Future Role Of Institute

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32351, 17 July 1970, Page 10

Future Role Of Institute

The Tussock Grasslands and Mountain Lands Institute has been compelled to widen the interpretation of its mandate to some extent, says the chairman of the management committee, Mr D. McLeod, in a foreword to the institute’s latest annual report.

“When first constituted the institute was charged with certain tasks, mainly concerned with ensuring that land use in the tussock grasslands and mountain lands was consistent with soil conservation,” said Mr McLeod. “This task remains, but the rapid development of emphasis on a wider interpretation of conservation as ‘rational use of resources' has compelled the institute to widen interpretation of its mandate to some extent. “The programme for the next five years takes account of the changed circumstances. It envisages the expansion of the institute's role as a centre for knowledge about the tussock grasslands and mountain lands and for the dissemination of this knowledge to the whole community “It also proposes expanding its role as a scientific leader. This leadership will be achieved not so much by research projects undertaken by its own staff, as by invitation to and participation with existing agencies, whereby work is undertaken which would not other, wise be done. “The programme covers a wide field of plant and anima] relationships and the relation of plants and animals to soil and soil erosion. It continues the study of productive management of high country runs. Finally, it initiates studies of the whole resources of mountain lands, including their use for recreation and the management of water supplies. “I have every confidence that the fine record of the institute’s staff will be maintained, and I have been gratified by the support which it has received from the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council, the Lands and Survey Department the Wool Board and all other agencies involved.

The co-operation of the principal and staff of Lincoln College has done much to establish the present position of the institute and to bring it to its present stage of development.” Earlier Mr McLeod said that the tenth year of the institute brought to a close one period in its life. Noting that Dr K. F. O'Connor had been appointed during the year to the chair of range management at Lincoln and the directorship of the institute, Mr McLeod said it was significant that he regarded these appointments not as separate but as one, linking the research and administrative needs of the region with the education of workers in the field. In a section of the annual report it Is reported that following on the preparation of a report on the management and economics of cattle in the South Island hill and high country, a comprehensive study has been written and is now being edited to be published . by the institute. “It is clear from this study,” says the report,' “that 10 per cent of New Zealand’s beef cattle are in the South Island hill and high country, and that from small significance In the farming enterprises of the region, cattle are now assuming greater importance. “It is also indicated that increases in cattle in high country enterprises will probably continue to be profitable. Particular managerial care will, however, have to be taken in some conditions to safeguard the productivity of the cattle, the profitability of the en terprise and the resources of the environment” On the question of th* revegetation of eroded high altitude surfaces, the report says that studies of the Grasslands Division, the institute and the Forest and Range Experiment Station

of the Forest Service, all point to the technical possibility of revegetating a wide range of eroded sites at high altitudes provided sufficient attention is given to meeting the initial nutrient requirements of suitably vigorous . plants established by oversowing. It is also evident that nitrogen fixing microorganisms can function to give continuing nitrogen supply to associated plants, even though no fertiliser additions are made for sev- . eral years. However economies will be essential for these technical possibilities to be- ; come practically feasible. Developments In seed coating may contribute to economies in both seed and fertiliser, and the institute is developing further studies along these lines as well as further" evaluation of the micro-climatic influence of natural and artificial mulches at Black Birch when recording facilities become available. It is believed that the greatest economy will be achieved as a result of the assessment of the inherent nutrient responses of various strains of plants from different sources.