It’s hard for us in Central Otago to imagine what the pre-human vegetation looked like. The ravages of human-induced fire, domestic and feral mammalian herbivores and invasive weed species have almost completely erased our forest, but not quite everywhere. A recent field trip to the Lauder Basin Conservation Area took us back in time to a lush Broadleaf-Totara forest. Paleobotantist Mike Pole shared his expert knowledge of pre-human flora and fauna with us. It was cold and we got wet feet but all agreed it was worth the trek to see this protected rocky gorge. Thanks to Duncan and Raf for scoping the area and liasing with the landholder. If you missed out on this trip we hope to revisit the area in spring. This field trip completes our Seed Fund Investigation through the Otago Participatory Science Platform which is a collaborative partnership involving: Otago Museum (lead and host institution), Ngāi Tahu, University of Otago, Otago Polytechnic, NZ International Science Festival.
Thanks to: Craig Grant and the Otago Science Into Action (OSIA) Board; David Orlovich, Cathy Rufaut and the Otago University Botany Department; John Barkla and Craig Wilson, Department of Conservation; Bill Lee, Landcare Research; and the Knight and Shaw families for access to their properties.
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If you could go back in time to see Otago before the impact of humans it would look something like the Rongahere Gorge. A small group of Haehaeata Trust volunteers recently took a field trip to a privately owned property on the left bank of the Clutha River that still retains its rare mixed beech forest. This was part of the investigation to find out about pre-human plant species and the relationships they have with each other and with topography eg, the difference between the sunny and shady faces, and the slopes and the flats. The area was logged up until 1953. Beech logs were removed by floating down the Clutha. Amazingly there are still huge specimens of Kahikatea, Matai and Lowland Totara with relict large beech trees. A stunning array of subcanopy species has survived and are regenerating where deer have been excluded. On the drier sites huge Kanuka, Kowhai, Ti kouka (cabbage tree), Halls Totara, Prickly Mingimingi and the at risk shrub Teucridium. The vegetation supports a healthy bird population with Kereru (wood pigeon), Piwakawaka (fantail), Karearea (falcon) and many Korimako (bellbird) seen and heard on the day. While it was disappointing to realise this is the only remaining example of its type along the length of the river from Lake Wanaka to the Pacific Ocean, what we saw on the field trip gives us a good idea of the plants that could have been in specific habitats prior to humans arriving in Central Otago. |
About usWe are a group of volunteers working to bring eco-sourced dryland native plants to parks, reserves and home gardens in Central Otago. Volunteer with usWe have regular working bees on: Categories
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