New Zealand Dryland Forest Innovation (NZDFI) just took a big step into that vision of sustainable forestry. They’re currently popularizing the use of naturally durable eucalyptus species. This program provides businesses and the public sector with an environmentally responsible replacement for chemically treated pine. It specifically responds to the mountains of public concern growing over toxic environments and mismanaged forests. As it turns out, the introduction of these eucalyptus species couldn’t have come at a better time. New Zealand now grows more than 15,000 hectares of eucalyptus, initially introduced from Australia.
Native eucalyptus trees are being devastated by introduced paropsine beetles, also known as leaf-chewing beetles. These invasive pests can severely impact trees’ health and productivity. The impact of these pests can vary widely. They vary based on how serious the infestation is and what type of eucalyptus production system you have implemented. These beetles have the capacity to create potential yield losses of over $10 million annually. It’s not inexpensive to manage these pests—control costs total $1 million to $2.6 million.
Innovative Research Using Technology
Shiva Pariyar, a PhD candidate at the University of Canterbury, is moving mountains with his research. He’s trying to create a new model to detect and quantify the extent of eucalyptus defoliation caused by paropsine beetles. Outside, he turns to a Global Navigation Satellite System to collect balanced, reproducible tree location data. This valuable information serves to improve our knowledge and understanding of pest dynamics in eucalyptus plantations.
Pariyar’s investigations utilize cutting-edge technologies, such as drone-mounted light detection and ranging (LiDAR), multispectral sensors, and high-resolution satellite imagery. He points to the technology’s game-changing potential for forest management.
“Human eyes can’t always pick up subtle changes in canopy greenness or stress levels, but the technology we use can. Ground-based measurements are costly, time-consuming, labor-intensive and often impractical in remote or dangerous environments.” – Shiva Pariyar
Such technological innovations make it feasible to collect timely and accurate information on the health of eucalyptus plantations. By providing forest managers with essential data, they can effectively respond to insect outbreaks that may lead to long-term ecological and economic damage.
Future Prospects for Eucalyptus Plantations
The modeling done in the research project starts with today’s limited targeted euca plantations and grows those by 2050. To achieve its goal, it needs more trees—specifically, 100,000 hectares of naturally durable eucalyptus across New Zealand. This initiative is vital for promoting sustainability and reducing reliance on chemical treatments that pose risks to soil and water quality.
Pariyar believes his findings will significantly aid forest managers and policymakers in making informed decisions regarding forest health and vitality. His model has the potential to extend much further than New Zealand. It would mean it was a global solution for anybody producing eucalyptus as a sustainable substitute to chemically treated pine.
“Without timely and accurate information, forest managers are unable to respond to insect outbreaks effectively that may cause long-term ecological and economic damage. My research outcome supports forest managers and policymakers to take both proactive and reactive measures to improve forest health and the vitality of eucalyptus plantations.” – Shiva Pariyar
Pariyar’s important work is passionately defended by her PhD supervisor, Associate Professor Steve Pawson. He points out that the cost of pest control in the industry has huge economic impact.
“Potential yield loss is estimated at $10 million per year, with control costs currently estimated at $1 to $2.6 million.” – Associate Professor Steve Pawson
Building Skills for Sustainable Forestry
Pariyar is at the cutting edge of a revolutionary path in research and art. He is personally motivated to deepen his remote sensing and tech skills. He emphasizes how UC has prepared him with the right tools, like knowing how to work drones, to succeed.
“I wanted to build on my skills in the field of remote sensing and technology. And luckily, I found this opportunity at UC to explore and expand my theoretical knowledge and practical understanding, including recent technologies.” – Shiva Pariyar
His experience at UC has empowered him to prepare flight plans, operate drones, and analyze collected data for future applications in forestry management.