SECTOR-BASED RESEARCH NEEDS

Each major area of existing and potential utilisation has differing, yet often overlapping, research needs.

Horticulture Research

Having spoken to many of those involved in the floriculture and nursery industries, both in Victoria and elsewhere, the Committee has a clear understanding that the basic research requirement is the development of new cultivars (varieties) that are robust, attractive to the market and cost effective to produce.

While in Amsterdam, the Committee visited a number of importers and wholesalers of Australian flowers - all agreed that new varieties are always keenly sought, especially unusual and special plants. At least one Dutch wholesaler is `always interested in new Australian varieties.' Other key factors for any variety sold is the quality of the product itself and the regularity of supply. Aalsmeer Flower Auctions, the largest flower market in the world, was visited by the Committee during its visit to Amsterdam. The importance of product quality was impressed upon the Committee. All stock passing through the auction rooms is subject to a rigorous quality-control process. The laboratory used for quality-control assessment is also used by growers for research into the longevity and durability of flowers and plants.

Likewise the Committee found that the development of longevity and durability of flowers and plants is a primary focus of plant research in Australia. With ornamental plants, methods of preparation for the market and preservation are important areas of development.

Wild-harvest-based sectors require information on the quality and reliability of supply of plants in particular. Other relevant research is concerned with the impacts of harvest on the sustainability of the target plant and other species that are affected by the harvesting process. Some research has been undertaken into potential economic uses of the excessive growth of a species due to ecosystem disturbance - the Committee was told of such research into use of coastal wattle and bracken.

The increasing use of cultivation-based forms of native-plant production leads to a different array of research needs. These relate to propagation, suitability of species or cultivars to specific climatic and soil conditions, disease and pest incidence and control, appropriate nutrient regimes and breeding and selection to improve the suitability of the plant for the selected purpose.⁶ All these aspects of production are, at best, in a rudimentary stage with native-plant crops. For many species they have not been addressed at all in relation to modern production systems.⁷

An understanding of the dormancy mechanisms of individual species is required if high and consistent germination from native-plant seed is to be achieved.⁸ Alternatively, as was demonstrated to the Committee in relation to propagation of old-man saltbush, efficient vegetative propagation methods will need to be developed.⁹ Agronomic information on the native plants selected is also needed - for instance some native species are intolerant of high soil-nutrient levels; others do well with additional nutrients.¹⁰

Native plants may have adaptations to help them cope with indigenous pests and diseases. These may not, however, be effective when the plant is grown under cultivation or in new locations. The vulnerability of many native plants to the root-rot fungus Phytophthera cinnamoni is testimony to this.¹¹ Breeding, cultivation methods, quarantine, mixed-species planting and pesticides may all have a place in protecting native-plant crops. Producers need adequate information upon which to base their plant-protection regimes.

Appropriate areas for funding for crop-related horticultural research have been summarised by the federal agency - the Rural Industry and Development Corporation. They are:

d) plant improvement;

e) agronomy (plant production systems);

f) mechanisation;

g) pest and disease control;

h) extension (communication and education);

i) processing; and

j) market development. ¹²

Research needs for the production of bushfoods are similar. These include:

k) management systems;

l) disease and pest control; and

m) cultivation requirements.

Bushfood Industries

Necessary research on plants and plant products that are intended to be used as food or as food additives includes studies on:

a) toxicology and nutritional value;

b) preparation methods; and

c) consumer acceptance. ¹³

Agricultural Systems

Research into the incorporation of native species into existing agricultural systems has received a little attention to date, but there is potential for much wider use of such integration (for example saltbush and perennial grasses to feed sheep and cattle).

Animal Products

As with plants, some research needs apply, whether the animal is derived from the wild or cultivated. These relate to processing methods (for example maximising quality of leather from emus and use of possum fur in felt manufacture), and health issues (for example benefits of emu products). Most research needs are, however, allied to the nature of production.

Harvesting of Animals from the Wild

A sustainable and successful harvesting operation of native animals from the wild is reliant on sound information. The experience of those involved in interstate harvesting programs of kangaroos indicates that research is required into the following areas:

d) size of population, distribution in relation to habitat and how these respond to environmental influences and management;¹⁴

e) improved methods of survey and monitoring, particularly aimed at more accurate indexing of aerial-survey data;

f) quantification of actual impacts of kangaroo, wallaby and possum populations on availability of pastures for domestic stock, crop production, plantation establishment and native-vegetation communities under a range of habitat and weather conditions in Victoria;¹⁵

g) for each species, impact of a known cull level over an extended period on population size and composition, hence sustainable harvest levels under Victorian conditions and improved models of off-take as basis for population management;¹⁶

h) broader ecological impacts of harvest;

i) influence on the above factors of other herbivores, particularly of rabbits and insect pests; and¹⁷

j) generic market research.¹⁸

Information required to ensure sustainable harvesting of other species from the wild is similar.¹⁹ The Fisheries Research and Development Corporation adds the important requirements of:

k) effective information transfer; and

l) improved adoption of implications of research.²⁰

Farming of Native Animals

Research on conservation aspects of many species can provide a basis more direct utilisation of appropriate species, though additional research is needed.²¹ The Committee was told, during its inspection of the research facilities at the South Australian Research and Development Institute, that a very high priority for the farming of native animals, particularly fish, is basic information on species biology, food requirements and growth rates under a range of conditions.²² There is need also for more research directly related to the farming of native species other than fish.²³

Resources committed to such research are generally small relative to the potential value of production.²⁴ For example expenditure by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE) on research and development in relation to fisheries (marine and freshwater) in 1997-98 was $4 million, with a further $5 million made available from the Murray-Darling Basin Commission.²⁵ The value of commercial fishing to Victoria was estimated in 1997 as $100 million, and recreational fishing contributes at least as much again to the Victorian economy.²⁶

Other research needs noted in earlier chapters include studies into:

m) genetic selection of productive strains;

n) the potential for, and control of, genetic pollution of wild populations;

o) disease risk and methods of control;

p) feeding options; and

q) market research.

Ecotourism and Recreation

Sustainable tourism can similarly only be assured if it is based on adequate, well-designed and appropriate research and monitoring.²⁷ However, it appears that, at least in Victoria, much of the current research, monitoring and survey work into ecotourism and nature-based tourism is done on an ad hoc basis, if at all.

Nature-based tourism research and information requirements, as suggested by various people, includes:

r) basic information on the size, economic contribution and impacts of the tourist industry; ²⁸

s) better profiles of the desires, expectations and needs of tourists seeking an experience based on native plants and animals;²⁹

t) information on the natural species which are the bases of much nature-based tourism - by region and ecosystem type;³⁰

u) potential demand for expansion of nature-based tourism; ³¹

v) more-comprehensive information on where and what is provided for nature-based tourists and ecotourists in Victoria and how well this matches demand;³²

w) the nature and degree of the environmental impact of tourists,³³ and an understanding of which tourist activities relate to which impacts; ³⁴

x) least-cost ways to avoid, control or mitigate degradation; ³⁵

y) sustainable levels of use in different environments³⁶ and maximum carrying capacity for tourist activities, determined using a system that has been shown to be appropriate for Victorian conditions;³⁷ and

z) economic data and analyses to underpin planning and management of tourism - including identification of effective ways to ensure that economic benefits are used in the local economy and to maintain the resource.³⁸

Bioassay

The Committee was given to understand that the efficacy of a plant or animal product often depends on the combination of agents in it rather than on any single chemical it may contain.³⁹ Consequently, although testing of individual components as is done by the AMRAD screening program⁴⁰ is one appropriate approach to the search for medical applications of native species, it by no means explores all the opportunities that they present. The Victorian College of Pharmacology explained that they test the effects of the natural combination of substances in a plant in their pharmacological studies.⁴¹ There are no current studies of this type being undertaken on native species at the College, but work in this area is planned for the future.

The Committee understands that there is significant potential for an expansion of bioprospecting activities in Victoria. These could not only be aimed at medical applications, but also other forms of utilisation such as bioremediation of polluted sites and efficient conversion of waste products to useful substances such as fuels.⁴²

CSIRO staff involved in such bioassay work have identified a number of major challenges for their research:

aa) access to native species - legal restrictions vary between States and the issue is difficult to resolve as there is a tension between concern that lack of restriction will lead to a loss of our natural resources to overseas developers, while too much restriction will stifle research and development within Australia;

bb) the need to focus research so that limited resources can be used efficiently, but the risk this incurs of neglecting other fruitful areas of investigation;

cc) the need for a coordinated national approach to ensure that the resources within native species are tapped for the benefit of all Australians, without compromising the long-term sustainability of species or ecosystems;⁴³ and

dd) issues of property rights.⁴⁴

Issues

The primary issue identified by the Committee in relation to sector-based research is that there are large gaps in current information. Critical information is lacking in relation to most forms of utilisation of native species. This information is needed if new developments are to be both ecologically sustainable and economically viable. Without a greater research effort, risks will be high and opportunities are likely to be missed.

Sound development of a new industry is dependent on good information relating to all stages of utilisation, from production (wild-harvest or cultivation) and processing to marketing. Ecological sustainability depends heavily on well-informed management.

The Committee also recognises that not all potential industries based on native species will be economically or environmentally desirable. Research can help to identify those forms of utilisation that are unlikely to succeed or may involve excessive risk, as well as those that are worth pursuing.

There are lessons in current and past programs concerning the most effective ways to target and conduct research. The Committee describes and analyses these in the following sections. However, changes to the organisation of research programs will not remove the need for an overall increased research effort.

Resources, including finances and trained research staff, are limited. It may be necessary to devise new ways to ensure that these resources are provided.