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Localising the global goal of inclusive public parks in New Zealand : A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Planning at Lincoln University
Get PDFPublic parks provide a free opportunity for people to recreate and socialise in a green open space, which is especially beneficial in light of changing housing patterns often lessening the amount of green space privately available to people. However, with people’s needs and preferences differing, many public parks are inaccessible for some people and are missing recreation opportunities that appeal to a wide range of people. This dissertation uses a range of methods to create a framework to aid park planners in making parks more inclusive, followed by recommendations for change on a more institutional level.
This research can help New Zealand to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Target 11.7, which concerns the presence of accessible and safe green spaces that are inclusive. The research identified a number of gaps in current park planning practice. Among these gaps were financial barriers, legislation prohibiting particular uses in certain parks, and a lack of mandatory standards for safety and accessibility.
The methods included in this research are a literature and document review, observation and park user interviews with a case study approach using a Christchurch park, and interviews with park planners working for local councils in New Zealand. The framework includes recommendations for park planners to use existing standards and guidelines to guide park planning, as well as grouping together park renewals for safety and accessibility upgrades, to balance the need for more inclusion, while being realistic about the financial strain parks can have. The framework includes providing for consultation and feedback from the community, as well as including participatory planning with tangata whenua
Anaerobic oxidation of methane in coastal wetlands responding to manganese Influenced by soil nitrogen and microbial
No full textManganese-dependent anaerobic oxidation of methane (Mn-AOM) processes that metal-reducing bacteria mediate are coupled with carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycles and have a considerable thermodynamic occurrence advantage, playing a major driving force in biogeochemical cycling processes. Under the current study, unknown is how the addition of Mn oxide will impact AOM, as well as the exact mechanisms underlying it that have inconsistent effects. To this end, the Yellow River Delta coastal wetlands were taken as the study region, and this study used laboratory culture methods and molecular biology techniques to examine the response mechanism of the AOM process to Mn input in coastal wetlands. These results showed AOM exhibited various response scenarios in responding to Mn inputs, and the process may depend on soil N content, in addition to the background value of soil Mn content, and these factors are influenced by several microbial factors. After Mn⁴⁺ addition, the microbial diversity of the promotion group (Total nitrogen (TN): 267.3–372.6 mg·kg‾¹) and the no significant effect group (TN: 221.4–476.0 mg·kg‾¹) was higher than that of the inhibition group (TN: 114.4–125.0 mg·kg‾¹). Mn⁴⁺ input increased microbial competition in the inhibition group and inhibited the AOM rate; in the promotion group, the appropriate TN concentration was conducive for Mn⁴⁺ to increase the AOM rate. In the promotion group, microorganisms such as Gemmatimonadota were significantly correlated with the AOM rate; in the inhibition group, Clostridiales and Lautropia were significantly correlated with the AOM rate and Mn⁴⁺ concentration, respectively. This study is important for reducing methane emissions and slowing down the global warming process
Adoption of minimum tillage and mid-season drainage in rice production and their impacts on farm and economic performance
Get PDFThis paper investigates the effects of two greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation practices—minimum tillage and mid-season drainage—on rice farmers' farm performance (e.g., crop yield and risk) and economic outcomes (e.g., income and vulnerability). Minimum tillage reduces carbon dioxide emissions by preserving soil carbon and lowering machinery energy use, while mid-season drainage reduces methane emissions by interrupting anaerobic conditions in rice paddies. We employ a multinomial endogenous switching regression model to analyse survey data collected from rice farmers in China. The results show that adopting mid-season drainage alone significantly increases rice yield, while adopting minimum tillage—alone or combined with mid-season drainage—reduces yield variance. In addition, adoption of either practice or both, substantially improves yield skewness, raises household income and reduces vulnerability to poverty. The findings highlight that promoting GHG mitigation practices like minimum tillage and mid-season drainage requires emphasising their benefits in reducing production risks and poverty vulnerability, alongside their environmental impact, to encourage broader adoption among farmers
Soil carbon in regenerating high country grassland agroecosystems in New Zealand
Get PDFPastoral grasslands in New Zealand's mountainous landscapes contribute substantially to a primarily agricultural national economy. This landscape supports mosaics of regenerating indigenous biodiversity among more productive naturalized exotic herbage, each raising fundamental ecological, agronomic, and environmental concerns. Our objective was to investigate whether increased or lesser attention to native plant assemblages in these vegetation mosaics significantly influences soil carbon (C) stocks. At mid-altitudes below the original tree line, we compared paired plots of regenerating successional endemic myrtaceous woody shrub communities (Kunzea ericoides, kānuka) with exotic pasture at comparable slopes and aspects. We also investigated native snow tussock grass communities, the dominant vegetation at higher altitudes bordering the original tree line. Soils beneath kānuka had significantly higher C concentrations, C stocks, and carbon:nitrogen (N) ratios than adjacent areas of pasture. Soil C stocks were 15.43% higher under kānuka than under adjacent pasture. The bases of snow tussocks were frequently raised 10–20 cm above the surrounding inter-tussock land surface with a sparse vegetation cover that provides pathways for stock, making them more susceptible to soil erosion. Soil directly beneath the snow tussocks had significantly higher C, nitrogen, and phosphorus (P) in comparison with adjacent inter-tussock spaces. Soil C stocks were 38.7% higher under snow tussock than in the adjacent inter-tussock spaces. Our findings indicate that maintaining and enhancing endemic woody shrub and snow tussock assemblages is beneficial to productive and sustainable pasturage, while also playing a significant role in biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation
Can unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) adoption reduce pesticide use and enhance yields? Evidence from mountainous rice farming in Yunnan, China
Get PDFEnhancing food security while reducing pesticide use is central to sustainable agricultural development. Mountainous regions, characterized by fragile ecosystems and intensive pesticide use, present a major challenge. This study investigates how the adoption of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) affects pesticide expenditure and rice yields in such regions, using data from 520 rice growers in Yunnan province, China. Employing a conditional mixed process model, we find that UAV adoption reduces pesticide expenditure by 77.3 yuan/mu and increases rice yields by 196.9 kg/mu. Disaggregated analyses reveal that the pesticide reduction effect due to UAV adoption is more pronounced among farmers with smaller landholdings and those cultivating fertile soil. Rice farmers cultivating large and fertile farmland receive more yield improvement from using UAVs for pesticide application. Quantile regression further indicates that the positive impacts of UAV adoption are greater among farmers with higher initial pesticide use and yields. Moreover, a higher intensity of UAV use is significantly associated with lower pesticide costs and greater rice output. These findings suggest that policies should promote UAV adoption and support deeper integration into farming practices to maximize environmental and productivity gains. Targeted subsidies, training programs, and financial incentives—especially for smallholder farmers in mountainous regions—can accelerate adoption and ensure equitable access. Moreover, fostering local UAV service providers and strengthening rural infrastructure can further enhance the efficiency and scalability of precision agriculture in challenging terrains
Renegotiating species belonging in a changing world
Get PDFGlobalizing forces keep creating new “alien” or “introduced” species, but what should be done about these new nonhuman neighbors is contested. Arguments about whether species belong often bundle together claims about what is and what should be, which can create an uneven playing field that overlooks the diversity of human relations with new neighbors. This paper aims to distinguish a constructive path forward by distilling four ways that species are deemed to belong. From the literature, we identify nativeness, wildness, contributions, and right relations as distinct registers of belonging. We elaborate on the values and worldviews that each register enfolds, and who typically benefits from these regimes. Drawing from case examples, we show how this conceptual framework can help to expose the wider meanings and effects of new neighbors, broaden decision-making beyond technocratic debates, and compose new alternatives for conservation and wildlife governance
Carbon disclosure, carbon performance and corporate governance: Empirical evidence from Asia-Pacific non-financial firms : A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Lincoln University
Get PDFClimate change and global warming have become pressing issues that have gained attention from both academia and society, leading to an increased interest in climate change-related concerns. One initial measure towards mitigating climate change concerns and lowering a company's carbon footprint is greenhouse gas emissions measurement and voluntary carbon disclosure to investors. As the interest in carbon disclosure and its financial consequences is growing, this study aims to investigate the nexus between the extent of carbon disclosures, carbon performance and financial outcomes in Asia Pacific non-financial firms during from 2016-2021. Though studies on voluntary disclosure and carbon performance are emerging, a comprehensive understanding of their nexus, governance-related factors and financial consequences at the firm level is lacking. Prior studies on the financial consequences of integrating proactive carbon disclosure lack consensus and remain inconclusive on the direction of this relationship. By using comparable data from the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) from 2016 to 2021, this study provides a comprehensive examination through three individual, but related, essays.
The first essay explores the relationship between carbon disclosure, carbon emissions and the cost of debt financing. Using a simultaneous equation model to address potential endogeneity concerns, the findings reveal that firms with lower carbon emissions are more likely to engage in higher levels of voluntary carbon disclosure and such disclosures are associated with a reduced cost of debt. Additionally, carbon disclosure in the previous year is negatively associated with carbon emissions in the following year, suggesting that firms may strategically signal future emission risks to manage potential shareholder litigation and regulatory penalties. These findings highlight the financial benefits of carbon transparency for firms and underline the need for policymakers to strengthen mandatory disclosure requirements to mitigate potential window-dressing behaviour.
The second essay investigates how corporate governance structures influence the level of carbon disclosures. In addition to traditional governance factors, this study incorporates climate governance elements to offer a more comprehensive analysis. The results demonstrate that board independence and gender diversity positively affect the comprehensiveness of carbon disclosure, but CEO duality is associated with lower disclosure levels. Climate governance measures, such as the presence of a sustainability committee, climate risk awareness and ESG-related incentives, significantly promote transparency. The influence of governance mechanisms is more pronounced among firms in carbon- intensive sectors, firms listed on foreign exchanges and those operating under civil law systems. These findings offer practical implications for regulators and firms aiming to enhance sustainability practices through a better governance framework.
The third essay examines the effect of firm-level exposure to climate change risks and opportunities for firm value, emphasizing the moderating role of carbon transparency. The findings indicate that higher climate change exposure leads to a decline in firm value, particularly through exposure to regulatory shocks and emerging climate opportunities. However, firms with greater carbon transparency are able to mitigate this negative effect, especially in environments characterized by weaker institutional quality. This suggests that transparent climate-related disclosure can serve as a strategic tool for maintaining firm value in the face of climate-related risks.
Overall, this thesis contributes to the growing body of research on carbon disclosure and its financial consequences by providing evidence from the Asia-Pacific context. It offers important insights for corporate managers, investors and policymakers, emphasizing the critical role of disclosure quality, governance structure and institutional environment
Cruise ships
No full textCruise ships in the polar regions have been the most common mode of transport for tourists since the modern era of polar tourism began around the mid-1960s. From around 2000, polar cruise-ship operations have intensified and diversified, but despite its relatively small scale by global comparison, regulation is challenging and complex due to the unique geopolitical, socio-economic and environmental contexts. The legal regulatory framework can be found in international maritime law, including the law of the sea, the Antarctic Treaty in Antarctica and national laws and regulations in the Arcti
Beyond metrics - Understanding impact through a stakeholder ecosystems lens for not-for-profit social enterprises
No full textThis research examines how not-for-profit organisations operating as social enterprises approach impact assessment, with a particular focus on stakeholder ecosystems. Through a systematic literature review and qualitative interviews with practitioners, the study identifies limitations in current measurement practices, particularly their failure to account for stakeholder complexity. Findings highlight the value of a stakeholder ecosystem perspective in capturing relational, long-term, and mission-aligned impact. The research proposes a more holistic framework for impact assessment and offers theoretical, practical, and policy implications to support more meaningful evaluation in hybrid not-for-profit models
Are there clear benefits from diversification of land use: A review and preliminary meta-analysis?
Get PDFDiversified farming systems are often considered more resilient and environmentally sustainable than monocultures. However, their performance on key environmental and economic outcomes remains poorly defined across different contexts. We reviewed the literature and examined data from 277 sites, primarily in New Zealand, regarding the merits of land-use diversification. We tested the hypothesis that nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) losses to freshwater (kg/ha), greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and job creation differ between farm and catchment scales and that diversification can reduce these environmental losses. Our findings indicate that, contrary to expectations, N losses were higher in diversified systems compared to monocultures at farm scale, and catchment scale. This increase was largely attributed to land-use changes and cultivation practices. However, the total number of jobs was higher in diversified systems at both scales. Although heavily context-dependent, these observational data provide a rationale to determine the conditions under which diversification can improve environmental and economic outcomes. Beyond biophysical conditions, additional challenges in implementing diversification lie in the phasing and implementation of catchment policies at the farm scale, robust supply and value chains to adapt to market demands, and the need to develop and implement technology fit for varied (and diversified) farm systems