Pūhau ana te rā: Tailwinds

The Impacts of ‘No-Mow’ Areas on Floral Diversity: A Case Study at the University of Otago

Rae Lerew — 2024-10-18

This report explores how mowing cessation impacts floral diversity at the University of Otago. The primary objective was to determine if there is a significant difference in plant species richness between mown and unmown areas on campus. By evaluating the biodiversity benefits of reduced lawn maintenance, the study aims to inform future landscaping practices at the university.

Proximal mown and unmown areas across three sites were compared for floral diversity, with all vascular plants recorded within each. A paired t-test evaluated if unmown areas had significantly more plant species than mown areas. Summary statistics quantified findings and guided recommendations.

A total of 98 distinct plant species were identified, with 94 present in unmown areas, and 22 in mown areas. The mean taxon richness in unmown areas was 43 species, compared to just 14 species in mown areas. Significant differences were detected between groups, with unmown areas richer in floral taxa (p = 0.01).

These results exemplify the benefits of reduced mowing on floral diversity. However, there was no discernible difference in the proportions of native and exotic species. Despite this, urban green spaces are considered ‘novel ecosystems’, supporting humans and fauna in urban centres regardless of species’ origin. Challenges to encouraging diversity include weed and pest mammal threats and biosecurity risks, which may suppress the reported benefits.

Cultural perceptions of beauty influence urban grassland maintenance. The European history of the lawn reflects a harmful ideology that suppresses both diverse biota and peoples. The re-wilding of the urban lawns offers an opportunity for campuses and cities to create inclusive spaces for everyone – tāngata whenua and tāngata tiriti.

This report underscores that reduced mowing can create biodiversity refuges in little-used corners of greenery in urban centres. However, careful management is needed to address the challenges presented by these novel ecosystems.

Quantifying Waste Diversion in Secondhand Stores

Grace Wilton — 2024-09-10

Secondhand shops are overlooked waste diverters in the sustainability sector, to measure their impact, my research seeks to understand their processes so that quantification strategies can be identified. The Green Island Rummage store is looking for data-gathering strategies so that the carbon emission reductions from their waste diversion efforts can be calculated. This is a difficult issue to tackle because of the pressures faced by secondhand shops due to limited resources. I interviewed local secondhand stores to identify barriers and strategies for waste diversion quantification and then surveyed Rummage employees to determine the applicability of potential measures. This research highlights the pressures faced by secondhand stores and their significance in our move to a circular economy.

Transforming the E-waste Management System

Sarah Ibrahim — 2024-07-11

The aim of this research is to inform the transformation of the e-waste management in Dunedin by shifting the focus from recycling to activities higher in the waste hierarchy (for example, redesigning, reducing and refurbishing). Previous research has identified the importance and potential solutions of creating a circular economy for e-waste, but few have addressed the context of Dunedin's social and environmental economy. To gain insight into how Dunedin’s climate influences the e-waste management system, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 stakeholders involved in the production, processing and diversion of e-waste. The interviews focused on understanding current e-waste management practices, identified barriers and explored opportunities for collaboration with other stakeholders. A review of global 'good practice' e-waste management provided a benchmark for evaluating and potentially replicating effective e-waste management strategies in New Zealand. This article documents Dunedin’s current e-waste management practices and provides recommendations to guide stakeholders in the e-waste sector. These recommendations particularly focus on supporting product stewardship schemes, prioritising public awareness and education, and encouraging joint solutions. The findings from this article could serve as a model for other regions in New Zealand, promoting sustainable consumption and production patterns.

The Eco-Express: Exploring an Event-Specific Train Service to Enhance Sustainable Travel for Dunedin Tertiary Students.

Brooke Muirsmeath — 2024-10-02

Students travelling between their city of study and their hometowns is one of the largest emissions generators for the University of Otago, these emissions also contribute to the profile of Dunedin as a whole (Rutherford & Cliff, 2023). To address this, this report will cover the question ‘How can an ‘event specific’ train to and from Dunedin be utilised to reduce the emissions created by student’s travel behaviour and what other benefits could this deliver for students and Dunedin?’ This inquiry aims to analyse solutions to the issue of emissions resulting from student travel, with a particular focus on travel between Dunedin and Christchurch for events and University breaks. Current underutilisation of existing rail and public transport infrastructure contributes to high rates of flying and driving. The effective use of rail is a key tool for reducing transport emissions. However, in its current state, the reinstatement of passenger rail is complex and faces barriers. The introduction of irregular passenger rail would be a more feasible near-term solution. This report endeavours to bridge the gap in formal research, offering insights into the viability of this method and provide further understanding to allow for more work to be done on the introduction of this service and additional supporting initiatives. This report may also provide insights for other possible institutions interested in implementing a similar service to further explore the idea.

The Risk of Modern Slavery in the University of Otago’s Supply Chains

Rebecca Stewart — 2024-10-30

This research project aims to identify the risk of modern slavery in the University of Otago’s supply chain and to advise the procurement department on how to address this risk. Modern slavery legislation in New Zealand is anticipated in the near future and the University of Otago must be prepared to meet its obligations under this law. This report introduces and advises on four proposals of varying cost and practicability that the University of Otago may implement in its procurement operations. Data to inform these proposals was gathered through a questionnaire sent to all of the University of Otago’s suppliers. These findings can not only inform the University’s procurement practices but also contribute to broader discussions on corporate responsibility and supply chain ethics. By anticipating and proactively addressing modern slavery risks, the University of Otago can set a precedent for ethical procurement practices in the academic sector and beyond.

Carbon Loss from Earthquake Induced Landslides in Fiordland

Charles Cox — 2024-09-10

Fiordland is a carbon sink, and the influence of landslide events on carbon transport and sequestration in the region needs to be understood. Landslides triggered by two earthquakes in Fiordland were mapped using Google Earth Pro satellite imagery (eye altitude of 1.5–2.5 km, enabling ± 50 m precision). Ground acceleration during the 2003 M_w 7.2 Secretary Island Earthquake resulted in at least 1852 landslides. The larger 2009 M_w7.8 Dusky Sound Earthquake had lower accelerations, producing only 313. Both events dislodged large swaths of native forest, grassland vegetation and soil, some landing in rivers and fjords. The landslide maps and magnitude–frequency distributions show close similarity to a published Global Forest Loss dataset derived from 2001–2022 satellite imagery. Assuming forest loss here is predominantly landslide related, it enables the more-precise earthquake-induced landslide mapping to be placed in a longer-term context of other vegetation loss, mostly rainfall-induced landslides, during the past two decades. The total area of forest loss during the 2003 earthquake was anomalous, whereas during 2009 the earthquake losses were similar to areas of forest loss assumed to be rainfall-induced landslides throughout Fiordland each year. Carbon concentrations of landslide vegetation were calculated by defining vegetation types from a published Land Cover Database, and soil organic carbon concentration from a 1 km resolution raster dataset. Total carbon loss from earthquake-induced landslides amounts to 2.05 Mt for the 2003 M_w7.2 and 0.217 Mt for the 2009 M_w 7.8. By way of comparison, New Zealand’s total annual carbon sequestration was 6.3 Mt in 2020, and CO₂emissions were 9.2 MtC. Multiple-occurrence regional landslide events can account for changes carbon storage and sequestration in areas of dense vegetation, such as Fiordland. Processes of landscape disturbance are significant for carbon accounting and could be included in estimates of national greenhouse gas emissions.