Reducing Forest Health Impacts

Scion provides the information necessary to devise management strategies to reduce the impact of weeds, pests and diseases once they become established.

This is a major focus of our research programme.

Our expertise forms an important part of the biosecurity network and requires a specialised understanding of forest management systems, focusing on the following areas:

Biological control

We offer expertise in identifying, evaluating and rearing biological control agents targeted against both weeds and insect pests. Examples of biological control projects under way are listed for the following plant and insects
·    Buddleja davidii
·    Paropsis charybdis
·    Uraba lugens

Chemical control

Our research has enabled significant improvements in the environmental and economic performance of aerial and ground-based pesticide application. Our research on Dothistroma over many years has enabled large reductions in the application volumes needed to control the disease.

We specialise in developing cost-effective use of biological or synthetic pesticides in a way that maximises their efficacy and minimises unwanted environmental impacts.  Much of this research is carried out in collaboration with PPCNZ.

Modifed silvicultural regimes

We work with forest growers to devise ways of manipulating forest management operations and regimes to minimise the effects of diseases such as Dothistroma and Cyclaneusma.

Matching species to sites

We are focused on developing site disease hazard rating to aid species and site selection for new plantations.

Induced resistance

Scion undertakes research into induced resistance responses in forest trees to insect and fungal attack. Previous studies have found that fungal endophytes are present in all conifer forest systems examined and are believed to have a role in resistance-mediated responses.

Contact : Lindsay Bulman