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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