Lake Tarawera - The costs of P mitigation and pest control

Abstract

Firstly, we have been asked to talk about the costs of mitigating P in the Tarawera catchments. It is reasonably well understood that farming activities can lead to phosphorus loss if they are not managed properly. Recent studies have also shown the possible links between pests and phosphorus loss in forested catchments. John and I will give this presentation in two parts. I will talk about pests and then John will move to farming. Neither of us will predict how much phosphorus could be managed nor comment on the cost-effectiveness of any actions. We simply attempt to provide ballpark figures for work that could reduce phosphorus losses to the lakes to some degree.