Ecological restoration at Mainland Islands in New Zealand

While important advances have been made in recovering threatened species an d restoring damaged habitats on offshore islands, effective conservation ma nagement is also required on the main (North and South) islands if represen tative elements of New Zealand's remaining biodiversity are to be protected . The recent initiation of Mainland Island projects constitutes an importan t step in that ecosystem-focused restoration goals are being pursued at mai nland sites. The intensity and scope of pest control undertaken at Mainland Islands is greater than has normally been the case previously, as has been monitoring of results and conservation outcomes, Preliminary results sugge st that declines in monitored species have been arrested and ecological pro cesses revitalised. In addition to restoring values at individual sites Mai nland Islands may be important places where our capacity to manage ecosyste ms more generally may be developed. Advances in our understanding of ecolog ical processes and of responses to management using sound scientific proced ures as part of operational programmes could lead to improved predictions t o underpin management decisions. Refinements to management techniques and t he development of appropriate skills, as well as enhancing public support a nd involvement could also be expected to have major benefits for conservati on management more widely. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserv ed.