Environmental management

B+LNZ ‘Trees within Farms’ Workshop resources

B+LNZ’s ‘Trees within Farms’ workshop outlines how you can capture a range of opportunities. Trees provide shelter, fodder, riparian planting, erosion protection, biodiversity and aesthetic benefits – and there are opportunities presented by the Emissions Trading Scheme and various climate change mitigation programmes. See below for resources containing additional info and where to get advice.

Holding on to soil

Some soil – or sediment – in a stream is natural. But, if sediment levels get too high, it can disrupt ecosystems and kill freshwater species. It’s also a major source of phosphorus, because phosphate sticks to soil particles.

Improving biodiversity

Biodiversity refers to the variety of plant and animal life in a particular habitat. As a general rule - the more diversity, the healthier that environment.

Making the most of nutrients

Nutrients are essential for both plants and animals, but too many nutrients can be a significant problem, particularly when it comes to their impact on waterways.

Managing stock near water

Agricultural and horticultural land occupy more than 40% of New Zealand, meaning there is significant pressure on farmers to manage the effects of their land use on water quality – and that includes managing stock near water.

Dung and waterways

Dung – particularly in water – is bad news. Faecal bacteria and pathogens can cause disease in people. Faecal contamination is monitored using E. coli (Escherichia coli) as an “indicator” organism. E. coli is a type of bacteria commonly found in the guts of warm-blooded mammals (including people) and birds.

Stream health

Freshwater ecosystem health includes a waterway’s aquatic life, physical habitat, water quality and water flow patterns. This helps determine the overall state of the freshwater system. There are a range of indicators of ecosystem health in a waterway which include stream life, water quality and habitat.