2024 postgraduate scholarship research priorities

Introduction

The research priorities for the 2024 application round of the DOC postgraduate scholarship programme.

DOC has organised its biodiversity research into eight priority programmes

Developing knowledge for climate change response
Developing knowledge for managing species
Developing knowledge for data deficient species
Developing knowledge for managing ecosystems
Developing knowledge for data deficient ecosystems
Developing knowledge for managing threats
Developing knowledge of social drivers
Developing knowledge to defend and scale predator-free sites

Te Mana o te Taiao Aotearoa New Zealand’s Biodiversity Strategy

These programmes are most aligned with Te Mana o te Taiao: Outcome

1. Ecosystems, from mountain tops to ocean depths, are thriving and Outcome
2. Indigenous species and their habitats across Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond are thriving.

Research is essential to the Te Mana o te Taiao Pou Tiaki me te whakahaumanu - Protecting and restoring and Tūāpapa - Getting the system right. Key objectives include:

Objective 4. Improved systems for knowledge, science, data and innovation inform our work and
Objective 13. Biodiversity provides nature-based solutions to climate change and is resilient to its effects.

Mātauranga Māori

The weaving together of the best available information from multiple knowledge systems and ways of seeing / understanding the world, including mātauranga Māori and scientific disciplines, is essential in the delivery of these research programmes. This includes, where appropriate, co-developing approaches that centre mātauranga Māori and principles of Whanaungatanga and Tāwhiowhio through equitable partnerships to create new knowledge to respond to research challenges.

Project prioritisation

Prioritising projects for funding will include consideration of:

(a) Urgency (noting the threat classifications from the NZTCS, with Nationally Critical being the most urgent, or classifications for Naturally Uncommon ecosystems with Critically Endangered being the most urgent)

(b) the Scale of knowledge gains (benefits), with priority given to projects that will benefit a larger number of taxa, ecosystems or pressures or provide a higher level of knowledge;

(c) a weighting for previous research, where the gain from starting new research is assessed (projects where there is substantial previous relevant research will have a lower gain than one that has had little or no research); and

(d) feasibility, including cost effectiveness, project readiness, and scientific robustness.

Priority programme descriptions

1. Developing knowledge for climate change response

This programme aims to develop and improve knowledge and tools to effectively limit the impact of pressures on biodiversity attributed to climate change and to protect and enhance indigenous carbon stores, thus building a system under which climate change adaptation is implemented to increase biodiversity resilience.

In scope is research and tool development for climate change adaptation that includes:

research, assessments, systems, data, tool development, and guidance to adapt conservation of species and ecosystems to climate change
research actions in the current DOC Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan (CCAAP) 2020-2025 aligned to terrestrial, freshwater and marine domains
research and tool development for carbon storage in native ecosystems including research, assessments, systems, data, tool development, and guidance to help us better understand carbon stocks in native ecosystems
projects to build on current workstreams in Maximising Carbon in Native Systems research programme.

Further information:

Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan (CCAAP)

2. Developing knowledge for managing species

This programme focuses on research related to population management of species classified as Threatened and At-Risk in the NZ Threat Classification System (NZTCS), taonga, and iconic species in terrestrial, freshwater and marine domains including mobile or migratory species (eg Australasian bittern, migratory freshwater fish).

In scope is research that targets the development and improvement of conservation knowledge and tools for managing populations of indigenous species or indigenous species groups including:

understanding causes of decline
understanding the population impact of pressures, pressure levels or pressure reduction
understanding behaviour and ecology such as movement, habitat use, inter-specific interactions etc
in-situ and ex-situ breeding, cultivation or storage methods including genetic management needs
translocation methods
individual or population level detection, tracking and monitoring tools and methods (including genetic methods)
species-specific data analysis tools
species-specific social science questions (eg, relating to iconic species)
adaptive management experiments where they contribute significantly to improving management tools and methods
research to resolve Data Poor assessment qualifiers and taxonomic criteria where it will improve conservation prioritisation and management
the programme may include work on surrogate species that would be otherwise out of scope (e.g., work on disease transmission in non-native species).

Further information:

3. Developing knowledge for data deficient species

This programme focuses on developing tools and knowledge to enable threat classification of indigenous species assessed as classed as Data Deficient in the NZ Threat Classification System. The requirement for DOC to manage, protect, and enhance Aotearoa New Zealand’s indigenous biodiversity requires it to actively undertake research to determine the full range of threatened biodiversity that requires conservation management. There are currently >5,300 taxa classified as Data Deficient (as of 14 August 2024). This programme focuses on developing tools for the survey and population assessment of Data Deficient species, determining the best places to survey for these species, and undertaking the surveys and assessments of distribution and population characteristics required so their conservation status can be assessed.

In scope is research that:

develops tools for detection and survey methodologies for terrestrial, freshwater and marine taxa that are Data Deficient or likely to be Data Deficient
surveys and population assessments of Data Deficient taxa that provide sufficient information to enable threat classification in the NZTCS
taxa, or groups of taxa, requiring taxonomic resolution if they are (a) classed as Data Deficient and (b) taxonomic resolution is likely to assist in threat classification (fescribing a taxon for purely academic reasons is out of scope).

Further information:

NZ Threat Classification System

4. Developing knowledge for managing ecosystems

The requirement for DOC to manage, protect, and enhance Aotearoa New Zealand’s indigenous biodiversity requires it to actively undertake research to develop and improve conservation management knowledge and tools for ecosystems across terrestrial, freshwater and marine domains. Most ecosystems face some form of threat or pressure, and the Department does not currently have the complete suite of tools required to manage all ecosystems that require attention. This programme focuses on ecosystem management research for ecosystems for which knowledge or effective management gaps may still exist. It acknowledges that ecosystems are complex entities that require specific solutions for understanding processes, function, integrity, causes of decline, and restoration techniques.

In scope is research that:

clearly targets the development and improvement of conservation knowledge and tools for managing ecosystems or groups of ecosystems (eg, research gaps, drivers of condition and causes of reduced function and decline, integrity, and ecosystem restoration and adaptive management experiments)
develops ecosystem management tools for naturally uncommon, rare and threatened ecosystems
includes investigations of ecosystem-specific social science questions
includes developing ecosystem-specific electronic, remote sensing, and data analysis tools among others
contributes to improving prioritisation of ecosystems work except where these are considered to be systems in their own right.

Further information:

Naturally Uncommon Ecosystems - Landcare Research
Holdaway RJ, Wiser SK, Williams PA 2012. Status assessment of New Zealand's naturally uncommon ecosystems. Conservation Biology 26: 619–629.

5. Developing knowledge for data deficient ecosystems

This programme aims to develop and improve conservation management knowledge for ecosystem types where we have little knowledge of their conservation status or where to manage them. The programme focuses on locating and mapping Data Deficient Ecosystems. It acknowledges that Data Deficient Ecosystems require specific survey and inventory to determine their threatened or rare status and to classify their conservation status. Once there is enough information to assess conservation status, ecosystem types may move into other programmes where they may be actively managed or where new management tools are developed.

In scope is research that:

Clearly targets the development and improvement of conservation knowledge for understanding and tools and techniques for managing Data Deficient Ecosystems across terrestrial, freshwater, estuarine and marine ecosystems, including:

understanding their conservation status
understanding their current and historical geographical extent and trends in ecological integrity
the filling of knowledge gaps required for effective management (eg, assessing vulnerability to climate change effects, acquisition of spatial data that informs ecosystem occurrence and distribution).
includes developing electronic, remote sensing, and data analysis tools that are specific to one or more Data Deficient Ecosystems
is focused on a group of species (eg, functional group) that is a key constituent of the Data Deficient Ecosystem type (eg, grasses and rushes of estuarine ecosystems, forbs and herbs of lake margins).

Further information:

Wiser SK, Buxton RP, Clarkson BR, Hoare RJB, Holdaway RJ, Richardson SJ, Smale MC, West C, Williams PA 2013. New Zealand’s naturally uncommon ecosystems. In Dymond JR ed. Ecosystem services in New Zealand – conditions and trends. Manaaki Whenua Press, Lincoln, New Zealand. Pp. 49–61.

6. Developing knowledge for managing threats

This programme focuses on developing and improving conservation knowledge and tools for managing national threats on indigenous species, habitats and ecosystems. Most if not all forms of indigenous biodiversity, ranging from species to ecosystems across both the land- and seascape, face one or more pressures or threats (e.g., habitat fragmentation and loss, introduced predators and weeds, pathogens, climate change-induced sea-level rise). The Department does not currently have the knowledge necessary, the complete suite of tools required, or the resources to manage all threats and pressures at the scale required. Many current tools are only marginally effective at delivering sustained positive outcomes, and new and/or novel pressures for which no tool exists continue to surface. This programme focuses on research that will enable more effective management by filling knowledge gaps and identifying and testing tools for understanding and managing pressures and threats that do, or will, negatively impact indigenous biodiversity.

In scope is research that:

targets the development or improvement of conservation knowledge and tools for managing threats or pressures on native species or ecosystems across terrestrial, freshwater and marine domains
supports conservation advocacy to address threats to freshwater, marine and terrestrial environments (e.g., RMA advocacy related to nutrient and river flow limits)
develops threat-specific electronic, remote sensing, and data analysis tools
includes investigations of pressure specific social science questions (eg, managing domestic cats)
develops or improves detection and survey tools or methods essential to assessing the need for control andmeasuring outcomes of threat or pressure management activities
prevents incursions of new biotic threats that have not arrived or established in New Zealand land or waters (biosecurity research).

7. Developing knowledge of social drivers

The aim of this programme is to develop and improve knowledge of the social drivers that effect the conservation of indigenous biodiversity. It delivers research that spans all natural heritage work under the ecosystems, species, threats and obligations portfolios, and all programmes within them. It acknowledges that many social science questions and issues relate to multiple objectives and outcomes. The programme focus also includes building a broad base of engagement with external stakeholders to increase support for, and more effectively deliver, social science outcomes.

In scope is research that:

clearly targets the development and improvement of conservation knowledge and tools for social science. This includes tools focussed on evaluating human impacts on biodiversity
includes research that includes information from multiple knowledge systems, including mātauranga Māori and the principles of Whanaungatanga and Tāwhiowhio.

8. Developing knowledge to defend and scale predator-free sites

The national Predator Free 2050 programme is in a critical phase to prove that a predator free (focused on rats, mustelids, possums) Aotearoa New Zealand is possible, or where it is not possible at national scales, where predator-free outcomes can be realistically achieved (e.g., islands, peninsulas, etc). This programme will focus on developing knowledge (tools and techniques) to defend and scale predator-free sites; a component of the Predator Free 2050 mission, which includes other objectives such as building a base of community support and action across Aotearoa New Zealand.

In scope is research that:

targets the development or improvement of conservation knowledge and tools for eradication of rats, mustelids, and possums
targets more cost-effective solutions for defending boundaries (ability to prevent invasion of pest animal species and rapidly detect and intercept re-invaders)
identifies the best scalable tactical solutions for achieving predator elimination
improves scalable solutions for detecting and removing survivors and re-invaders and reducing re-invasion rates
improves our understanding of how target predator species use the landscape to optimise the distribution of management tools.
identifies the priority locations in Aotearoa New Zealand where predator-free status should be targeted.

Further information:

Predator Free 2050 Interim Implementation Plan 2024-2030 (PDF, 936K)

Heritage and visitors research priorities

Carrying capacity and visitor behavior management
Investigate strategies to assess and optimize carrying capacity at popular sites, with a focus on modifying visitor behaviour through expectation-setting, dispersal techniques, and fostering appreciation for natural and cultural heritage.
Cultural heritage values assessment
Develop methodologies to identify, quantify, and integrate cultural heritage values, ensuring these are effectively preserved and communicated at key sites.
Interpretation and storytelling for national consistency
Conduct research to establish national guidelines for interpretation and storytelling that accommodate local context and needs while promoting cohesive, high-quality visitor experiences.
Understanding and enhancing visitor contribution
Explore models of visitor contribution or “giving back” at popular sites, building on case studies like the Queen Charlotte Track pilot to create national guidelines for sustainable visitor engagement.