Biological Control-Gorse (Ulex europaeus)

Biological Control-Gorse (Ulex europaeus)

Gorse in New Zealand is a massive problem and a major weed. Gorse can be found on 4.5% (700,000 ha) of N.Z.’s productive land. Although there are many ways that the government have been trying to wipeout gorse there are still much more research to be done until gorse is at least under control. The government still need to do a lot more research in ways of biological controlling gorse and stop in from ruining a lot of productive land in N.Z. They have only come up with seven biological controls of gorse so far. Two feed on the seeds and five feed on the foliage. The reason gorse is such a pest is that it is so adapted to the environment it lives in. It can live very poor land without much water or nutrients and has very resistant seeds (thick waxy cuticle) and can survive in harsh environments and can stay dormant for years and then still germinate. The gorse flowers twice a year in New Zealand and has become very adapted to N.Z.’s enviro...