1 The Forum section contains short opinion articles on topics within the scope of the New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research. Forum articles are not refereed, and editing is limited to style matters. They should be no more than the equivalent of 2500 words including references. Articles commenting on a specific paper will be referred to the author(s) of that paper for right of reply before publication. Forum articles should not be cited as scientific papers.

Intensification of New Zealand agricultural practices is ail ongoing and accelerating process which potentially threatens the environment. biodiversity and even the sustainability of agricultural production. However, neither the exact nature of this threat nor the extent of its impact has received adequate analysis. There is clear evidence that agricultural intensification has degraded aquatic biodiversity, but there is a critical lack of research and monitoring of robust indicators of terrestrial biodiversity in New Zealand production landscapes. Therefore. we call only infer a generalised likelihood that intensification has also reduced terrestrial biodiversity and agro-ecosystem resilience. It is unknown whether biodiversity and ecological services provided by the actual land growing crops, pasture Or wood fibre are degrading because of intensification. Increased use of ecological Subsidies (nutrient and energy inputs) may have compensated, at least in part, for the increased rate of food production (nutrient and energy outputs). Lasting practical Solutions to enhance sustainability call only be identified by long-term transdisciplinary research of ecological disturbance in agro-ecosystems. Working with intensification to identify environmental and social gains at the same tu-ne as capturing economic efficiencies is more likely to Support biodiversity than simply attempting to stern or reverse intensification. A change in world view of both rural and Urban dwellers, from the predominant philosophy that allocates land to either preservation or production to one that promotes Sustainable land-Use practices that integrate extractive resource use With conservation, is the key to mitigating impacts of agricultural intensification ill modified landscapes.

(2008). Pathways for integration of biodiversity conservation into New Zealand's agricultural production. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research: Vol. 51, No. 4, pp. 467-471.

Click to increase image sizeClick to decrease image sizeKeywords: agricultural sciencesocial sciencetransdisciplinarity

The Agricultural Research Group On Sustainability (ARGOS) conducted an ecological survey of 437 shelterbelts on 36 New Zealand kiwifruit orchards in 2004. Species composition and stature of shelter on three orchard types (Organic Hayward, KiwiGreen 'Hayward', and KiwiGreen 'Hort 16A') were compared. Shelterbelts protect fruit and vines from wind damage that would otherwise reduce yield and fruit quality. They also affect the microclimate in orchards and occupy space that could be used for fruit production. Shelterbelts around the perimeter of orchards are more substantive than internal shelterbelts. The predominant shelter species (Cryptomeria japonica, Causurina spp. and Salix spp.) are similar between orchards, but shelterbelts in 'Organic' orchards have a greater diversity of woody incidental species, less accumulation of dense litter beds and more rank grass. Shelterbelts harbour incipient weed threats, but also provide potentially important refuges for maintaining biodiversity on orchards. Some orchardists have removed shelterbelts or replaced them with wind-cloth screens, partly to increase fruit dry matter by reducing shade. There is no evidence that the stature and porosity of shelterbelts differs between Organic and KiwiGreen systems, so shelter is unlikely to be driving differences in mean fruit production, fruit quality and animal diversity and abundance between orchard systems. Observed differences in fruit production and increases in species richness and abundance of animals on Organic orchards therefore probably result from (a) differences in orchard inputs and management, (b) increased plant biodiversity and/or (c) the presence of different micro-habitats on Organic orchards.

Introduction One ofthe strengths ofthe foresters' education is the attempt from our professors of old to provide a social context for forest management. We know that forests have been treated differently through the ages; as providers of venison for kings and vert for the local populace; as capital and fibre to exploit and clear in favour of grass; as scientifically managed sustainable yield; and as reserve. Currently, New Zealand has an allocative (segregated) forestry sector where forest production is provided by a commercial element that sees forests as a utilitarian resource, and where environmental protection functions are presumed to be provided by reserves. The rise of a number of international trends in science and policy is unlikely to provide much succour to this segregationist approach. These emerging trends point to a future where an integrative approach to landscape with its people and its environment will supersede the view that specific pieces of land can be managed for singular objectives in isolation from their wider context. This integrative approach represents a synthesis between people and the land, between nature and culture, between 'preserves' and 'resources', between 'alien' and 'native'.

On 22 September 1998 Timberland West Coast released the sustainable management plan for the Crown-owned beech forests of the West Coast for New Zealand-wide public consultation. The proposal has already come in for considerable criticism from people and groups ranging from politicians to environmentalists of various persuasions, almost all basing their opposition on some concerns relating to ecosystem health. Timberland's proposal has also gained some support. This article presents one particular analysis of assessment criteria, emphasising ecosystem health and the its attainment through concepts of ecosystem management, and subjects Timberland's proposal to that test.

Funded primarily by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology (FRST) with additional cofunding and logistic support from Fonterra, Zespri International, Certified Organic Kiwifruit growers Association, Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu and a meat packing company.