Ecology ofKunzea ericoides(A. Rich.) J. Thompson (kanuka) in east Otago, New Zealand

Abstract

The establishment, growth, and successional characteristics of Kunzea ericoides in stands 2-70 years old were studied near Dunedin, New Zealand. K. ericoides seedlings established readily on bare ground (mean density 3.2 m -2 after two years), but at a lower rate in grazed pasture (mean density 1.3 m -2 after at least 12 years). K. ericoides grew in dense stands (about I m -2 at 27-50 years) that suppressexl growth of other tree species until substantial reduction of K. ericoides stem density after about 50 years. Species diversity of forest shrubs, ferns and herbs increased little with age of K. ericoides stand. By 70 years podocarps were represented only by scattered seedlings, and succession through K. ericoides to mature podocm-pbroadleaved forest had barely begun. Implications of the results for alternative models of succession are discussed, as are the implications of K. ericoides ecology for firewood crop management.

Assessing the Success of Restoration Plantings in a Temperate New Zealand Forest

“…Although direct comparisons between the development of natural and restored communities is the best way to test this, the relative development of such communities may provide an adequate indication. Williams (1983) and Allen et al (1992) suggest time periods of 50–70 years or more for the colonization of indigenous forest plant species beneath early successional species such as K. ericoides in sites similar to those studied here. The relative proportion of regeneration and overall compositional vegetation development of the two oldest restoration study plots (30 and 35 years) suggests that the restoration sites studied here are providing conditions suitable for recolonization and establishment faster than those occurring under natural processes, especially as woody species establishment is limited by a vigorous grass sward.…”

“…Establishment of other woody plants may at first be slow in K. ericoides communities, but once the canopy begins to open, such establishment can be rapid. While K. ericoides can invade bare ground and lightly grazed, short‐stature pasture ( Allen et al 1992; Wilson 1994), this and other native woody species are less able to establish in ungrazed pasture and grassland dominated by tall introduced grass species such as Dactylis glomerata ( Esler 1967; Allen et al 1992; Wilson 1994). In these situations, Pteridium esculentum (bracken) is often the only non‐grassland native species to establish ( Lord 1990) and secondary successions to forest are often delayed for a considerable period of time.…”

Carbon and nitrogen distribution and accumulation in a New Zealand scrubland ecosystem

“…Manuka grows to a much smaller size than kanuka, and although the two species frequently establish together, manuka is often quickly replaced by kanuka under certain conditions (Allen et al 1992;Bergin et al 1995;Smale et al 1997). Manuka does well on low-fertility, poorly drained soils, whereas kanuka prefers higher fertility, freely draining soils (Wardle 1991).…”

Afforestation/reforestation of New Zealand marginal pasture lands by indigenous shrublands: the potential for Kyoto forest sinks

“…Furthermore, reversion of marginal pastoral hill-country to mānuka/kānuka shrubland meets a range of additional objectives in sustainable environmental management: creation of indigenous biodiversity, erosion mitigation and soil conservation, consequent improvements in water quality, and creation of environmentally benign revenue from honey, nutriceutical, and pharmaceutical industries [45]. Importantly, from a C sink perspective, in many areas indigenous shrubland provides the first step in a successional pathway to a permanent cover of indigenous tall forest (e.g., [1,14,32,49]). Because of NZ's temperate climate, fire seldom interferes with this succession.…”