biogeosci.nz

Fast paced journalism and social media bubbles seem to be promulgating misinformation about what the government has proposed for freshwater.  Here's an  example .  Is there really an expectation of 85% reductions on nitrate leaching in the Waikato?  No. Then where does 85% come from? The new regulations shift nitrate limits shift nitrogen limits from 6.9 mg/L of nitrogen to roughly 1 mg/L. The value of 6.9 mg in old frameworks was precise, but nearly meaningless. It corresponded to nitrate levels actually killing organisms due to direct toxicity. This would have almost never happened due to failing ecological health. The new focus is on the ecological health. Too much nitrogen causes too much algal growth somewhere between 0.4 and 1 mg/L. Most people will see that as slime, in the water or on the rocks. However fish, or the little critters fish eat will experience it a different way. The slimy algae takes up oxygen by day and when it is alive. But at night it respires, or it dies a

Ask a scientist working on Land and Water issues? A guide from Prof Troy Baisden The MfE Action for Healthy Waterways Consultation aims to be a turning point, a waterfall moment, for our lakes and rivers. The intent is relatively simple , yet the documents and changes are big and complex. Public consultation meetings are already underway around the country. Have your say, and help others do so.  I've created this document because, too often, our leading researchers and academics seem to hide from debate on this issue, when the public and stakeholders affected need support thinking through their positions. Major NGOs and sector organisations have created or are creating guides for consultation and submission. Here, I've tried to fill the usual gap in support from academic research to help people and groups understand where to focus. I’ve compiled all the questions in a single document and offer answers to five key questions that may help people and groups responding to the con

This piece (at 1:10) on RNZ Rural News captured how what's been done and underway in the Rotorua Catchment should feel in the rest of the country. I thought it was worth getting transcribed.   PRESENTER: A Rotorua dairy farmer says he's relaxed about the Government's action plan for healthy waterways that was released last week. The plan proposes tougher environmental rules around many aspects of farming including nitrogen leaching and grazing management. Steve Holden farms 700 cows on the Mamaku Plateau. PRESENTER: And he says the new rules aren't scary but it will take time for improvements to filter through because farmers can't just flick a switch. His property falls under the Rotorua Lake catchment plan which requires dairy farmers on average to lower N leaching by 35 per cent over the next 12 years. Steve says they bought the farm knowing what they had to deal with and it didn't put them off. STEVE: Yeah so, 2017 we bought the farm and all these rules w