A Decision Support System for pest control

Dave Morgan, Margaret Anderson, and Bruce Warburton

Landcare Research, Lincoln

What is it? An internet-based system to assist in choosing the

most appropriate pest control methods

Presently – possums, rats, ferrets, stoats, cats

Primarily for RC staff and community groups

Funded as an Envirolink Tools project

Many other potential users

Pest control is a complex

sector

Why?

1. Good decision making

- help decision-making in a complex sector, based on science or expert advice

2. Prioritising expenditure

- funds are limited – can’t do everything

- so, want best ‘bangs for bucks’ based on a reliable, transparent process

3. Consistent approach nationally

- part of the MAFBNZ toolbox??

Examples of DoC Goals

Secure from extinction Long-term recovery Best minimum set of ecosystems (‘zoos’) Maximise ecological integrity (‘restoration’) Ecosystem services

Examples of RC Goals

Retain current levels of biodiversity adjacent to human settlement Habitat protection Community participation Halting decline Protect and restore

Biodiversity inventory sources- databases (e.g NHMS, PAN-NZ)- ongoing monitoring of biodiversity and threats (monitoring plan)

Goals or national outcomes from:

- Biodiversity Strategy- RMA- RPS- Community plan

Biodiversity Management System

Projects

Vertebrate Pest Decision Support System• user inputs: (i) job criteria and (ii) constraints• system applies rules and recommends best options• pest managers consider recommended options in making decision

Other biodiversity management activities e.g. land acquisition, fencing, revegetation, translocations, supplementary feeding

Identify management outcomes and indicators required to achieve goals

Calculate project efficiency (E) = W x B x S Cost

Identify threats and list all management activities (projects) required to deliver each outcome

Rank projects and select within budget

ResourcesFunds, staff, collaborations, contractors.

Performance monitoring of outputs

and outcomes

Evaluate outputs for cost-effectiveness

Evaluate outcomes against indicators

Principle: considers all constraints and recommends cheapest available option

Process:1. Consider all constraints (environmental, social, legal)2. Rule out inappropriate options 3. Short-list appropriate options4. Narrow down further based on:

i. methods used in last 3 yearsii. cost

5. Link to current best practice advice6. Calculate ‘efficiency’ of job (i.e. bangs for bucks)7. Prioritise jobs

How does the DSS work?

Link to DSS

Availability

• Test version on internet in 2-3 weeks

• Publically available by end-July

• Publicity

Conclusion – the DSS provides:

•An expert, objective system

•Transparency/accountability

•Best current practice

•Costing tools

•Prioritisation

Conclusion – the DSS provides:

•Expert, objective system

•Transparency

•Best current practice

•Costing

•Prioritisation

Other potential usersGovernance• Biosecurity NZ staff• DoC community relations managers• DoC biodiversity fund managers• Regional council• Funding approvers• Corporate sponsors

 Portfolio managers• Biosecurity managers (BNZ, AHB, RCs)• Biodiversity managers (MoE, DoC, RCs)

Operational planners• RC, DoC, AHB, contractors, private landowners,

researchers

 Ecologists • Ecologists (DoC and RCs)• Private ecological consultants

Operational staff• RC parks and reserves staff• DoC field staff • Pest control contracting companies

Private landowners• Forestry • Farmers • Conservation reserves• Lifestyle blocks• Funding applicants (QEII, Sustainability Grants)• Iwi/hapu planners (e.g. Nga Whenua Rahui)

Community groups• Environmental NGOs and Trusts (e.g. Forest and

Bird, Project Crimson, QEII Trust)• Volunteer community groups (e.g. Landcare groups,

NZ Trust for Conservation Volunteers)

Business groups• Pest product manufacturers • Pest product importers/suppliers • Pest product retailers

Education• Students ( secondary and tertiary level)• Tech. training organizations (e.g. AITO, polytechs)

Researchers• Pest research scientists (e.g. ecology, toxicology,

biometrics, food technology)

Biodiversity inventory sources- databases (e.g NHMS, PAN-NZ)- ongoing monitoring of biodiversity and threats (monitoring plan)

Goals or national outcomes from:

- Biodiversity Strategy- RMA- RPS- Community plan

Biodiversity Management System

Projects

Vertebrate Pest Decision Support System• user inputs: (i) job criteria and (ii) constraints• system applies rules and recommends best options• pest managers consider recommended options in making decision

Other biodiversity management activities e.g. land acquisition, fencing, revegetation, translocations, supplementary feeding

Identify management outcomes and indicators required to achieve goals

Calculate project efficiency (E) = W x B x S Cost

Identify threats and list all management activities (projects) required to deliver each outcome

Rank projects and select within budget

ResourcesFunds, staff, collaborations, contractors.

Performance monitoring of outputs

and outcomes

Evaluate outputs for cost-effectiveness

Evaluate outcomes against indicators