Accepted:
01 Nov 2000
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/vol08/halloy02/ | © Copyright 2000 | |||
| Volume 08 | Received: Accepted: |
15 Jul 2000 01 Nov 2000 |
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Management of New Zealand's terrestrial biodiversity as a complex adaptive system
Halloy, S. R. P., Mark, A. F. & Dickinson, K. J. M. |
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| Abstract | |
| New Zealand is examined as a case study for the application of complex system modelling to the practical understanding of biodiversity management and conservation. As the world’s most isolated, ancient and diverse continental island group, New Zealand has ideal characteristics for this purpose. As a result of relatively recent human colonisation, the islands are now undergoing a dynamic shift with rapid regression of many native higher plant and animal species and rapid invasion of an almost equal number of equivalent exotic species. Around 90% of native habitats have been modified by grazing by domestic animals or cultivation. Joint government and public conservation has resulted in a large conservation estate (29% of land area) which has raised concerns that it may not be sustainable without substantial further efforts in the long term. We show that conservation investment is in fact large, relative to the past, but minimal with respect to the returns. We suggest the need for more explicit valuation of the feedback mechanisms that justify this effort in the long run (e.g. ecosystem services, tourism, genetic resources). We show trends in population, habitat degradation, and conservation, and explain these within the context of socio-economic indicators and strategies. A series of complex phenomena are identified as clues to understanding biodiversity, including lognormal distribution patterns of abundance, chaotic behaviour, co-evolution and diversification. | |
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Multimedia Links (none) Reference Links (none) Citation Reference Halloy, S. R. P., Mark, A. F. & Dickinson, K. J. M. (2000), Management of New Zealand's terrestrial biodiversity as a complex adaptive system, Complexity International, Volume 08, Paper ID: halloy02, URL: http://www.complexity.org.au/ci/vol08/halloy02/ |
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