View Our Strategy Document 2019 – 2024
November 02, 2023
Future Landscapes
In the future, landscapes will contain mosaics of land use that are more resilient, healthy and prosperous than today
Science Theme Leader
Susie McKeague – Director, Farm Environmental Consulting
New Zealand’s agricultural landscape is dominated by large farms that produce single products, on land classified according to its maximum capability. Over time, in many cases this has resulted in undesirable environmental outcomes.
Future Landscapes researchers have developed the concept of “land use suitability” to describe not just the land’s capability to grow a product, but also consider impacts on soil and waterways, and economic, social and cultural outcomes. We apply a te ao Māori interconnected and intergenerational perspective which adds depth to this approach.
Our research will give land owners and regional councils the tools and models to identify distinct ‘zones’ of land according to a precise understanding of the sources and flows of contaminants, backed by reliable data. We are identifying and testing novel production systems to give farmers, growers and mana whenua a greater choice of profitable land use options.
Our research will help land owners choose the right product to grow or farm in the right place, developing a diverse ‘mosaic’ of land uses that are more resilient, lead to healthier land and water, and provide more income security than today.
Our Goal
The land and water in our productive environment is in a state that reflects our values as New Zealanders and meets the expectations of those abroad. Decisions on land-use change and management practices are able to be made with confidence, leading to measurable and substantial improvements in catchment land and water quality.
Future Landscapes Projects
Whakatupu: Empowering Māori Landowners in Land Use Decisions
Providing accessible and useful data to support Māori landowners to prioritise land-use options
Next Generation Systems
Identifying next generation primary production systems and opportunities to change the face of farming
This project has produced
Measuring Denitrification
The development of a method for measuring denitrification is a first for New Zealand, providing vital data for understanding natural denitrification processes
This project has produced
Phosphorus Best Practice
Investigating whether current fertiliser and effluent guidelines and policy are strong enough to prevent phosphorus loss
Healthy Estuaries
Assessing the interactions between loadings of different contaminants from freshwaters on the health and functioning of estuaries
Linking Legacies to Wai
Accounting for lag times and natural concentrations of contaminants in groundwater
Monitoring Freshwater Improvement Actions
Monitoring the effectiveness of interventions and mitigation actions on freshwater improvement
This project has produced
Pohewa Pae Tawhiti
Supporting land-use change decisions that are consistent with landowner long-range visions and priorities, through an integrated framework that incorporates tools, models and innovative guidelines and…
Land Use Opportunities
Developing a holistic decision-making framework for evaluating land use opportunities.