Forests a good friend in floods, study shows

HIGH-resolution data collected from Mahurangi Forest near Auckland during the Auckland Anniversary Weekend floods and Cyclone Gabrielle shows that nearly 60% of the rain that fell during those events was stored in the forest rather than flowing immediately across the ground and into waterways. The forest catchment was in effect acting as a sponge, holding onto water that would otherwise have added to flooding downstream.

The data was collected as part of the Scion-led five-year $13.7 million Forest Flows research programme, funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, which uses a network of 1717 sensors in 10 forests across New Zealand.

The sensors capture data every five minutes, leading to worldleading insights about forest hydrology.

Scion scientist and programme leader Dean Meason said the analysis is unlocking the mysteries about how water moves through catchments and is being stored, with this year’s extreme weather events providing some unique insights.

“Our network of field sensors, meteorological and hydrological equipment has been collecting data for about two years now. A key part of the Forest Flows research is to understand how water moves through forested catchments during and after weather events that range from light rainfall to heavy storms.

“This type of analysis following extreme weather events hasn’t been done before, or at this scale.” forest and landscape management decisions.

The sheer volume of data from the enormous number of sensors across the different networks within the Forest Flows programme is the largest of its type globally.

Work is nearing completion to analyse data collected from Titoki Forest in the Tararua District during the same period.

Titoki and Mahurangi forests are the two existing Forest Flows research sites hardest hit during this year’s extreme weather events. Both sites feature erodible soils and have been planted as production forests with radiata pine.

Scion is supported in this research by NIWA, which installed and maintained equipment, and provides ongoing hydrological science expertise. Installations were carried out during 2020 and 2021 at five catchments that provide a rainfall gradient.

These sites are remote, spread from Te Oneroa-a-Tōhe in the far north of Northland, to Māwhera on the South Island’s West Coast.

The sheer scale of the data being captured requires machine learning and artificial intelligence to provide advanced analysis. Ultimately results from the programme will reveal how resilient NZ’s planted forests are when faced with floods and drought and how water moving through forests will be affected by climate change.

Data from Mahurangi Forest showed that despite the huge volume of water (229mm) that fell during Auckland Anniversary Weekend and Cyclone Gabrielle, the soil near the surface did not saturate.

Nearly 60% of the rainfall was retained in the catchment (soil, shallow groundwater, and forest canopy). The remaining water made it into the stream flow.

Although the storm caused larger streamflows, it would have been even greater without the forest present.

Real-time data from these stations and from sensors operated by Scion, and remote sensing data from the University of Auckland and XERRA combine to provide a picture of the hydrological processes occurring within planted forests.

This will enable accurate predictions of water storage and release for entire catchments, while also providing data on changes in water quality over time.

At Scion, the data is also helping to develop a digital twin for each forest catchment to support future

Owhango 47A Otapouri Road

Open Day

Ultimate Otapouri

On the very popular Otapouri road in Owhango is this country charmer home. The home was built in 2010 and has a very practical layout. Keeping the home warm was focused on in the design of the home, heated via underfloor heating powered by a large diesel heater. This heater also heats the water when it is not heated by a solar water heating system. A large kitchen and open plan living space makes the most of the rural views from the home's position. There are four bedrooms, with the master having a very spacious ensuite. An internal access garage plus car port completes the home.

Rosevears

4 2 1 2 Auction 11.00am, Thu 20th Jul, 2023, (unless sold prior), Property Brokers, 27 Hakiaha Street, Taumarunui View Sun 25 Jun 1.00 - 2.00pm Sun 2 Jul 1.00 - 2.00pm Web pb.co.nz/TUR118991

This is an immaculately presented 37.16 ha property with fantastic contour. The property stretches from fertile river flats to easy rolling hills with some medium hills. The property is currently part of a larger farming business, so it has a solid fertilser history and has been grazed well. It has been cropped, contoured and re grassed with quality rye grass and clover cultivars and is clean country with minimal weeds. The current owners fatten cattle and winter lambs, but the options could be endless. It could be used for planting maize and other crops. The property is well supported with its own spring water that is reticulated to troughs.

Pohangina 2373 Pohangina Valley East Road New Listing

Konewa Station - 490 ha (STS)

Located in the renowned farming district of the Pohangina Valley, Konewa Station runs from the Pohangina River to the bush edge of the Ruahine ranges. The 490 ha offers a diverse range of land classes, from fertile flats to the boundary of the forest park. The property has been subject to an extensive development program in recent years, giving the ability to run any class of stock, from breeding to finishing. The contour balance is approx. 40% cultivatable and 60% grazing. The existing farming system is 80% finishing and 20% breeding. Improvements on the property include a four bedroom homestead plus excellent garaging and sleepout set in mature grounds, three stand woolshed, multiple sets of sheep and cattle yards, implement/hay shed and sundry farm buildings. Providing outstanding productivity along with hunting and fishing opportunities, Konewa Station is unequalled. This property demands the consideration of anyone wanting to take advantage of such a rare opportunity.

4 2 3

Tender closes 11.00am, Wed 26th Jul, 2023, 54 Kimbolton Road, Feilding View Wed 21 Jun - Farm tour commences at 10.30am Web pb.co.nz/FR164137

Blair Cottrill

M 027 354 5419 E blair@pb.co.nz

Ted Shannon

M 021 833 536 E ted.shannon@pb.co.nz

Stuart Sutherland

M 027 452 1155 E stuarts@pb.co.nz

23 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 19, 2023 Real Estate 23

Welcome to the rock!

Welcome to "Te Toka" ('the rock'), a stunning 249-hectare grazing and lifestyle property. Its landmark rock headland stands tall, overlooking all. With breathtaking 360-degree views, the property offers an ever-changing panorama, that stretches as far as the eye can see, from Hen and Chicken islands in the east to the Kaipara Harbour in the west. The farm has a flat to medium hill contour which has been meticulously farmed and subdivided into 25 paddocks, featuring an airstrip, a large four-bay implement shed, and a rustic yet charming 'shepherd’s’ cottage'. Its native bush provides potential for multiple onsite titles and TTR opportunities, with ETS income streams, and there's plenty for the hunter with wild goats and pigs roaming the hills. bayleys.co.nz/1203522

Helensville 419 and 429 Kiwitahi Road

Deceased estate

249ha

Tender (unless sold prior)

Closing 1pm, Fri 21 Jul 2023

41 Queen Street, Warkworth

View by appointment

John Barnett 021 790 393 john.barnett@bayleys.co.nz

MACKYS REAL ESTATE LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

90.6566ha

Tender (unless sold prior)

Closing 12pm, Fri 21 Jul 2023

41 Queen Street, Warkworth

View by appointment

John Barnett 021 790 393 john.barnett@bayleys.co.nz

MACKYS REAL ESTATE LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

Tender

RURAL |

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GLEN MURRAY 401 Waikaretu Valley Road pggwre.co.nz/PUK37867

The Market will be Met!

This 165ha farm is predominantly north facing with ample hay country. Bore water supplies the two dwellings along with farm. Fenced into 18 paddocks, 13 of which water is supplied via trough.

Three stand woolshed with attached concrete floor workshop, six bay covered lean-to, separate three bay enclosed haybarn, sheep and cattle yards with loading out race and crush.

Dwellings include a Huntly brick house with three bedroom, two bathroom, office, rumpus room plus three car garage, and a two bedroom, two bathroom cottage plus two car garage.

5 4 TENDER

Plus GST (if any)

(Unless Sold By Private Treaty)

Closes 2.00pm, Thursday 29 June

VIEW By Appointment Only

M 027 473 3632

E avanmil@pggwrightson.co.nz www.craigcojetters.com

Jet. Deal to y and Lice now. Guaranteed performance. Unbeatable pricing. Phone 06 835 6863.