Evaluating the impacts

Management actions may help mitigate the harmful effects of myrtle rust but may also have their own ecological, economic, social and cultural consequences. Researchers developed a framework that can be used to evaluate the impacts of and responses to myrtle rust.

Myrtle rust has the potential to harm important ecological, economic, social and cultural values.

Management actions may help mitigate these harmful effects but may also have their own consequences. It’s necessary to understand what these impacts are and to measure them so that stakeholders can make better decisions about management and evaluate whether that management is effective.

Researchers designed a framework that can be used to evaluate the impacts of and responses to myrtle rust – evaluating environmental, economic, social and cultural impacts.

They determined 10 environmental, 10 economic and 13 social-cultural indicators, drawing on international literature, evidence from other myrtle rust research, and expert knowledge for those involved in research and management of the disease.

While there was data available to implement and test some environmental and economic indicators, data was lacking for social-cultural indicators.

Download the report: Evaluating impacts of and responses to myrtle rust in New Zealand

 

Mānuka/kānuka forests case study:

The estimated cumulative economic impacts of myrtle rust on mānuka/kānuka forests is $157.7 million over 20 years, including:

• $49m of lost profits from honey production
• $17m representing the value of lost sequestered carbon
• $91m representing the value of avoided erosion