SCIENCE & NATURE BRIEFS

SEAWEED POWER

The Sustainable Seas Challenge is working with industry and other stakeholders to develop a seaweedsector framework for Aotearoa. Seaweed combats climate change by absorbing carbon emissions and regenerating marine ecosystems. But despite making up a third of aquaculture production volume globally, New Zealand’s seaweed sector is still in its infancy. The project will try to identify unique characteristics of our native species and their potential as high-value products, as well as barriers holding the sector back.

LOVESICK SNAKES?

Venomous olive sea snakes may attack scuba divers because they are mistaking them for potential mates, says Australian marine ecologist Tim Lynch. The 2m-long snakes are notorious for harassing divers and rates increase during mating season. Male snakes were also observed coiling around divers’ fins, a behaviour associated with courtship.

NEGLECTED FRIENDS

Land-use-management changes are the top cause of pollinator declines, a global study published in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution has found. Pesticides, climate change, pests and diseases are other major drivers of the declines in bee, bird, butterfly and beetle populations and subsequent reduced crop yields. Brad Howlett, of Plant & Food Research, says thought t must be given to t how to protect “the incredibly valuable services these pollinators provide”. In addition to bees, many flies, moths and beetles are important pollinators of crops and native plants, and some could have a role in controlling insect pests.