Biodiversity funding needs a major boost

Forest and Bird, Issue 305, 1 August 2002, Unnumbered Page (Supplement)

Biodiversity funding needs a major boost

he much welcomed substantial funding increases by the former LabourAlliance Government are, unfortunately, not yet enough to meet the government’s goal of turning the tide against biodiversity loss. New research since the Strategy was developed, has shown that bird numbers are declining faster than was thought even a few years ago. Kiwi will become extinct on the mainland, outside of intensively managed areas, in the next 15 or so years. Kaka may already be functionally extinct with primarily male birds remaining on mainland New Zealand. Blue duck is also in serious trouble. And a host of other species are in similar decline. On the positive side the increase in knowledge is leading to the development of better methods for controlling predators and therefore saving species. Forest and Bird estimates that at least an extra $50 million per year is needed to halt the decline in biodiversity, comprising: Protecting the canopies of sensitive forests (e.g. rata-kamahi forests) from possum browse. * Reducing deer and goat numbers to low enough levels to allow regeneration of forests and maintain the full diversity of plant species. * Creation of a network of at least 30 "safe havens" which are large areas (10,000-20,000 ha) where pest control allows threatened species to recover. * Progressively eradicating pests such as thar and wallabies. * Making more islands pest-free. .

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Write to the Minister of Conservation asking that the Government reviews the funding package for implementing the Biodiversity Strategy and commits the necessary funding to halting the decline of New Zealand's biodiversity. Between now and when the Biodiversity Strategy is scheduled to be reviewed (2005), kiwi numbers on the mainland may drop by nearly 10,000 to a new low of around 40,000 birds.

4 RESTORING THE DAWN CHORUS