Farming at the edges of nature reserves is helping exotic species invade New Zealand, finds study

Native shrublands were once common across the Canterbury Plains, but over time, conversion of land to other uses, including irrigated pasture, has contributed to their gradual decline. Now, a new study by scientists at Manaaki Whenua—Landcare Research has found that spillover of nutrients and water from adjacent intensive agriculture is facilitating invasions by exotic plants into reserves set up to protect the last remnants of these native shrublands.