, of which fewer than 17,000 have been described, including only small proportions of some groups, e.g. fungi (20%) or insects (55%) but more in others, e.g. plants (more than 80%). However, we understand the numbers, population dynamics, conservation status and management requirements of only a handful of species. Fewer than 25% of the plant species are cultivated and none is economically significant (except for the extractive "mining" of timber resources and extensive grazing of tussock grassland). But there is potential for economic development of many species. The Government allocates a greater amount of research and conservation funding per species to native than to exotic species, but exotics get more private funding (this does not imply that either is "enough" funding).

Presently, New Zealand primary production is almost wholly dependent on exotic germplasm. Several thousand species have been introduced into the country, but only 19 plant species cover more than 95% of all cultivated land. Estimates of total numbers of species are uncertain. There may be some 2,450 native vascular plant species and over 6,000 living exotic species. The collation of information on germplasm and its preservation is presently limited by a lack of financial support. Total investment in biodiversity research is less than 0.04% of GDP, with another 0.1% spent on conservation. Several attempts to create a network of people involved in studying genetic resources have been made in the past. The ratification of the International Convention on Biological Diversity makes this an appropriate time to review what information and resources we have and to connect the dispersed elements into a coherent system. Some key issues are discussed, including national policy on biodiversity and indigenous rights.

I recommend a feasibility study to determine whether a generalised genetic resource network is appropriate for New Zealand, and, if so, what form and scope it should have. Such a network would involve an increase in communication between people involved with germplasm, educating and empowering people to research and conserve, establishing protocols for the exchange of germplasm and transfer formats for data, sharing in conservation, establishing priorities and representing New Zealand's position overseas. I recommend that greater efforts, training and funding be spent on biodiversity research and conservation, with emphasis on lesser- known species. Rather than an "altruistic" cost, this spending is seen as an investment with potentially high returns for society, both in economic terms and from a social, aesthetic and ethical perspective.

Keywords: biodiversity, conservation, genetic resources, New Zealand, research, science funding

(c) Journal of The Royal Society of New Zealand,

Volume 25, Number 1, March 1995, pp 55-80

PDF file of entire paper: medium quality (1673K); (scanned from paper original: notes about this process)

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