Risk Reduction

Despite New Zealand’s advantage as an island nation, the trend for growing global trade and tourism is likely to increase the frequency of new pest incursions and associated risks.

The most effective ways to mitigate these risks are comprehensive biosecurity systems, underpinned by a high quality research capability.

Scion provides expertise to help prevent unwanted organisms from entering New Zealand.

Core areas of focus include:

• Pest risk analysis
• Pathway analysis
• Quarantine treatments
• Understanding ecosystem resistance to pests

Pest risk analysis

Ecological modelling techniques help us to understand the risks from pest organisms not yet introduced into New Zealand.  

Pathway analysis

Extensive research enables us to determine the ways in which pests are most likely to get across the border, so methods can be developed to close these pathways.

Quarantine treatments

New methods for destroying pests on imported goods enable the prevention of harmful organisms from entering the country.

Understanding ecosystem resistance to pests

We are conducting ground-breaking research into understanding the resistance of forest ecosystems to biological attack. A key part of this programme investigates the evolutionary relationships of pests and disease with their hosts.

Another important element of this research looks at the role of biodiversity in ecosystem stability.



Contact: Lindsay Bulman