9 June 2006 Greening Waipara: building biodiversity back into the wine experience

The Waipara wine-growing area of North Canterbury is a place of extraordinary significance. Like much of eastern Canterbury, it was originally draped in tall totara, matai, lacebark, kowhai, lancewood and broadleaf forest. It has been dramatically transformed, first by the hunting and gathering of the tangata whenua, then modification for grazing sheep and mixed farming, and then to forestry or horticulture – including the viticulture industry.

Out of this rich environmental and human history, there has recently been a spontaneous local enthusiasm to do something truly special for the landscape – something that will recognise the history of the land and build a regional identity and commitment to a true ‘clean-green New Zealand’.

Far from resting on faded green laurels, at Waipara there are people demonstrating an extraordinary degree of enlightenment towards their past, present and future. We are seeing it in spadefuls in a project known as ‘Greening Waipara’.

This research-driven project stems from initiatives by Lincoln University, local wine growers, the Hurunui District Council and Landcare Research to calculate the dollar-value of the services provided for free by nature in the arable, pastoral and horticultural sectors. These services include biological control of pests, pollination and keeping soils fertile, among many others. It also aims to enhance these services through ‘ecological engineering’. The first part of the research is identifying such things as ‘what a worm is worth’ and the ‘engineering’ part aims to boost nature’s overall contribution to agriculture.

This is a win-win situation where research on nature’s services provides added value through biocontrol and other environmentally-friendly practices, including reduced reliance on herbicides and pesticides, creation of swales and wetlands with native species to filter contaminated stormwater and vineyard effluent – all done via the restoration of habitat using species which were once common. These practices enhance the natural character and resilience of the district. 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 research is looking at the sugar ratios in plant nectar and how these can be used to support beneficial insects – those which control plant pests. A number of New Zealand native species are showing real promise as a potential companion to grapes. Some are considered Māori taonga, which gives added reason for them to be included in restoration efforts.

This is inter-disciplinary research which draws heavily on the knowledge and experience of the land owners. They have, after all, been working the land for decades or even generations and need only the right type of help from ecologists to make their management plan a success.

Our approach has been to engage individually with the 20-plus property owners involved. We dig holes to examine soil; we discuss the dryness and frostiness of the site; we find out what individual companies and vineyards want to achieve with respect to landscaping and biodiversity; what areas, how big, how they want it to look, what constraints they face, and what timeframe is realistic.

Many vineyards are planning a biodiversity trail near their winery/restaurant, allowing people to experience the relationship between the winemaker and the environment as they digest their lunch. Signs for vineyard entrances and planted areas are currently being designed.

The benefit of all this extends beyond each vineyard, because no vineyard is an island.

Insects may travel from one vineyard to another; birds may travel many kilometres and tree seeds may be transported with those birds or on the wind. Once each area is replanted, there will be more to learn about these wider landscape processes. How long will it take for the transported seed to become mature native plants? Where will we see these establishing? Can we facilitate this dispersal and establishment? How 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 enjoying the region’s bounty.

It will also serve as an extraordinary example of how a rural community has grasped an ambitious project and empowered itself to create a lasting legacy.

Opinion Editorial

Steve Wratten is Professor of Ecology at Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand, and leader of the Greening Waipara project, through the National Centre for Advanced Bio-Protection Technologies.

Dr Colin Meurk is Senior Scientist in plant and vegetation ecology at Landcare Research, Lincoln, Canterbury, New Zealand, and specialises in native plant restoration in urban and rural communities.