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Thistle do me – EcoLincNZ
My mother makes a great liver and bacon. Like many cooks who have spent decades on a sheep farm she is also a dab hand with a great mutton roast, scones, and sponge cakes. She can also preserve fruit at a moments notice. The highest compliment I every received for my own infrequent cooking attempts…
Induced resistance, Sting, and the blades of Westernesse – EcoLincNZ
It's a big, bad world out there and it is nice to find something that adds to our protection.This can range from vaccines against viruses, to seatbelts in cars, to laws against causing physical harm. As a naked ape we are not especially intimidating on our own and we often seek out tools to make…
Under the southern moss – EcoLincNZ
In popular media New Zealand is often portrayed as a 'Lost World'. From Middle-earth to Narnia, from Skull Island to Mythic Greece, New Zealand has often stood in for a director's idea of a mysterious place that time forgot. This started in the 1960s with In search of the Castaways, a cheesy Disney live action…
Darwin and the Sandwalk: bike – EcoLincNZ
Darwin took the best part of 20 years to publish his ideas on natural selection. There has been a lot of speculation as to why he took so long. We here at the Sandwalk have some ideas.... Although bicycles, as we know them, were still a decade or two off, in the early 1850s there…
Along came a spider, that swam down beside her… – EcoLincNZ
Christmas is just around the corner and for many this means that it is time to head to the sea. Beach holidays have long been a tradition for kiwi summers. I was no different while growing up and through my adult life. We spent a lot of time at the little beach village of Kaka…
PredatorFreeNZ 2050: fantasy into reality – EcoLincNZ
High in the treetops of a lush forest, a group of native birds gathered together, their vibrant feathers glinting in the dappled sunlight. Excited chirps and melodic trills filled the air as they engaged in a lively conversation. Their voices carried the hopes and dreams of a restored ecosystem. Koru, a charismatic Tūī with iridescent…
Farming and biodiversity: what’s on 0.5% of Canterbury Plains? – EcoLincNZ
Imagine the Canterbury Plains blanketed in tall trees interwoven with small hardwoods. This beautiful, unique landscape is then singed into dry grassland with the arrival of Māori. Continue to imagine European settlers introduce weedy exotics that infest the landscapes, once again modifying the region. Now, picture the current landscape - a monotonous cover of dairy…
Remove one NZ invasive mammal predator and another steps into its place – EcoLincNZ
Invasive species are a major concern for ecosystems worldwide, causing significant disruptions to native flora and fauna. Some mammals can have particularly devastating effects on local ecosystems due to their predatory nature. In the Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, a recent study titled "Niche Partitioning in a Guild of Invasive Mammalian Predators" sheds light on the dynamics of invasive mammalian…
Tricks of the underground trade: networking below the vines – EcoLincNZ
Life in the soil can be a tricky business for plants and microbes. Nutrients are a limited commodity for some, and competitors may swindle and cheat to gain the upper hand. Strategic partnerships are highly sought after enabling exchange of one commodity for another within elaborate networks. In a tough economy, well-connected networks promote resilience, sharing…
Detecting eDNA: everything, everywhere all at once – EcoLincNZ
Let’s say you want to know what animal species are present in a forest. You could walk along line transects and record the species visually observed. You could set up trail cameras to take pictures of passing animals for as long as there is enough space in the memory card and battery life in the…
Make boysenberries juicy again: the fight against downy mildew – EcoLincNZ
"Yes, why not!! Hi! I am Boysenberry. I will tell you the whole story, how I fight this destructive fungus. Before delving into the subject, I just want to tell you a little bit more about me." Boysenberries Photo by simplyAutumn 2009 from Flickr I am a rich source of micronutrients and have great health…
Buried treasure: the hidden gems of alpine peatland – EcoLincNZ
Growing up, I had a fascination with pirates. I'm not sure if it was the fact that they stole buried treasure, sailed the seven seas, and broke all the rules or if I liked that they used the term "swashbuckling" to describe themselves. All I know is that I wanted to be exactly like Captain…
Toxins help rare birds – EcoLincNZ
As a birder, there is a unique and somewhat pure excitement to seeing a bird you’ve never seen before – at least that's my experience. Spotting a “lifer” (a.k.a. a species 'new to you' in birding lingo) comes with a feeling of accomplishment, especially if the bird turns out to be rare. For example, I…
Seed coating: fungi protect maize from disease – EcoLincNZ
Did you know that seeds can wear coats, just like people? Different kinds of coats can be added to seeds to protect them for improved cultivation. How do seed-coatings work and what are the benefits for seeds wearing coats? There are several distinct strengths of seed coating. You will know a lot more about seed-coating,…
Small animals show us the value of old natural forests – EcoLincNZ
Hambach. You are in Germany right now, halfway between Cologne and the Belgian border. I'd like to warmly welcome you to the Hambach forest - an ancient forest that is dominated by oak and hornbeam, representing a rare forest type in modern Germany. The Hambach forest is the last remnant of a forest that ranged…
Defend the buffer! – EcoLincNZ
"Hold the line! The invasives are coming!" "Captain, we're losing ground! The phosphate is encroaching." "Retreat to higher ground! It's safer up there." "Send in the spiders and beetles! Earthworms, you stay here." "Defend the Buffer!!!" [insert battle cry] If the plants and insects at Bankside Scientific Reserve could talk, they would probably sound something…
From stinky van adventures to restoration projects – the unseen potential of wastewater – EcoLincNZ
Picture this: you’re on a camping trip, enjoying the breathtaking view of one of the most beautiful lakes of Aotearoa New Zealand surrounded by snow-capped mountains, watching the incredible red colours of the sunrise, when suddenly a ghastly smell permeates the air. You quickly discover the source – a full wastewater tank in your camping…
Island life, saviour of the wrybill – EcoLincNZ
I've never been so pleased to see the braids of a river than when I finally escaped the jaws of the Waimakariri Gorge in my kayak, as part of the Coast to Coast race. A braided river brings not just relief from roaring bluff corners, and the threat of capsizing my kayak, but a peaceful…
Oh the horror! What should scare us at Halloween – EcoLincNZ
It's Halloween today. Although 'trick or treating' has started to catch on over the last couple of decades, Halloween has never been that big a deal here in NZ. Perhaps it's because it happens in spring when everything is greening up, new life abounds around us, and we are starting to appreciate the lengthening days…
Neighbourhood disputes, models, and a harmonious coexistence with elephants – EcoLincNZ
In my home country, Germany, we have cut down every bit of primeval forest. We hunted aurochs, brown bears, wolves, lynx and even beavers to extinction between the 17th and 19th centuries. After messing it all up like that, we now dare to tell other countries, that still hold on to their forests and wildlife,…
The secret life of elephants: ecological engineers and agricultural pests – EcoLincNZ
As a Kiwi, when I hear the word 'pest' my mind instantly goes to possums, stoats, rats and cats. These are some of the invasive mammals which are killing so many of our native species, most of which cannot be found anywhere else in the world. These lethal pests have turned us into killers as…
Life near the edge: same dung, different day – EcoLincNZ
Although I was vaguely aware of dung beetles and their role in the ecosystem, I finally became interested in them while participating in giraffe research in South Africa. I’ll never forget the time when I was finishing up my giraffe work for the day and I stopped to watch a couple of dung beetles who…
Testing new bait coatings for conservation – EcoLincNZ
Mickey Mouse and Scabbers the Rat, are causing biodiversity loss in Aotearoa, New Zealand. They are committing crimes against some of our most endangered wildlife and arriving uninvited to the party. Protecting our taonga falls into the hands of conservationists and wildlife managers. New research plays a vital role in protecting our precious taonga. Menacing…
When grapes lead to war – EcoLincNZ
Would you steal a loaf of bread to feed your hungry family? Fair enough. What about a couple of grapes to save yourself the misery of wasting nine dollars on sour fruit? Grapes, waiting to be sampled. © Colin Jensen “Try ‘em before I buy ‘em,” is my dad’s usual response to that question, as…
Every pyromaniacs dream… the science plant BBQ – EcoLincNZ
In recent decades, climate change has been a cause for social and environmental transformation. For example, the inclusion of words such as ‘eco-anxiety’ to the Oxford English Dictionary shows the growing apprehension we have about the future of our climate. Next time you are feeling overwhelmed as a result of the environment, you’ll have the…
The legacy of Smaug: Exotic worms conquer New Zealand’s soils – EcoLincNZ
My armour is like tenfold shields, my teeth are swords, my claws spears, the shock of my tail is a thunderbolt, my wings a hurricane, and my breath death!" Smaug from The Hobbit, by JRR Tolkien. Wyrms or worms? It's probably not the introduction you'd expect from your typical friendly neighbourhood earthworm, but as it…
Making a splash: Protecting the manu with Mānuka and Kānuka – EcoLincNZ
The art and joy of bombing off a bridge. Photo: Gen Toop. Dec, 2022 "Do a manu" "Do a bomb". On a hot summers day these are the chants that ring out across Aotearoa as packs of kids and adults line up on bridges or climb atop rocks and get ready to jump into a…
A giant pest problem: elephants in the backyard – EcoLincNZ
New Zealand has a huge agricultural industry. It also has a pest problem. I myself have been out to a friends’ farm and was told to “squash a mouse if you see one"! Which I think we can all empathise with to an extent. When the little b*stards are eating your food, they might as…
Kea pine for a new home? – EcoLincNZ
Kea, our smart alpine parrots, are sometimes a little too clever for their own good. They are a species struggling to maintain large and healthy populations. Part of their problem is that they are very curious and seem to be fascinated by what humans do, and more importantly, often live in human-influenced habitat. This is…
The superpowers of NZ moss: Dry shrubland and its moss ground cover – EcoLincNZ
I love moss. I have always loved mosses. They are so cute! Moss is green, all kinds of green, every nuance. Some of them are leafy, some of them flat, and some look like cushions. They make the forest floor look like a fairyland. Moss between bricks in front of Ivy Hall, Lincoln University. (Image…
Kiwi calling: when listening is not enough – EcoLincNZ
I don't know about your's, but my mum gets worried when I don't respond to her phone calls for a few hours. Once, I can't remember what I was doing, but I didn't hear the phone ringing. When I finally checked my phone I saw about 17483 missed calls, oops. I can only wonder what…
A foreign threat: New Zealand’s Invasive insects – EcoLincNZ
One of the many great fascinations of New Zealand is the absurd number of bugs found here that are found no where else on Earth. What's a bug, you might ask? They're the six-legged creepy crawlies you find everywhere. They are a part of your life, from the obnoxious house fly in your room to…
Fantastic mantids and where to find them – EcoLincNZ
This past year I have been reading a lot of papers about mantids because I will be doing my Masters thesis on the New Zealand mantis. They are very interesting animals that fill the niche of a top predator in many habitats. New Zealand only has one native species of mantid which is called te…
The handle on the climate change pot – EcoLincNZ
I live at a student apartment here in Lincoln on campus and the handles of all of our pots are loose. Maybe you know the feeling. It is a problem, but it feels like a problem for the future. Recently, I talked to one of my roommates about it: "Let's find a screwdriver and fix…
The hotspots are where it’s at if you want to spot a cat: the search for the common leopard – EcoLincNZ
The Himalayas are an almost mythical place, where mountains loom and the clouds surf down their sides before sliding into the forests below. The songs of rhesus monkeys, palm civets, and the occasional jackal sing out from the thick trees. This landscape is beautiful yet rugged. Travelling through is difficult for our human capabilities, in…
I see you: Sauron and the panda – EcoLincNZ
"I wish we could get away from these hills! I hate them. I feel all naked on the east side, stuck up here with nothing but the dead flats between me and that Shadow yonder. There’s an Eye in it. Come on! We’ve got to get down today somehow." JRR Tolkien, The Lord of the…
And we’re back! – EcoLincNZ
As you may have noticed EcoLincNZ has been offline for the last three months. It seems that we were victims of a nasty hack that meant that we had to migrate and rebuild the site, over Christmas and the summer break. Jon Sullivan has been outstanding in getting virtually all of our material into the…
Nosy predators check out the competition – EcoLincNZ
Growing up in New Zealand, I had a great passion for animals. Viewing everything through a child's eyes, I believed that all wildlife should be free to thrive anywhere they wanted. Today I see the realities of the world were all animals are cherished, but some are out of place and others are vulnerable. I…
Blow-torching plants for hot evolutionary insights into flammability – EcoLincNZ
Who would have thought that it is possible to get funding to torch dried plants on a grill, for science! The results are now in a scientific journal, contributing insights regarding the evolution of flammability in plants. My 8-year-old self would have been delighted, that is for sure. Then I was already very interested in…
Fishing for possum DNA – EcoLincNZ
When I was a child, I was fixated on animals. In fact, 5-year-old me would go around telling all the primary school mums that I wanted to be a Palaeontologist. This was often met with some strange looks, quite possibly because they didn't even know what a Palaeontologist was themselves. Since then, I have been…