Vegetation Age Assessments

Abstract

While Aotearoa-New Zealand stives for net carbon zero there are many opportunities and challenges emerging in how best to establish long term sequestration of carbon. The University of Otago as taken a reduction first approach to reaching net zero by 2030. Having establish a 50% reduction in air travel emissions, sequestration is now an appropriate option for the remaining emissions. This presentation provided an interim update on research being undertaken in the Motatapu Station near Wānaka, which is directly linked to the University's plans for sequestration. The report included some background into the long-term relationship between researchers and the estate's management. The activities centred around assessing the age and sequestration values of naturally regenerating vegetation in de-stocked areas of the station. The methodology of collecting data was described and the next stages of the research outlined. One of the key findings reported was the difficulty in interpreting terrain at waypoints on maps and aerial images, as it frequently turned out to be inaccessible and hazardous terrain. Around 50% the expected number of waypoints were visited due to the terrain encountered. Hazards included gradient, loose terrain, dense vegetation, tree fall from snowstorms, thorns, and photo toxic vegetation. Methods of managing these hazards were discusses for future research activity in this type of terrain. Supervised by: Janice Lord (Botany Department), Craig Cliff (Sustainability Office), Univerity of OtagoScholarship funded by: Univerity of Otago Air Travel Project [Above notes of presentation prepared by editor]