4 June 2009 New Zealand Bio-Protection Expertise to Taiwan

The Taiwanese Government is calling on Bio-Protection Research Centre expertise as it develops a strategy for dealing with invasive weeds.

Professors Philip Hulme and Richard Duncan, both based at Lincoln University, will join a panel of eight international experts at a symposium called by the Taiwan Biodiversity Conservation Association. Their audience will include Taiwanese academics and others involved in the National Invasive Species Inventory Project.

Prof Hulme, who specialises in the ecology of invasions and their effects on natural and managed ecosystems, says there is a lot of interest around the world in invasive weeds.

"Awareness of biodiversity conservation and the value of natural ecosystems as providers of valuable services is a relatively recent phenomenon in Taiwan, since for most of the island's history the management of natural resources prioritised economic growth. The Taiwanese are now beginning to value the unique natural environments found in their country and realising that weeds pose a significant economic and environmental threat. This symposium is about bringing in international expertise and guidance to best address the problem of invasive weeds.

"Like New Zealand, some of Taiwan's weeds arrived by accident and others were deliberately introduced to gardens or as crops and have subsequently escaped and spread widely. The National Invasive Species Inventory Project is the first step in developing a clear understanding of what weeds are widespread and which should be prioritised for
management.

"I will be advising them on the best techniques for sampling and identifying weeds on Taiwan and its neighbouring islands, which, like New Zealand, range from productive agricultural lowlands to high mountains with native forest and alpine vegetation."

Prof Duncan, whose expertise is in understanding the processes involved in weed species introduction, establishment and spread says his experience in analysing the broad patterns of plant invasions in New Zealand is relevant to understanding similar problems in Taiwan.

"New Zealand is uniquely placed to understand the processes by which invasive plants arrive, establish and spread, due to its recent European settlement. The insights we have
gained from researching New Zealand's invasive plants can be used to understand plant invasions elsewhere and to guide the development of monitoring programmes. Our invitation to advise on the development of an Invasive Species Inventory Project for Taiwan recognises New Zealand's strengths in invasive species research."

Following the symposium both men will spend five days on a field trip around Taiwan seeing first hand what problems exist and giving hands-on advice regarding weed surveying and impact assessment to the Taiwanese project leaders in a range of urban, rural and alpine environments.

The Symposium will be held on June 11and the field trip from June 12 to 17