New Zealand Journal of Botany abstract

Vegetation-environment relationships at Waipoua Forest, Northland, New Zealand

B. R. BURNS
J. R. LEATHWICK

Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research
Private Bag 3127
Hamilton, New Zealand

Abstract  The Waipoua Forest Sanctuary and Waipoua Kauri Management and Research Area together form a large (approx. 13 000 ha), continuous protected natural area on the west coast of Northland, New Zealand. This reserve complex contains comparatively unmodified examples of Northland forest including large areas dominated by the tall conifer kauri (Agathis australis). It also includes substantial areas of "heathland" scrub dominated by manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) and Dracophyllum lessonianum. Landscape-scale vegetation patterns are described from 294 vegetation samples located in both forest and scrub, and their relationships with the environment are examined using indirect gradient analysis techniques. Results suggest that vegetation patterns in both forest and scrub are determined largely by topographically linked variation in soil fertility and soil moisture and by altitudinally determined temperature and precipitation gradients. Conifers tend to occur on the infertile soils often found on ridges, whereas broadleaved species, though not excluded from ridge-top sites, dominate on the more fertile lower slopes and in gullies.

Keywords  Waipoua Forest Sanctuary; Agathis australis; mixed broadleaved forest; ordination; Northland; vegetation/environment relationships

B94051

Received 12 December 1994; accepted 21 June 1995

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