Browse all projects
Our Land and Water National Science Challenge
Enhancing the production and productivity of New Zealand’s primary sector, while maintaining and improving the quality of the country’s land and water for future generations.
Smarter Targeting of Erosion Control (STEC)
A project on exploring cost-effective ways of targeting land-based erosion control in the hope of slowing the damage and improving water quality.
Soil and erosion mapping on the Port Hills and Banks Peninsula
A collaboration between Environment Canterbury (ECan) and MWLR to produce an up-to-date soil map of the Banks Peninsula.
A national soil carbon monitoring system for agricultural land
First phase of a new nationwide baseline soil carbon measurement study.
Linking carbon and nitrogen cycling in lucerne: mitigating nitrogen losses and retaining soil carbon
We are investigating on-farm solutions to reduce the environmental impact of intensive irrigated pastoral agriculture while maintaining productivity and profitability.
NextGen S-map
A brief history on the development of soil classification systems used in New Zealand and how they relate to those used internationally.
Soil health and resilience
An integrated soil health framework that provides a comprehensive view of soil health and resilience and can be used by a wide range of end-users .
Increasing water quality in rivers by soil conservation actions on land
Sediment loads in some New Zealand rivers are very high. Mitigating the impacts this fine sediment has in rivers requires a catchment-wide approach to reducing soil erosion.
Impact of irrigation on soil carbon and nitrogen
How can irrigation be used to maintain or increase soil organic matter (SOM) and the multiple associated benefits.
The effect of medium- to long-term irrigation on soil water holding properties
This project studies paddocks with both irrigated and dryland areas, to research how soil water properties may change under medium- to long-term irrigation.
Development and application of SedNetNZ
How the SedNetNZ erosion model can be used to better understand erosion, and manage sources of sediment.
Maximising the value of irrigation (MVI)
Developing soil and crop sensors that map spatial variability and monitor factors that influence effective irrigation, including soil water status and crop water use.
Monitoring changes in soil organic carbon stocks in New Zealand’s managed grasslands
A new method to monitor soil organic carbon stocks and stock changes in New Zealand’s managed grasslands, which occupy more than half the country’s total land area.
Developing soil guideline values to protect terrestrial biota (Eco-SGVs)
Soil guideline values (Eco-SGVs) developed to protect terrestrial biota provide a useful means for assessing potential environmental impact of contaminants.
Mapping of winter forage cropping and intensive grazing
Identification of high-risk agricultural activities through national mapping of winter forage cropping and intensive grazing on hill country land.
Representativeness of Regional Council State of the Environment (SOE) soil quality data set
An assessment of the coverage and representativeness of current soil quality monitoring sites.
S-map soil survey in Greater Wellington area
Information about soils in the region will improve by mapping of soils using the S-map system.