It is well established that the invasive behaviour of pests and weeds (e.g., outcompeting other species for resources) is triggered by a series of environmental conditions or drivers. Yet the bulk of bioprotection practices in New Zealand focuses on directly controlling populations of listed invasive species. This amounts to addressing the symptoms, not the drivers of invasion. Interventions that focus on managing the drivers—such as invasion pathways and landscape-scale environmental conditions—are less salient.

This research seeks to understand the reasons for this gap between bioprotection knowledge and practice, as well as identifying promising avenues through which landscape-scale approaches might be more effectively reflected in policy and practice.

While having national-scale relevance, the field research for this study will primarily be based in Te Waipounamu / the South Island.