Intensification and diversification of New Zealand agriculture since 1960: An evaluation of current indicators of land use change

摘要: Previous studies of New Zealand's environmental and agricultural history have provided a broad-brush characterisation land use change that potentially misses pivotal fluctuations in policy practice would inform us key drivers ongoing change. Of particular interest to makers is the period after end agriculture's 'long boom' late 1970s, when dramatic economic occurred farming subsidies were removed. A review principal components analysis 35 Zealand statistics from past 40 years identified two main patterns use, production, farm inputs. One set variables, which explained 49% variation, indicates an overarching, strong steady trend for intensification lesser extent diversification, as indicated by (a) increasing stocking rates yields, (b) increased fertiliser, pesticide food stock inputs, (c) conversion more intensive forms agriculture, (d) diversification into forestry deer farming. second group 22% overall inflects around 1982/1983, time major shift agri-economic removed subsidies. The changes included some contraction agriculture (especially sheep farming) its associated inputs decline rural population. There evidence acceleration decade slowing variables between 1997 2001. these are poorly understood their impacts on biodiversity conservation farmed landscapes cannot be discerned national indicators currently being monitored. accelerating over raises concern about whether broadly ecologically sustainable now, especially it could remain so future.